24 March 2020: PIB Summary & Analysis

March 24th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
2. Rajya Sabha Elections
3. Invest India Business Immunity Platform
4. National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)

1. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Context:

States briefed on lockdown measures and guidelines including exemptions to contain the COVID-19 epidemic in the country.

Details:

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), chaired by the Prime Minister, in exercise of the powers under the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, has issued an Order directing the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, and the State/Union Territory Governments and State/Union Territory Authorities to take effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
• The Cabinet Secretary mentioned that inconvenience to the citizens is to be minimized and people are to be sensitized about exemptions. The supply of readymade and cooked food is to be ensured and as far as possible, home deliveries should be facilitated, he added.

The NDMA is an agency under the Home Affairs Ministry, GOI, whose chief mandate is to coordinate disaster response in the country. To know more on the National Disaster Management Authority, click on the linked article.

2. Rajya Sabha Elections

Context:

ECI Defers Rajya Sabha Poll in View of COVID-19.

Details:

• The Election Commission of India deferred the Rajya Sabha poll in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Section 153 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 specifies that the Election Commission for reasons which it considers sufficient, may extend the time for the completion of any election by making necessary amendments in the notification issued by it.
• You can read more about the Rajya Sabha and elections to it, in the linked article.

3. Invest India Business Immunity Platform

Context:

Invest India Business Immunity Platform launched to help businesses withstand COVID-19.

About the Platform:

• It was launched by Invest India, India’s national investment promotion & facilitation agency, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The platform, hosted on the Invest India website, is designed as a comprehensive resource to help businesses and investors get real-time updates on India’s active response to COVID-19.
• This dynamic and constantly updating platform keeps a regular track on developments with respect to the virus, provides latest information on various central and state government initiatives, gives access to special provisions, and answers and resolves queries through emails and on WhatsApp.
• The Business Immunity Platform (BIP) is the active platform for business issue redressal, operating 24/7, with a team of dedicated sector experts and responding to queries at the earliest.
• Invest India has also announced a partnership with SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) for responding and resolving queries for MSMEs.
• While COVID-19 continues to disrupt normal life, the impact of this crisis on businesses across the country is being continuously assessed.
• The portal also maps and highlights the response mechanism put in place by leading Indian companies such as sanitation of staff vehicles, placing orders in alternate markets, disabling biometric attendance systems, setting up of medical task force, requesting trainees to go home, business continuity plan, barring entry of visitors, suspension of air travel, usage of video-conferencing and tele-conferencing, developing online solutions and other unique initiatives.

4. National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)

Context:

The Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare visits NCDC Control Room.

About the NCDC:

• The NCDC is an institute under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• It was previously known as the National Institute of Communicable Diseases.
• It has its origins as the Central Malaria Bureau, established at Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh) in 1909.
• The institute engages in research, and it has several sections and laboratories dealing with different communicable diseases. The divisions have well equipped laboratories with modern equipment capable of undertaking tests using latest technology.
• NCDC Functions:
  • Special emphasis is given to trained health manpower development that is essential for the successful implementation of different health programmes in the country.
  • The NCDC also conducts customized training programmes for international participants. These courses are sponsored by international agencies like WHO, UNICEF, CDC and USAID.
  • It also carries out applied research in various aspects of communicable as well as non-communicable diseases.
    • Applied research in the field of bacteriology, virology, mycology, immunology, parasitology and quality control of diagnostic reagents with an aim of improving diagnostic capabilities of diseases of public health importance and giving laboratory support to the investigation and control of disease outbreaks. The important diseases include Cholera, Dengue, Diphtheria, Filaria, Fungal infections, Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, Influenza, JE, Kala-azar, Leptospirosis, Malaria, Measles, Meningitis, Rabies, Rubella, Scrub Typhus, Soil Transmitted Helminthis, Tuberculosis, and Zika Virus Disease, etc.
    • Field based research through longitudinal studies of various epidemic prone diseases.
    • Laboratory and field oriented research in the transmission dynamics of arthropod borne diseases with the ultimate objective of vector control.
    • Evaluation of new formulations of insecticides and biocides and screening of indigenous herbs to evaluate their insecticidal properties
    • Studies on biological hazards of pesticides.
    • In-vitro culture of pathogens, rapid diagnostic tests including molecular techniques.
  • The NCDC also offers specialised services like diagnostics, storage and supply of diagnostic reagents, entomological services, quality control of insecticides, supplying research materials, outbreak investigations, etc.

March 24th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

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