Daily Current Affairs and GK | 15 April 2020

1. Lockdown period in the country was extended till 3 May 2020

• The government has extended the lockdown period in the country till 3 May 2020.
• During this time, more vigilance will be taken in all hotspots and blocking areas, especially till 20 April and the lockdown will be strictly followed so that Corona infection does not spread to new areas.
• In these states, where there will be no hotspots, after 20 April, important activities will be allowed with certain conditions.
• The government has taken these new guidelines keeping in mind the interests of the poor and daily laborers.

2. More than 32 crore people have benefited under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana Package

• Recently, in view of the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, the Central Government has announced the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana Package.
• Under this, the central government has provided cash assistance of more than Rs 29 thousand crore to more than 32 crore beneficiaries through direct benefit transfer.
• Also, about 5.29 crore people have been given free ration.
• In addition, under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, about 97 lakh free gas cylinders have been distributed.
• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana:
  • This scheme was started by the Government of India in the year 2016.
  • Presently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, its scope has been greatly expanded.

3. Indian Navy will operate the service from Visakhapatnam at all times during COVID-19 lockdown

• Recently the Indian Navy has announced that 24x7 service will be operated at all times from Visakhapatnam during the COVID-19 lockdown.
• This task will be completed by the Navy's Eastern Command ship INS Dega.
• Apart from this, airlift of doctors and medical equipment is also being done to increase the efforts of ENC in the fight against global pandemic.
• Indian Navy:
  • It is the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces.
  • The President of India is the supreme commander of the Indian Navy.
  • The current Chief of the Naval Staff is Admiral Karambir Singh.
  • It was founded on 5 September 1612.

4. Government procurement of wheat started across the country for the Rabi season

• Recently, government procurement of wheat has been started across the country for the current Rabi season.
• But the government has also asked to maintain a safe distance at the procurement centers to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
• Rabi crop is sown in November, while it is harvested in March or April. Wheat, gram and mustard are the major rabi crops.
• Ideal conditions for wheat crop:
  • Temperature - 14 ° to 18 ° C
  • Rainfall - 50 to 100 cm rainfall
  • Soil - fertile alluvial soil or loam soil.
  • A lot of sunshine is required, especially when the grains are filling.

5. OFB started supplying complete personal protection kit

• The Ordnance Factory Board has started supplying complete personal protection kits.
• This kit complies with ISO Class 3 Exposure Standards.
• In addition, the board has also developed two-meter special tents that can be used for emergency medical conditions, screening and quarantine.
• These tents are made of waterproof fabric, steel and aluminum.
• Ordnance Factory Board:
  • It is an industrial organization, which functions under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence.
  • Its headquarters is located in Kolkata.
  • It was founded in 1712.

6. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) took measures to speed up custom clearance

• The Central Board of Indirect Tax and Customs has taken several measures to facilitate and speed up custom clearance.
• During lockdown, CBIC has made custom clearance online automated and paperless.
• Also, CBIC has said that it has been decided to enable electronic communication of e-gate pass bills and charge copy of PDF based final electronic for importers and custom brokers.
• It will come into force from 15 April 2020.
• Also, the entry of bill and copies of e-gate pass will be emailed to the respective custom brokers.
• The e-gate pass will be used by the Gate Officer of the Custodian for physical exit of imported goods.
• Central Indirect Taxes and Custom Boards:
  • It is the nodal agency of the Government of India.
  • It is responsible for the operation of Customs, GST, Central Excise, Service Tax and Narcotics in India.
  • It was established on 1 January 1964.
  • It is headquartered in New Delhi.
  • It is headed by M. Ajit Kumar.

7. US accepts H-1B visa applications for extended stay in the country

• Recently the US government has decided to accept H-1B visa application for extended stay in the country.
• This decision will benefit thousands of Indian professionals trapped in the US due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• H-1B Visa:
  • It is a non-immigrant visa.
  • It is granted by the United States under Section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows US employers, especially foreign employees, to be temporarily employed in specialized occupations.

8. Rockets were rained in the Libyan capital Tripoli

• Recently rockets were rained in the Libyan capital Tripoli.
• The rocket is carried by the Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar's army.
• The UN-recognized government of National Unity has accused Khalifa Haftar of revenge, as he was evicted from the city by government loyalists.
• The rains of these rockets set fire to several homes around the Mitiga airbase.
• Libya:
  • It is a country in North Africa.
  • It shares a border with the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria and Tunisia.
  • Its capital is Tripoli and the currency is Libyan Dinar.

9. India will import Harpoon anti-missile and Mark 54 torpedoes from the US

• Recently, India has decided to buy Harpoon anti-missile and Mark-54 torpedo to enable the US to counter regional threats and strengthen the country's domestic defence needs.
• The Harpoon missile will be mounted in a P-8I anti-submarine fighter aircraft to protect the ships by neutralizing ground attacks.
• The Mk-54 torpedo will give India the capability to destroy the submarine.
• It is known that the US gave India the status of a ‘Major Defence Partner’ in 2016.

10. Command and Control Center has been established at Tumkuru, Karnataka

• Recently a Command and Control Center has been established in Tumkuru, Karnataka.
• The center is also equipped with smart city capabilities.
• This Command and Control Center has been established to efficiently control the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The center monitors and tracks stored cases related to the COVID-19 pandemic, allocates duties and conducts training workers.
• In addition, the center also provides tele-counseling and tele-medicine services.
• A similar Command and Control Center has been set up in Surat and Pune to keep the pandemic under control.

11. Four years of e-NAM portal completed

• On 14 April 2020, four years of e-NAM portal have been completed.
• It is an agricultural trading portal implemented across India.
• E-NAM portal has helped in realizing the dream of ‘One Nation One market’ for agricultural products.
• Currently more than 1.66 crore farmers and 1.28 lakh traders are registered on the e-NAM platform.
• e-NAM Portal:
  • The portal was launched on 14 April 2016 in 21 mandis.
  • It provides an integrated national network for agricultural commodities.
  • It is being implemented by the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

12. Aarogya Setu App is effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic

• It has been found from recent experiences that the Aarogya Setu App is helpful in preventing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
• More than 40 million users have downloaded this app within only 12 days of launch.
• The app has also been praised by the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
• Aarogya Setu App:
  • Aarogya Setu App has been launched to track COVID-19 infection.
  • The app has been developed by the government in a public-private partnership.
  • Currently this app is available in 11 languages.
  • This app enables people to identify coronavirus infection and assess risk.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. How long has the government extended the lockdown period in the country?

A. 30 April 2020

B. 3 May 2020

C. 1 June 2020

D. 14 May 2020

2. In which year was the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana launched?

A. 2015

B. 2019

C. 2020

D. 2016

3. Who is the supreme commander of the Indian Navy?

A. Prime Minister

B. President

C. Home Minister

D. Minister of Defence

4. How much rainfall is required for wheat crop?

A. 50 to 100 cm

B. 100 to 150 cm

C. 25 to 50 cm

D. 150 to 200 cm

5. Where is the headquarters of Ordnance Factory Board located?

A. New Delhi

B. Hyderabad

C. Pune

D. Kolkata

6. In which year was the Central Board of Indirect Tax and Customs established?

A. 1950

B. 1947

C. 1964

D. 1975

7. H-1B visa is issued by which country?

A. Britain

B. USA

C. Russia

D. China

8. Tripoli is the capital of which country?

A. Syria

B. Bahrain

C. Libya

D. Sudan

9. From which country will India import the commercial Mark 54 torpedo?

A. France

B. America

C. Germany

D. Japan

10. Where have been the Command and Control Centers set up to deal with COVID-19?

A. Tumkuru

B. Surat

C. Pune

D. All of the above

11. What is correct with respect to e-NAM portal?

A. Four years of e-NAM portal have been completed on 14 April 2020.

B. It is an all India electronic trading portal.

C. It is being implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

D. All of the above are correct.

Solution:

1. B

2. D

3. B

4. A

5. D

6. C

7. B

8. C

9. B

10. D

11. D