Current Affairs - April 13, 2020 Current Affairs

Tracker, based on data from 73 countries, that calculates governments' response to Covid-19 has identified India's response as one of the most stringent in the world. Created by researchers from Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, the "Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker" is designed to systematically record government responses worldwide and aggregate the scores into a common 'Stringency Index'.India score in "Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker" is 100.

In a Twitter campaign launched in public interest, the RBI emphasised on transacting digitally as it gives the convenience of making payments anytime and anywhere.

E-commerce firm Flipkart, has launched health insurance policy on its platform covering COVID-19, in partnership with Digit Insurance under the name 'Digit Illness Group Insurance'. It allows consumers to avail a hospitalization cover up to a sum assured of Rs 1 lakh with an annual premium of Rs 511.Further, there is no limit on room rent or ICU.The policy covers 30-day pre and 60 days post hospitalization fee.Policyholders can also avail 1 per cent of the sum assured for ambulance services.

The Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT-Ropar) has developed a trunk-shaped device fitted with ultraviolet (UV) germicidal irradiation technology. The device aims to aid the fight against COVID-19.The device should be placed at doorsteps and all items brought from outside including grocery and currency notes must be put in it to sanitize them.

:Centre has provided over Rs.28,000 crore support through Direct Benefit Transfer to around 32 crore beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) announced in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission has developed double layered Khadi masks. The orders for these masks have been procured in large quantities.The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body formed in April 1957.

Rifat Chadirji, known as the father of modern Iraqi architecture, dies in UK aged 93 from coronavirus.

International Day of Human Space Flight is observed on 12 April. The day commemorates the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's historic spaceflight in 1961. The day is celebrated as the Cosmonautics Day in Russia. The day aims to ensure the countries realize the aspiration to maintain outer space for peaceful purposes.

LIC gives 30-days extension for premiums due in March, April amid Covid-19

Karnataka Bank gets RBI nod to reappoint Mahabaleshwara M S as MD and CEO for 3 years.

With 70% annual global production share, India tops Hydroxychloroquine producer, exporter chart.

Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is to work along with the Tribal artisans, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Van Dhan Beneficiaries and NGOs. The move by TRIFED is to offer marketing support of their handloom, handicraft and natural products.These suppliers are currently making masks to support the community against the COVID-19 pandemic. Arjun Munda is the current Minister of Tribal Affairs

IMF MD Kristalina Georgieva has named 12 people including former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan to her external advisory group. These people have been included with the objective of providing perspectives from around the world on key developments and policy issues and responses to the exceptional challenges the world now faces due to the coronavirus pandemic.

:Easter festival is celebrated on 12 April in the year 2020. The day varies every year. The festival is celebrated by Christians across the world. The festival is celebrated to observe the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The festival is celebrated on the Sunday after the first full moon, the Paschal full moon, after the vernal equinox.

E-commerce firm Flipkart, announced the launch of health insurance policies on its platform covering COVID-19, in partnership with India's leading insurers ICICI Lombard named 'Covid-19 Protection Cover'. It is priced at an annual premium of Rs 159. The product provides an instant Rs 25,000 benefit plan paid to the customer if he tests positive for Covid-19.