Daily Current affairs – May 6/2020

GS – 2

Government schemes and policy

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package(PMGKP):

Why it is in News?

• Ministry of Finance stated that around 39 crore poor people received financial assistance of Rs.34,800 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) as of 5 May 2020. The amount was transferred to the beneficiaries using the digital payment infrastructure.

About Scheme:

• PMGKP announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 26 March 2020 to protect poor people from the impact of the lockdown due to COVID-19.
•  The Government announced free food grains and cash payment to women and poor senior citizens and farmers under the scheme. 
•  The swift implementation of the package is continuously monitored by Central and State governments. 
•  Central/State governments ensure that the relief measures reach the needy swiftly and in line with the intent of the lockdown.
• Fintech and digital technology have been employed for efficient transfer to the beneficiary. 
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) ensures that the amount is directly credited into the account of the beneficiary, eliminates leakage, and improves efficiency. It has also ensured credit to the beneficiary’s account without the need for the beneficiary to physically go to the branch.

Nigah Scheme:

Why it is in News?

• Himachal Pradesh State Government is to launch the “Nigah” Scheme to properly sensitize and educate family members of people coming from other states so that social distancing is effectively maintained. 

About the scheme:

• Under the scheme, a team of ASHA workers, health workers, and Anganwadi workers would visit the family members of persons arriving from other states.
•  The will educate them about the importance of social distancing so that they could be saved from any possible infection.
•  The state government also ordered to mark the people who have come from other states.
• Also, the govt. stated that strict action would be taken against those jumping home quarantine as this would not only harm their family members but also society as a whole.
• The persons entering the state have been asked to download Aarogya Setu App and must also be provided with Information Education Communication (IEC) material regarding the importance of social distancing.

Ayush Kavach app:

Why it is in news?

• Uttar Pradesh state government unveiled the Ayush Kavach app that will provide health-related tips and information about ayurvedic medicines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The app was launched by the UP Chief Minister.

About App:

• Ayush Kavach mobile app will help people access prescriptions to strengthen their resistance through the ancient mode of Yoga and Ayurveda of India.
• Ayurveda and the ancient traditions of India.
•  It is expected to boost immunity through Ayurveda which will help in fighting these types of viruses.
• The mobile app Ayush Kavach was developed by the Ayush Department of Uttar Pradesh in view of the COVID-19 health crisis.

Defence

Operation Samudra Setu:

Why it is in News?

• Indian Navy launched Operation Samudra Setu, meaning Sea Bridge, as a part of a national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas.
•  Indian Naval Ships (INS) Jalashwa and Magar are presently en route to the port of Malè, the Republic of Maldives to commence evacuation operations from 8 May 2020 as part of Phase-1.

About Operation:

• The operation aims to evacuate personnel who repatriate Indian citizens from overseas.
• GoI is monitoring the situation with respect to the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the citizens abroad.
• The Indian Navy has been directed to make suitable preparations for their evacuation by sea.
• The Indian Mission in the Republic of Maldives is preparing a list of Indian nationals to be evacuated by Naval ships and will facilitate their embarkation after the requisite medical screening. 
• Under the operation, a total of 1000 persons are planned to be evacuated during the first trip, catering for COVID-related social distancing norms vis-a-vis the carrying capacity and medical facilities available onboard. 
• The ships are provisioned for the evacuation operation. The evacuated personnel will be provided the basic amenities and medical facilities during the sea-passage. 
•  Stringent protocols have been stipulated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
•  The evacuated personnel will be disembarked at Kochi, Kerala. They will be entrusted to the care of State authorities. 
• This operation is done by the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Home Affairs, Health, and various other agencies of Central/State governments.

GS – 3

Economy

MSME Policy:

Why it is in News?

• The Government of India is to implement a new Agro MSME policy. The policy is to focus entrepreneurship in rural, tribal, forest and agricultural areas.

About Policy:

• The policy will try to replace foreign imports with domestic production.
• The industries will be encouraged to focus more on science and technology, innovation, research skills, entrepreneurship. This will help to convert knowledge to wealth.
• The GoI has already launched several initiatives in order to achieve this. For instance, 100 lakh crores have been allocated to improve the infrastructure sector.
• The policy will utilize this opportunity to divert those investments towards India.
• The policy will encourage investors to invest in other cities other than Delhi and Mumbai.