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

people during the lock down.

Highlights
The GoI has decided to provide 7 kg of food grains per person during the lock down. This will benefit more
than 80 crore people in the country. Also, the food grains are to be provided at subsidized rates. The cost of
wheat was Rs 27 per kg and is now to be sold at Rs 2 per kg. The cost of rice is about Rs 32 per kg and is to
be sold at Rs 3 per kg. Currently, GoI is providing food grains at subsidized rates under National Food
Security Act.
National Food Security Act
The act aims to provide nutritional security. It provides coverage up to 75% of rural population and 50% of
urban population.
March 26, 2020
Recapitalization of Regional Rural Banks approved by Union Cabinet
The Union Cabinet under the chairmanship of PM Modi on March 25, 2020, approved the recapitalization of
regional rural banks (RRB) to improve the capital to risk weighted assets ratio.
Highlights
The Committee approved the continuation of recapitalization of RRBs. In order to achieve this the GoI has
provided a minimum regulatory capital for another, 2020-21. The recapitalization funds are being allocated
to those banks that are unable to maintain minimum CRAR (Capital to Risk weighted Assets Ratio) of 9%.
The CRAR for a bank is fixed by RBI.
Benefits
An improved CRAR will help the rural banks to meet their credit requirements in rural areas. The RRBs
should allocate 75% of their credit to priority sector lending. The RRBs focus on small and marginal farmers,
micro and small enterprises, weaker sections of the society and rural artisans
Scheme of Recapitalization
The Scheme of Recapitalization of RRBs was launched in 2011. It was launched on the recommendation of
Dr K C Chakrabarty Committee.
Census 2021 and NPR updation postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic
The GoI had planned to conduct Census 2021 in two phases. The first phase was scheduled between April-
September 2020 and the second phase was scheduled in February 2021. Also, the updation of NPR has also
been postponed due to the spread of Corona Virus.
National Population Register
The NPR updation was scheduled to be conducted along with Census 2021. It is to be conducted by the
office of Registrar General of India operating under Ministry of Home Affairs. Assam was the only state that
was to be kept out of the NPR process as updation of the register for the state of Assam was done under
National Register of Citizens.
Background
The data for NPR was first collected in 2010 along with Census 2011. The data was further updated in 2015
under a door-to-door survey. The NPR collects biometric and demographic data. The Biometric data is to be
updated through Aadhar details. This is the first time NPR is collecting biometric data. Earlier in 2010, only
demographic details were collected. Later in 2015, the data was updated with Aadhaar, ration card numbers
and mobile numbers.
“Stay Home India with Books” initiative launched by GoI
On March 25, 2020, the National Book Trust functioning under Ministry of Human Resources and
Development launched Stay Home India with Books initiative. Under the initiative more than 100 books can
be downloaded from the NBT website.
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