1. RBI to infuse additional Rs 30,000 cr to maintain financial stability in wake of COVID-19 outbreak

• The Reserve Bank of India on Friday decided to infuse additional liquidity with a second tranche of bond purchase worth ₹30,000 crores amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
• As part of this endeavor, the central bank will conduct purchase of government securities under open market operations (OMOs) for an aggregate amount of Rs 30,000 crore in two tranches of Rs 15,000

2. Former Vice-President Hamid Ansari releases "My Encounters in Parliament" book authored by Bhalchandra Mungekar

• Hamid Ansari launched Bhalchandra Mungekar's book "My Encounters in Parliament".The book has been written by Bhalchandra Mungekar
• Bhalchandra Mungekar is an Indian economist, Social worker and a former Rajya Sabha member.
• He specializes in agricultural economics and is an expert on B. R. Ambedkar.

3. According to report of  ‘World Population Prospects 2019, India’s population reached 1.36 billion in mid-2019

• ‘World Population Prospects 2019’ report, India’s population reached 1.36 billion (136 crore) in mid-2019, which makes it the second-most populous country in the world.
• Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare also said that, as per the Census of India, India's population was 121.02 crore in 2011.
• He also informed the house that 9,040 Crore 45 lakh rupees have been allocated to States/ UTs to promote family planning during the last three years.

Foot Notes:
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare: Harsh Vardhan

4. Himachal govt launches Police Station Visitor Survey System and e-Night Beat Checking System

• Himachal Pradesh State government launched Police Station Visitor Survey System and e-Night Beat Checking System for Himachal police in Shimla. These systems would help the Police Department in doing self-evaluation and improve the working of Police.
• This system would be used for the surveillance of visitors visiting the Police Stations, Police Posts and all other police units and would help in creating a database of visitors.
• All the visitors/complainants visiting the Police Stations, Police Posts or traffic units would be requested to fill the survey link.
• Jai Ram Thakur also launched the Night Beat Checking system for the Police Department would help the State Police to keep a track of the suspected vehicles and criminals who move in the night.

5. Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath resigns ahead of floor test in the state assembly

• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has resigned ahead of the floor test in the state assembly.
• In a press conference in Bhopal, he announced his resignation as Chief Minister of the state. He said that he is going to Raj Bhawan to submit his resignation to Governor Lal Ji Tandon.
• The Supreme Court had directed the floor test in the Madhya Pradesh assembly.

6. Greece handed over Olympic flame to Tokyo 2020 organizers

• Greece has handed over the Olympic flame to Tokyo 2020 organizers at an event which was 'significantly scaled-down' due to a coronavirus pandemic.
• The ceremony, which took place at Athens' iconic Panathenaic stadium, did not include the planned cultural ceremonies from Greece or Japan.
• Hellenic Olympic Committee President Spyros Capralos handed the torch over to the Tokyo Organising committee represented by Naoko Imoto, who lit the lantern and left with it.
• The Tokyo Olympic games are slated to be held from July 24 to August 9.

Foot Notes:
About Olympics 2020:
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Dates: Fri, 24 Jul, 2020 – Sun, 9 Aug, 2020
Athletes: 11,091 (expected)
Stadium: New National Stadium
Opening: 24 July
Nations: 206 (expected)

7. Indian football Legend P. K. Banerjee passes away at 83

• Legendary Indian footballer P.K. Banerjee died in Kolkata after battling a prolonged illness.
• The 1962 Asian Games gold-medallist was conferred with Arjuna Award and Padma Shri.
• He scored 65 international goals in 84 appearances for the national team.
• Besides winning the gold medal at the Jakarta Asian Games in 1992, Banerjee led India in the 1960 Rome Olympics, where he scored the equalizer against a formidable French team in a 1-1 draw.

8. Fitch cuts India’s growth forecast to 5.1% from 5.6% for FY’21 due to coronavirus outbreak

• Fitch Ratings in its Global Economic Outlook 2020 has declined India’s growth forecast to 5.1% for FY 2020-21 due to the coronavirus outbreak which is likely to impact business investment and exports. For FY 2021-22, Fitch has projected India’s growth at 6.4%.
• Due to coronavirus crisis, Fitch Ratings lowered the Global Growth forecast for 2020 to 1.3% from 2.5% (Predicted in December 2019), the revision leaves 2020 global GDP(Gross Domestic Product) USD 850 billion dollars lower than the previous forecast, the growth fall to 1.3% in 2020 will be weaker than 1990 and 2001 global growths.
• In December 2019, Fitch projected India’s growth at 5.6% for 2020-21 and 6.5% in the FY2021-22.
• This downward revision is not only impacted by coronavirus but it also worsened due to steady decline in the financial position of Yes Bank.

Foot Notes:
About Fitch Ratings:
It is a leading provider of credit ratings, commentary and research.
President& CEO:  Paul Taylor
Headquarters– New York, United States (US)

9. ICICI Lombard introduced “COVID-19 Protection cover” for Coronavirus Patients

• On March 19, 2020, ICICI (Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India ) Lombard, a private sector non-life insurance company has introduced a 1 year-long “COVID-19 Protection Cover” at a premium of Rs. 149. Launched in group insurance mode, this policy will pay 100% of the sum insured to the COVID-19 positive individual, irrespective of hospitalization expenses.
• It should be noted that it provides a sum insured of 25,000 including value-added benefits such as Health Assistance and CHAT/Virtual assistance, teleconsultation and ambulance assistance, as part of the offering.
• The age group of 18-75 years is eligible for COVID-19 protection cover.100% of the opted sum insured will be paid as a lump sum in the event of first diagnosis itself. Its coverage is limited to the geographical boundaries of India.
• It does not include people with travel history to any overseas location post-December 31, 2019, people quarantined for suspected COVID-19 or diagnosed with COVID-19 prior to the risk inception date or within the initial 14-Day waiting period. The policy is introduced on the lines of ICICI Lombard’s ethics of “Nibhaaye Vaade” (Keeping Promises) to introduce industry-first initiatives for its customers.

Foot Notes:
About ICICI Lombard
Parent organization– ICICI Bank
Headquarters– Mumbai
MD & CEO– Bhargav Dasgupta

10. The book entitled “Messiah Modi: A Great tale of expectations” written by Tavleen Singh released

• A new book entitled “Messiah Modi: A Great Tale of Expectations”  written by senior journalist & author Tavleen Singh has been released.
• The book, published by HarperCollins India, narrates the early support for Modi the candidate by the author, once a great supporter of the government.
• It also talks about helpless dissatisfaction with Narendra Modi the Prime Minister (PM), his cabinet, the story of his first term as a journey from lynchings to demonetization up to Article 370, the most controversial law CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) & the promises he made in his first term.
• The author also stated that Modi is the most isolated PM that she have seen in Delhi.

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Current Affairs 20 March 2020

Current Affairs 19 March 2020

Current Affairs 18 March 2020