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

Ventilators
The Society for Biomedical Technology programme, operating under DRDO has been modified to fulfil the
current needs. The programme will now be deployed to manufacture ventilators. Around 5,000 ventilators
are to be produced in the first month. It is then to gradually be increased to 10,000 in the subsequent
month.
Body Suits
The body suits developed by DRDO earlier for medical and paramedical staffs for radiological emergencies
has now been converted into a full body suit that will help to stop contamination.
Project Arunank running in full swing in China border despite of COVID-19
The Border Road Organization (BRO) is working in full swing to completely replace the Daporijo bridge. The
bridge os the only line of communication to 451 villages located in the China border. Also, the BRO is
engaged in snow clearance of Manali-Leh axis to provide relief to Ladakh and Lahaul valley.
Project Arunank
The Project Arunank is being implemented by BRO in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The project aims at
linking remote regions of the borders with well developed strategic roads.
Daporijo Bridge
The Daporijo bridge is being constructed across the Subansiri river. The bridge was completely rusted and
was a serious threat to the commuters.
The bridge is being constructed under voluntary approach of Project Arunank authorities. They are
empowered to take such patriotic initiatives under the Army Act, 1950 and Army rules 1954.
Subansiri River
The Subansiri river runs in the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It is the largest tributary of
Brahmaputra river.
What is Defence Production Act, 1950 invoked in the US?
US President Donald Trump invoked the Defence Production Act recently. The act has been invoked in order
to direct General Motors, a Multinational Corporation to manufacture ventilators needed to fight COVID-19.
Highlights
The act was enacted in 1950 in response to Korean War. Under the act, President Truman established
defence mobilization and also imposed price controls and regulated heavy industries.
In 2011, President Obama invoked the law to force the telecommunications industries to provide
information related to the use of foreign-manufactured hardware and software in the networks of the
companies.
Three Major Sections of the act
The act authorizes the president of the United States to make or even force a business to accept and
prioritize contracts that are essential for defence of the country.
It authorizes the President to frame regulations, order to allocate services, materials and facilities
that will promote defence of the country.
It also authorizes the President to force industries to expand production, impose price controls and
control consumers to allocate raw materials to fulfill the needs of the country.
Home Ministry changes rules: State Disaster Relief Funds to be used for migrant workers
On March 28, 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs introduced new rules under the State Disaster Response
Fund. Under the rules, the funds are to be used to facilitate availability of temporary accommodation and
food for the migrant workers.
So far 900 have been infected with COVID-19 in India, 21 have died and 80 have recovered.
Around 80% of India’s work force is employed in informal sector and one-third are working as casual

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