TNPSC Current Affairs May 16, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs May 16, 2020 (16/05/2020)

 

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International Events, World Organizations

World Bank pledges $1 bn to boost India’s social safety net

World Bank has approved 1 billion USD aid to India to accelerate “India’s COVID-19 Special Protection Response Programme”.

Of the 1 billion USD aid, around 550 million USD is to be credited by the IDA (International Development Association) and 220 million USD by the IBRD (International Bank of Reconstruction and Development). The final maturity amount of the loan is 18.5 years. It also includes a grace period of five years.

About IDA:

Established in 1960, IDA aims to reduce poverty by providing loans (called “credits”) and grants for programs that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve people’s living conditions.

IDA complements the World Bank’s original lending arm—the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

IBRD and IDA share the same staff and headquarters and evaluate projects with the same rigorous standards.

IDA lends money on concessional terms. This means that IDA charges little or no interest and repayments are stretched over 25 to 40 years, including a 5- to 10-year grace period. IDA also provides grants to countries at risk of debt distress.

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Topic: New Economic Policies in India

Economic stimulus package

Third tranche of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan economic stimulus package announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

These measures are part of a Special economic and comprehensive package of Rs 20 lakh crore – equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP announced by PM on 12th May 2020.

Facts:

The 3rd Tranche includes measures to strengthen Infrastructure Logistics, Capacity Building, Governance and Administrative Reforms for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Processing Sectors.

Key measures announced:

Measures for improving agricultural infrastructure:

Rs 1 lakh crore Agri Infrastructure Fund for farm-gate infrastructure for farmers.

Rs 10,000 crore scheme for Formalisation of Micro Food Enterprises (MFE).

Rs 20,000 crore for fisherman through Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

National Animal Disease Control Programme for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis launched.

Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund of 15,000 crore will be setup.

Promotion of Herbal Cultivation: Outlay of Rs. 4,000 crore.

Beekeeping initiatives – Rs 500 crore.

“Operation Greens” run by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) will be extended from tomatoes, onion and potatoes to ALL fruit and vegetables.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

Cyclone Amphan

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared a cyclone alert for the Indian coastline across the Bay of Bengal as a low-pressure area has formed over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman sea. The cyclone will be named ‘Cyclone Amphan’.

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Topic: Environment and Ecology, Latest Diary of Events

Gharial (Gavial or fish eating crocodile)

40 gharials released in Ghaghara river amid lockdown.

Key facts:

The male gharial has a distinctive boss at the end of the snout, which resembles an earthenware pot.

Habitat— foremost flowing rivers with high sand banks that they use for basking and building nests. Gharials once inhabited all the major river systems of the Indian Subcontinent, from the Irrawaddy River in the east to the Indus River in the west. Their distribution is now limited to only 2% of their former range.

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Topic: Latest inventions on Science and Technology

Injectable Silk-Fibroin based Hydrogel developed by JNCASR

The JNCASR (Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research) has developed injectable silk-fibroin based hydrogel to deliver sustained insulin to diabetic patients.

The fibroin-based hydrogel was developed using biocompatible additives. The gel developed will ease insulin delivery in diabetic patients. The gel was first tested in rats and was successful.

Key facts:

The researchers have found that subcutaneous injection of insulin with fibroid based hydrogel formed an active depot under the skin. This helped to leach out insulin, restore physiological glucose for a longer period of time.

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Topic: Indian Army and Defense Activities

First Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel

The Indian Coast Guard commissioned the first Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel, ICGS Sachet in Goa. The ceremony was chaired by the Defence Minister Raj Nath Singh virtually.

ICGS Sachet is one of the five ships under CGOPV (Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vehicle) project. The project was a follow-on project of the earlier six ship CGOPV project that was completed in 2017.