Hindu Notes from General Studies-02

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Delhi Govt to foot accident victims’ treatment bill

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article21569060.ece/alternates/FREE_660/DE13AMBULANCE

 News

• Victims of road accidents, fires and acid attacks would be given free treatment if rushed to a private hospital, with the Delhi government picking up the tab.

Beyond News

• The Delhi Cabinet approved the scheme that is aimed at saving the lives of accident victims.
• Health Minister had first announced the scheme on March 10. The proposal would now be sent to Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal for approval.
• This scheme would help all victims of road accident, acid attacks and fires, whether they are residents of Delhi or not, get treatment at private hospitals near the spot of the incident.
• Delhi witnesses about 8,000 accidents every year with about 15,000 to 20,000 victims. In addition, 1,600 people lose their life in accidents every year.
• Apart from the scheme, the government’s ‘Good Samaritan Policy’, under which anyone who takes an accident victim to a hospital would be given ₹2,000, would be launched.

India, Australia call for ‘open’ Asia-Pacific zone

News

• Continuing with the strategic bilateral discussion, Australia and India discussed the need to maintain the Asia-Pacific region as a “free” and “open” zone under the “2+2” dialogue model which includes the foreign and defence secretaries of both sides.

Beyond News:

• The discussion was the first meeting of this level since the two sides participated in the quadrilateral discussion for a new strategic partnership targeting the Asia-Pacific region.
• Both sides agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large.

The dialogue indicated that the focus remains on freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, where China has been reclaiming land for infrastructure, boosting its maritime influence.

Centre to give Rs. 500 to TB patients every month

 News

• About 35 lakh identified Tuberculosis patients across the country will soon get Rs. 500 every month from the Centre as social support.

Beyond News

• The earlier proposal was to provide the benefit only to tribal and BPL patients, all the 35 lakh patients would be covered now.
• Some States are already providing financial support. Similar support will be extended to all TB patients and their families which can be covered under the ambit of DBT using Aadhaar.

Rights bodies in T S , AP rudderless

News

• Citizens’ rights seem to have taken a back seat in Telangana and A.P., with five commissions for protection of rights being left either headless or memberless.

Beyond News

• Two States celebrated Human Rights Day on December 10, State Commission for Human Rights, Lokayukta, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Child Welfare Committee and Information Commission have not been functioning to their fullest capacities.
• While the SHRC, which has the powers of a civil court, has not had a Chairman and two members since December 21, 2016, Lokayukta’s chair went vacant on October 11 this year. Telangana State Committee for Protection of Child Rights was nullified three months ago as the High Court found its selection process flawed.
• Child Welfare Committee (CWC) constituted under Juvenile Justice Act, that has the power of a metropolitan magistrate or judicial magistrate first class, had finished its term in February this year.

Hindu Notes from General Studies-03

Petrochemical park to generate over 3,000 jobs

News

• The proposed Petrochemical and Pharma Parks, being established on land purchased from Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore at Ambalamugal, is expected to directly generate substantial number of jobs.

Beyond News

Kinfra and Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation, tasked with developing the park space, told that the petrochem park was expected to generate between 3,000 and 5,000 jobs. The pharma park on about 40 acres is expected to attract between 20 and 30 small and medium-sized units.

• The refinery capacity has been raised from 9.5 million tonnes to 15.5 million tonnes a year; it will produce five lakh tonnes of propylene a year.

The objective of the project is to assist downstream units, which would use niche petrochemical products to manufacture adhesives, plasticisers, water-based chemicals, sealants.

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