9 PM Current Affairs Brief – January 30, 2019

National Statistical Commission: Issue: Two remaining National Statistical Commission (NSC) members resigned Grievances of NSC members are: NSC running at half strength and government moving very slowly on appointing new members NSC has been systematically bypassed in its functions with involvement of NITI Aayog No consultation with NSC before the release of back series GDP… Continue reading National Statistical Commission:

Include Chin refugees in citizenship Bill: Chakma NGOs Polity News: The article discusses the origin and problems of Chin tribes. Facts: Eight organisations of the Chakma community have appealed to the Centre to further amend the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill for including Myanmar along with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan for allowing citizenship status to Chin tribe.… Continue reading Include Chin refugees in citizenship Bill: Chakma NGOs

China outreach to Bhutan poses fresh challenge to India International relation Important Facts: Grounds for China Interest in Bhutan: Newly formed Bhutan government wants to diversify its economy where china can be prominent partner Reduce excessive dependence on hydropower sector which is climate sensitive and offer limited employment opportunities India accounts for 80% of Bhutan… Continue reading China outreach to Bhutan poses fresh challenge to India

MGNREGS has raised welfare, brought down inequality, says study Government schemes News According to a research published in World Development journal, MGNREGS have improved the well-being of beneficiaries significantly in Andhra Pradesh Important facts About MGNERGS The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) was launched in 2006 to provide 100 days of employment… Continue reading MGNREGS has raised welfare, brought down inequality, says study

139 polluted cities not on clean air plan: report Economy News According to a report titled Airpocalypse III, by Greenpeace, there are 139 Indian cities that breach air pollution standards but are not included in the Centre’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) Important facts The exclusion of cities is due to the fact that the… Continue reading 139 polluted cities not on clean air plan: report

Waste-to-Energy plants that use solid waste as feedstock pose threat to environment Environment News: The article discusses WtE plants working in India and their challenges. Facts: WtE plants process municipal solid waste to generate electricity through incineration. There are 5 municipal WtE plants operational in India with a total capacity of 66.4MW electricity per day,… Continue reading Waste-to-Energy plants that use solid waste as feedstock pose threat to environment

Think universal basic capital Economy Article The article discusses universal basic capital as an alternative to universal basic income Analysis Universal Basic income (UBI) UBI is a minimum income (direct cash transfers) guaranteed by the state to every individual every month. It is premised on the belief that every person should have a right to… Continue reading Think universal basic capital