CSIF to Provide its staff with COVID-19 security equipment and healthcare paraphernalia:

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is to provide its more than 40,000 workers with COVID-19 security equipment and sanitary paraphernalia. CISF staff will have near physical contact with passenger lakhs once the airports and re-start operations on the Delhi Metro.

CSIF measures:

The CISF is taking many anti-coronavirus steps to secure its soldiers. The move comes after two of Mumbai`s CSIF workers have tested positive for the COVID-19 infection. CSIF has upgraded beds in 349 isolation wards units to accommodate more staff when necessary.

CSIF:

Formed on: 10 March 1969

Headquarters: New Delhi, India

Minister responsible: Amit Shah, Union Home Minister

Director-General of CISF: Rajesh Ranjan

CSIF functions under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It covers around 300 industrial units, government infrastructure projects and facilities and establishments located all over India. It is a unique organization in paramilitary forces for India.

NITI Aayog recommended to farmers relaxing mandi requirements for 6 months:

NITI Aayog, a policy think tank, has proposed that the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act be held in suspended animation for the next six months in view of COVID-19. Member and agricultural policy expert Ramesh Chand moved the NITI Aayog Recommendation. It also recommended that it should be done across states even if an ordinance is required.The step is aimed at relieving the burden on farmers and ensuring a smooth supply of agricultural goods.

Highlights:

♦ The APMC Act will empower the state governments to specify market areas that are operated and regulated by market committees. The market area is where farmers bring their produce for sale. 

♦ Any relaxation in the provisions of the Act will have to be done through state governments. 

♦ The recommendation also included that the farmers be allowed to take processed or cleaned up produce directly to the warehouse. Earlier, the farmers brought the produce to the mandi.

APMC Act 2003:

The wholesaling of agricultural produce is governed by the Agricultural Produce Marketing Acts of various State governments in India. The APMC Act empowers the state governments to notify the commodities, and designate markets and market areas where the regulated trade takes place. It provides for the formation of APMC that is responsible for the operation of the markets.

The APMC act aims to develop the efficiency of the marketing system and promote agri-processing and agricultural exports. 

Amitabh Kant Chairs Empowered Committee to review the coordination of COVID-19 related response activities among various stakeholders:

Amitabh Kant Chairs Empowered Committee to review the coordination of COVID-19 related response activities among various stakeholders. The committee constituted of members namely Vikram Doraiswami, (AS, MEA); Dr. Vijayaraghavan, PSA; Kamal Kishore (Member, NDMA); Sandeep Mohan Bhatnagar (Member, CBIC); Anil Malik (AS, MHA); P. Harish (AS, MEA); Gopal Baglay (JS, PMO); Aishvarya Singh (DS, PMO); Tina Soni (DS, Cabinet Secretariat);  and the work of EG6 is serviced by Sanyukta Samaddar (Adviser, SDG, NITI Aayog).

Highlights:

♦ The meeting discussed the issues faced and the expectations of the government.

♦ It aimed to formulated plans with three groups of stakeholders namely:

1) The UN agencies, World Bank, Asian Development Bank

2) Civil Society Organisations and development partners

3) Industry associations namely Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India  (ASSOCHAM), NASSCOM

♦ The committee appealed to over 92000 NGOs/ CSOs registered on the Darpan portal of NITI Aayog. The committee directed them to provide assistance to the government in identifying hotspots and deputing volunteers and caregivers to deliver services to the elderly, persons with disabilities (PwDs), children, transgender persons, and other vulnerable groups. It also directed them to create awareness about social distancing, prevention, isolation, and combating COVID-19 and provide shelter to homeless, daily wage workers, and urban poor families.

♦ It discussed all the proactive measures taken by the government to combat COVID-19.

Essential facilities, medicines provided by Swasth ke Sipahi under PMBJP in patients `doorstep:

During the nationwide lockdown, Swasth ke Sipahi pharmacists at Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMJAK) provide critical services and medicines at the doorstep of patients and the elderly under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).

Swasth ke Sipahi:

♦ The pharmacist is working as part of PMJAK. Currently, they are extending essential services by making available quality generic medicines at affordable prices to the common people of the country and the elderly persons at their doorstep to fight the Corona pandemic. 

♦ Swasth ke Sipahi is supporting the government`s initiative of practicing social distancing.

PMJAK:

PMJAKs are being run by the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India. The main objective of PMJAK is to provide quality and affordable healthcare to anyone in need. Currently, more than 6300 PMJAKs are functioning across the nation, covering 726 districts of the country.