9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – August 17, 2017

Naming a right:  Context: The nine-judge Bench determining whether a fundamental right to privacy exists will definitively shape the evolution of our Constitution. What is at stake is nothing less than the terms of a fundamental relationship between citizens of a constitutional democracy and the state. Explanation: A right to privacy embraces a wide range… Continue reading Naming a right: 

The private route:  Context NITI Aayog’s recent proposal for the partial privatization of district-level government hospitals has been criticized for commercializing health care. The proposal Under the proposal, private hospitals will be allowed to bid for 30-year leases that give them control over portions of government hospitals dedicated to treating non-communicable diseases. Critics maintain that… Continue reading The private route: 

Beyond the lament: & The health checklist: Context In the light of the recent deaths of several children over a short period in Gorakhpur, the country demands for equity in access to doctors, diagnostics and medicines in rural India. Explanation: The weak nature of rural India’s health systems and the extraordinary patient load on a… Continue reading Beyond the lament: & The health checklist:

AI shows interest in overhauling defence planes:  Context: The Civil Aviation Ministry has written to the Defence Ministry asking them to facilitate the servicing of defence aircraft at Air India’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul(MRO) facilities. Introduction: Air India’s MRO unit, Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) presently carries out MRO activities for commercial aircraft of… Continue reading AI shows interest in overhauling defence planes: 

Ministerial group to oversee disinvestment:  Context: The Union Cabinet has mandated a panel led by finance minister Arun Jaitley to oversee, accelerate strategic disinvestments in CPSEs Introduction The Cabinet on Wednesday empowered a ministerial group led by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to decide on details of strategic disinvestment of public sector firms.  The Cabinet Committee… Continue reading Ministerial group to oversee disinvestment: