Facts - May

1^st May: Labour Day:

Context: The Labour Day was observed across the world on May 1, 2020. The day is also known as International Worker’s Day and May Day.

In India, the first celebration of the Labour Day was organised in Madras (now Chennai) by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan on May 1, 1923.

 Why 1 May is observed as Labour Day?

The Labour Day is celebrated to commemorate the happenings of May 4, 1886, the Haymarket affair (Haymarket Massacre) in the Chicago.

• It was a big event as workers were on the general strike for their eight-hour workday and police were doing their job of dispersing the general public from the crowd. Suddenly, a bomb was thrown over the crowd and police started firing over the workers and four demonstrators were killed.
• It was due to the sacrifice of these workers that eight-hours were declared as the legal time for the workers in the National Convention at Chicago in 1884 by the American Federation of Labor.
• To commemorate this event, the Second International, a pan-national organisation of socialist and communist political parties, marked 1 May as the Labour Day in 1891.

Bank of Schemes, Ideas, Innovation and Research portal:

• Launched by Union Ministry of MSME.
• The Portal gives access to all Schemes of Union, State and UT Governments. It has the provision for uploading Ideas, Innovations & Researches in the sector.
• The portal has unique features of not only crowd sourcing of Ideas, but also evaluation and rating the ideas by crowd sourcing. It can also facilitate inflow of venture capital, foreign collaboration etc.

Hezbollah:

• Germany has classified the organization Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in its soil.
• The Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party that is based in Lebanon. The organization was founded by the Iranian effort in 1980s to aggregate Lebanese Shia groups. In the on-going Iran-Israel conflicts, Hezbollah acts as a proxy for Iran.

  GI tag

GI tag has been given to Black rice of Manipur, also called the Chak-Hao, Gorakhpur Terracotta and Kadalai Mittai of Kovilpatti.

Key facts:

• Black rice variety has a deep black colour and is higher by weight than that of other coloured rice varieties like brown rice, etc. This is mainly due to the anthocyanin agent.

• Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai is a pea nut candy made in southern parts of Tamil Nadu. The candy is prepared from ground nut and jaggery. The water is exclusively used from the river Thamirabarani.

• Gorakhpur Terracotta: The potters of the town make animal figures like elephants, horses.

GI tag for Kashmir Saffron:

The Saffron cultivated in the Kashmir valley has received Geographical Indication Tag.

• It is long, thick and has natural deep red colour. Also, it has high aroma and is processed without adding any chemicals.
• The colour of the saffron is unique due to the high quantity of crocin. It has a rich flavour because of safranal and the bitterness is due to the presence of
• The Kashmir Saffron is the only saffron in the world that is grown at an altitude of 1,600 metres.
• The saffron available in Kashmir is of three types: Lachha Saffron’, ‘Mongra Saffron’ and ‘Guchhi Saffron’.

KISAN SABHA APP:

Developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi to connect farmers to supply chain and freight transportation management system.

The portal acts as a single stop for every entity related to agriculture, be they a farmer who needs better price for the crops or mandi dealer who wants to connect to more farmers or truckers who invariably go empty from the mandis.

What is Thikri pehra?

It is community policing practiced in Punjab and Haryana.

The tradition made a comeback after more than two decades — communities guarded their villages in the aftermath of terrorist movement and when the infamous Kala Kachcha gang gave locals sleepless nights years ago.

Thrissur Pooram:

• Known as the festival of festivals, Thrissur Pooram has a tradition of more than 200 years.
• This spectacular event was started by Sakthan Thampuran👀 the erstwhile ruler of Kochi.
• Held on the Moolam asterism in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May), festival related events take place at the Vadakkumnathan temple situated in the heart of Thrissur town and the adjoining Thekkinkadu ground.
• The pooram festival mainly happens between two groups representing the geographic divisions of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi. They will compete in their respective presentations of richly caparisoned elephants, traditional orchestra called panchavadyam, the swift and rhythmic changing of brightly coloured and sequined parasols called kudamattom and the dazzling fireworks in the early morning hours are the festival highlights.

Why in News?

For the first time since its inception, Thrissur Pooram will be observed with rituals within the temple premises with just a few participants. This was done in the wake of the lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

World Press Freedom Day 2020:

World Press Freedom Day popularly known as World Press Day is one of the calendar events planned, organised and promoted by the United Nations, is observed annually on May 3.

The day is celebrated to raise awareness regarding the importance of freedom of the press. The day is reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.

The theme of World Press Freedom Day 2020, “Journalism without Fear or Favour” and the sub-themes for this year are:

1. Safety of Women and Men Journalists and Media Workers.
2. Independent and Professional Journalism free from Political and Commercial Influence.
3. Gender Equality in All Aspect of the Media.

The day May 3 also marks the anniversary of Windhoek Declaration. The Declaration is a statement of press freedom principles put together by African newspaper journalists in 1991. It was a landmark document which set the stage for the development of the African media.

World Press Freedom Conference 2020:

Since 1993, the Global Conference is organized annually.

• The conference provides an opportunity to journalists, civil society representatives, national authorities, academics and the broader public to discuss emerging challenges to press freedom and journalists’ safety and to work together on identifying solutions.
• The Netherlands is the host for 2020. Due to Covid-19 a global pandemic the conference is now scheduled for October 18 to 20 at the same venue.
• The conference will be a joint celebration of World Press Freedom Day (May 3) and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (November 2).

ATULYA:

• It is a cost-effective solution to disintegrate corona virus.
• This microwave steriliser can be operated in portable or fixed installations and helps in disintegrating the virus by differential heating in the range of 56 to 60 Celsius temperatures.
• Developed by Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Pune.

eCovSens:

• It is a biosensor that can detect the novel coronavirus in saliva samples.
• It has been developed by researchers from the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad.
• The device gives results within 30 seconds using just 20 microlitres of the sample.
• How it works? The device consists of a carbon electrode and the coronavirus antibody. The antibody is capable of binding with the spike protein found on the outer layer of the virus. An electrical signal is generated when the antigen and antibody binds.

Special corona fee:

The Delhi government has said it will charge a “special corona fee” on sale of alcohol. It will be 70% of the MRP (maximum retail price).

The tax will help in boosting the revenue, badly hit due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

Saras Collection:

It is an initiative of the GeM, the DAY-NRLM and the Ministry of Rural Development.

• It showcases daily utility products made by rural self-help groups (SHGs) and aims to provide SHGs in rural areas with market access to Central and State Government buyers.

Under this initiative, the SHG sellers will be able to list their products in 5 product categories, namely (i) handicrafts, (ii) handloom and textiles, (iii) office accessories, (iv) grocery and pantry, and (v) personal care and hygiene.

Bishnu Sendra Parva:

It is an annual hunting festival observed by tribals of Jharkhand and the neighbouring Odisha and West Bengal. This year, for the first time in living memory, not a single animal was killed in event because of a complete lockdown across the state.

Arktika-M satellite:

Russia will be launching its first Arktika-M satellite to monitor the Arctic climate and environment later this year.

Russia`s Arktika-M remote-sensing and emergency communications satellites will gather meteorological data in the polar regions of the Earth, which will allow to improve weather forecasts and will enable scientists to better study climate change.

Surakshit Dada-Dadi & Nana-Nani Abhiyan:

• Launched by Niti Aayog in association with Piramal Foundation.
• Focussed on ensuring wellbeing of senior citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The campaign will reach over 2.9 million senior citizens in 25 Aspirational Districts across Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan & UP.
• It focuses on behaviour change, access to services, early detection & tracking of COVID19 symptoms.

GARUD portal:

• DGCA launches ‘GARUD’ portal to fast-track exemptions of coronavirus-related drone operations.
• GARUD- Government Authorisation for Relief Using Drones.
• The portal will help state-owned entities in seeking exemption from central government for coronavirus related drone operations.
• This will also help in addressing the challenges posed by COVID-19 and will remain in force until further orders.

Operation Samudra Setu:

• Indian Navy has launched Operation Samudra Setu – meaning Sea Bridge, as a part of national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas.
• Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa and Magar are presently enroute to Malè in Maldives to commence evacuation operations as part of Phase-1.
• A total of one thousand persons are planned to be evacuated during the first trip.

Pulitzer Prize 2020:

Three photojournalists from Jammu & Kashmir have won Pulitzer Prize 2020 in feature photography.

These include Yasin Dar, Mukhtar Khan, and Channi Anand.

About the Prize:

• Pulitzer Prize was established in 1917 and has been awarded for the achievements in magazine, newspaper, online journalism, musical composition, and literature.
• The award was established by the provisions in the will of Joseph Pulitzer, he made his fortune as a newspaper publisher.
• The award is administered by Columbia University.
• Pulitzer prize is awarded yearly in 21 categories. Each winner receives a cash award and a certificate. A gold medal is awarded to the winner in Public Service Category.

Vesak:

‘Vesak’, the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is being observed by United Nations on May 7, 2020.

• It is also known as Buddha Purnima and Buddha Day.
• The day commemorates birth, enlightenment and Death (or Parinirvana) of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, all of which is said to take have taken place on the same day.
  Vesak, falls on the full moon day (Purnima) of the month Vaishakha (May), hence the occasion is referred to as Buddha Purnima in India.
• Recognition by United Nations (UN): The General Assembly, by its resolution in 1999, recognized internationally the Day of Vesak. It was done to acknowledge the contribution that Buddhism made to humanity.

MahaKavach App:

• Launched by the Government of Maharashtra.
• It is a real-time digital contact tracing mobile application which enables citizens to contribute and assist the health authorities in contact tracing, geo-fencing and tracking of quarantined COVID-19 patients.
• Selfie attendance feature has been also added in the application to get virtual attendance.
• This app is to be used by individuals as directed by their doctor or medical worker.
• The app will not be accessible to everyone, as the state government aims to use it for very targeted cases.

The Resistance Front:

• It is an offshoot of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba and is also associated with other terror outfits such as Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed.
• Various Indian security agencies operating in Kashmir feel that the ‘TRF’ was formed due to the pressure on Pakistan from the FATF to cut down on the funding of the terrorist groups.

Why in News?

The Resistance Front has claimed responsibility for the attack in Kupwara district along the Line of Control on April 5, 2020, where 5 army personnel were killed.

Vande Bharat Mission:

• It is the biggest evacuation exercise to bring back Indian citizens stranded abroad amidst the coronavirus-induced travel restrictions.
• The mission has given priority to Indian citizens with “compelling reasons to return” – like those whose employment have been terminated, those whose visas have expired and not expected to be renewed under the present circumstances and those who have lost family members in recent times.

Pranavayu programme:

• The Bengaluru city corporation has launched Pranavayu programme to create awareness on the need to self examine the respiratory health for Bengaloreans.
• It is an attempt to help people with low oxygen level in their blood to get themselves checked early before their ailments become fatal.
• Several deaths due to COVID-19 are reported due to Severe Acute Respiratory illness (SARI).

SMALLPOX:

World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN’s postal agency have released a commemorative postage stamp on the 40th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox.

Key facts:

• Smallpox is an infectious disease caused by one of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor.
• It is contagious i.e. spread from one person to another.
• Symptoms: The initial symptoms of the disease included fever and vomiting. This was followed by formation of sores in the mouth and a skin rash. Over a number of days the skin rash turned into characteristic fluid-filled bumps with a dent in the center.
• Smallpox is one of two infectious diseases to have been eradicated, the other being rinderpest in 2011.

ELONGATED TORTOISE:

Over 90% of the potential distribution of the Sal forest tortoise falls outside current protected area’s network.

About Elongated tortoise:

• It is a species of tortoise found in Southeast Asia and parts of the Indian Subcontinent, particularly Northeast India.
• They have elongated somewhat narrow carapaces and yellow heads. Shells are typically a pale tannish-yellow to caramel color, with blotches of black.
• IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered.
• The population of the species may have fallen by about 80% in the last three generations (90 years).
• Threats:It is heavily hunted for food and collected both for local use, such as decorative masks, and international wildlife trade. In china, a mixture, made by grinding up the tortoise’s shell, also serves as an aphrodisiac.

Relation between Vitamin D and COVID 19:

Vitamin D is known to modulate the response of white blood cells, preventing them from releasing too many inflammatory cytokines (part of the body’s immune response to fight infections). And the SARS-CoV2 virus is known to cause an excess of pro-inflammatory cytokines, called a cytokine storm. 

Spirulina groundnut Chikki:

Developed by Mysuru-based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI).

It can provide micro-nutrients and boost immunity of people during this time of pandemic.

Spirulina is a biomass of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that can be consumed by humans and animals.

COVID Kavach Elisa:

• Developed by National Institute of Virology, Pune.
• It is India’s first indigenous antibody-based ELISA test kit for diagnosis of novel Corona Virus.
• It can test around 90 samples in approximately two and half hours. The technology has been transferred to pharmaceutical manufacturing companies for mass-scale production.

Defence Research Ultraviolet Sanitiser (DRUVS):

Developed by Hyderabad based Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a DRDO lab.

It is an automated contactless UVC sanitisation cabinet.

It has been designed to sanitise mobile phones, iPads, laptops, currency notes, cheque leafs, challans, passbooks, paper, envelopes, etc.

CSIR approves project to develop ‘hmAbs’ that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in patients:

Approved by CSIR through its New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) programme.

• The project aims to generate hmAbs to SARS-CoV-2 from convalescent phase of COVID-19 patients and select high affinity and neutralizing antibodies.
• The project also aims to anticipate future adaptation of the virus and generate hmAbs clones that can neutralize the mutated virus so that could be readily used for combating future SARS-CoV infections.
• The project will be implemented by National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), IIT-Indore and PredOmix Technologies Pvt. Ltd. with Bharat Biotech International Ltd. (BBIL) as the commercialization partner.

SwasthVayu:

National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore has developed BiPAP ventilator named SwasthVayu.

It is a non-invasive breathing support device, for the use of non-critical non-ICU cases of Covid-19.

BiPAP stands for Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure. It is a type of positive pressure ventilator.

FIR Aapke Dwar:

• It is a pilot project launched by Madhya Pradesh government.
• The initiative will see police officials going to homes of victims to register a First Information Report (FIR) than the other way round.
• Trained head constables in a First Response Vehicle (FRV), a GPS fitted fleet that attends to emergency calls (dial 100), will file the FIR on the spot for non-serious offence. For serious cases, they will consult seniors before taking a call.

CHAMPIONS portal:

Launched by the Union Ministry of MSME.

It is a Technology driven Control Room-Cum-Management Information System.

CHAMPIONS stands for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength.

• It utilises modern ICT tools such as telephone, internet and video conference, and aims to assist Indian MSMEs to march into big league as National and Global CHAMPIONS.
• It aims to make the smaller units big by providing them various facilities such as solving their grievances, encouraging, supporting, helping and hand holding.

New GI tags:

• Sohrai Khovar painting is a traditional and ritualistic mural art being practised by local tribal women during local harvest and marriage seasons using local, naturally available soils of different colours in the area of Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand. The style features a profusion of lines, dots, animal figures and plants, often representing religious iconography.

• Telia Rumal cloth of Telangana involves intricate handmade work with cotton loom displaying a variety of designs and motifs in three particular colours — red, black and white.

About the Gandhi Peace Prize:

• Instituted in the year 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• This annual award is given to individuals and institutions for their contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods.
• The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 crore, a citation and a Plaque as well as an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.
• The Award for every year is selected by a Jury under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
• It is open to all persons regardless of nationality, creed, race or sex.
• The prize is not awarded posthumously.

Why in News?

Ministry of Culture has extended the nomination period for the Gandhi Peace Prize from 30th April to 15th June 2020, due to the lockdown in the wake of the Covid-19.

Counselling Helpline ‘Bharosa’ for Central University of Odisha:

• It is a dedicated counselling helpline for the students of Central University of Odisha.
• The helpline will assist students who are suffering from mental distress and need counselling in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
• The helpline will provide mental and psychological assistance to the students, which is especially needed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges that it has posed before the students.

Economic Stimulus package

 Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has unveiled the second tranche of measures of the government’s “atmanirbhar (self-reliant) campaign”.

Background:

With a view to revive the economy shuttered by the coronavirus lockdown, PM Narendra Modi had announced a Rs 20 lakh crore special economic package.

In its first instalment, FM had announced Rs 3 lakh crore collateral-free automatic loans for businesses, including MSMEs, as well as Rs 30,000 crore liquidity facility for NBFCs, among other measures.

Key measures announced:

1. Free food grains will be supplied to all Migrant labourers for 2 months i.e. May and June, 2020.
2. Technology system to be used to enable Migrants to access PDS (Ration) from any Fair Price Shops in India so as to achieve 100% National portability by March, 2021 under One Nation one Ration Card scheme.
3. Central Government will launch a scheme for migrant workers and urban poor to provide ease of living at affordable rent.
4. Government of India will provide Interest subvention of 2% for prompt payees for a period of 12 months to MUDRA Shishu loanees, who have loans below Rs 50,000.
5. A special scheme will be launched within a month to facilitate easy access to credit to Street vendors. 50 lakh street vendors will be benefitted under this scheme and credit of Rs. 5,000 crore would flow to them.
6. Rs 70,000 crore boost is given to housing sector and middle-income group (MIG) through extension of Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme for MIG under PMAY(Urban) up to March 2021.
7. 6,000 crore of funds under Compensatory Afforestation Management & Planning Authority (CAMPA)will be used for Afforestation and Plantation works, including in urban areas. This will create job opportunities.
8. NABARD will extend additional re-finance support of Rs 30,000 crore for meeting crop loan requirement of Rural Cooperative Banks and RRBs. This refinance will be front-loaded and available on tap.
9. A special drive to be conducted to provide concessional credit to PM-KISAN beneficiaries through Kisan Credit Cards. Fisherman and Animal Husbandry Farmers will also be included. This will inject additional liquidity of Rs 2 lakh crore in the farm sector.

Death Penalty Sentencing in Trial Courts

It is a report by research organization Project 39A of National Law University, Delhi.

In the study, the organisation analysed 215 judgments from three states, 43 from Delhi, 90 from Maharashtra and 82 from Madhya Pradesh, in which trial courts imposed death sentence between 2000 and 2015.

Key findings of the study:

• The shock and impact of a crime on the collective conscience of society was a major reason cited by trial courts in Delhi while imposing death sentence on convicts.
• The study also revealed blatant non-compliance by the trial courts with the sentencing framework laid down by the Supreme Court in its 1980 judgment in Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab, where a Constitution bench of the Supreme Court was called upon to decide the constitutional validity of the capital punishment.
• Out of the 43 cases in Delhi in which death sentence was handed down between 2000 and 2015, trial courts invoked the impact of the crime on society’s collective conscience in 31 cases (72%) as grounds to send convicts to death row.
• In Madhya Pradesh, the said ground was used in 43% cases (35 out of 82) while in Maharashtra the figure stood at 51% (46 of 90 cases).

What is collective conscience?

Collective consciousness (sometimes collective conscience or conscious) is a fundamental sociological concept that refers to the set of shared beliefs, ideas, attitudes, and knowledge that are common to a social group or society.

Evolution of collective conscience:

‘Collective conscience of society’ as a ground to justify death penalty was first used by the Supreme Court in the 1983 judgment of Machhi Singh v. State of Punjab. In that case, the court held that when “collective conscience of society is shocked, it will expect the holders of the judicial power centre to inflict death penalty”.

It was, however, most famously used by the top court in its 2005 judgment in the Parliament attack case in which it awarded capital punishment to convict, Afzal Guru.

Collective conscience found its most recent endorsement in the 2017 judgment of the Supreme Court in the December 2012 Delhi gang rape case of Mukesh v. State of NCT of Delhi.

How should the Courts decide on capital punishment impositions?

In the case of Bachan Singh, the Supreme Court formulated a sentencing framework to be followed for imposing death penalty.

• It required the weighing of aggravating and mitigating circumstances relating to both the circumstances of the offence and the offender, to decide whether a person should be sentenced to death or given life imprisonment.
• According to the Bachan Singh judgment, for a case to be eligible for the death sentence, the aggravating circumstances must outweigh the mitigating circumstances.

What the study suggests?

Collective conscience makes its appearance through the individual conscience of the judge. So, when judges use this phrase, it is really to express what is essentially their own viewpoint, or they have taken it upon themselves to determine “collective consciousness”. Both these positions are entirely self-generated.

• The most glaring aspect highlighted by Project 39A’s report was regarding the non-consideration of mitigating factors while sentencing accused. As per the report, no mitigating circumstances were mentioned in 42% of death penalty cases (18 of 43 cases) in Delhi. The number was 62% (51 of 82 cases) in Madhya Pradesh and 47% (42 of 90 cases) in Maharashtra.
• The Bachan Singh judgement recognized the age of the accused as a relevant mitigating circumstance.
• Another most important aspects of the sentencing framework laid down in the Bachan Singh judgement is to consider whether the alternative punishment of life imprisonment can be “unquestionably foreclosed.” Only then can death penalty be imposed.
• Despite the same, trial courts in the three states discussed life imprisonment as an alternative only in 26.6% cases before imposing death penalty. It was discussed in 8 out of 43 cases in Delhi, 22 out of 82 cases in MP and 27 out of 90 in Maharashtra. In all cases where it was discussed as an alternative, it was dismissed on the ground of brutality of the crime.

 In essence, this study shows:

That the death penalty sentencing framework has completely collapsed. The utter inconsistency, confusion and arbitrariness in the Supreme Court’s death penalty jurisprudence has had a devastating impact on the sentencing process in the trial courts.

 Concerns:

Can the courts allow any kind of public outcry, sense of conscience, sentiment or feeling to even remotely influence their decisions, especially when it is a case of the death sentence? This is even more relevant in the times that we live in, when television and social media bombard us, creating and determining opinion.

Need of the hour:

Our Constitution is based on the principle of justice for the most marginalised, disfranchised, oppressed, unknown, unseen and ignored. This spirit demands that law cannot rely on or be influenced by any delusionary sense or mood of the people. We need in judges a liberal energy and the ability to be creative human beings.

Recommendations by law commission:

The Law Commission in 2015, headed by Justice A P Shah proposed to abolish capital punishments. However, the commission had made the proposal only to non-terrorism cases. According to the commission, India is one among few countries that still carry out executions. The other countries that practice executions include Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, China. By the end of 2014, 98 countries had abolished death penalty.

Dibang Multipurpose Project (MPP):

• It is envisaged as a storage-based hydro-electric project with flood moderation as the key objective.
• This is the largest ever Hydro Electric Projects to be constructed in India. The dam is 278 metres high and will be the highest dam in India once completed.
• The Project is located on river Dibang, in Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh.

Why in News? Forest Advisory Committee has once again deferred its decision on Dibang project in Arunachal Pradesh. The project has been delayed for over six years because it required diverting 1,165 hectares of forest in a region of rich biodiversity.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES 2020:

Observed on 15th of May with the theme “Families in Development: Copenhagen & Beijing+25.”

Objective: To promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting them.

This year is the 25th anniversary of Copenhagen Declaration and Beijing Platform for Action.

• At the World Summit for Social Development held at Copenhagen in 1995, Governments reached a new consensus on the need to put people at the centre of development and adopted the Copenhagen Declaration.
• The Beijing Declaration was a resolution adopted by the UN at the end of the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing. The resolution adopted to promulgate a set of principles concerning the equality of men and women.

Quinine Nongladew:

It is a village in Meghalaya.

It is named after the alkaloid quinine extracted from the bark of cinchona, a plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family and classified as either a large shrub or a small tree.

The place was called Quinine because of the plantation.

Non Convertible Debentures:

Debentures are long-term financial instruments which acknowledge a debt obligation towards the issuer. Some debentures have a feature of convertibility into shares after a certain point of time at the discretion of the owner. The debentures which can’t be converted into shares or equities are called non-convertible debentures (or NCDs).
Non-convertible debentures are used as tools to raise long-term funds by companies through a public issue. To compensate for this drawback of non-convertibility, lenders are usually given a higher rate of return compared to convertible debentures.
NCDs offer various other benefits to the owner such as high liquidity through stock market listing, tax exemptions at source and safety since they can be issued by companies which have a good credit rating as specified in the norms laid down by RBI for the issue of NCDs. In India, usually these have to be issued of a minimum maturity of 90 days.

International Press Institute (IPI):

It is a global organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of press freedom and the improvement of journalism practices.

Founded in October 1950, the IPI has members in over 120 countries.

Composition: Editors, media executives and IPI Leading Journalists which is open to heads of media departments, bureau chiefs, correspondents and others.

IPI enjoys consultative status with the UN, UNESCO and the Council of Europe.

IPI is a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, a global network of non-governmental organisations that monitors press freedom and free expression violations worldwide.

What is a rights issue?

A rights issue is an offering of shares made to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholding. Companies often offer shares in a rights issue at a discount on the market price.

Rights issues are used by companies seeking to raise capital without increasing debt.

Shareholders are not obliged to purchase shares offered in a rights issue.

Cyclone Amphan:

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared a cyclone alert for the Indian coastline across the Bay of Bengal as a low-pressure area has formed over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman sea. The cyclone will be named ‘Cyclone Amphan’.

Gharial (Gavial or fish eating crocodile):

Context: 40 gharials released in Ghaghara river amid lockdown.

Key facts:

Critically Endangered— IUCN Red List.

The male gharial has a distinctive boss at the end of the snout, which resembles an earthenware pot.

Habitat— foremost flowing rivers with high sand banks that they use for basking and building nests. Gharials once inhabited all the major river systems of the Indian Subcontinent, from the Irrawaddy River in the east to the Indus River in the west. Their distribution is now limited to only 2% of their former range

India: Girwa River, Chambal River, Ken River, Son River, Mahanadi River, Ramganga River

Nepal: Rapti-Narayani River

Threats: Hunting for skins, trophies and indigenous medicine, and their eggs collected for consumption, Decrease of riverine habitat as dams, barrages, irrigation canals and artificial embankments were built; siltation and sand-mining changed river courses

Conservation:

• Shedule 1 species under Indian wildlife act, 1972.
• Project Crocodile began in 1975 (Government of India+ United Nations Development Fund + Food and Agriculture Organization) — intensive captive breeding and rearing program.
• Protected areas: National Chambal Sanctuary and Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.

GOAL (Going Online As Leaders)” programme:

Launched by Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) in partnership with Facebook.

Aims to provide mentorship to tribal youth through digital mode.

Under this, 5,000 young tribal entrepreneurs, professionals, artisans and artists will be trained by experts from different disciplines on digital skills under digital entrepreneurship program.

microRNA:

• They are non-coding molecules, meaning that they do not translate into protein.
• They are part of our line of attack against a viral infection.
• They fight the virus by latching on to the virus’s genetic material (RNA) and cutting it.

Why in News?

Age and underlying health conditions make people more vulnerable to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. This is because the attacking microRNA numbers dwindle in them.

Aatmanirbhar Gujarat Sahay Yojana:

• The scheme offers a loan of up to Rs 1 lakh for a period of three years to small entrepreneurs and self-employed workers.
• The scheme also aims to cover domestic helps, vegetable vendors, construction workers, and others who have lost their incomes in the Covid-19 lockdown.
• Eligibility: Applicants to the scheme will need guarantors to help push their case before credit societies and urban and district cooperative banks that will hand out Rs 5,000 crore worth of collateral-free loans. They will also need to be aware of the penalties in case of a default.

International Day of Light:

• The United Nations marks the International Day of Light (IDL) — an annual initiative held globally to raise awareness on the critical role played by light-based technologies in everyday life — on May 16.
• May 16 was selected for the occasion as it marks the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist and engineer Theodore Maiman.
• The IDL is administered from the International Basic Science Programme (IBSP) of UNESCO, and its Secretariat is located at the Abdus Salam International Centre of Theoretical Physics (ICTP) at Trieste, Italy.

National Migrant Information System (NMIS):

• It is a central online repository on Migrant Workers to facilitate their seamless movement across States.
• Developed by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
• It has additional advantages like contact tracing, which may be useful in overall COVID-19 response work.

Troglomyces twitteri:

A new species has just been discovered using a Twitter image and thus has been named as Troglomyces twitteri.

• It is a type of parasitic fungus.
• It belongs to an order called Laboulbeniales — tiny fungal parasites that attack insects and millipedes.

Charan Paduka:

It is a campaign launched in Madhya Pradesh for the migrant labourers passing through the state.

Under this campaign, the migrant labourers going barefoot are being providing shoes and slippers to reduce their pain.

The most notable thing is that this campaign is being conducted by the police at most places.

Hanko:

It is a personal stamp generally made from wood or plastic.

Small-sized and circular or square-shaped, the stamp is wet by an ink pad called ‘shuniku’, and the mark that it leaves on a document is called ‘inkan’.

It is used for authorising official documents ranging from contracts, marriage registrations and even delivery slips.

Why in News?

Even in the wake of COVID 19 pandemic, the centuries-old practice is causing employees to go to their workplace, as companies prefer to keep their registered seals at the office premises for security reasons. Many are thus having to take packed trains to work, chiefly for stamping-related work.

Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA):

LISA has been developed as a lung protective strategy for respiratory management and ventilation in view of the mechanical ventilation causing damage to the preterm lungs of newborns.

Infants considered suitable for LISA are those being managed with primary continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or high flow with the evidence of increasing respiratory distress and with a rising oxygen requirement.

The regular application of LISA would turn out to be very useful and help save the lives of premature babies.

Pinanga Andamanensis:

• It is an IUCN critically endangered species and one of the least known among the endemic palms of the Andaman Islands.
• The name is derived from ‘Penang’, the modern-day Malaysian state.
• Its entire population of some 600 specimens naturally occurs only in a tiny, evergreen forest pocket in South Andaman’s Mount Harriet National Park.

Why in News?

The species is finding a second home at Thiruvananthapuram-based Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI).

Govt to revise criteria for medium units:

Days after changing the definition of MSMEs, the government has decided to further revise the criteria for medium units by enhancing the investment and turnover limits to up to Rs 50 crore and Rs 200 crore respectively.

According to the revised definition:

• Any firm with investment up to Rs 1 crore and turnover under Rs 5 crore will be classified as “micro”.
• A company with investment up to Rs 10 crore and turnover up to Rs 50 crore will be classified as “small”.

National Test Abhyas:

The AI-powered mobile App has been developed by National Testing Agency (NTA) to enable candidates to take mock tests for upcoming exams such as JEE Main, NEET under the NTA’s purview.

Launched by Human Resources Development Ministry recently.

International Tea Day (ITD):

1^st International Tea Day (ITD) is being celebrated by United Nations on 21^st May.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will lead the observance of the Day.

The aim is to raise awareness of the long history and the deep cultural and economic significance of tea around the world.

Agappe Chitra Magna:

It is a magnetic nanoparticle-based RNA extraction kit for use during testing for the detection of COVID-19.

Developed by Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) along with Agappe Diagnostics Ltd, an in vitro diagnostics manufacturing company based in Cochin.

The kit can be used for RNA extraction for RT-LAMP, RT-qPCR, RT-PCR and other isothermal and PCR based protocols for the detection of SARS-COV-2.

Significance: Agappe Chitra Magna RNA Isolation Kit priced at around Rs. 150 per kit is expected to reduce the cost of testing and the country’s dependence on imported kits which cost around Rs 300.

What is China’s May Fourth Movement?

It is an intellectual revolution and sociopolitical reform movement that occurred in China on May 4th in 1919.

The Movement unfolded sparked by the refusal of delegates at the Paris Peace Conference to return former German colonies in China to Chinese sovereignty at the conclusion of World War I.

The students protested not only Western imperialism but their own government’s weakness.

What is ‘Sonic Boom’?

A sonic boom is said to occur when an object travels through the air faster than the speed of sound and creates shock waves. This can lead to a huge emission in energy, usually in the form of sound, which can be similar to an explosion of thunderclap.

Effects: The sonic boom is a continuous sound which is emitted by the aircraft all the while it is travelling at a supersonic speed. If the aircraft is flying at a low altitude, the sonic boom may also lead to tremors similar to earthquakes and shattering of glass

Textiles Committee:

• It is a statutory body established in 1963.
• It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
• It has been formed to ensure the quality of textiles and textile machinery both for internal consumption and export purpose.

Important functions: establishing laboratories for the testing of textiles and textile machinery and providing for their inspection and examination.

International Day for Biological Diversity:

Observed on 22nd May every year to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

Theme for the year 2020 is “Our solutions are in nature”.

Background: The resolution to celebrate the day was adopted in 1992. The day was initially celebrated on December 29 till 2000 starting from 1993. It was marked on December 29 to celebrate the Day the Convention on Biological Diversity came into effect. It was later shifted to May 22 to commemorate the adoption of convention at Rio Earth Summit.

What are cicadas?

Cicadas are insects that spend most of their lives underground and emerge from the soil mainly to mate. Once out of the ground, their life span is fairly short, somewhere between two-four weeks.

There are three species of 17-year cicadas and three species of 13-year cicadas.

Why in News?

In US, there will be major outbreaks of periodical cicadas in 2020 and 2021.

What happens when cicadas emerge?

• After emerging from the ground in billions, the cicadas shed their exoskeletons or outer skins to take their winged form.
• Male cicadas “sing” to attract the females, the collective chorus of these male cicadas is very loud and can reach up to 100 decibels, which is as much as a powered lawnmower.
• After mating, the females lay their eggs in twigs that are ½ to ¼ in diameter. One female is capable of laying over 400 eggs in 40-50 different sites. The eggs remain in the twigs for six to ten weeks before they hatch and after hatching the nymphs fall to the ground where they burrow 6-18 inches underground to feed and emerge 13 or 17 years later, depending on their grouping.

Concerns:

The egg-laying by the cicadas causes significant damage to small twigs. They damage many ornamental and hardwood trees, especially newly planted fruit and ornamental trees such as apple, dogwood, peach, cherry and pear among others, which are the most seriously damaged.

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD):

LOCATION: Benishangul-Gumuz region, Ethiopia.

Formerly known as the Millennium Dam, it is under construction in the Benishangul-Gumuz region of Ethiopia, on the Blue Nile River, which is located about 40km east of Sudan.

After completion, it’ll be Africa’s largest.

Why in News?

Egypt has objected to the construction of this dam and in Sudan has found itself caught in the midst of this conflict. Due to the importance of the Nile as a necessary water source in the region, observers are concerned that this dispute may evolve into a full-fledged conflict between the two nations. The US has stepped in to mediate.

New plant species from Western Ghats:

Three new plant species reported in the evergreen forest patches of the southern end of the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They are:

Eugenia sphaerocarpa: Belongs to the Myrtaceae or Rose apple family. Found mainly in Kakkayam area of the Malabar wildlife sanctuary in Kerala above 800m. The fruits of Eugenia species are known for their palatability.

 Goniothalamus sericeus: Belongs to the Annonaceae family of custard apple. Found in the Kanyakumari wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu at an altitude of 1400m. Sericeus refers to the presence of dense silky hair on petals.

 Memecylon nervosum: Belongs to the Melastomataceae (Kayamboo or Kaasavu in local parlance) family. Nervosum refers to the presence of prominently raised lateral and intramarginal veins on the lower surface of the lamina.

Adenovirus COVID-19 vaccine:

It uses a recombinant adenovirus type-5 vector that carries the genetic material that codes for spike glycoprotein of novel coronavirus.

The adenovirus is a weakened common cold virus.

Why in News?

Phase-1 trial of this vaccine was found to be safe, well-tolerated and able to generate immune responses against the virus.

The phase-2 trial will be a randomised, double-blinded and placebo-controlled trial.

Mizoram grants ‘industry’ status to sports:

Aiming to further bolster the sports activities, by attracting investment, sports have been accorded industry status in Mizoram, first state in India to do so.

Besides football, hockey, wrestling, there are a number of indigenous games such as, stick fighting, Insuknawra (rod pushing), Kalchhet kal (relay race using bamboo), Inarpathai (cock fighting) in Mizoram.

”Shahi Lichi” from Muzaffarpur and “Zardalu Mango” from Bhagalpur:

 Bihar Postal Circle (Department of Posts) to deliver “Shahi Lichi” and “Zardalu Mango” at doorsteps of people.

Shahi Litchi: Grown mainly in Muzaffarpur. It has high pulp and is juicier compared to the litchi grown in other parts of the country. The conditions here are ideal for litchi cultivation, because of humid conditions and alluvial soil. Shahi Litchi has got a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Zardalu/Jardalu Mango: It is light yellow in colour and is known for its sweet fragrance. They are chiefly grown in Bhagalpur in Bihar. They also have the GI tags.

Katkari Tribe:

Katkari is one of the 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.

Katkaris were historically forest dwellers. They are located primarily in Raigad and in parts of Palghar, Ratnagiri and Thane districts as well and in some places of Gujarat.

The British administration had classified them under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871.

The name Katkari is derived from a forest-based activity – the making and barter or sale of Katechu (kath) from the khair tree (Acacia Katechu). It is produced by boiling wood from the Khair tree and evaporating the resulting brew.

Puntius sanctus:

• It is a new species of small freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae.
• It was recently discovered in Velankanni in Tamil Nadu.
• It grows to a length of 7 cm. Its physical characteristics included a protractible mouth, a pair of maxillary barbels (a sensory organ near the snout), 24-25 lateral line scales and 10 pre-dorsal scales.
• The Puntius species are known locally as ‘Paral’ in Kerala and ‘Kende’ in Tamil Nadu. They are purely freshwater fishes.

Biodiversity Samrakshan Internship Programme:

Launched On the eve of the International Day for Biological Diversity.

It proposes to engage 20 students with postgraduate degrees for a period of one year through an open, transparent, online competitive process.

U.P. releases skill map of migrants:

The Uttar Pradesh government has released its first skill map of migrant workers who returned to the State during the lockdown.

• The government has said it will provide them employment in the State as per their skills and experience and will constitute a Migrant Commission for the purpose.
• The list includes construction workers, painters, carpenters, drivers, electricians and persons associated with electronics, security guards, furniture and fitting workers and auto-repair mechanics.

CoAST India (Collaboration/Covid Action Support Group):

It is a GIS-enabled dashboard that includes an India map reflecting the movement of migrants in real time on their long journeys, often on foot, along with facilities and relief organisations on their routes.

• The platform has been developed by India Observatory in collaboration with Anand-based Forest Ecological Security (FES) as its main nodal point.
• It draws information from 55 organisations on the ground, mostly in villages, and aims to make such data available so that it would enable governments and small local civil society groups to be of assistance.
• The map matches “time and spatial data, on administrative facilities in the area, transportation and healthcare facilities of an area and summaries, on the fly, in real time of people passing by.

Places in News- Jubaland:

It is an autonomous region in southern Somalia.

• Its eastern border lies 40–60 km east of the Jubba River, stretching from Gedo to the Indian Ocean, while its western side flanks the North Eastern Province in Kenya, which was carved out of Jubaland during the colonial period.
• Its largest city is Kismayo, which is situated on the coast near the mouth of the Jubba River.

Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary:

Why in News?

Concerns have been expressed over the diversion of 98.59 hectares land of Saleki proposed reserve forest, which is a part of Dehing Patkai elephant reserve, for a coal-mining project in Upper Assam.

Key facts:

• The reserve is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Districts of Assam.
• The Dehing Patkai forms the largest stretch of tropical lowland rainforests in India.
• Ethnic groups living in the area include the indigenous Assamese communities, particularly Tai Phake, Khamyang, Khampti, Singpho, Nocte, Ahom, Kaibarta, Moran and Motok, Burmese, and non-indigenous Nepali people.

Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC):

Constituted in December, 2010. It is not a statutory body.

It replaced the High-Level Coordination Committee on Financial Markets (HLCCFM).

Set up to strengthen and institutionalise the mechanism for maintaining financial stability, enhancing inter-regulatory coordination and promoting financial sector development.

 Composition:

The Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister and its members are Governor, Reserve Bank of India; Finance Secretary and/or Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs; Secretary, Department of Financial Services; Chief Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance; Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India etc.

Recently, the government through a gazette notification, had included ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) secretary in the FSDC in view of the increased focus of the government on digital economy.

 Functions:

The Council deals, inter-alia, with issues relating to financial stability, financial sector development, inter–regulatory coordination, financial literacy, financial inclusion and macro prudential supervision of the economy including the functioning of large financial conglomerates. No funds are separately allocated to the Council for undertaking its activities.

What is FAITH trials?

It is a new combination clinical trial called FAITH – (FA vipiravir plus Um I fenovir (efficacy and safety) Trial in Indian Hospital setting).

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Will be conducting this study.

It involves a new randomised, open-label study to test the combined efficacy of two antiviral drugs — Favipiravir and Umifenovir — as a potential COVID-19 treatment strategy.

The two antiviral drugs have different mechanisms of action, and their combination may demonstrate improved treatment efficacy by effectively tackling high viral loads in patients during early stages of the disease.

Chardham tunnel:

It is a 440-m tunnel constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) below the densely populated Chamba town on the Rishikesh-Dharasuroad National Highway in Uttarakhand.

The tunnel is part of the efforts to boost the annual Chardham yatra to connect Gangotri, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Badrinath.

Bug bounty programme:

The government has launched the bug bounty programme that will be hosted by the MyGov team.

The programme will enable security researchers to avail rewards for finding security vulnerabilities within the aarogya setu app.

The programme will be open to Indian and foreign nationals, but only Indians will be eligible for rewards offered under the scheme. Anyone who points out a security vulnerability in the app source code will be eligible for a reward of up to ₹3 lakh, and up to ₹1 lakh for pointing out a suggestion or improvement in the source code.

Bev Q:

Google Play Store has approved the BevQ app which will be used to distribute liquor in Kerala.

The newly-developed mobile app will introduce virtual queue system for the sale of liquor in the state. This will reduce the overcrowding at the liquor shops and the practice of social distancing will not be hampered as well.

It will be used by Kerala’s Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) to distribute the liquor in the state.

The app has been developed by a Kochi-based startup called Faircode Technologies Private Limited.

Spectrin and Axons:

Spectrin are flexible rod-shaped molecules present in axons.

Axons are long tubular extensions of nerve cells that transmit electrical signals across long distances and can be up to a meter long in the case of humans. At such lengths, they are subjected to large stretch deformations during limb or other bodily movements.

Why in News?

Researchers have found that spectrin can act as ‘shock absorbers’ to protect axons from stretch-induced damage.

The study can help in understanding and treatment of concussion from head injuries as well as stretch-induced nerve injuries.

Hydro-electric projects & Multipurpose projects in Madhya Pradesh:

Power Finance Corporation (PFC), the central PSU under Ministry of Power and India’s leading NBFC, has entered into an agreement with Narmada Basin Projects Company Ltd. (NBPCL), a wholly-owned company of Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, to fund projects worth Rs.22,000 crore for 225 MW hydro-electric projects & multipurpose projects in the State of Madhya Pradesh.

Some of the major multipurpose projects that will be financed under the MoU are Basaniya Multipurpose Project Dindori, Chinki Boras Multipurpose Project Narsinghpur Raisen Hoshangabad, Sakkar Pench Link Narsinghpur Chhindwara, Dudhi Project Chhindwara Hoshangabad, etc.

Interahamwe militia:

• It is a far-right Hutu paramilitary organization active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
• Formed around 1990 as the youth wing of the National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND according to its French name), the then-ruling party of Rwanda.
• The Interahamwe were the main perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide, during which an estimated 500,000 to 1,000,000 Tutsi, Twa, and moderate Hutus were killed from April to July 1994, and the term “Interahamwe” was widened to mean any civilian bands killing Tutsi.

Uttar Pradesh govt to develop 800 km roads as Herbal roads:

• Uttar Pradesh government will develop 800 km roads as Herbal roads in the state.
• These herbal roads will have medicinal and herbal trees along with the land on their both sides.
• These include trees like like Peepal, Neem, Sehjan along with other herb varieties like Brahmi, Ashvagandha and Jatrofa.
• These 800 kilometer roads will be along national and state highways passing through state and the herbal garden along with them will keep air-borne, bacterial and other diseases at bay.

Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2019 Award:

Women peacekeepers from India and Brazil have jointly won the United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2019 Award.

Major Suman Gawani of the Indian Army and Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo have been chosen for the award.

About the award:

Created in 2016, the United Nations “Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award” recognizes the dedication and effort of an individual military peacekeeper in promoting the principles of UN Security Resolution For the first time, two peacekeepers will receive the award jointly for their contribution to this important cause.

WHO Foundation:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the creation of the WHO Foundation.
• It is an independent grant-making entity that will support the organization’s efforts to address the most pressing global health challenges.
• The Foundation will support global public health needs by providing funds to the WHO and trusted implementing partners, but is legally separate from WHO.
• It’ll be Headquartered in Geneva.
• The Foundation will work with individual donors, the general public and corporate partners to strengthen health systems globally.

Charru mussel:

• It is an invasive mussel native to the South and Central American coasts.
• It is now spreading quickly in the backwaters of Kerala, elbowing out other mussel and clam species and threatening the livelihoods of fishermen engaged in molluscan fisheries.
• The rapid spread may have been triggered by Cyclone Ockhi which struck the region in 2017.
• Externally, the Charru mussel resembles the green and brown mussels (kallummekkaya in Malayalam), but is much smaller in size. Its colour varies from black to brown, purple or dark green.

Operation Warp Speed:

• It is a public–private partnership, initiated by the Federal Government of the United States, to facilitate and accelerate the development of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
• It is an interagency program that includes components of the Department of Health, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health and private firms.

MONTENEGRO:

Montenegro is the first country in Europe to declare itself coronavirus-free.

Montenegro is a country of South and Southeast Europe on the coast of the Balkans.

It borders Bosnia-Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast, Kosovo to the east, Albania to the southeast, the Adriatic Sea to the southwest, and Croatia to the west.

Fiscal deficit and associated terms:

Fiscal deficit at 4.6% for FY20 as revenue sags. Budget estimate was 3.8%.

• The revenue deficit will be 3.27%.
• The effective revenue deficit will be 2.36%.

Definitions:

Revenue deficit is the excess of revenue expenditure over revenue receipts. A revenue deficit occurs when actual revenue collected by government falls short of Budget estimates.

Effective revenue deficit is the difference between revenue deficit and grants for creation of capital assets.

Primary deficit is fiscal deficit less interest payments.

Core sector:

The lockdown resulted in core sector output contracting 38% in April 2020 compared to the same month in the previous year. This is the second straight month in negative territory for the index of eight core sector industries, after a 9% fall in March 2020 

The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Rozgar Setu:

Madhya Pradesh has announced the launch of the ‘Rozgar Setu’ scheme to help secure employment for skilled workers who have returned.