National
Punjab presented their Annual Action Plan for Jal Jeevan Mission
⇒ Punjab State presented their Jal Jeevan Mission Annual Action Plan on 19 April 2021. During the presentation, Punjab State reiterated the commitment of the State to achieve ‘Har Ghar Jal’ target by 2022 as planned.
Punjab has 34.73 lakh rural household, out of which 25.88 lakh (74.5%) have tap water supply.
In 2021-22, the State plans to provide 8.87 lakh tap connections, thereby providing tap connection to every rural household.
Chhattisgarh presented their Annual Action Plan for Jal Jeevan Mission
⇒ The Annual Action Plan for Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) was presented by State of Chhattisgarh on 20 April 2021. During the presentation, the State reiterated the commitment to achieve the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ target as planned.
Achievement:
Chhattisgarh has around 45.5 lakh rural households, out of which only 5.7 lakh (12.5%) have tap water supply.
Target:
In the year 2021-22, about 22lakhtap water connections are planned to be provided. In 2021-22, Chhattisgarh is likely to get about Rs 1,000 Crore Central fund under JJM.
India’s 68th Grandmaster
⇒ Arjun Kalyan, an 18-year-old Chess Player from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, became India’s 68th Grandmaster on 20 April 2021.
He crossed the 2500 ELO mark after winning over Dragan Kosic in the 5th round of the ongoing GM Round Robin ‘Rujna Zora-3’ in Serbia. Kalyan is coached by IM Saravanan and Ukrainian GM Aleksandr Goloshchapov.
International
5th Global Forum on TB Vaccine
⇒ Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare addresed the 5th Global Forum on TB Vaccine on 20 April 2021.
The Global Forum on TB Vaccines is the world’s largest gathering of stakeholders striving to develop and deploy new vaccines to prevent Tuberculosis (TB).
TB Free State & District:
Union Minister announced at this Global Forum that the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and the District Budgam in Jammu & Kashmir have been certified as the 1st TB Free Union Territory and 1st TB Free District in the country, respectively.
Target:
During the Global Forum on TB Vaccines, Union Health Minister called upon the global community to re-double their efforts to ensure adequate funding, so that, a TB Vaccine can be developed by 2023 and end TB in India by 2025 and globally before 2030.
MoU between ICAI & CA ANZ
⇒ The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a fresh Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).
Aim of ICAI & CA ANZ:
Both the Institutes aims to establish a mutual co-operation framework for the advancement of accounting knowledge, professional and intellectual development, advancement of the interests of their respective members and contribute positively to the development of the accounting profession in Australia, New Zealand and India.
Benefits:
After the approval of MoU between the two Institutes, It is expected to result in greater employment opportunities for Indian Chartered Accountants and also greater remittances back to India.
EU approved conclusions on a European Union strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
⇒ The Council of the European Union approved conclusions on a European Union strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, to reinforce its strategic focus, presence and actions in Indo-Pacific region on 19 April 2021.
Key Points:
The approval has been given with an aim to contribute to “regional stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development,” at a time of “rising challenges and tensions in this region.”
The European Council tasked the High Representative and the Commission with putting forward a Joint Communication on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific by September 2021.
The European Union commitment towards Indo-Pacific region will have a long-term focus. It will be based on “upholding democracy, human rights, the rule of law and respect for international law.
The EU will aim to promote effective rules-based multilateralism, reiterating its support for ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) centrality, a point also stressed by India.
World Press Freedom Index 2021
⇒ In the World Press Freedom Index 2021 report, India retains 142 ranks out of 180 countries. India has been ranked in the ‘bad’ category, along with Brazil, Mexico and Russia.
Read More About World Press Freedom Index 2021
Important Day
World Liver Day 2021
⇒ World Liver Day is celebrated every year on April 19 to spread awareness about liver-related conditions and diseases. The World Liver Day 2021 was focused on ‘Keep your liver healthy and disease-free.’