GS: 1
Society related issues:
Don’t discount WaSH(The Hindu Opinion)
While these countries are dramatically different from India, and open defecation remains a persistent problem despite sustained and concerted efforts under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) campaign over the last few years, the very fact that over half (about 52%) of rural India still defecates in the open is still a reason why it may be too early to quash or discount SBA.
GS: 2
Indian Constitution and Polity:
HC: Do not deny cover for genetic defect(The Hindu)
In a significant judgment, the Delhi High Court on Monday termed “unconstitutional” discrimination in health insurance policies of individuals with genetic disorders.
Assam-Arunachal can resolve border dispute’(The Hindu)
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, both BJP-ruled, can be resolved through “meaningful” dialogue.
‘No time frame for Cauvery Board’(The Hindu)
Union Minister for Water Resources Nitin Gadkari on Monday was non-committal on a possible time frame for the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB), as mandated by the Supreme Court.
SC seeks details on over-crowded prisons(The Hindu)
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 power of persuasion(The Hindu Opinion)
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).
GS: 3
Economy:
Stemming the tide of agrarian distress(The Hindu Opinion)
Similar to the last two Budgets, this year’s pro-agriculture intentions are palpable through increased outlays to the agricultural sector and initiation of various programmes. They seem impressive, but closer scrutiny shows that the measures may be of little help to stem the tide of agrarian distress. There are some real challenges confronting three laudable Budget announcements.
‘Hard to steal, destroy or tamper with Aadhaar’(The Hindu)
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, said Unique Identification Development Authority of India (UIDAI) Chief Executive Ajay Bhushan Pandey on Monday.
NHPS a gimmick, says Chidambaram(The Hindu)
Former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has dubbed the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) a jumla(gimmick), alleging that it was introduced without any proper planning.
ICAI favours existing audit mechanism(The Hindu)
The Institute of Charted Accountants of India (ICAI) has said that it supports efforts to strengthen its existing disciplinary and oversight mechanism through amendments to the CA Act.
Internal security:
A royal salute to India’s religious plurality(The Hindu)
India’s religious plurality and success in fighting off the influence of Islamist terror groups such as Al-Qaeda and the ISIS will be highlighted as Jordanian King Abdullah II delivers a special address at Vigyan Bhavan here on Thursday. Mr. Abdullah will land in Delhi on Tuesday for a three-day visit, the External Affairs Ministry said.
Q3 GDP growth likely 6.9%, best in 2017, says poll
GDP grew 6.9% in the October-December quarter from a year earlier as consumers, businesses and the government stepped up spending, shows a Reuters poll
Environment:
In a record, more than 4 lakh olive ridleys nest at Rushikulya(The Hindu)
With 4,28,083 mother olive ridley turtles nesting till Monday morning, the endangered species has created an all-time record of mass nesting at the Rushikulya rookery coast in the Ganjam district of Odisha this year. The mass nesting is expected to continue for another two to three days, said Berhampur divisional forest officer Ashis Behera.
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