1. Government Schemes
Swasth ke Sipahi: Delivery of essential medicines under PMBJP
Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra aims to provide quality and affordable healthcare to those in need As part of PMBJP, pharmacists or “Swasth ke Sipahi” are ensuring doorstep delivery of essential services and medicines to patients and elderly These pharmacists are of Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras
Quick Facts: PMBJP was launched by Department of Pharmaceuticals in 2014
2. Miscellaneous
DigiLocker is National Academic Depository: MHRD
DigiLocker has been designated as the sole National Academic Depository (NAD) by MHRD University Grants Commission (UGC) will be implementing NAD as a permanent scheme within DigiLocker DigiLocker is a cloud-based safe which allows citizens to store the electronic versions of their important documents
Quick Facts: The Minister of Human Resource Development is Ramesh Pokhriyal
3. Economy
CPI Inflation to decrease from 4.8% to 4.4% in Q2
RBI has projected that the Consumer Price Index is to decrease from 4.8% in Q1 to 4.4% in Q2 due to weakening demand Inflation targeting is maintained by RBI at inflation rate between 2% and 6%.
Quick Facts: CPI is the weighted average of prices of consumer goods and essential services like food, transportation and medical care
4. National Affairs
Supreme Court rules private labs to provide free COVID-19 tests
In order to increase testing capacity of India, Supreme Court has directed private labs to provide free COVID-19 testing It has recommended diversion of CSR funds to provide this service Tests can only be conducted by labs that are certified by National Accreditation Board for testing and calibration Laboratories (NABL), WHO and ICMR.
5. Science and Technology
iGOT – Online Training Portal for frontline workers
GoI has launched Integrated Government Online Training portal It has been launched on DIKSHA platform of Ministry of Human Resources Development. The portal will provide training to frontline workers on basics on COVID-19, ICU care, clinical management, etc.
Quick Facts: DIKSHA was launched in 2017 as a teacher capacity building platform
6. Miscellaneous
TRIFED and UNICEF launch Digital Communication Strategy
To ensure the safety of tribal gatherers, TRIFED and UNICEF have launched the Digital Communication Strategy In this, Self-Help Groups will be promoted as Van Dhan Social Distancing Awareness cum Livelihood Centres These centres will generate awareness about COVID-related safety measures among tribal population
Quick Facts: Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) came into existence in 1987
7. Science and Technology
DST funds healthcare startup to produce rapid testing kits
Department of Science and Technology has funded Module Innovations, a healthcare startup, to develop COVID-19 rapid testing kits. Unlike slower kits which use RT-PCR, these kits will test for antibodies IgG and IgM that are generated in human body against COVID-19. These kits will complete test in 15 minutes.
8. Science and Technology
Madhuban Gajar: Bio-fortified carrots developed by farmer scientist
A farmer scientist in Junagadh has developed bio-fortified carrots called Madhuban Gajar These carrots are much richer in β-carotene and iron as compared to normal varieties. The carrots, when used as cattle fodder, yields higher milk production.
Quick Facts: Beta carotene is a red-orange pigment found in plants and fruits. It is a terpenoid by nature.
