9 PM Current Affairs Brief – 15th November, 2017

Burden of disease shifts to non-communicable ailments  Context: The ‘India State Level Disease Burden’ report, prepared as part of the Global Burden of Disease(GBD) Study 2016 published in Lancet. Introduction: The Indian States Disease Burden Initiative is a joint initiative of Indian Council of Medical Research, Public Health Foundation of India and Institute for Health… Continue reading Burden of disease shifts to non-communicable ailments 

Labelling versus outcomes  Context The article talks about the scope and importance of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) What is the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan? Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aims to clean up the streets, roads and infrastructure of India’s cities, smaller towns, and rural areas The objectives of Swachh Bharat include eliminating open defecation  through the… Continue reading Labelling versus outcomes 

Human rights and wrongs  Context: In a recent case in the Supreme Court, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) referred to itself as “a toothless tiger”. Introduction: The NHRC has on several occasions boasted of its independence, referring to its leadership comprising a former chief justice of the Supreme Court. The recent submissions to the… Continue reading Human rights and wrongs 

Manual scavenging law to be amended to hike compensation for deaths  Context he Union government is set to amend the rules of the legislation that outlaws manual scavenging to hike compensation to Rs 10 lakh each to families of those who die while cleaning sewers or septic tanks. What is the manual scavenging law about?… Continue reading Manual scavenging law to be amended to hike compensation for deaths 

A question of probity  Context: A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court led by the Chief Justice of India, in a case concerning corruption arising out of certain judicial proceedings, declared that the master who alone could decide what case goes to which judge in the Supreme Court. The registry published a circular notifying… Continue reading A question of probity 

Can Delhi get executive powers like other States  Context The Supreme Court questioned whether the constitutional scheme on division of executive powers between the Centre and the States can be made applicable to the Union Territory of Delhi. What did the supreme court state? A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India stated… Continue reading Can Delhi get executive powers like other States 

Bill banning superstitious practices tabled in Karnataka  Context A Bill to prevent and eradicate superstitious practices was tabled in the Karnataka Assembly recently Introduction: State Minister for Social Welfare H Anjaneya tabled the Bill titled ‘The Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill 2017’. Features of the Bill: It seeks… Continue reading Bill banning superstitious practices tabled in Karnataka 

SC dismisses petition for SIT probe in bribery case  Context The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed seeking a Special Investigation Team probe in the medical college bribery case as an effort to “create ripples” within the apex court What is the significance of CJAR? The Campaign for Judicial Accountability & Judicial Reforms(CJAR)… Continue reading SC dismisses petition for SIT probe in bribery case 

India-US deepen engagement   Context Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads home after concluding his three-day visit to the Philippines where he attended the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits. United approach Mr. Modi also held expansive talks with Mr. Trump during which the two leaders carried out a “broad review” of the strategic landscape in Asia, signalling… Continue reading India-US deepen engagement  

Post-Doklam, India asserts itself in China’s backyard  Context With the new quadrilateral grouping with U.S., Japan and Australia, India addressed an array of issues ranging from the tension in the Korean peninsula to freedom of navigation and sought a crackdown on chemical weapons during the ASEAN and the East Asia summits. New Delhi’s position post… Continue reading Post-Doklam, India asserts itself in China’s backyard 

Warm, warmer  Rich countries must pay more for plans to limit and deal with climate change Context: The recent 23rd conference of the UN Framework Convention on Climate change in Bonn reveals the fact that developing countries including India are focusing on the imperatives of ensuring adequate financing for mitigation and adaptation. What has been… Continue reading Warm, warmer 

The aim is pollution control, not theatre Context: The Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, a statutory body set up under the Environment Protection Act as well as the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), led the shift to compressed natural gas in Delhi, to reduce air pollution. Introduction: The Supreme Court asked the… Continue reading The aim is pollution control, not theatre

Rasogolla hits sweet spot, gets GI tag  Context: The Geographical Indication (GI) Registry and Intellectual Property India recently presented the Geographical Indication Tag status to Banglar Rasogolla of West Bengal and Mamallapuram stone sculptures of Tamil Nadu. Introduction: West Bengal was involved in a lengthy battle with Odisha , which too had claimed Rasogolla as… Continue reading Rasogolla hits sweet spot, gets GI tag