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Current Affairs [PDF] - March 16-31, 2020

more than 2000 plant species.

Why not Bt Cotton?
When Bt cotton, a genetically modified crop already exists, why should scientists go for a new GM cotton
crop? This is because, Bt cotton is resistant only to two pests and not to whiteflies.
The technology
In order to develop the pest resistant variety scientists have explored 250 plants. From these plants they
have identified novel protein molecules that are harmful to whiteflies. Out of the 250 plants, the protein was
found in Tectaria marcrodonta. This fern that causes toxicity in whiteflies is used as salad in Nepal.
How does it work?
When the fern enters the bloodstream of the whiteflies, it interferes with their life cycle. The insects start
laying abnormal eggs resulting in extraordinary poor emergence of flies.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies feed on the underside of plant leaves. They are common in warm tropical climates. They are
more prevalent in greenhouses. The world economic losses due to whiteflies are estimated to be more than
100s of millions of dollars annually.
The Whiteflies feed into the phloem of the plants and secrete toxic saliva into them. Phloem are rich in
sugar. This is because they are responsible for transporting sugar produced in leaves to different parts of
the plants.
Ayushman Bharat to help fight against COVID-19
On March 18, 2020, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has included Ayushman Bharat or the Pradhan
Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to fight against Corona Virus. So far India has recorded 168 confirmed cases of
Corona Virus. OF these, India has cured 14 and three have so far died because of the virus.
Highlights
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has involved National Health Authority as well to fight against
Corona Virus. The National Health Authority is the implementing agency of Ayushman Bharat. The scheme
will help in identifying capacities of 19,840 empaneled hospitals to admit patients. Apart from this the
ministry will also include non-profit hospitals to ramp up the facilities.
The plan is to identify these beds and set up an isolated ward for COVID-19 patients.
Other Measures
The Ministry has also included NITI Aayog and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to study hospital
level preparedness. Also, database of ventilators and beds are to be collected.

GOI: Draft New Industrial Policy and National E-Commerce Policy to be released soon
On March 18, 2020 the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced in the parliament that New Industrial
Policy and National E-Commerce Policy are to be released soon. The policies are to be framed by the
Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
New Industrial Policy
Previously NIP was launched in 1991. Since then the policy has not been updated. The 1991 NIP aimed at
Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization. It also aimed to increase economic growth rate and also to
build sufficient foreign exchange reserves. The policy also focused in international flow of goods and
services in the country with several restrictions. The current government has been liberalizing these
restrictions and has increased the ease of doing business with India. Hence India has reached to 63rd rank
in World Bank’s recent Ease of Doing Business ranking.
The New Industrial Policy will be the third policy in Indian History after the policies that were released in
1956 and 1991. Both of those policies were prepared focusing on balance of payment crisis.

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