Notes:
The World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is observed every year on June 14 to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors. The 2019 theme “Blood Donation and Universal Access to Safe Blood Transfusion” is a component of achieving universal health coverage. The slogan – Safe Blood for All – has also been adopted. The theme strongly encourages more people all over the world to become blood donors and donate blood regularly. The day is an important occasion for all governments, national health authorities and national blood services to provide adequate infrastructures to increase collection of blood from regular unpaid blood donors. Blood is vital for treating the wounded during emergencies like natural disasters, accidents and armed conflicts. It has an essential, life-saving role in maternal care. For an effective health system, access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a must.

Notes:
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has recently launched 118 websites that would enable citizens get building plan approvals, diversion of land use change and other related permissions through online submissions, avoiding middlemen and delays. It will bring greater transparency and end corruption and save people’s time and money. The initiative of state government will save people from running from pillar to post to get approvals. These websites and softwares integrate 14 departments and forms can be submitted online. The status of their applications will be shared through SMS to the applicants.

Notes:
Pazhavila Ramesan (83), a popular lyricist & Poet, has passed away in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on June 13, 2019. He is a recipient of the 2019 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for overall contribution, and had also penned songs for many Malayalam movies including ‘Malooty’, ‘Uncle Bun’ and ‘Vasudha.’ He had also served as the director of Kerala Bhasha Institute for a long time. Ramesan brought out poetry collections such as Mazhayude Jalakam, Njan Ente Kadukalelikku, and Pazhavila Ramesante Kavithakal, besides collections of his writings such as Ormayude Varthamanam, Mayatha Varakal, and Nervara.

Notes:
The Union Government has taken a historic decision to reduce the salary contribution of industrial workers who are eligible for healthcare benefits under the Employees’ State Insurance Act (ESI) Act from 6.5% to 4.0%. The move is aimed at formalizing India’s informal workforce and expanding social security coverage. The reduced rates will be effective from July 1 and would benefit 3.6 crore employees and 12.85 lakh employers. The reduced rate of contribution will bring about a substantial relief to workers under the ESI scheme and bring more and more workforce into the formal sector. The ESI Act of 1948 provides for medical, cash, maternity, disability and dependent benefits to the Insured Persons under the Act. The ESI Act is administered by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). Benefits provided under the ESI Act are funded by the contributions made by the employers and the employees. The Government of India through the Ministry of Labour and Employment decides the rate of contribution under the ESI Act.

Notes:
The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has decided to confer its Distinguished Alumni Award to Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The award will be presented at JNU’s third convocation to be held in August. Ms Sitharaman had completed her MA and M Phil degrees while Mr Jaishankar completed his M Phil and doctoral research form JNU.