Daily Current Affairs for Law Exams: 3rd July, 2020

1. Zydus Cadila gets DCGI approval for human clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine

• Zydus Cadila Healthcare has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for human clinical trials, informed government sources.
• DCGI Dr V G Somani has given approval for the phase I and II clinical trials (on humans) of the potential novel coronavirus vaccine developed by Zydus Cadila Healthcare Ltd on Thursday after its animal studies were found to be successful.
• The assent for human trials was given after the company submitted data of clinical trial on animals to the DCGI, in which the vaccine candidate was found to be successful with respect to safety and immunogenicity.
• A couple of days earlier, the country’s ”first” indigenous COVID-19 vaccine candidate Covaxin, developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indican Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Virology (NIV), had got the nod for human clinical trials from the DCGI.

ABOUT ZYDUS CADILLA:-

• HQ:- Ahmedabad
• CEO:- Pankaj Patel

SOURCE:- EXPRESS PHARMA

2. India’s foreign exchange reserves 5th largest in world 

• India has accumulated the world's fifth-largest foreign exchange reserves at more than $500 billion, making it a bright spot in an otherwise dismal economy.
• The reserves were bolstered by a rare current-account surplus in the first quarter, a return of inflows into the local stock market and foreign direct investment, including into a unit of Reliance Industries Ltd., the country's largest company by revenue.
• That allowed the central bank to mop up close to $25 billion in foreign exchange to add to its reserves in the quarter through June.
• The level of reserves is enough to cover 13 months of imports and is equivalent to nearly a fifth of the country's gross domestic product. It's also the fifth-largest in the world after China, Japan, Switzerland and Russia, according to the International Monetary Fund.

SOURCE:- THE PRINT

3. Intel Capital Invests Rs 1894.50 crore in Jio Platforms

• Reliance Industries Limited and Jio Platforms Limited announced today that Intel Capital will invest ₹ 1,894.50 crore in Jio Platforms at an equity value of ₹ 4.91 lakh crore and an enterprise value of ₹ 5.16 lakh crore.
• Intel Capital’s investment will translate into a 0.39% equity stake in Jio Platforms on a fully diluted basis.
• The deal with Intel Capital — the 12th such investment in 11 weeks —takes the total stake that RIL sold in Jio Platforms to 25.09 percent.
• Intel Capital joins the list of marquee firms who have recently invested in Jio Platforms, taking the total investment amount to ₹ 117,588.45 crore.

SOURCE:- 

4. Odisha launches ‘Balram’ scheme to provide credit to 7 lakh landless farmers

• The Odisha government has launched a scheme 'Balaram' to provide agricultural credit of Rs 1,040 crore to landless farmers who are facing hardships due to the coronavirus outbreak.
• Around seven lakh landless cultivators will be benefited from the programme in the next two years.
•  The decision in this regard was taken at a high-level meeting presided over by chief secretary A K Tripathy.
• The scheme was designed in collaboration with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), he said, adding that the village agriculture workers will implement the programme at the field level.
• State finance secretary A K Meena asked officials to mobilise the banking sector through the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) for extending credit support to the landless
  farmers and sharecroppers who do not get loans due to lack of resources.
• Two state-run organisations - the Institute on Management of Agricultural Extension and the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) - will be the nodal agencies at the state and district levels respectively for implementation of the scheme.

ABOUT NABARD:-

• HQ:- Mumbai
• Chairperson:- G.R. Chintala

ABOUT ODISHA:-

• Odisha CM:- Naveen Patnaik
• Governor:- Ganeshi Lal
• Capital:- Bhubaneshwar
• Formed on :- 1st April 1936
• World Heritage Site:- Sun Temple, Konark.
• Ramsar Sites:- Bhitarkanika Mangroves and Chilka Lake.
• National Park:- Bhitarkanika NP and Simlipal NP.
• Biosphere Reserve:- Simlipal BR.
• Tiger Reserve:- Simlipal and Satkosla TR.
• Elephant Reserve:- Mayurbhanj ER, Mahanadi ER, Sambalpur ER, Baitami ER and South Orissa ER.

SOURCE:- THEWEEK

5. ICMR fast-tracking efforts to launch ‘COVAXIN’ for public use by 15th August

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has tied up with Bharat Biotech India (BBIL) to “fast-track” trials of the Hyderabad firm’s Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin. While ICMR chief Dr Balram Bhargava on July 2 wrote to all the trial sites stating that all of the clinical trials had to be completed by August 15 in time for a “public launch” of the vaccine.
• Covaxin is BBIL’s vaccine candidate to immunise people against Covid-19. The vaccine candidate was developed in collaboration with ICMR’s National Institute of Virology (NIV).
• NIV isolated a strain of the novel coronavirus from an asymptomatic Covid-19 patient and transferred it to BBIL early in May. The firm then used it to work on developing an “inactivated” vaccine — a vaccine that uses the dead virus — at its high-containment facility in Hyderabad.
• Aiming to make it available for public use by August 15, ICMR chief Dr Balram Bhargava in a letter told the medical institutions chosen for the vaccine’s trials to ensure all phases of testing were completed by then.

SOURCE:- INDIANEXPRESS

6. IIT Kanpur develops teaching setup 'Mobile Masterjee'

• The Imagineering Laboratory, IIT Kanpur has developed a classroom-to-home teaching setup that can record the lectures or instructions by the teachers while using their available smartphones. It is named 'Mobile Masterjee', who can capture the videos of the classroom lecture in many positions.
• The product is lightweight and has adjustments to fit sheets and book on it for delivering instructions to the kids. A set graduated scale aligns the sheet at the desired angle, followed by the rotational quick adjustment of the mobile holder.
• In a matter of seconds, the The “Mobile Masterjee” can hold, position, and focus the whole recording setup, while making the online class a comfortable home environment. 

SOURCE:- NEWSONAIR

7. PM Modi makes surprise visit to Leh; Interacts with Army, Air Force and ITBP personnel at Nimu

• In a surprise visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Leh early this morning. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief MM Naravane also accompanied the PM on his day long visit to Leh.  The Prime Minister was briefed by Personnel of the Army, Air Force and ITBP at a forward position in Nimu amid ongoing tension with China.
• With an aim to  boost the morale of soldiers, PM Narendra Modi is in Leh. Without any information to many, PM Modi landed in Leh. Immediately on his arrival PM Modi took off to Nimo, a nearby village where Military engineering services have given him a demonstration of equipment that meets the requirements of Army personnel along the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Ladakh.
• At the technical area, the PM is being received by the Ladakh Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur and MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal. PM Narendra Modi 's visit definitely sends a strong signal across the border about preparedness.

SOURCE:-PIB

8. Unique Urban Forest inaugurated at the Office of CAG in New Delhi

• Over the years, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi has become an increasing cause of concern.  Further, the ITO crossing of New Delhi has recorded particularly high air pollution levels. 
• In response to these developments and keeping in view its community responsibilities, the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India which is located at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg has taken steps to establish an Urban Forest in the Office Park.
• The forest is made up of trees which are native to the area and are three dimensional, multi-layered communities having 30 times the surface area of the greenery of single-layered lawns, and have more than 30 times the ability to protect against natural disasters and to conserve the environment.
• Inaugurating the Urban forest, Union Environment Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar expressed happiness and said that this would be a dense urban forest  with multiple tree layers including 12000 saplings of 59 indigenous species in another year or so.

ABOUT CAG:-

• CAG of India:- Rajiv Mehrishi (13th CAG)
• HQ:- New Delhi

SOURCE:- PIB

9. 19 lakh Household Provided FHTC under Jal Jeevan Mission during Lockdown

• Prime Minister launched Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) on 73^rd Independence Day i.e. 15 August, 2019 from the ramparts of Red Fort. The mission is under implementation in partnership with States. The goal is to have ‘Har Ghar Jal’- every house in the village is to be provided with tap connection. During 2019-20, in 7 months, more than 84 lakh households were provided with tap connections.
• JJM aims to provide functional household tap connections (FHTCs) to every rural household of the country by the year 2024 and thereby ensuring potable water supply in adequate quantity i.e. @ 55 lpcd (Litres per capita per day) of prescribed quality on long-term and regular basis.
• During current year, so far Rs 8,050 Crore Central fund have been made available with States for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission. In the first quarter of 2020-21, 19 lakh tap connections have been provided in villages across the country. This has happened because of concerted efforts of the States despite adverse working conditions due to Covid-19 pandemic.
• During the lockdown in last 3 months, National Jal Jeevan Mission, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation is constantly interacting with States/ UTs through Video Conferencing to finalize the roadmap as well as review the progress of implementation.
• National Jal Jeevan Mission is working closely with the States to accomplish the task i.e. ‘Har Ghar Jal’ in mission mode and time-bound manner.

SOURCE:- PIB

10. NHAI to set up InvIT, Committee formed to select best talent for the Board

• With an aim to facilitate investment in the highway sector, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is in the process of setting up an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT).  As part of the structure, a new company is being set up to act as the Investment Manager to the proposed InvIT.
• As NHAI InvIT shall be the first InvIT to be sponsored by any government or semi government entity in the country, it is important to have a professional management structure for the investment manager.
• In order to select the best talent from the market for appointment of two independent Directors and one Chairman for the Investment Manager Board, a search-cum-selection committee has been formed. Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Chairman, NHAI is the Convenor of the Committee and other members include Shri Deepak Parekh, Chairman, Housing Development Finance Corporation; Shri Girish Chandra Chaturvedi, Chairman, ICICI Bank; and Shri Sanjay Mitra, Ex-Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
• Union Minister of Road Transport and Highway is Nitin Gadkari.

SOURCE:- PIB

11. Fitch cuts India growth forecast to 8% for FY22

• Fitch Ratings cut India's growth forecast for 2021-22 fiscal to 8 per cent from 9.5 per cent projected last month. It, however, retained its projection of Indian economy contracting by 5 per cent in the current fiscal.
• Indian economic growth stood at an estimated 4.2 per cent in 2019-20.
• In its June update of Global Economic Outlook, Fitch projected Indian economy to grow 5.5 per cent in 2022-23.
• Moody’s expects India’s real GDP to contract by 4 per cent in fiscal 2020 due to the shock from the coronavirus pandemic and related lockdown measures, followed by 8.7 per cent growth in fiscal 2021 and closer to 6 per cent thereafter.
• FITCH HQ:- New York
• FITCH CEO:- Paul Taylor
• Founder:- John Knowles Fitch
• Founded in:- 1914

SOURCE:- HT

12. Édouard Philippe resigns as prime minister of France

• Édouard Philippe, the prime minister of France, has tendered his government’s resignation after seeing the country through the coronavirus pandemic.
• His replacement was named as Jean Castex, a relatively low-profile figure who coordinated France’s reopening strategy and is known as “Monsieur Déconfinement”.
• Philippe, an increasingly popular figure during the crisis, had submitted the government’s resignation but would remain as head of an interim government until the president, Emmanuel Macron, carried out a reshuffle and named his successor.
• The announcement came days after Philippe was re-elected mayor of Le Havre with a large majority.
• His popularity has grown as Macron’s has slipped, with the latest polls suggesting Philippe had the confidence of up to half of French voters, with the president trailing at between 33% and 39%.

SOURCE:- THE GUARDIAN

13. Parminder Chopra took charge as Director of Finance, PFC

• State-run Power Finance Corporation (PFC) said it has appointed Parminder Chopra as director (finance) of the company.
• She succeeds N.B. Gupta, who superannuated on June 30, 2020.
• Chopra was working as executive director (finance) at PFC.
• With over 32 years of experience, she specialises in handling crucial and core finance functions such as fund mobilisation, corporate accounts, banking, treasury, asset-liability management and stressed asset resolution.
• PFC's CMD is Ravinder Singh Dhillon.
• Headquarter:- New Delhi.

SOURCE:- OUTLOOK

14. Second Tranche of India’s First Corporate Bond ETF will be offered from 14th July

• After the successful launch of the first series of the government's 'Bharat Bond', Edelweiss Asset Management today announced the launch of the second tranche of BHARAT Bond ETF in July, with two new series.
• The BHARAT Bond ETF program is an initiative of the Government of India, from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management and the latter has given the mandate to Edelweiss AMC to design and manage the product.
• The two new Bharat Bond ETF series will have maturities of April 2025 and April 2031. NFO will start from 14th July 2020 and end on 17th July 2020.
• The initiative of Bharat Bond ETF was from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management. The mandate to design and manage the Bharat Bond ETF was given to the Edelweiss Asset Management Company (Edelweiss AMC).
• The plan for the first Corporate Bond ETF of India was announced by Finance Minister during the 2018-19 Union Budget Speech. The first Corporate Bond ETF of India or the subscription under the first tranche was launched on 12th December 2019, with the last date on 20th December 2019.

SOURCE:- BUSINESS NEWS

15. Sixth Edition of Swachh Survekshan Survey from 4th January 2021

• Swachh Survekshan is an annual survey of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation in cities and towns across India. It was launched as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which aimed to make India clean and free of open defecation by 2 October 2019.
• The toolkit for the 2021 and the dates for the 6th edition of the Swachh Survekshan survey was launched by Hardeep Singh Puri (Union Minister of State(I/C) of Housing & Urban Affairs) on 3rd July 2020.
• The Toolkit for Swachh Survekshan 2021 Indicators introduced will focus on public participation and encouragement for innovators in the cities.
• The Swachh Survekshan Survey 2021 will be conducted from 4th January to 31st January 2021.
• Under title ‘Prerak Dauur Samman’ a new category of award was added to the 2021 Swachh Survekshan survey. The award will have five subcategories: Platinum (Divya), Bronze (Udit), Silver (Ujjwal), Gold (Anupam), and Aspiring (Arohi).

SOURCE:- PIB

16. World Sports Journalists Day: 2 July

• World Sports Journalists Day is a global professional observance held on July 2. It was established by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in 1994 to mark the 70th anniversary of its foundation.
• The term “sports journalism” refers to a form of writing that reports on sporting topics, it is an essential element of any news media organization. There are a lot of national and local associations of sports journalists aimed at maintaining high standards of sports journalism.
• Sports journalists from all over the world are united by the International Sports Press Association (Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive, AIPS).
• AIPS was founded on July 2, 1924 during the Summer Olympics in Paris. It comprises continental sub-associations and national associations. Among its partners are many big sports federations, such as International Olympic Committee, FIFA, IAAF and others.
• World Sports Journalists Day was created in 1994 to commemorate the creation of AIPS and to celebrate the achievements of members of the sporting media. It aims at encouraging sports journalists to strive for excellence in their work and to set an example to the world – not only to the world of sport, but to the world at large.
• AIPS President:- Gianni MERLO
• Headquarter:- Olympic capital Lausanne, Switzerland.

SOURCE:- INDIAN EXPRESS

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