CSIR- CCMB develops possibly 1st specific drug for COVID treatment

Government has said that 28 States and Union Territories have started lifting food grains from Food Corporation of India depots for free distribution of food grains to poor under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. Last month, Centre had decided to provide free food-grains to nearly 80 crore beneficiaries covered under National Food Security Act, NFSA in the month of May and June. Under this scheme, five kilogram per person per month food grains will be provided to the NFSA beneficiaries belonging to both Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Householders categories.Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stressed that it is important that the poor people of the country have nutritional support when the country is facing the second wave of coronavirus. Consumers Affairs Ministry said, Food Corporation of India has already positioned sufficient food grains in all States and UTs for successful implementation of the scheme. It said, till Monday, 28 States and UTs have started lifting foodgrains from Food Corporation of India depots and Rs. 5.88 lakh tonnes of food grains have been supplied for further distribution to beneficiaries. Lakshadweep has completely lifted May and June allocation whereas Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have already lifted 100 percent of May allocation.

-In Madhya Pradesh, free vaccination for people between 18 and 45 years of age will start from May 5. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that purchase orders have been issued to both the vaccine manufacturers keeping in view the potential requirement of 5 crore 29 lakh doses for vaccination.  Chief Minister said that possibilities for import of vaccine are also being examined for the earliest supply. Meanwhile, State government  has declared media professionals accredited with the state government as 'frontline workers'. Now accredited journalists will also be given the benefit of all facilities provided to frontline workers. State on Monday reported a total of 12,062 cases and 13,408 patients recovered from infection. The active caseload stands at 85,750, while the recovery rate increased to 84.7 per cent , while mortality rate is  1 per cent. 

-In the Union Territory of Puducherry, the BJP will be a part of the coalition government, as said by Puducherry BJP incharge Nirmal Kumar Surana. He said that BJP registered a phenomenal growth in this election compared to the 2016 election. BJP gave a befitting reply to those who challenge that the party never come to power, he added. Meanwhile the NR Congress chief N Rengasamy called on the Lieutenant Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan and staked his claim to form the government. The LG said that the swearing in ceremony will be held on a date decided by them. The 3 - time chief minister Rangasamy returns to power for the 4th time to lead the NDA government. He thanked the people of Puducherry and said that he will strive for the overall development of the UT.  In the NDA Alliance the All India NR Congress bagged 10 seats while BJP won 6. 

-Government has given permissions to Telecom Service Providers for conducting trials for use and applications of 5G technology.The applicant include Bharti Airtel Limited, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, Vodafone Idea Limited and MTNL. These Telecom Service Providers, TSP have tied up with original equipment manufacturers and technology providers which are Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung and C-DOT. In addition, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited will also be conducting trials using its own indigenous technology. Communication Ministry said, at present, the duration of the trials, is for a period of six months.This includes a time period of 2 months for procurement and setting up of the equipment.The permission letters specify that each TSP will have to conduct trials in rural and semi-urban settings also in addition to urban settings so that the benefit of 5G Technology proliferates across the country.The objectives of conducting 5G trials include testing 5G spectrum propagation characteristics especially in the Indian context, testing of indigenous technology and to test 5G phones and devices.

-The CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology has developed, possibly the first specific drug for COVID-19 treatment, which contain therapeutic antibodies. The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) has given its approval for human trials, Phase-I and Phase-II for the VINCOV-19 and expected to be tried next week in Delhi and Rajasthan.Developed by the CCMB, University of Hyderabad and Vins Bioproduct ltd combine, the VINCOV-19 is a collection of antibodies from Horses after they got injected inactivated Corona virus. CCMB Director Dr Rakesh K Mishra informed that the approval for its emergency use by the India’s Drug Regulator is expected once the results of phase I and II declared. He further said the VINCOV may be the first specific drug for COVID treatment and it works best when given on early stage of infection. He exuded confidence that it may take 3-4 weeks for getting approval for emergency use.