India pledged USD 10 million toward a Covid-19 emergency fund:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a video-conference meet of leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member nations to tackle the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

Highlights:

♦ The conference witnessed the participation of leaders of all SAARC countries.

♦ PM Modi proposed for Covid-19 emergency fund.

♦ India pledged $10 million toward a Covid-19 emergency fund and planned to put together a rapid response team of doctors and specialists for SAARC nations. 

♦ India suggested Integrated Disease Surveillance Portal (IDSP) that is currently being used to detect infected patients and contact tracing.

♦ The leaders proposed that health secretaries and experts from all SAARC member nations should coordinate to monitor and curb the spread of Covid-19.

Union govt orders implementation of 37 Central Laws in Jammu and Kashmir:

Union government ordered the implementation of 37 Central Laws in Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued the order after the nod of Union Cabinet. This order will be called the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Order, 2020 and will come into force with immediate effect.

About the adaptation

The adaptation of the central laws in the Concurrent List, with required modifications and amendments, will ensure administrative effectiveness and smooth transition with respect to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, thereby removing any ambiguity in their application in line with the Constitution of India.

Parliamentary panel reported annual post-harvest loss in fisheries:

A Parliamentary panel reported that the Fisheries Sector suffered a high Post-harvest loss of Rs.61,000 crore. The report stated that the Marine Fisheries has a loss of Rs.15,000 crore, and both Marine and Inland Fisheries had a loss of Rs.61,000 crore.

Report:

♦ The report highlighted that the possible cause for Post-harvest losses is faulty handling practices, inordinate delay in packing and transportation, lack of proper cold storage facilities, and lack of technological know-how for harvesting fishes. 

♦ The Committee recommended modernizing the existing harbours and establish more cold storage facilities

♦ The panel suggested ensuring the availability of more refrigerated trucks and vans for transportation of fishes. 

♦ It also urged GoI to allocate sufficient funds to the Fisheries Department so that the Post-harvest losses can be minimized and hence safeguarding the interest of various stakeholders in the Fisheries Sector.

♦ During the year 2018-19, the total fish production in India stood at around 13.42 million metric tonnes (MMT). Out of the total, marine fisheries contributed 3.71 MMTs. During 2018-19, the export of marine products stood at nearly 1.4 MMTs and was valued at Rs.46,589 crore.

NHA ties up with Private hospitals to fight against Coronavirus:

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) signed an agreement with the National Health Authority (NHA). The aim is to identify capacities to admit patients from among 19,840 empanelled hospitals under the scheme. Also, on 18 March, the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan chaired a high-level review meeting with chiefs of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, RML, and Safdarjung Hospital to examine infrastructure preparedness.

Measures:

♦ MoHFW is consulting with the private sector and non-profit hospitals across the country to ramp up facilities.

♦ The Ministry is in the process of shortlisting tertiary care units that are accredited to assist in the process.

♦ The NHA is planning the rates to include Covid-19 packages in Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).

♦ India has recorded 168 confirmed cases to date, of which 14 have been cured, and three have died.