9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – August 19, 2017

Bengal not for central recruitment of judiciary Context: The West Bengal government on 18th August, 2017 advised the Supreme Court against evolving a central selection mechanism for appointing judicial officers in State subordinate judicial services, saying it is against the principle of federalism practiced in Indian democracy. Explanation: Government officials advised the SC not to… Continue reading Bengal not for central recruitment of judiciary

A healthy partnership (Indian Express, editorial) Strengthening of public health services must go along with leveraging of private sector resources. Context: Strengthening of the country’s public health services must go along with private sector resources. Need for the Public and Private health care partnership: Community Health Centres report a 65 per cent vacancy rate of… Continue reading A healthy partnership (Indian Express, editorial)

Neighbours wary as Doklam crisis drags on Context From Nepal to the Philippines, countries in South and South-East Asia are keenly observing the Doklam crisis, wary of taking sides, but also keeping a close eye on subtle power shifts that the unfolding crisis embroiling China and India may reveal. Different sides taken by different countries… Continue reading Neighbours wary as Doklam crisis drags on

NHRC issues notice on Rohingyas Context The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs over the calculated deportation of about 40,000 Rohingya immigrants from Myanmar, asking for a detailed report within four weeks. The observation of NHRC The government’s plan to deport the Rohingyas by… Continue reading NHRC issues notice on Rohingyas

No data from China on Brahmaputra this year Context The Ministry of External Affairs said under an agreement, China has committed to share annual hydrological data with India but the same has not been shared this year. Sharing of hydrological data There exists a mechanism named India-China Expert-Level mechanism started in 2006 to share hydrological… Continue reading No data from China on Brahmaputra this year

Getting charged up  Context: Union Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines, recently announced that only electric vehicles (EVs) will be sold in India from 2030. Introduction: The current National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) has set a sales target of only 5-7 million EVs and hybrid… Continue reading Getting charged up 

Madness in monetary policy? Context: The Lack of an honest debate on inflation and monetary policy, is hurting India’s growth Introduction:  The entire sustained decline in inflation from 5+ levels has been missed by the RBI.  Last 12 months average inflation of 3.4 per cent with the maximum of 5+ observed in August 2016. Deputy… Continue reading Madness in monetary policy?

Cause for caution, not gloom  Context: The Economic Survey volume II cautions policymakers of  a possible deflationary cycle. Growth rate: On the growth rate, while adhering to the forecast in Volume 1 for real GDP growth rate of 6.75%-7.5% this year, it suggests that the balance of risk has shifted to the downward side of… Continue reading Cause for caution, not gloom