National Cancer Institute
Why in news?
- Union Minister of Health, Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated LINAC services and AMRIT pharmacy at National Cancer Institute, AIIMS Jhajjar campus.
News summary
- The National Cancer Institute, AIIMS, New Delhi (Jhajjar Campus) was dedicated to the nation by the Prime
Minister on 12.02.2019. - It has been constructed with an approved cost of Rs. 2035 Crore. NCI is the largest investment by the Government of India in a single hospital project.
- It is planned as the apex center for translational research in cancer care/prevention and has 710 patient care beds, 25 operation theaters, state-of-the art diagnostics, advanced radiation treatment, 1500 dwelling units, 2705 faculty & staff, etc.
ICC Judges approve an investigation into crimes against Myanmar’s Rohingya
Why in news?
- International Criminal Court Judges have approved a request from prosecutors to open an investigation into crimes committed against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslim minority.
• The Hague court today said that it has jurisdiction over crimes partially committed in Bangladesh, which is a member state of the court. - Myanmar is not a member of the global court. It has been accused of committing widespread abuses in a campaign against the Rohingya.
- Myanmar’s military began a counterinsurgency campaign against the Rohingya in August 2017 in response to an insurgent attack.
Chief Justice of India’s office is public authority under RTI Act
Why in news?
- The Supreme Court held that office of Chief Justice of India is a public authority under Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Key highlights:
- A five-judge Constitution Bench pronounced its verdict after listening to a petition filed against a 2010 Judgement of the Delhi High Court. The High Court in its order had declared the CJI’s office a public authority and said that it should come under the RTI Act.
- The bench also said that only the names of judges recommended by the Collegium for appointment can be disclosed, not the reasons.
- It said that the Right to Privacy is an important aspect and it has to be balanced with transparency while deciding to give out information from the office of the Chief Justice.
- The outcome is that the office of the CJI will now entertain RTI applications.
- While the office of the CJI is now under the RTI’s ambit, the CBI is exempt.
Golden Leaf Award
Why in news?
- Tobacco Board of India has been awarded the Golden Leaf Award in the Most Impressive Public Service Initiative category for the year 2019, for its efforts to initiate various sustainability (green) initiatives in Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco cultivation in India.
About:
- Tobacco Board is a statutory body established under Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- It is headquartered in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
- The main functions of the Board include regulating the production and curing of Virginia tobacco in India, improving the yields and quality of tobacco, facilitating sale of tobacco through e-auctions, undertaking various grower welfare measures and export promotion of tobacco.
Global Cooling Prize
Why in news?
- Union Minister for Science and Technology will announce the finalists of the ‘Global Cooling Prize’ (GCP) at an Award Ceremony on November 15, 2019, being organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Mission Innovation (MI) programme.
Mission Innovation (MI):
- Mission Innovation (MI) is a global initiative of 24 countries and the European Union to accelerate global clean energy innovation.
- MI identified “Affordable Heating and Cooling of Building Innovation Challenge” as one of the seven innovation challenges.
- India agreed to its engagement as MI Member for the Mission Innovation Challenge # 7: Affordable Heating and Cooling Challenge. The objective of the MI Challenge #7 is to make low carbon heating and cooling affordable for everyone.
Women participation in politics
Why in news?
- A report released by Lokniti-CSDS and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung has looked at women and political participation from multiple perspectives.
News summary
- Socio-economic class also determines women’s participation in electoral activities. Women belonging to the upper social (castes) and upper economic classes were found to be more active in electoral politics as compared to women placed at the bottom of the social and economic hierarchy.
- Women’s participation as voters has seen a sharp increase over the years.
- Although the number of women candidates has increased, there still exists a wide gap. Only a little over one-fourth of the women respondents were keen to make a career in politics if given an opportunity.
- Half of the women respondents agreed that parties always prefer a male candidate while giving tickets. Only one-seventh of respondents disagreed and one in 10 had no opinion.
- Patriarchal norms/structure of the society were the biggest obstacles that prevented women from taking part in politics.