Current Affairs: 20 September – 26 September, 2020
Feluda, first CRISPER COVID-19 test of India, approved for launch
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given its approval for the commercial launch of ‘Feluda’, the first TATA Clustered Regulatory Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPER) test of India for COVID-19. The Test has met the quality benchmarks for detecting the COVID-19.
Indian Navy Women officers for first time to join helicopter stream
Two women officers of the Indian Navy will be for the first time ever joining the helicopter stream of the naval branch of Indian armed forces as “Observers” (Airborne Tacticians). These women officers will be operating from the warships. Earlier, the entry of women officers was restricted to fixed-wing aircraft.
SC states ‘Right to Protest’ not absolute right, it comes with certain restrictions
The Supreme Court recently ruled that the right to protest is not an absolute right; it is subject to certain restrictions. The court observed that though citizens have the right to protest, there has to be a balance between the protest and right to mobility for other people.
Lok Sabha passes Foreign Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020
The Lok Sabha on September 21, 2020, passed the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020 that seeks to streamline the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 by enhancing transparency and accountability in the receipt and utilization of the foreign contribution.
Parliament passes Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020 has been passed by the Parliament on September 21, 2020. The bill aims to amend the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 for resolving the insolvency in companies and among individuals as well.
Parliament passes Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020
The Parliament on September 22, 2020 passed the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 with the Rajya Sabha approving it. The Lok Sabha had passed the amendment bill earlier on September 16, 2020. The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 seeks to amend the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to bring cooperative banks under the supervision of the RBI.
Parliament passes Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020
The Parliament passed the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020 on September 22, 2020, ensuring the protection of the health workers. The bill was passed by Rajya Sabha on September 19, 2020.
Lok Sabha passes Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020
The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020 has been passed in the Lok Sabha on September 22, 2020, amid the protests from oppositions. The J&K Bill declares Kashmiri, Hindi and Dogri, as official languages of the J&K apart from English and Urdu.
Parliament passes bills related to Homeopathy Central Council & Indian Medicine Central Council
The Parliament on September 22, 2020 passed the bills pertaining to the Homeopathy central council and the Indian medicine central council. The Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2020 aims to get 1 year extension to set up the Central Council of Homeopathy, after the end of its 2-year deadline. On the other hand, the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2020 seeks one year time for the reconstitution of the central council.
IIIT Laws (Amendment) Bill 2020 passed in Parliament
The Parliament has passed the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws (IIIT) (Amendment) Bill 2020 on September 22, 2020. The Bill seeks to declare five more IIITs in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode as Institutions of National importance. These IIITs are IIIT Agartala, IIIT Bhopal, IIIT Surat, IIIT Bhagalpur and IIIT Raichur.
Parliament passes 3 Labour Codes to reform labour laws
Parliament on September 23, 2020 passed labour codes to reform the Labour Laws. These three labour codes are Occupational Safety, Health, Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code), Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and Social Security Code, 2020.
Shivangi Singh makes history by being first woman pilot to fly Rafale aircraft
Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh has become the first woman fighter pilot to fly Rafale aircraft. The Rafale aircraft was officially inducted into the Indian Air Force on September 10, 2020. Singh is currently undergoing training to fly the aircraft.
Lok Sabha passes Major Port Authorities Bill 2020
The Major Ports Authorities Bill, 2020 was successfully passed in Lok Sabha on September 23, 2020. The passed bill seeks to provide operation, regulation, and planning of major ports in the country as well as providing greater autonomy to these ports. The Bill replaces the Major Port Act, 1963, and aims at improving the efficiency and competitiveness of India’s major ports.
Government notifies new evaluation standards for Hydrogen cell vehicles
Aiming at promoting energy-efficient and environment-friendly hydrogen fuel cell-based vehicles in the country, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on September 24, 2020,
notified new evaluation standards for the hydrogen fuel-cell based vehicles. These safety evaluation standards for Hydrogen Fuel Cells have been notified through amendment to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.
Novak Djokovic wins Men’s Singles event by beating Diego Schwartzman in Italian Open
In tennis, the world number one Novak Djokovic won a record 36th Masters Title in Italian Open on September 21, 2020, by beating Diego Schwartzman of Argentina in Rome. The Serbian tennis player was playing his first tournament since being disqualified from US Open in September 2020. Djokovic won 7-5, 6-3 in the Italian Open
Renowned Singer SP Balasubrahmanyam dies
Veteran singer SP Balasubrahmanyam died on September 25, 2020 in Chennai after testing positive for novel Coronavirus. He was 74. Balasubrahmanyam had tested negative for COVID-19 in early September; however, his condition worsened on September 23, 2020, following which he was put on maximal life support.
