11th April 2020 Current Affairs in English

11th April 2020 Current Affairs in English

11th April 2020 Current Affairs in English – Today Current affairs PDF link available below.

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Daily Current affairs for Competitive

Exams (TNPSC, SSC)

^11th  APRIL 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. No evidence of community transmission: Health Ministry
2. Scarcity of drugs, devices imminent, govt. warned
3. Virus halts J&K’s ‘Durbar move’ for the first time in 144 years
4. BSF told to suspend border passes for Bangladesh and Pakistan
5. New helpline to fight domestic violence
6. NHRC asks govt. about steps
7. taken to help the mentally ill
8. Korea goes to the polls despite virus
9. Saudi, Russia want oil cuts finalised at G20 talks

1. No evidence of community transmission: Health Ministry

Information in News

• The Union Health Ministry on Friday denied evidence of community transmission (CT) of COVID-19 while reporting at least 700 new cases since Thursday evening. The nationwide death toll from the epidemic touched 206, and the Ministry confirmed 6,761 positive cases.
• All but two were tested between March 21-April 2 and 40 had no history of international travel or contact with someone with travel history but had picked up the infection, indicating community transmission, the ICMR said.
• Over the last few weeks, there have been reports from several States of people testing positive but who were unable to explain the possible source of the infection. However, the Health Ministry has consistently maintained that this was not evidence for CT.
• The World Health Organisation describes such transmission as when there are large clusters of outbreaks when it is no longer possible to trace the original source of an infection.

Community transmission

• Community transmission happens when a patient who is not exposed to anyone known to be infected and has not travelled to countries in which the virus is circulating tests positive for infection.
• Experts at the ICMR said there were four states of the disease.
  • Stage-1 is getting imported cases,
  • stage-2 is local transmission,
  • stage-3 is community transmission
  • stage-4 is when it turns into an
• India is at stage-2 now.

a. ICMR (The Indian Council of Medical Research)

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research through intramural as well as extramural research, is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world.
• IRFA (Indian Research Fund Association) established in 1911was redesignated as the Indian Council of Medical Research (with Dr. C.G. Pandit as its first Director).
• IRFA was registered as a local body not administered by the Government on March 22, 1938 under the Government of India Act No. XXI of 1860.
• The ICMR is funded by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• The Governing Body of the Council is presided over by the Union Health Minister. It is assisted in scientific and technical matters by a Scientific Advisory Board comprising eminent experts in different biomedical disciplines.
• The Board, in its turn, is assisted by a series of Scientific Advisory Groups, Scientific Advisory Committees, Expert Groups, Task Forces, and Steering Committees etc. which evaluate and monitor different research activities of the Council.

2. Scarcity Of Drugs, Devices Imminent, Govt. Warned

Information in News

The Department of Pharmaceuticals has warned the Home Ministry,

• A countrywide shortage of medicines and medical devices is likely in the coming weeks, and urging it to take immediate steps to help drug makers resume production under the current lockdown.
• Drug and medical device makers are functioning “…on an average, at only 20%-30% capacity during the lockdown,” as per feedback from various industry formations.
• If the production does not reach the pre-lockdown level soon, it could lead to shortages of medicines and medical devices in the coming weeks.
• Underlining that half of India’s output of pharmaceuticals is exported as global markets offer better prices, the Department of Pharmaceuticals stressed that this could lead to disproportionate shortages in the domestic market, calling for suitable measures to be taken “in the right earnest” to prevent this “avoidable” situation.
• Citing multiple factors responsible for the impasse at several pharma units in the country, the letter has identified
  • The unavailability of labour, transport.
  • Courier services as the biggest problems,
  • Along with the closure of ancillary industries that are not being considered essential by local administrations and the police despite the Home Ministry’s directions.

The seamless functioning of pharma manufacturing and distribution units, both in public and private sector, is essential in dealing with the emergent situation,” NPPA chairman Shubhra Singh noted.

a. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)

• NPAA was established by a Government of India Resolution in 1997. It is an office attached to Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
• It is headquartered in New Delhi.
• The NPPA currently fixes price of drugs on National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) under schedule-I of Drug Price Control Orders (DPCO).
• Recently, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has raised the ceiling prices of 21 essential medicines by 50%.
• Function:
  • It is an independent Regulator for pricing of drugs. It ensures accessibility and availability of medicines to people at affordable prices.
  • To implement and enforce the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order in accordance with the powers delegated to it.
  • To deal with all legal matters arising out of the decisions of the Authority.
  • To monitor the availability of drugs, identify shortages, if any, and to take remedial steps.
  • To collect/ maintain data on production, exports and imports, market share of individual companies, profitability of companies etc, for bulk drugs and formulations.
  • To undertake and/ or sponsor relevant studies in respect of pricing of drugs/ pharmaceuticals.
  • To recruit/ appoint the officers and other staff members of the Authority, as per rules and procedures laid down by the Government.
  • To render advice to the Central Government on changes/ revisions in the drug policy.
  • To render assistance to the Central Government in the parliamentary matters relating to the drug pricing.

3.Virus halts J&K’s ‘Durbar move’ for the first time in 144 years

Information in News

First time in 144 years, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has decided to halt the annual shifting  of capital, called ‘Darbar Move’, from Jammu to Srinagar due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, as 23 fresh positive cases pushed the total in the Union Territory to 207.

The Civil Secretariat at Jammu shall continue to remain functional and the ‘Darbar Move’ employees shall work on ‘as is where is’ basis. It will allow Kashmir-based staff to work from Srinagar and Jammu-based staff shall work from Jammu,” said an order issued by the General Administration Department in Jammu.

The Darbar Move

• Introduced by Dogra monarch Maharaja Gulab Singh in
• The Darbar Move would see shifting of the Civil Secretariat in summers from Jammu to Srinagar and in winters from Srinagar to Jammu.
• In January 1987, the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had asked the then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah to stop the practice.
• However, the Darbar Move was continued to allow it to act as a bridge between two diverse cultures of the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region.
  

  4. BSF told to suspend border passes for Bangladesh and                                                        Pakistan

Information in News

• Home Ministry ask States not to allow social or religious gathering or procession during lockdown
• The Border Security Force (BSF) has been asked to suspend all passes given to farmers to tend to crops, especially along the densely populated Bangladesh border, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A senior government official said the BSF had been asked to suspend all kind of passes given to people dwelling along the border and who cross the border gates or zero line to attend to their fields.
• Cultivation is allowed in the open area beyond the fences and up to the zero line or international boundary.

a. Border Security Force (BSF)

• The Border Security Force (BSF) is a Border Guarding Force of India. Established on December 1, 1965.
• It is a paramilitary force charged with guarding India’s land border during peace time and preventing transnational crime.
• It is a Union Government Agency under the administrative control of Ministry of Home Affairs.
• It is one of many law enforcement agency of India and the force’s motto is ‘Duty Unto Death
• It currently stands as the world’s largest border guarding force.
• It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forcesof
• BSF has been termed as the First Line of Defenceof Indian Territories.
• BSF is deployed on Indo-Pakistan International Border, Indo-Bangladesh International Border, Line of Control (LoC) along with Indian Army and in Anti-Naxal Operations.

        5. New helpline to fight domestic violence

Information in News

• The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Friday launched a helpline number 0721-7735372 to enable those facing domestic violence to send a WhatsApp message to access help.
• Many women don’t know how to send an e-mail, whereas WhatsApp is easy to use.
• In the first week after the lockdown, the NCW recorded more than a two-fold increase in domestic violence and sexual assaults as well as a three- fold rise in police apathy towards crimes against women.

Using Helpline Number

• After a woman sends a message on the number seeking help, the NCW’s complaints and legal cell will contact her and seek specific details about the intervention she wants and her address. Following this she will be linked with the local police team or a counsellor from a local NGO or a medical facility or relocated to a One Stop Centre temporarily.
• The NCW has compiled a State-wise list of One Stop Centres as well as nodal police officers who can be contacted immediately
• It is also working on building a network of counsellors and has sought UN Women’s help for this.

a. National Commission for Women

National Commission for Women is also one of the significant statutory bodies established by the Government of India. It was established in 1992 under the provisions of the National Commission for Women Act, 1990.

Main aim of National Commission for Women is to raise the concern for the women and to represent itself for their rights. This Commission takes into account the issues and concerns of women community and advises for the authentic solution of all the problems they face.

This Commission takes into consideration many common issues associated with women and their repression from dowry to religious or political factors and most importantly their equal representation in job market and other exploitations.

  Composition of National Commission for Women

The Commission shall consist of

(a) A Chairperson, committed to the cause of women, to be nominated by the Central Government.

(b) five Members to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing who have had experience in law or legislation, trade unionism, management of an industry potential of women, women’s voluntary organizations ( including women activist ), administration, economic development, health, education or social welfare; Provided that at least one Member each shall be from amongst persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes respectively;

   Functions of National Commission for Women

• Work as the coordinating agency to receive and process all the complaints related to Indian Women deserted by their Overseas Indian husbands.
• Shall render all possible assistance to the complaints including conciliation, mediation between the parties and advising the complainant on related issues.
• Associating, networking with NGOs, community organizations in India and overseas and State women Commissions for wider area coverage, so as to assist easy access and provide support services.
• It Shall endeavour towards a coordinated response amongst various Government agencies/organizations such as State Governments, The National Human Rights Commission, Indian Embassies and Mission, concerned Ministries etc. Provide assistance to the distressed woman in litigation and other issues pertaining to the complainant/case.
• Shall maintain a data bank record of cases registered.
• Seek reports from the State Government and other authorities on the complaints filed and action taken thereon.
• Shall advice and recommend the government on any policy or issue relating to the NRI marriages.
• Investigate various legal treaties on the issue and advice the Government on the subject, wherever required.
• Shall constitute an advisory committee panel of reputed advocates/NGOs, both in India as well as abroad, which shall intermittently review the functioning of the cell, cases filed and policy issues.
• Shall constitute a panel of experts (All India) to support the aggrieved wife and rendering legal services and other assistance, including mediation and conciliation
• Planning of training modules and conducting training on sensitisation on the subject to the various agencies entrusted with the task of providing justice, vig. Judiciary, police, administration, etc.
• Shall organize awareness campaigns for the masses on the issue.
• This commission has responsibility to encourage /support research and study in the related field like issues of grievances associated with dual citizenship, enactment of new legislation or signing of international treaties, marriage laws of other countries, etc.
• NCW must look into complaints and take suo-moto notice on any issue brought to the notice of the NRI Cell in accordance with Section 10 (1)(f) of the National Commission for Women Act , 1990 read with sub-section 4 of Section 10 and Section 8 of the Act.
• The cell shall control its own procedures in accordance with the National Commission for Women Act 1990.
• NCW must perform any other function as assigned to it by the Commission/Central Government.

6.NHRC asks govt. about steps taken to help the mentally ill 

Information in News

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday asked the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to address the concerns of the mentally ill people on the streets during the lockdown to check the spread of the novel coronavirus.

7. S. Korea goes to the polls despite virus 

Information in News

• In Seoul, South Korea, the parliamentary election is proceeding relatively seamlessly so far albeit with a lot of preparation and protocols in place to protect voters.
• The government is trying to assure its 44 million eligible voters that it is safe to leave their homes to go to the polls, even as it is urging the public to ​avoid large gatherings and ​practice social distancing​.
• To make the voting run smoothly, South Korea has mobilized armies of public servants, including young men doing civic duty in lieu of mandatory military service, to prepare for the election.
• They have disinfected 14,000 voting stations across the country and marked waiting lines at three-foot intervals so voters avoid standing too close.

a. Elections in South Korea 

• Elections in South Koreaare held on national level to select the President and the National Assembly.
• Local elections are held every four years to elect governors, metropolitan mayors, municipal mayors, and provincial and municipal legislatures.
• The president is directly elected for a single five-year term by plurality
• The National Assembly has 300 members elected for a four-year term, 253 in single seat constituenciesand 47 members by proportional representation.
• Each individual party willing to represent its policies in the National Assembly is qualified on the legislative (general) election if:
  1. The national party-vote reaches over 3% on proportional contest or
  2. More than 5 members of the party are elected from each of their first-past-the-postelection constituencies.

8.Saudi, Russia want oil cuts finalised at G20 talks

Information in News

• Top oil nations were finalising a deal at G20 talks on Friday for big output cuts to lift prices slammed by the COVID-19 crisis with Russia and Saudi Arabia taking a lion’s share and signs the United States might take unprecedented moves to help.
• Riyadh, Moscow and its allies, which make up the informal OPEC+ group, had forged a pact to curb crude production by the equivalent of 10% of global supplies in marathon talks on Thursday and said they wanted others to cut a further 5%.
• But efforts to conclude the OPEC+ deal hit the buffers when Mexico refused to sign up in full. However, the Mexican President said Donald Trump had told him he might make cuts on Mexico’s behalf, even though the U.S. President has given no public indication Washington would join in the cuts and has instead threatened Saudi Arabia with tariffs and other measures if it did not resolve the oil market crisis.
• Major oil markets were closed on Friday as the G20 energy minister held a video conference, hosted by Saudi Arabia, but prices failed to rally after Thursday’s cuts.

G-20

• The G20 is an informal group of 19 countries and the European Union, with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
• The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the world’s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, 80% of global investment and over 75% of global trade.
• The G20 is an annual meeting of leaders from the countries with the largest and fastest-growing economies.
• The G20 Summit is formally known as the “Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy”.
• The first G20 meeting took place in Berlin in 1999, after a financial crisis in East Asia affected many countries around the world.

Opec+

• Opec+ refers to the alliance of crude producers, who have been undertaking corrections in supply in the oil markets since 2017.
• OPEC plus countries include Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan and Sudan.
• The Opec and non-Opec producers first formed the alliance at a historic meeting in Algiers in 2016.
• The aim was to undertake production restrictions to help resuscitate a flailing market.

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