Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 11 April 2017

:: National ::

Govt to allow the armed forces to buy several non-core items in the open market

To break the monopoly of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in procurements and improve its performance, the Ministry of Defence will allow the armed forces to buy several non-core items in the open market.
So far, it is mandatory for the services to buy these items from the OFB.
The non-core items include troop-comfort items and ammunition boxes.

Australian PM says Australia will supply Uranium to India very soon

Australia will start supplying uranium to India “as soon as possible”, the visiting Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, said.
Australia’s promise on uranium was announced even as both countries signed six agreements, including one on countering terrorism.
“Our know-how and resources are already partnering with India’s 24x7 Power For All, Smart Cities and Make in India programmes, but there is room for further growth,” Mr. Turnbull said.
Mr. Modi welcomed the passage of the Civil Nuclear Transfers to India Act in the Australian Parliament, opening up opportunities for Australia to support Indian energy generation.
Australia has about 40 per cent of the world’s uranium reserves and exports nearly 7,000 tonnes of yellow cake annually. Both sides agreed to extend bilateral engagement to the Asia- Pacific region.
In this context, a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting agreed to hold a bilateral maritime exercise named AUSINDEX in the Bay of Bengal in 2018 and also pledged to hold a joint exercise of the Special Forces later this year.
Both sides welcomed the decision for the first bilateral Army-to-Army exercise later this year.
The bilateral discussion also hinted at a growing agreement to oppose China’s territorial claims over the South China Sea region.
As part of the emerging Asia-Pacific focus of India-Australia ties, the joint statement took a firm position against China’s growing presence in the South China Sea region.
Both leaders recognised the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce, as well as resolving maritime disputes by peaceful means.

SC questions those who use children as cover

Supreme Court retorted by questioning the sense of humanity of the very people who form the mob and use children as cover while engaging security forces in pitched street battles.
The court was reacting to arguments by the J&K High Court Bar Association, which has filed a public interest litigation petition for a ban on pellet guns.
“The age-group of those injured are from 13 to 20 and 20 to 24 years. Young students are the ones most injured,” Justice Chandrachud said.
“About a 100 security personnel within the distance of two to three booths. Why do they do it on polling day? Election is a symbol of democracy,” Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi submitted for the Centre.
The Supreme Court advised the Bar Association against taking sides.

Survey of India started a web portal named Nakshefor maps

The Survey of India, the country’s oldest scientific organisation and official maker of maps, has set up a web portal called Nakshe that allows 3,000 of its 7,000 maps to be downloaded for free.
The only caveat is that one would require an Aadhaar number for such access.
The SoI maps —prepared for defence and civilian purposes — are considered a standard reference for the shape, extent and geographic features of the country.
In the last years, the government has passed orders to route a variety of citizen services — from scholarships to subsidies — to possessing an Aadhaar or Aadhaar enrolment number.
The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016 specifically says that the number can’t be used as proof of citizenship or domicile.
The maps to be made available through the portal http://soinakshe.uk.gov.in/ will make it easier for residents of villagers and panchayats to readily access information.
Currently, organisations and people who want specific maps need to fill forms and sometimes visit the SoI. Several times, Ministries themselves had to pay to get certain maps.

Govt says polygamy is a social custom and not religious practice (Register and Login to read Full News)

Lok Sabha cleared amendments to motor vehicles act (Register and Login to read Full News)

Lok Sabha paved way for constitutional status for Backward classes commission (Register and Login to read Full News)

:: International ::

China and Myanmar agreed a deal on a crude oil pipeline

China and Myanmar agreed a deal on a crude oil pipeline between the neighbouring countries as part of a raft of agreements signed when their leaders met in Beijing.
The countries signed an agreement on a partially-completed crude oil pipeline between western Myanmar’s Kyaukpyu port and southern China’s Kunming city.
The two leaders also discussed the development of the controversial Myitsone dam, a $3.6 billion Beijing-backed project on hold since protests in 2011, Mr. Liu told reporters after the summit.
At the time Myitsone — originally designed to supply most of its electricity to China — was seen as emblematic of Beijing’s economic dominance over its southern neighbour.
China has been pressing for its resumption ever since, despite speculation that the project might be scrapped altogether.
The two countries signed nine cooperative agreements on areas spanning public health, sports and transportation.
China also expressed its support for Myanmar’s efforts to maintain stability in northern part of the country, where deadly clashes have broken out near the border between Myanmar’s army and ethnic insurgents.

:: Business and Economy ::

Conventional means of providing healthcare must be aided with innovative ways

Conventional modes of resource mobilisation must be aided by an innovative funding mechanism to improve healthcare investments in India, a Healthcare Federation of India (NATHEALTH)-PwC report has said.
The report said funding should be mobilised from pension funds and that investments should be routed through public-private partnership and long-term debt.
It has also suggested funding through business trust entities such as Real Estate Investment Trusts along with funds sourced through bilateral investment treaties.
Underlining the need for huge funding requirements, the report said, “FDI in the sector has significantly increased in the last three years.
However, healthcare expenditure’s share in GDP remained around 1.6% in FY16 and innovative funding modes would support the target of taking it to 2.5% by 2030.”
It has also highlighted the fact that private equity deals were supporting funding in the sector and the value of transactions had increased from $94 million in 2011 to $1.28 billion in 2016, a jump of 13.5 times.
The New Health Policy 2017 too had highlighted that innovative modes of funding were needed to meet the requirements of the healthcare sector, the report said.