9 PM Current Affairs Brief – February 27th, 2018

Don’t discount WaSH Context: The recent article “Can sanitation reduce stunting?” (The Hindu, February 15) touched upon many dimensions and possible reasons to explain why Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) trials in countries like Kenya and Bangladesh ended, disappointingly, with no significant reduction in stunting among children. More in news: When the effect of poor… Continue reading Don’t discount WaSH

The power of persuasion Context: The Indian Constitution is unique in listing, among fundamental duties, the duty of each citizen “to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform” (Article 51A). “Scientific temper”  Jawaharlal Nehru was the first to use the expression “scientific temper”, which he described with his usual lucidity… Continue reading The power of persuasion

SC seeks details on over-crowded prisons Context:   Court to hear issues on abject conditions in jail Why in news? The Supreme Court has asked the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to provide details and figures of prisons where the occupancy rate is over 150% as on December 31, 2017. The three-judge Bench has also asked… Continue reading SC seeks details on over-crowded prisons

‘No time frame for Cauvery Board’ Context: Recently, Union Minister for Water Resources Nitin Gadkari was non-committal on a possible time frame for the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB), as mandated by the Supreme Court. Details: He said that the panel has been in process However, he refused to be drawn into specifics… Continue reading ‘No time frame for Cauvery Board’

Assam-Arunachal can resolve border dispute’ Context:  Nyokum Yullo festival in Itanagar. Why in news? Assam Minister Ranjit Dutta, who was in Itanagar to attend a tribal festival, exuded confidence that the decades-old boundary dispute between the two States, can be resolved through “meaningful” dialogue. Permanent solution: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has been initiating measures… Continue reading Assam-Arunachal can resolve border dispute’

HC: Do not deny cover for genetic defect Context: In a ruling that will benefit hapless claimants, Delhi high court has said that companies cannot deny health insurance to those suffering from genetic disorders. Introduction: The ill-defined and “all-encompassing” clause about genetic disorders that health insurers regularly cite to deny mediclaim is unconstitutional and arbitrary,… Continue reading HC: Do not deny cover for genetic defect

Q3 GDP growth likely 6.9%, best in 2017, says poll Context: According to a Reuters poll, India’s economy grew at its fastest pace in a year in the October-December quarter as consumers, businesses and the government stepped up spending. Details: Gross domestic product (GDP) grew 6.9% in the October-December quarter from a year earlier In… Continue reading Q3 GDP growth likely 6.9%, best in 2017, says poll

A royal salute to India’s religious plurality Context: Jordanian King Abdullah II will deliver a special address at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi on Tuesday on his three-day visit to India. More in news: Jordanian King will speak on “Islamic heritage: promoting understanding and moderation”, to an audience including academics, Islamic scholars and representatives of all… Continue reading A royal salute to India’s religious plurality

ICAI favours existing audit mechanism Context: The Institute of Charted Accountants of India (ICAI) supports efforts to strengthen its existing disciplinary and oversight mechanism through amendments to the CA Act. Why is it in news? This comes in the backdrop of allegations about the role of Chartered Accountants (CAs) in the Punjab National Bank (PNB)… Continue reading ICAI favours existing audit mechanism

NHPS a gimmick, says Chidambaram Context: Former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has dubbed the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) as a gimmick alleging that it was introduced without any proper planning Details: Criticising the Centre for the scheme, P. Chidambaram wondered how it will provide funds for it. He also mocked at the Centre’s… Continue reading NHPS a gimmick, says Chidambaram

‘Hard to steal, destroy or tamper with Aadhaar’ Context: Aadhaar cannot be tampered with or destroyed since it is nearly impossible to duplicate or match the biometrics of the 10 fingers and the iris (eye) scan of the person concerned. More in news: UIDAI programme is unprecedented in the scale of operations anywhere in the… Continue reading ‘Hard to steal, destroy or tamper with Aadhaar’