1. Harsh Vardhan launched CoNTeC to connect Doctors in India with AIIMS
- CoNTeC = COVID-19 National Teleconsultation Centre
- The Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan.
- He launched the National Teleconsultation Centre (CoNTeC)
- He also interacted with Nodal Officers of Medical Colleges of States and other AIIMS of the country & reviewed the COVID-19 preparedness.
- CoNTeC : Conceptualised by the Health & Family Welfare Ministry.
2. India to soon participate in WHO ‘solidarity trial’ for developing potential COVID-19 drugs: Government
- The WHO’s Solidarity trial is expected to witness participation from Thailand, Argentina, Bahrain, Canada, France, Iran, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Switzerland.
- The WHO has launched 4 mega trials.
3. Apple launches COVID-19 information app, website
- Apple has released a new app and website for users across the US
- To provide credible information about the COVID-19 pandemic.
- COVID-19 app & website provide the latest information & guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
- Apple Inc CEO : Timothy Donald Cook.
4. Nagaland CM launches Self Declaration COVID-19 App
- Nagaland CM = Neiphiu Rio
- He launched the Self Declaration COVID19 Nagaland App.
- App will be mandatory for any person who entered Nagaland after March 6.
- User will be directed to click the menu button & select the nCOVID-19 App from the link- nagalandhealthproject.org.
- App is crucial for tracking and surveillance of high-risk cases.
4. Nagaland CM launches Self Declaration COVID-19 App
- Nagaland CM = Neiphiu Rio
- He launched the Self Declaration COVID19 Nagaland App.
- App will be mandatory for any person who entered Nagaland after March 6.
- User will be directed to click the menu button & select the nCOVID-19 App from the link- nagalandhealthproject.org.
- App is crucial for tracking and surveillance of high-risk cases.
6. US announce financial assistance of 174 million USD to 64 countries including 2.9 million USD to India
- Financial assistance to help fight the Corona virus pandemic.
- This is in addition to the 100 million US Dollars aid announced by the US in February.
- US signed the largest-ever stimulus package, worth $2 trillion.
7. BCCI to contribute Rs 51 crore to PM-CARES Fund
- PM-CARES = Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations.
- BCCI = Board of Control for Cricket in India
- The PM-CARES Fund was announced on 28th of March 2020 to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
- BCCI President : Sourav Ganguly.
8. Maruti joins hands with AgVa Healthcare to scale up ventilator production
- AgVa Healthcare is an existing approved manufacturer of ventilators.
- MSI also partnered with Ashok Kapur.
- MSI- Ashok Kapur partnership will make 3-ply masks.
- MSI = Maruti Suzuki India.
9. MGNREGA wages up about 11%; yet at least 40% lower than minimum wages
- MGNREGA = Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
- The average per day wage rate for unskilled work under the MGNREGA Scheme will rise 11% from Rs 182 to Rs 202 for the FY 2020-21.
- The minimum wages are revised twice a year by the Chief Labour Commissioner.
- MGNREGA was initially implemented as NREGA on 2006.
10. Access to ‘SWAYAM’, National Online Education Platform has tripled
- SWAYAM = Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds,
- SWAYAM has been developed by Ministry of HRD with the help of IIT Madras & NPTEL & Google.
- It was launched in 2014.
11. Loans and EMIs to be cheaper as SBI to cut repo rate by 75 basis points
- The new rates, to be effective from 1 April,
- The rate will be applicable for its borrowers availing loans based on External Benchmark-linked lending rate, EBR and Repo-Linked Lending Rate, RLLR.
- SBI Chairman : Rajnish Kumar.
12. Merger of 10 state-run banks into 4 to come into force from April 1: RBI
- Oriental Bank of Commerce & United Bank will be merged into PNB;
- Syndicate Bank into Canara Bank;
- Allahabad Bank into Indian Bank;
- Andhra and Corporation banks into Union Bank.
- Amalgamation schemes for 10 banks had notified on 4 March.
13. Coronavirus pandemic: Bank of Baroda to provide Rs 2,000 to every banking correspondent
- To maintain hygiene standards amid COVID-19 outbreak.
- The effort is meant to ensure protection by the bank from COVID-19, towards its customers, public & business correspondents themselves.
- Bank of Baroda Executive Director : Vikramaditya Singh Khichi.
14. BP Kanungo re-appointed RBI deputy governor for one year
- Kanungo was executive director of the RBI before being elevated to the post of deputy governor in April 2017.
- He is in charge of departments like currency management, foreign exchange among others.
- Other 3 are: NS Vishwanathan, M.K. Jain and Michael Patra.
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