IEPF Authority
- The Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) Authority was set up under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, as a statutory body under Companies Act 2013.
- It aims to administer the Investor Education and Protection Fund with the objective of promoting Investor’s Education, Awareness and Protection.
- Secretary Ministry of Corporate Affairs is the Chairperson of the Authority, Joint Secretary Ministry of Corporate Affairs is the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority.
- The Authority takes various initiatives to fulfil its objectives through Investor Awareness Programmes and various other mediums like Print, Electronic, Social Media, and Community Radio etc.
FAME-II Scheme
- Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME 2) is the part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan.
- The Main thrust of FAME is to encourage electric vehicles by providing subsidies.
- Under the scheme, the government plans to offer the incentives for electric buses, three-wheelers and four-wheelers to be used for commercial purposes.
- The centre will invest in setting up charging stations, with the active participation of public sector units and private players.
- FAME 2 will also encourage interlinking of renewable energy sources with charging infrastructure.
Arab League
- Arab league is a regional organization of Arab countries in and around North Africa, the Horn of Africa and Arabia.
- The Kingdom of Egypt, Kingdom of Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria are the founding members of the league.
- Since 2011, Syria’s participation has been suspended after the Syrian Civil War.
Malaria Elimination Research Alliance
- Indian Council of Medical Research initiated a co-operation termed Malaria Elimination Research Alliance.
- The co-operation aims to bring various stakeholders on a single platform to identify and prioritize research work needed to meet the target to eliminate Malaria by 2030.
Shigellosis Vaccine
- Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella.
- Most who are infected with Shigella develop diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps starting a day or two after they are exposed to the bacteria.
- India has indigenously developed the first-ever vaccine for treatment for Shigellosis.
- It is a dead vaccine, that is, it a dead germ of the bacteria causing disease would be introduced in the body so that the immune system develops immunity against it.
- The disease, at present, is largely treated through antibiotics, but considering the fact that antibiotic resistance has become a major concern, the vaccine was the need of the hour.
Source: PIB, the Hindu, Down to Earth
