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

labours. They are the most vulnerable to the spread of the virus. Migrants have flooded the yamuna
expressway to return to their home towns.
Kolar Mines
Over 1,3000 migrants that attempted to return to Andhra Pradesh from Kola mines have been stopped and
quarantined in Kolar district. The Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh state governments are working to facilitate
precautionary measures to make sure none of them are infected with COVID-19.
Odisha
The Odisha Government has set up 36 temporary camps to provide shelter and food to the workers
migrating from states. They are migrating from West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Jharkhand,
Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh.
Lock Down: Agriculture and allied activities exempted
On March 28, 2020, the Union Agriculture Minister announced that agriculture and farming related activities
have been exempted from Lock Down. This was introduced in the second addendum introduced by the
Ministry of Home Affairs.
Highlights
Under the second addendum issued by the Home Ministry towards the lock down, the following categories
have been exempted
The ‘Mandis’ operated by the APMC (Agriculture Produce Market Committee)
The agencies or enterprises that are involved in procurement of agricultural products. This includes
the Minimum Support Price operations as well
Packaging and Manufacturing units of fertilizers and pesticides.
Movement of machineries involved in harvesting and sowing. The movements within the states and
between the states have been exempted from the lock down.
Significance
The move has been brought in to facilitate unhindered activities related to farming and agriculture. Also,
this will also ensure supply of essential commodities to common people during the lock down.
Major Relief Measures by Power Ministry during Lock Down
On March 28, 2020, the Ministry of Power approved major relief measures to provide power supply 24/7 to
all the consumers. In order to achieve this the generation, transmission and distribution operations are to
run continuously round the clock
What is the issue?
In India, 70% of power generation is coal based. Therefore, it is important to maintain the continuity of coal
supply. Also, due to lock down the consumers have not paid their dues. This has affected the liquidity
positions of the distribution companies.
Steps taken
The Ministry of Power has issued directions to the Central Electricity Regulatory commission. According to
the guidelines, the commission is to provide moratorium of three months to the Discoms in order to make
payments to the generating companies.
What are Discoms?
A Discom is Distribution Company (in India). These are companies that are not generating power by
themselves. Rather they buy power from some one else and distribute it to the consumers.
Access to “SWAYAM”, National Online Education Platform has tripled
On March 28, 2020, the Ministry of HRD (Human Resources Department) announced that the access to the
National Online Education Platform called the SWAYAM has tripled since Lock Down.

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