Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2020

Notes:
The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) recently announced that it will provide emergency loans to small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) named ‘SIDBI Assistance to Facilitate Emergency’ -SAFE PLUS.
Working capital of up to Rs 1 Crore will be provided to small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in manufacturing of medical equipment and products related to Covid-19. The SAFE PLUS collateral-free loans will be disbursed within 48 hours at an interest rate of five per cent. The limit of the loans has been enhanced from 50 lakh rupees to two crore rupees.

Notes:
Government has directed Food Corporation of India to provide food grains to NGOs and charitable organisations providing cooked meals to the needy at OMSS (Open Market Sale Scheme).
During the period of nationwide lockdown, the organisations can buy wheat and rice from FCI godowns without going through the e-auction. OMSS reserve price for rice is ₹2,250 per quintal and price of wheat is ₹2,135 per quintal. Earlier, only State governments and registered bulk users were allowed to buy from FCI under OMSS rates.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched revised version of Swachhata App to handle queries specific to COVID 19.
The Swachhata-MoHUA Application is a flagship grievance redressal tool of MoHUA, under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). Now using this app, the COVID19-related complaints of the citizens will be redressed by the Urban Local bodies.

Notes:
The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) has partnered with UNICEF to promote a digital campaign on Social Distancing, for Self Help Groups (SHGs).
UNICEF is to provide the necessary support for circulating Digital Multimedia content, Webinars and Social Media campaigns on social distancing, home quarantine, etc. This initiative will reach more than 18,000 participants and will ensure tribal gatherers carry on their work safely.

Notes:
The Union Government has approved Rs. 15,000 crores for ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package’ for states/UTs.
This package which has been approved to build the health infrastructure, will be provided in three phases — January 2020 to June 2020, July 2020 to March 2021 and April 2021 to March 2024. This fund would be divided on the basis of the number of positive Covid-19 cases and the size of the state/UT. Rs 7,774 crore is expected to be released for immediate response.

Notes:
An Interactive Voice Response System initiative called “Aarogya Setu IVRS” has been launched by the Centre in association with Tamil Nadu government and IIT Madras.
The service has been launched for people who do not use smart phones and to assist them in tackling Covid-19. It will be activated by a missed call and the location of the user is identified. Assistance on healthcare and guidance will be available through the voice service. This service will be launched in other states soon.

Notes:
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is celebrating the ‘Play True Day 2020’ on April 9, which has been celebrated since 2014.
Canada-based World Anti-Doping Agency is a foundation launched by the International Olympic Committee, to promote awareness against drugs in sports. WADA is celebrating the day this year with the theme ‘Play Safe on Play True Day 2020’.

Notes:
The United Nations General Assembly declared 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Flight in the year 2011.
12 April 1961 was the date of the first human space flight, carried out by the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who was the first person to fly in space. The day is celebrated to commemorate this historic event which opened the way for space exploration across the globe.

Notes:
Technology giants Apple and Google recently announced a joint initiative to develop a technology solution for Contact Tracing activity, which will help the governments and health agencies to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The system which will use the Bluetooth technology, will identify people who are in contact with an infected person and provide alert message to the user. The companies also clarified that the system will be developed without compromising the privacy of the user.

Notes:
In the North-eastern state of Manipur, a new initiative titled ‘Food Bank’ has been introduced, to provide free food to the poor and needy, amidst the lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic.
The Imphal East District Administration has been implementing this initiative, which aims to provide free food and essential items which were donated by the general public, to the beneficiaries. Other items like hand sanitisers and face masks are also being distributed.