Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2020

Notes:
Pune-based Defence Institute of Advanced Technology in Pune has developed a nano-technology based disinfectant spray named ‘ANANYA’ to combat Covid-19.
The formulation is effective in disinfecting all types of surfaces, including masks, PPEs, hospital linens, medical instruments. It can also be used to disinfect common places like elevator buttons and door knobs. The material has been developed by synthesising silver nanoparticles and a commercially available drug, Ampicillin. Commercial production is to be commenced soon.

Notes:
The chief of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has recently announced that nearly 49 million more people are likely to fall into extreme poverty this year due to the COVID-19 crisis.
He has also announced that every percentage point drop in the global GDP would result in stunted growth in hundreds of thousands of additional children. The UN has also urged the countries to act immediately to ensure global food security. More than 820 million people are hungry and 144 million children under the age of 5 are stunted.

Notes:
The state government of Haryana has announced that it would construct 1,000 water recharge bores in underground water deficient areas of the state.
The programme seeks to recharge underground water with rainfall. Announcing this programme, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that 90 percent of the cost of the bore project will be borne by the government and the remaining 10 percent by the farmers.

Notes:
A Central Public Sector Enterprise Under Department of Fertilizers, National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) has tied up with Industrial Training Institutes located near to its plants to train youth in several trades.
The partnership is expected to upskill the youth and to enhance their employability in heavy industries. NFL becomes first CPSE to start this initiative in Punjab, by signing an MoU with ITI, Nangal. The students will be trained under Dual System of Training Scheme where they will learn both theoretical skills and on-the-job training in Nangal plant.

Notes:
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has partnered with the Common Service Centre (CSC) to enable the pensioners submit Digital Jeevan Pramaan (Life Certificate).
As per the statement of the Labour Ministry, around 65 lakh pensioners can submit their life certificate through over 3.65 lakh CSCs. Every year, the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) pensioners need to submit their life certificates to continue to draw pension, as the life certificate will remain valid for one year from date of submission.

Notes:
As per the recent statement from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Custom (CBIC), Customs duty on bamboo imports by agarbatti manufacturers has been hiked from 10 per cent to 25 per cent.
This is expected to encourage use of domestic bamboo by all industries. Earlier, only the large agarbatti manufacturers were able to import bamboo at lower rate. But due to the reduction in import, farmers as well as MSME agarbatti manufacturers would be benefitted. Moreover, uniform rate will help to prevent misuse and rate related disputes.

Notes:
The Union Government has recently constituted an Empowered Group of Secretaries to facilitate investment in the country.
The committee, which is to be headed by the Cabinet Secretary, will identify potential investors and help in accelerating investment in key sectors of the economy. The committee will also recommend specific incentive packages for both domestic and foreign investors. The 7-member empowered group has CEO of NITI Aayog along with secretaries of DPIIT, Commerce, Revenue and Economic Affairs as its members.

Notes:
The Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh has launched a mobile based application named ‘Ghar Ghar Nigrani’.
The app aims to undertake house to house surveillance in the state till eliminating the pandemic. This new initiative is to be implemented by the Health Department of the state with the help of ASHA workers/Community Volunteers. It will ensure early detection and testing of the people for Covid-19, thereby preventing community spread.

Notes:
The Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has launched J&K Poultry Policy, 2020, to promote establishment of poultry units.
It has also announced a dedicated allocation of Rs. 50 crore per annum as subsidy, for establishing of broiler/layer farms and other poultry allied activities. The UT is spending about 900 crores spent on importing poultry and its products from outside. Capital investment incentive for access to credit and interest incentive are also provided to commercial poultry farms.

Notes:
India has recently launched its first nationwide gas trading platform called Indian Gas Exchange (IGX).
The first online delivery-based exchange has been launched by the Indian Energy Exchange, a power trading exchange regulated by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. IGX will be incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Indian Energy Exchange. The platform is powered by technology from global exchange GMEX.