Current Affairs – 15-02-2018

1. Union Government Extends Anti-Narcotics Scheme For 3 More Years

The Union Government extended the anti-narcotics scheme for 3 more years to combat illicit trafficking in drugs and psychotropic substance. The purpose of the scheme is to assist states and Union Territories, which are contributing in controlling the inter-state and cross-border drug trafficking.

2. India To Host 8th Theatre Olympics

In an effort to put India firmly among the top nations in the world theatre map, the country will play host to the 8th Theatre Olympics, the greatest carnival of the pianist. The 51-day theatre extravaganza which will be inaugurated at Red Fort will see 450 shows including 65 shows by international artists, 600 ambient performances, and 250 youth forum shows.

3. Sports Ministry to introduce ranking system for national sports federations

The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs is planning to introduce a ranking system for National Sports Federations (NSFs). This will be for the first time the Sports Ministry will have a system by which sports federations will be ranked or rated according to set parameters Key. The rankings will be based on federations’ administrative capability, transparency, talent-spotting ability, and medal count of athletes. The sports ministry will set up a committee for this purpose.

4. Paper 1:

Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Bengaluru may face Cape Town fate

As per a report based on “UN-endorsed projections” published by the BBC, Bengaluru city of India is “most likely” to be the first Indian urban settlement that will run out of drinking water. The report has listed 11 top cities of the world that are “most likely” to run out of drinking water, just like South Africa’s City of Cape Town, which is facing unprecedented water supply shortage in history.

What’s important?

• • For Prelims: The list of 11 cities which are likely to run out of drinking water.
• • For Mains: Water crisis- causes, effects and solutions.

About MCI:

The Medical Council of India was first established in 1934 under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1933. This Act was repealed and replaced with a new Act in 1956. Under the 1956 Act, the objectives of MCI include:

• • Maintenance of standards in medical education through curriculum guidelines, inspections and permissions to start colleges, courses or increasing number of seats.
• • Recognition of medical qualifications.
• • Registration of doctors and maintenance of the All India Medical Register.
• • Regulation of the medical profession by prescribing a code of conduct and taking action against erring doctors.

5. Paper 2:

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Atal Bhoojal Yojana

The water resources ministry is working on a Rs 6,000 crore worth ‘Atal Bhoojal Yojana’ for water conservation.

About Atal Bhoojal Yojana:

The scheme is aimed at efficient management of available water resources and strengthening of recharge mechanism through community participation. The emphasis of the scheme will be on recharge of ground water sources and efficient use of water by involving people at the local level.

Funding:

Rs 6,000 crore has been earmarked for this ambitious plan. Half of the total cost of this central scheme will be supported by the World Bank as loan while the remaining half (Rs 3,000 crore) will be funded by the government through budgetary support.