Current Affairs - Update of 24.04.2020

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1. CII pegs GDP growth between -0.9% & 1.5%

  • India's GDP could marginally expand 1.5% or even contract 0.9% in this financial year, the Confederation Indian Industry (CII) said in a report.
  • It also suggested several measures to address the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19
  • It sought urgent stimulus including the creation of a fund to be used for subscribing to corporate bonds and credit protection scheme for MSMEs.

2. World Bank approved Rs 585 crore for HPSRTP

  • The World bank has approved Rs 585 crore for the Himachal Pradesh State Roads Transformation Project (HPSRTP)
  • Under the project, road construction work of Barotiwala-Baddi-Sain-Ramshehar with length of 45 kms, Dadol-Ladraurr Road with length of 14.5 kms, Mandi-Riwalsar-Kalkhar of length 28 kms and Raghunathpur-Mandi-Harpura-Bharari road would be undertaken in tranche-one.

3. National Panchayati Raj Day: 24 April

  • National Panchayati Raj Day is observed on 24 April 2020
  • PM Narendra Modi will address village Panchayats across the country to mark the National Panchayati Raj Day
  • He will launch a unified e-GramSwaraj Portal and Mobile App on the occasion
  • Through the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act-1992, the Panchayati Raj had come into force on 24th April 1993.

4. J&K bagged three national awards

  • Jammu and Kashmir UT has bagged 3 national awards under separate categories
  • The awards were given under three different categories - Nanaji Deshmukh Rastriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar (NDRGGSP), Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) Award, Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award by Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India
  • The awards are aimed to strengthen the institute of Gram Sabhas.

5. Mizoram: Mobile App 'mCOVID19' launched

  • In Mizoram, the Information and Communication Technology Department has launched a mobile app
  • The app is for the truck drivers and handyman carrying essential goods from outside the state to ensure easy and safe transport during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The Mobile App, mCOVID19 wildcat as the online pass for the drivers and handyman.

6. World Games unveiled a new logo for 2022 edition

  • The World Games to beheld in Birmingham Alabama, have unveiled a new logo and new title
  • The event has been delayed due to coronavirus outbreak
  • With the announcement of The Games shift to July 7-17, 2022, organisers have decided that the international multi-sports event will officially become 'The World Games 2022'.

7. Rajnath Singh inaugurated MVRDL

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 23 April 2020 inaugurated a Mobile Virology Research Diagnostics Laboratory (MVRDL) through video conference to test COVID-19 samples
  • It has been developed by DRDO in association with ESIC Hospital, Hyderabad and Private Industry
  • The Mobile Viral Research Lab is the combination of a BSL 3 lab and a BSL 2 lab.

8. Karnataka government launched 'Apthamitra' helpline

  • Aimed at empowering people in its fight against coronavirus, the Karnataka government has launched 'Apthamitra' helpline with an exclusive toll-free number and a mobile app
  • The app and number are aimed at providing required medical advice and guidance for those in need
  • The Apthamitra helpline will work from  8 AM to 8 PM, with helpline Centres at six locations in Bengaluru, Mysore and Mangalore.

9. Himachal Government to adopt a three-pronged strategy

  • In order to deal with COVID-19 pandemic effectively, the Himachal Pradesh Government will adopt three-pronged strategy in the state
  • For this, the State Government has decided to increase testing capacity, identifying three types of institutions for treatment of COVID patients having different symptoms
  • The people with the asymptomatic condition would be kept in COVID Care Centres.

10. Federal Bank to buy 4% stake in IFLIC

  • The board of directors of the Federal Bank gave in-principle nod to acquire an additional stake of up to 4% in the equity capital of IDBI Federal Life Insurance Co Ltd (IFLIC) from IDBI Bank
  • Federal Bank currently holds a 26% stake in the insurance company
  • The move follows IDBI Bank's plans to sell between 23-27% in the life insurance company. IDBI Bank owns a 48% stake in the company.