# New coronavirus variant

• A meeting of the national task force on covid-19 convened by the Indian council of medical research (ICMR), has concluded that while there was no need to change the existing treatment protocol in view of the mutations emerging in the SARS-COV-2 strain.

• 5% of the positive cases from all the states and UTs would now be sent for whole genome sequencing (WGS).

• The national task force(NTF) also recommended the setting up of a “Genomic surveillance consortium” (INSACOG) to map the various strains circulating in India.

# Anti conversion bill

• The Madhya pradesh freedom of religion bill,2020. which provides for a prison term of upto 10 years and a fine of 1 lakh rupees for conversion through “marriage or by any other fraudelent means, got the state cabinet’s approval on saturday.

• The bill, in some ways, is similar to the prohibition of unlawful conversion of religion ordinance, notified by the UP government.

• In cases of religious conversion of members of the SCs, STs and minors, a provision has been made for imprisonment of two to ten years and 50,000 fine.

# Jal jeevan mission

• Jal jeevan mission is the central government’s ambitious flagship scheme, which was launched in August,2019.

• It’s aim is to ensure that every rural household of the country get assured drinking water supply by 2024.

• With this, as of now, 6.15 crore(32.3%) households of the country are getting tap water supply into their homes.

# New species of sun rose

• Botanists have discovered a new species of wild sun rose from the eastern ghats in India.

• The new species, named portulaca laljii, discovered from prakasham district of Andhra pradesh.

• It has unique features such as a tuberous root, no hair in its leaf axils, a reddish pink flower, prolate shaped fruits and copper brown seeds without lustre.

• The details of the discovery have been published in the journal of asia pacific biodiversity.

# India to become 5th largest economy

• India which appears to have been pushed back to being the world’s sixth biggest economy in 2020, will again overtake the UK to become the fifth largest in 2025.

• It will claim the 3rd spot by 2030.

• The centre for economics and business research(CEBR) said in an annual report published on saturday.

# Today in India’s and world’s history

• 1911 – The national anthem of India sung for the first time at the congress convention.

• 1945 – 28 countries jointly established the world bank and international monetary fund.

• 1945 – Partition of Korea.