1.Government Scheme
Extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for Health Workers working towards COVID 19.
The scheme provides an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakhs to health care providers working towards COVID 19 and also covers accidental loss of life due to COVID 19 infection.
It was announced in March 2020 for the duration of 90 days, which was further extended for 90 days and has now finally been extended for 180 days.
Beneficiaries mainly include the health workers who are in direct contact with COVID 19 patients.
It is important for the beneficiaries to provide a COVID 19 positive certificate for the claim.
Quick Fact: To provide the insurance coverage, the Ministry of Health and Family welfare collaborated with New India Assurance Company Ltd.
2.Polity & Governance
Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill passed in Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha passed the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill which aims to regulate food items, pulses, cereals and onion.
The bill aims to liberalise the regulatory system while protecting the interests of consumers
The Bill will amend the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and empower the central government in terms of production, supply, distribution, trade, and commerce of certain commodities.
It empowers the central government to regulate the stock of an essential commodity that a person can hold
Quick Fact: The bill has already been implemented as an ordinance since 5th June 2020.
3.International Affairs
UN Peacekeeping Missions announces eight new challenges for future operations
UN Peacekeeping Missions announces eight new challenges for future operations and has asked for necessary steps to be taken to keep operations fit for purpose.
Some of the challenges are: Focus on transformative future people, reduction of inequality (that has risen due to pandemic), focus on safety of peacekeepers, adoption of technology to strengthen guidance and planning capacities and gender inequality in working sector.
Quick Fact: The current UN Peacekeeping Chief named is Jean-Pierre Lacroix
4.Person In News
Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, Scholar of Indian classical dance, passes away at the age of 91.
Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan was a renowned scholar of Indian classical dance.
She was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha till 2012.
She had served as Secretary to the Government in the Ministry of Education.
She passed away at the age of 91.
Quick Fact: Dr Vatsyayan served as the founding Director of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
5.Polity & Governance
Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill 2020 passed in the parliament.
The bill aims to establish an Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda and declare it an Institute of National importance.
The government seeks to provide quality education in the field of Ayurveda through this bill.
The bill was already passed by the Lok sabha earlier.
Quick Fact: Ayurveda is an alternative system of medicine with its root in India. Dhanavantri the physician of gods is attributed as the father of Ayurveda.
6.Miscellaneous
World Ozone Day: 16th September.
Also known as International Day of Preservation of the ozone layer.
The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly..
The day commemorates the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987
The theme for World Ozone Day 2020 is: Ozone for life-35 years of ozone layer protection.
Quick Fact: Ozone layer depletion is caused due to increasing uses of CFC (Chloro Fluoro Carbons)
7.Summits & Conferences.
Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) group meeting held virtually.
The initiative forms a part of the Indo-US Bilateral Defence Co operations.
This was the 10th group meeting.
Generally it is held twice a year, alternating between India and the US.
This was the first time the meeting was held virtually owing to the COVID pandemic.
Quick Fact: The meeting was co- Chaired by Raj Kumar (Secretary, Defence Production, Defence Ministry) and Ellen M. Lord (Under Secretary of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment, from the US Department of Defence)
8.Polity & Governance
Lok Sabha passes the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
The Bill reduces the salaries of MPs and the sumptuary allowance of Ministers by 30 per cent.
The bill also reduces the constituency allowances and office expense allowances for MP.
The reduction is done in order to tackle the COVID 19 fallout.
The changes are effective for one year.
Quick Fact: The bill was presented by Prahlad Joshi, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.
