India Innovation Index 2019
Context : NITI Aayog with Institute for Competitiveness as the knowledge partner released the India Innovation Index (III) 2019.
Aim : To create a holistic tool which can be used by policymakers across the country to identify the challenges to be addressed and strengths to build on when designing the economic growth policies for their regions.
How it is calculated :
The Index is calculated as the average of the scores of its two dimensions – Enablers and Performance.
The Enablers are the factors that underpin innovative capacities, grouped in five pillars: (1) Human Capital, (2) Investment, (3) Knowledge Workers, (4) Business Environment, and (5) Safety and Legal Environment.
The Performance dimension captures benefits that a nation derives from the inputs, divided in two pillars: (6) Knowledge Output and (7) Knowledge Diffusion.
Karnataka is the most innovative major state in India. Karnataka’s number one position in the overall ranking is partly attributed to its top rank in the Performance dimension.
Sikkim and Delhi take the top spots among the north- eastern & hill states, and union territories/city states/small states respectively.
TB cases see decrease in India
Context : The tuberculosis incidence rate in India has decreased by almost 50,000 patients over the past one year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)-2019 edition of the Global Tuberculosis (TB) Report released.
Whats in the report :
The report notes that in 2017, India had 27.4 lakh TB patients which came down to 26.9 lakh in 2018. Incidence per 1,00,000 population has decreased from 204 in 2017 to 199 in 2018. The number of patients being tested for rifampicin resistance has increased from 32% in 2017 to 46% in 2018. And the treatment success rate has increased to 81% for new and relapse cases (drug sensitive) in 2017, which was 69% in 2016.
Disease trends :
It also features data on disease trends and the response to the epidemic in 202 countries and territories. “This includes trends in TB incidence and mortality, data on case detection and treatment results for TB, multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), TB/HIV, TB prevention, universal health coverage as well as financing,” noted the report.
Covering all cases :
Meanwhile, the India TB-Report 2019 notes that India is closest ever to covering all TB cases through the online notification system (NIKSHAY). “With the aim of universal access to free diagnostics and treatment services, state-of-the-art diagnostic tests and quality assured drugs have been extended to all patients seeking TB care,” notes the India report.
In India, of the estimated 2.69 million TB cases emerging in 2018, 2.15 million were reported to the Government of India — leaving a gap of 5,40,000 patients who are going unreported.
FATF may keep Pakistan on grey list
Context : Pakistan could escape being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) but issues strong warnings to it and keeping the country on the grey list.
Highlights :
- Blacklisting unlikely given support of China and Malaysia
- If not downgraded, Pakistan is expected to be kept under ‘significant and sustained’ pressure to deliver on the action plan by February 2020
- Asia-Pacific group assigned a National risk rating of “medium” to the country on counter-terror financing and anti-money laundering
- The report by Asia-Pacific group says that Pakistan had taken positive actions against these organisations “but UNSCR 1267 is not being fully implemented”
- The Grey listing means downgrading of the country by multilateral lenders like IMF, World Bank, ADB, EU and also a reduction in risk rating by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch.
- Significant risks of terrorist financing both from legitimate and illegitimate sources as well as weak, or no, regulation/supervision of certain sectors (such as hawala/hundi) and porous borders.”
About FATF
- It was established in 1989 to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
- The FATF currently comprises 37-member jurisdictions and 2 regional organisations (the Gulf Cooperation Council or GCC, and the European Commission)
Delhi’s odd- even rule
Context: Odd-even road rationing scheme will be implemented in Delhi from November 4 to 15.
Need for the scheme:
The capital city of India is facing worst phase of pollution and it could lead to devastating effect if pollution remains untreated or inadequately treated. Although number of steps have been taken in this regard, strict implementation has been lackluster and inadequate. Further most of the actions themselves lack sound strategy and sustainability. Thus, is urgent need for evolving sustainable and effective measures.
What exactly is the odd-even vehicle rule?
Private vehicles will be allowed to run across the city based on their registration numbers. For example, if a vehicle’s registration number ends with an odd digit, it will be allowed on the road on January 1, while that ending with an even number can be driven on the second, and so on.
Where did it come from?
- This system was implemented in Beijing in 2008 just before the summer Olympics. While the rule was initially said to be temporary, it turned out to be so effective the government made it permanent.
- Similar road-rationing rules are imposed in many places around the world like Paris, Mexico and Bogota to curb road jams and pollution.
Sources: the Hindu.
China leases an entire Pacific island named ” Tulagi island ” for 75 years
Context : A Chinese company has signed an agreement to lease an entire island in the Solomon Islands.
About Tulagi Island :
Now Tulagi, part of the Solomon Islands, served as a South Pacific headquarters for Britain and then Japan. During Second World War, its natural deepwater harbour across from Guadalcanal made it a military gem soldiers fought and died for.
Tulagi, an island about two square kilometres with a population of 1,200, is the site of a former Japanese naval base and was the scene of fierce fighting in World War II.
About agreement :
- The agreement with state-owned China Sam Enterprise group mentions developing special economic zone and a refinery on the island .
- The Solomons cut ties to Taipei and allied with Beijing just a few days before the Tulagi deal. A second Pacific nation, Kiribati, followed suit the same week.
- But the island’s port and its potential for dual use as a Chinese military base is certain to raise concerns with the United States and Australia.
Infrastructure plans :
- The agreement includes provisions for a fishery base, an operations centre, and “the building or enhancement of the airport.
- The development of “a special economic zone or any other industry that is suitable for any development.”
- A military installation would carry strategic and symbolic significance.
- China Sam is interested in building an oil and gas terminal.