Daily Current affairs for 29th March 2018 ( English)

2.       A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and South Asian Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) for cooperation on response to Oil and Chemical Pollution in South Asian Seas Region was approved by the Union cabinet. The MoU intends to promote closer cooperation between India and other maritime nations comprising South Asian seas region namely Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for protection and preservation of marine environment in the region. As per the MoU , Indian Coast Guard under defence ministry  will respond to oil and chemical spills on behalf of Government of India. Further, ICG Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) will be national emergency response centre for marine incidents.

3.        The continuation of Credit Guarantee Fund for Education Loans Scheme has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). It also approved continuation and modification of Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme for period from 2017 to 2020. Under the revised scheme, the numbers of loans per year are expected to be at least 3.3 lakhs i.e. 20% increase over previous scheme. The scheme which ran since 2009, average educational loans per year were only 2.78 lakhs. This will provide education loans to 10 lakh students during this period. The restructuring of scheme is in accordance with policy of Government to make good quality education affordable to all. Ceiling on loan amount has been refixed at Rs. 7.5 lakhs, considering the average loan size only of Rs. 4 lakhs in order to allow more students to access the benefit. The moratorium period will be course period + 1 year.

4.       Certain amendments to National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill considering recommendations of Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee (DRPSC) and general feedback from public were approved by the Union cabinet. The amendments approved are i) The final MBBS examination will be held as common exam throughout country. It will serve as exit test to be called National Exit Test (NEXT).ii) It removes provision dealing with bridge course for AYUSH practitioners to practice modern medicine to limited extent. Now state governments have been empowered to take necessary measures for addressing and promoting primary health care in rural areas.iii) The maximum limit of 40% seats for which fee will be regulated in private medical institutions and deemed universities has been increased to 50% seats. The fee will also include all other charges taken by colleges. iv) The nominees of States and UTs in National Medical Commission (NMC) have been increased from 3 to 6. TNMC will comprise of 25 members of which at least 21 will be doctors. V) It adds provision providing different options for warning, reasonable monetary penalty, reducing intake, stoppage of admission leading up to withdrawal of recognition on medical college non-compliant with norms.vi) It provides severe punishment for any unauthorized practice of medicine or by quacks with imprisonment of up to 1 year along with fine extending up to 1 year along with fine extending up to Rs. 5 lakhs.

5.       The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved new Integrated Scheme on School Education for period 2018 to 2020 to be formulated by Department of School Education and Literacy. The new scheme will subsume existing schemes related to education such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE). The scheme comes in backdrop of Government’s vision of Sabko Shiksha, Achhi Shiksha and aims to support the States in universalizing access to school education from classes pre-nursery to XII across the country.  It will have estimated allocation of Rs 75,000 crore for the mentioned period is 20% increase over current allocations.

6.     Assam Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal  directed all superintendents of police to ensure swift and correct filing of charge-sheet in all crimes against women and children so that justice can be given to the victims. He also directed the Deputy Commissioners and SPs to conduct intensive awareness campaigns so that people are made aware to prevent heinous crimes taking place against children and women in the state.