9 PM Current Affairs Brief – February 16th, 2018

A deepening crisis Context: In 1966, the Kothari Commission had recommended that India should target at spending 6% of its GDP on education. However, even after 5 decades, India’s spending on education remains very low. Why in news? When it comes to the education, Union Budget 2018 has offered a marginal increase on different routine… Continue reading A deepening crisis

You value a rape at ₹6,500, ‘shocked’ SC asks M.P. govt. Context: Are you doing charity by paying ₹6,500 to a rape victim, asked the Supreme Court on Thursday after going through an affidavit filed by the Madhya Pradesh government on the compensation given under the Nirbhaya Fund scheme. Introduction: The Supreme Court said that… Continue reading You value a rape at ₹6,500, ‘shocked’ SC asks M.P. govt.

Dealing with hijacking Context: India had repealed Anti-Hijacking Act of 1982 in 2016 The need for new stricter law: The hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 in 1999 and the 9/11 attacks in the U.S., in which aircraft were used as missiles, made India realize that it needs to tighten the 1982 anti-hijacking law. The… Continue reading Dealing with hijacking

Should Supreme Court proceedings be live-streamed? Context: The question is whether Supreme Court proceedings should be live-streamed Arguments in favour: It will enable the legal system to deliver on its promise of empowering the masses It is important to make those matters that are of great public importance available for all to see. Example: public… Continue reading Should Supreme Court proceedings be live-streamed?

Cauvery water dispute: Supreme Court to deliver verdict on February 16 Context: On 16th February the Supreme Court is expected to give its final verdict on Cauvery water dispute Background: The judgment will be passed on a batch of appeals by the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala challenging the 2007 award passed by… Continue reading Cauvery water dispute: Supreme Court to deliver verdict on February 16

Nepal gets new Communist Prime Minister: K P Sharma Oli sworn in for second time Context: CPN-UML Chairman K.P. Sharma Oli has sworn in as the 41st Prime Minister of Nepal Details: K.P. Sharma Oli has been appointed as the Prime Minister for the second time He was the Prime Minister from October 11, 2015… Continue reading Nepal gets new Communist Prime Minister: K P Sharma Oli sworn in for second time

Rouhani to push for investment Context: Indian investment in Iran, including billions of dollars in connectivity, infrastructure and oil projects topped the agenda as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived for a three-day visit to India. Positive and right track: The two countries are on the same positive, right track. The Chabahar investment project is a… Continue reading Rouhani to push for investment

China slams Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh Context: China has opposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh. Details: China has firmly opposed P.M. Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh stating that it was not helpful in creating “enabling conditions” for boundary talks and improvement of India-China relationship Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson further stated that… Continue reading China slams Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh

Week-long tiger census begins in Odisha today Context: Week-long tiger census in Odhisa will begin on 16th February 2018 About the Census: The week-long census that coincides with the national tiger census will be carried out in all forest divisions. Both direct and indirect methods will be used to ascertain the status of tigers in… Continue reading Week-long tiger census begins in Odisha today

Boost for women’s cooperatives Context: Women’s cooperative societies in Rajasthan are expected to get a boost Details: Women’s cooperative societies in Rajasthan will get loans for dairy and animal husbandry works at 5.50% interest rate from cooperative land development banks. The State government intends to bring one million women within the purview of cooperative sector.… Continue reading Boost for women’s cooperatives

Trade deficit widens to $16.3bn in Jan. Context: According to the data released by the Commerce Ministry India’s goods trade deficit has widened to $16.30 billion in January 2018 Highlights: The goods trade deficit has widened to $16.30 billion in January 2018 from $9.9 billion in the same month a year ago and $14.88 billion… Continue reading Trade deficit widens to $16.3bn in Jan.

Parliamentary Panel seeks FinMin report Context: Recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has questioned finance ministry officials about the $1.77 billion fraud in the state-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) and asked them to submit a report on it. Details: The Committee has questioned the recapitalisation process of the state-run banks Members of the Committee… Continue reading Parliamentary Panel seeks FinMin report

Gem of a scam: On PNB fraud Context: A regulatory filing to the stock exchanges by Punjab National Bank has blown the lid off a ₹11,500-crore fraud. Introduction: It is the largest such scam in India, it was perpetrated by a maverick diamond merchant in collusion with bank officials at a single branch in South… Continue reading Gem of a scam: On PNB fraud