Daily Current Affairs 25th April 2020

Daily Current Affairs 25th April 2020 iasshiksha.com/daily-current-affair/daily-current-affairs-25th-april-2020/

Today’s Important Topic’s For UPSC Preparation 1. FIRST PLASMA THERAPY TO BEGIN IN KARNATAKA TODAY. 2. NO PLAN TO EASE FISCCAL DEFICIT TARGETS. 3. WILDLIFE BOARD NOD FOR MINING IN ASSAM ELEPHNAT RESERVE. 4. IITD’S CORONAVIRUS DETECTION ASSAY GETS ICMR APPROVAL. 5. SERUM INSTITUTE EYES COVID-19 VACCINE BY OCT.

FIRST PLASMA THERAPY TO BEGIN IN KARNATAKA TODAY Convalescent Plasma Therapy: In order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers and scientists are working tirelessly to develop a proper treatment for patients infected with the novel Coronavirus.

Amid testing the already existing antiviral drugs and new ones, the researchers have come across the Convalescent Plasma Therapy, which could be a potential treatment for the virus.

Several countries including China and the US have already started the clinical trials of the Convalescent Plasma Therapy due to the absence of a coronavirus-specific treatment to cure the infected patients.

The Convalescent plasma therapy was first used during the 1918 Spanish Influenza outbreak.

The approach was used recently during the outbreak of SARS, MERS and Ebola viruses.

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What is Convalescent plasma therapy and how does it work to fight COVID-19?

Convalescent Plasma Therapy, also known as passive antibody therapy, provides a person with already developed antibodies to fight a virus.

Under the Plasma Therapy, the COVID-19 patients will be infused with an antibodyrich blood plasma of the people who have recovered from the novel Coronavirus.

The Convalescent Plasma Therapy is based on the antibodies and proteins developed by the immune system that protects the body from any potential harm.

When any virus attacks the body, the immune system produces antibodies to attack the virus. These antibodies are produced by immune cells ‘B lymphocytes’, found in blood plasma.

The person who recovers from a virus has developed antibodies that stay in blood to fight the same virus, if it returns.

And if these antibodies are infused into other person infected with the same virus, they recognise the virus and attack it. However, these antibodies stay for short period in other person’s blood.

Some antibodies neutralize the virus and some work by mobilizing the immune cells to combat a disease.

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Is the Convalescent Plasma Therapy a success in treating COVID-19 patients?

It is not yet clear that which mechanism will be followed by COVID-19 antibodies to fight off the disease.

However, it is expected that the infusion of blood plasma will boost the passive immunity until the patient develops his or her own targeted ability to combat the virus.

Results of Convalescent plasma therapy trials conducted in China: As per the tests conducted on a few patients of Coronavirus in China, the therapy came out as a promising option for severe cases.

The tests were conducted in 10 patients who were given a single dose of blood plasma of recovered patients.

The results showed that the coronavirus disappeared from patients’ blood in 7 days; lung lesions improved within 7 days and clinical symptoms improved significantly within 3 days.

Why in News?

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The first plasma therapy in Karnataka for COVID-19 patients will begin on Saturday, and will be carried out jointly by the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) and the HCG Hospital.

Jawaid Akthar, Additional Chief Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), said that many people who have recovered from the disease have come forward to donate their blood.

We will begin by collecting the samples of two or three people who have recovered.

Those who have other co-morbidities cannot participate in this process.

R. Jayanthi, Dean and Director of BMCRI, said that a mass appeal will be sent to patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to come forward and donate.

“Those who are discharged and are in the period of 14 to 28 days can come forward to donate.”

The trial will test the efficacy of plasma therapy which uses antibodies of cured patients to treat critically ill COVID-19 cases.

NO PLAN TO EASE FISCAL DEFICIT TARGETS What is Fiscal Deficit?

Fiscal deficit is the distinction between the government’s total expend and its total receipts and this excludes borrowing.

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Gross fiscal deficit = Total expenditure – (Revenue receipts + Non-debt creating capital receipts) The fiscal deficit has to be financed by borrowing. Hence, it manifests the total borrowing necessities of the government from all the possible sources.

Gross fiscal deficit = Net borrowing at home + Borrowing from RBI + Borrowing from abroad.

Difference Between Fiscal Deficit and Revenue Deficit Basis

Fiscal Deficit

Revenue Deficit

Meaning

The fiscal deficit is the excess of Budget Expenditure over Budget Receipt other than borrowings.

Revenue deficit is the surplus of Revenue Expenditure over Revenue Receipts.

Significance

It reflects the total government borrowings during a fiscal year.

It reflects the inefficiency of the government to reach its regular or recurring expenditure.

Formula

Budgetary Deficit – Borrowings Or

Revenue expenditure – Revenue receipts.

Or

BE – BR excluding Borrowings (RE +CE)–(RR+CR excluding borrowings)

RE – RR

Sources to Finance Fiscal Deficit Following Are the Two Sources to Finance Fiscal Deficit: (a) Borrowings The fiscal deficit is accomplished by the borrowings from a commercial bank, internal sources like public, etc. or from the external sources like International Agencies like IMF, Foreign Governments, etc. (b) Deficit Financing (I.e. Printing New Currency) The government can also borrow funds from RBI against its securities to meet the fiscal deficit. Therefore, RBI issues new currency for this purpose.

This process is recognized as Deficit Financing.

What is the Finance Commission?

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The Finance Commission was established by the President of India in 1951 under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution.

It was formed to define the financial relations between the central government of India and the individual state governments.

There have been fifteen commissions to date. The most recent was constituted in 2017 and is chaired by K.Singh, a former member of the Planning Commission.

The recommendations made by the Finance Commission are only advisory in nature and hence, not binding on the government.

The 15th Finance commission makes recommendations for the period of 20202025 (5 years).

Importance of 15th Finance Commission: The 15th FC has been set up in a time when huge reforms have been taken under the fiscal federalism: Replacement of Planning Commission with NITI Aayog.

Implementation of GST reforms.

Abolition of the planned and non-planned expenditure.

Why in News?

Despite the strain on government finances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no credible proposal to amend the legislation meant to control the fiscal deficit, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission N.K. Singh said.

The government was currently looking to see how to ameliorate economic hardship while staying within the broad framework of the existing law.

While presenting the Union Budget in February, the Finance Minister had invoked the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act’s escape clause to relax the fiscal deficit target for 2020-21 by 0.5% percentage points to 3.5% of the GDP.

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If the government wishes to increase spending further in light of the current crisis, as many economists have recommended, it may need to amend the Act. The State governments have been demanding that their own 3% fiscal deficit targets be relaxed to 4% or even 5%, to give them elbow room in dealing with the impact of the lockdown.

Need for New Law: Singh said that change would not be possible without fresh legislation being enacted by the States.

A more expeditious method would be for the States to first trigger their own escape clauses.

He also cautioned that the States need to weigh the cost of borrowing from the market, and whether there would be appetite for their bonds.

Economic Advisory Council members felt that options need to be considered for financing the additional deficit.

It is important to ensure that the State governments get access to adequate funds to undertake their fight against the pandemic, they said, adding that different States may come out of the pandemic’s impact in different stages.

A support mechanism for cash-starved small enterprises needs to be a top priority, along with partial loan guarantees and other measures to protect non-banking financial companies.

WILDLIFE BOARD NOD FOR MINING IN ASSAM ELEPHNAT RESERVE Elephant Reserves of India: The Government of India had launched the project Elephant in the year 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with objectives to protect elephants, their habitat & corridors; to address issues of man-animal conflict; and welfare of captive elephants.

The project aims to ensure the long-term survival to the populations of elephants in their natural habitats by protecting the elephants, their habitats and migration corridors.

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Other goals of Project Elephant are supporting the research of the ecology and management of elephants, creating awareness of conservation among local people, providing improved veterinary care for captive elephants.

Activities of the Project Elephant: 1. Ecological restoration of existing natural habitats and migratory routes of elephants; 2. Development of scientific and planned management for conservation of elephant habitats and viable population of Wild Asiatic elephants in India.

3. Promotion of measures for mitigation of man elephant conflict in crucial habitats and moderating pressures of human and domestic stock activities in crucial elephant habitats.

4. Strengthening of measures for protection of Wild elephant’s form poachers and unnatural causes of death.

5. Research on Elephant management related issues.

6. Public education and awareness programmes.

7. Eco-development.

8. Veterinary care.

List of Elephant Reserves of India Elephant Range

Elephant Reserve

Location

East-Central landscape (South-West BengalJharkhand-Orissa

Mayurjharna ER

West Bengal

Singhbhum ER

Jharkhand

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Mahanadi ER Sambalpur ER

Orissa

Baitami ER South Orissa ER

Lemru ER BadalkholTamorpingla ER

Chhattisgarh

Kameng ER

Arunachal Pradesh

Sonitpur ER

Assam

Eastern-South Bank Landscape (AssamArunachal Pradesh)

Dihing-Patkai ER

Assam

South Arunachal Pradesh ER

Arunachal Pradesh

Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong-Intanki Landscape (Assam- Nagaland)

Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong ER DhansiriLungding ER

Assam

Intanki ER

Nagaland

North Bengal-Greater Manas Landscape (Assam-West Bengal)

Chirang-Ripu ER

Assam

Eastern Doars ER

West Bengal

Meghalaya Landscape

Garo Hills ER Khasi Hills ER

Meghalaya

Brahmagiri-Nilgiri-Eastern Ghat Landscape (Karnataka- Kerala-Tamilnadu-Andhra)

Mysore ER

Karnataka

Wayanad ER

Kerala

Nilgiri ER

Tamil Nadu

Kameng-Sonitpur Landscape (ArunachalAssam) Total

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Rayala ER

Andhra Pradesh

Nilambur

Kerala

Coimbatore ER

Tamil Nadu

Anamalai-Nellianpathy-High Range Landscape (Tamil Nadu-Kerala)

Anamalai ER

Tamil Nadu

Anamudi ER

Kerala

Periyar-Agasthymalai Landscape (KeralaTamilnadu)

Periyar ER

Kerala

Srivilliputhur ER

Tamil Nadu

North-Western Landscape (Uttarakhand-Uttar Pradesh)

Shivalik ER

Uttarakhand

Uttar Pradesh ER

Uttar Pradesh

National Board for Wildlife (NBWL): The NBWL is constituted by the Central Government under Section 5 A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA).

It serves as an apex body to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.

The board is advisory in nature and advises the Central Government on framing policies and measures for conservation of wildlife in the country.

It is chaired by India’s Prime Minister and its vice-chairman is Minister of Environment.

The NBWL has 47 members including the chairperson.

Among these, 19 members are ex-officio members.

Every new government constitutes a new board, based on the provisions of the WLPA, with the new PM as the chair.

Functions of NBWL: The primary function of the NBWL is to promote the conservation and development of wildlife and forests.

It has the power to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.

No alternation of boundaries in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be done without the approval of the NBWL.

North-Easter Coal Field (NECF): 10/13

North Eastern Coalfieldsis a unit of Coal India Limited, which has its headquarters in Margherita in Assam.

The unit came into existence in 1975 after nationalization of coal mines in India.

It took over the private mines operating in the Northeastern states of India and at present has mines operating in states of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

At present there are five working mines – three underground and two opencast mines.

Why in News?

Amid the countrywide lockdown, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has recommended coal mining in a part of an elephant reserve in Assam.

The NBWL’s Standing Committee had on April 7 discussed a proposal for use of 98.59 hectares of land from the Saleki proposed reserve forest land for a coal mining project by North-Easter Coal Field (NECF), a unit of Coal India Limited.

The NBWL is under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Saleki is a part of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve that includes the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary covering 111.19 sq km of rainforest and several reserve forests in Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.

Panel Set Up: The NBWL had in July 2019 formed a committee comprising its member R. Sukumar, Assam’s Chief Wildlife Warden, and a representative of the local wildlife division for assessing the mining area.

In the April 7 meeting, Mr. Sukumar stated that 57.20 ha of hilly forestland had already been broken up by the user agency (NECF) and the remaining 41.39 ha was unbroken.

He recommended a “cautious approach” for preserving the “basic integrity of this forested hill slope” that is a part of the elephant reserve in Assam adjoining Arunachal Pradesh’s Deomali Elephant Reserve with “a sizeable population of elephants”.

After detailed discussions, the Standing Committee “recommended for approval” the proposal for mining in the broken-up area after the user agency submits a rectified site-specific mine reclamation plan in consultation with the Assam Forest Department.

IITD’S CORONAVIRUS DETECTION ASSAY GETS ICMR APPROVAL IIT Delhi said it has got the approval from the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) for a probe-free coronavirus detection assay developed by it.

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The assay had been validated at ICMR with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%, making IIT-D the first academic institute to have obtained ICMR approval for a realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assay.

The assay was developed by researchers at IIT Delhi’s Kusuma School of Biological Sciences (KSBS).

Using comparative sequence analyses, the IIT Delhi team identified unique regions (short stretches of RNA sequences) in the COVID-19/SARS COV-2 genome.

These regions are not present in other human coronaviruses, providing an opportunity to specifically detect COVID-19.

It added that the method used primers targeting unique regions of COVID-19 that were designed and tested using real-time PCR. These primers specifically bind to regions conserved in over 400 fully sequenced COVID-19 genomes.

This highly sensitive assay was developed by extensive optimisation using synthetic DNA constructs followed by in-vitro generated RNA fragments.

The research team said the assay would be useful for specific and affordable high throughput testing.

This assay can be easily scaled up as it does not require fluorescent probes. The team is targeting large-scale deployment of the kit at affordable prices with suitable industrial partners as soon as possible.

Clean code: The team has identified unique regions (stretches of RNA sequences) in the SARS COV-2 genome. IIT-DELHI

SERUM INSTITUTE EYES COVID-19 VACCINE BY OCT

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The city-based Serum Institute of India has said that it expects the vaccine for COVID-19 developed by the University of Oxford in the market by October or November provided the safety and efficacy of the product is established during trials.

The institute has partnered with the Oxford vaccine project as one of the seven global institutions that will manufacture the vaccine.

In around two weeks, we can produce five million doses a month and scale that up to 10 million after six months while typically producing a vaccine takes a long time.

Observing that there were a lot of people who thought that they would have a vaccine in a few months, Mr. Poonawalla said there was, however, a strong caveat.

Trial Process: If the vaccine works in the U.K. trial and we do another trial in India, which we are hoping to start shortly, in safety and efficacy, only then will it be available by October or November and that is only if we start producing at our personal cost in risk by the end of this month.

Further, he said the institute would be using one of the existing facilities for manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine.

However, it will take over two years to set up new manufacturing facility for COVID19 vaccine.

Typically vaccines take many years but with the regulatory approvals in India that have been very carefully changed for this product development, we are very pleased to announce that we will be able to do it by the end of this year.

SII is currently looking at 4-5 million doses monthly and would start manufacturing early to save time in the hope that the trial would be successful. we hope to build up 20-40 million doses by September-October in the hope that if the trial works, then we will have this product.

SII would be partnering with ICMR for the clinical trials and that he was in touch with the Department of Biotechnology.

WORD OF THE DAY Caveat: A warning or proviso of specific stipulations, conditions, or limitations.

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