[CA/News] Daily News May 18, 2020

MAY 18, 2020
president to cut his 30% of his salary President, Mr. Ram Nath Kovind recently announced that he is to donate 30% of his salary to aid the Government of India in the fight against COVID-19. The Rashtrapti Bhavan will also follow set of restrictions under the instruction of the President to save money and aid the fight. This is being done to set an example to economize expenditure and save money to fight against COVID-19. Apart from the salary cut, domestic tours and programmes of the president will also be cut. This will help in social distancing restrictions and also will help to minimize expenditure. Also, the president will minimize his at home ceremonies by decreasing his guest lists, reducing food menu and also by using lesser flowers and decorative items. [Click for More details...] fifth & final tranche of atma nirbhar bharat abhiyan   Union Finance Minister, Ms. Nirmala Sitaraman announced the fifth and final tranche of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The scheme is to implement several measures to fight COVID-19 at an allocated budget of Rs 20 lakh crore economic packages. This included MNREGA, health and education, decriminalization of Companies Act, businesses and COVID-19, Public Sector Enterprises, Ease of Doing Business, State Governments and related resources. locckdown extended   Union Home Ministry issued the guidelines for extending the lockdown from May 18, 2020 to May 31, 2020. This is the fourth time the Union Government is extending the lockdown. Schools, colleges, hotels, cinema halls, malls, swimming pools, gyms, social, political, religious functions, and places of worship however, will be closed till May 31. Public transport including domestic flights and metro rail will not be allowed during the following two-week period. Centre also gave the powers to the administrations of states and Union territories to delineate for themselves the areas that will come under red, orange and green zones. cyclone amphan Indian Meteorological Department said that, Cyclone Amphan, a "very severe storm", will turn into "extremely severe". The weather phenomenon will cause heavy rainfall and high-velocity wind in several coastal districts of Odisha, West Bengals, and Andaman and Nicobar. Cyclone AMPHAN is likely to make landfall off West Bengal coast on May 20. The cyclone name AMPHAN was coined by Thailand.	rajiv gandhi kisan nyay yojana   Chhattisgarh State Government is to launch the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana. The scheme is to be launched on May 21, 2020. The scheme is being launched to commemorate the death anniversary of the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The scheme will infuse Rs 5,100 crores into the rural economy of the state. This is to be done through Direct Benefit Transfer. The provisions for the scheme was made during the State Budget 2020-21. Under the scheme, the farmers are to be paid Rs 10,000 per acre for the crops such as sugarcane, corn and paddy. horse serving cavalry   The Indian Army is to convert the 61st cavalry, the only horse serving cavalry in the world into a regular armoured regiment with tanks. The main aim of the plan is to convert the 61st cavalry into a combat force. This is largely a ceremonial unit that is based in Jaipur. nmis National Disaster Management Authority launched the National Migrant Information System (NMIS). It is a central online repository for the migrant workers. The online portal will help in inter-state communication to facilitate smooth movement of migrant workers. The portal also has added advantages such as contact tracing that will help in COVID-19 response work. May 18: World AIDS Vaccine Day May 18: International Museum Day; theme: "Museums for Equality: Diversity & Inclusion" tamil nadu: govt extended lockdown Tamil Nadu government has extended the existing lockdown until May 31 this year with additional relaxations. The lockdown in the 12 districts including Chennai, Chennagalpattu and Kancheepuram, where the COVID-19 cases are high, will continue without any further relaxation. The government said due to the effective measures of the state government to contain the COVID-19,  the discharge ratio is higher when compared to other states in the country, and the death rate is very low. The relaxation will be applicable to 25 districts of the state except for Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Viluppuram, Cuddalore, Ranipet, Thirupattur, Kallakuruchi, Thiruvannamalai, Ariyalur and Perambalur districts.
Prepared by K. M. Senthil Kumar