Top Best Current Affairs 16 April 2020 (2)

Uttar Pradesh became the first state to start the Pool Testing of the coronavirus samples as the number of COVID-19 positive patients reached 558. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) gave permission for pool testing to the state in order to help maximize the testing of samples on a daily basis. Pool testing is expected to boost the daily testing capacity of the state health department.

The Government has started procurement of pulses and oilseeds from states during the nationwide lockdown. National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (Nafed), the central procurement agency, has purchased over 1.21 lakh tonnes of pulses and oilseeds costing around Rs.595.52 crore. It has benefitted around 90,000 farmers. GoI had recently released Rs.1,250 crore for procurement of 1.71 lakh tonnes of chana and 0.87 lakh tonne of Masur. The Ministry has bought these pulses at minimum support price (MSP) in 13 states. Nafed was Founded on 2 October 1958.

IMF projects India's growth rate at 1.9% in 2020, 7.4% in 2021

The US reaffirmed its determination to sell Harpoon air-launched anti-ship missiles and Mark 54 lightweight torpedoes worth $155 million to India. The aim is to enhance India's deterrent capabilities against regional threats and to strengthen its homeland.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued Consolidated Revised Guidelines for the Containment of COVID-19 epidemic in the Country. The lockdown measures will remain in force up to 3rd May 2020. MHA guidelines directed the Ministries and Departments of Government of India, State/UT Governments to follow the guidelines for the containment of the COVID-19 epidemic in the country.

Government of India launched the All India Agri Transport Call Centre at a function in New Delhi on 15 April. The center was launched by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar. The initiative was introduced by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), GoI.

The Ministry of Tourism has launched its "DekhoApnaDesh" webinar series to provide information on the many destinations and details and expanse of the culture and heritage of our Incredible India. The move comes as tourism is hugely impacted with no movement happening either domestically or from across the border due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

:Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has announced that India will be hosting the 2020 Asian Boxing Championship. The championship is expected to be held during November-December. The host city is yet to be announced later. The announcement was made by the National Federation President Ajay Singh.