General Affairs
President Appoints Ranjan Gogoi Chief Justice, To Take Office On Oct 3
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President Ram Nath Kovind today appointed Justice Ranjan Gogoi as the next Chief Justice of India. He will take office on October 3.
Justice Gogoi has been appointed as the 46th Chief Justice of India, a Law Ministry notification said. He is the first judge from the northeast to be appointed as the Chief Justice.
The appointment comes nearly a week after his predecessor Dipak Misra wrote to the government recommending him as his successor. Chief Justice Misra retires a day before, but since October 2 is a holiday, October 1 will be his last working day.
It is convention for the law ministry to write to the Chief Justice asking for his recommendation on the man who will replace him.
Justice Gogoi is known to be a soft-spoken but tough judge. He was among the four judges who, in January, criticised Chief Justice Misra in a rare press conference and accused him of misusing his role of assigning cases as the Supreme Court's Master of the Roster.
Born on November 18, 1954, Justice Gogoi was enrolled as an advocate in 1978. He practised in the Gauhati High Court on constitutional, taxation and company matters. He was appointed as a Permanent Judge of the Gauhati High Court on February 28, 2001. He was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on September 9, 2010.
He was appointed as Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court on February 12, 2011. He was elevated to the Supreme Court on April 23, 2012.
His tenure as the Chief Justice Of India will last till November 2019.
Justice Gogoi has been appointed as the 46th Chief Justice of India, a Law Ministry notification said. He is the first judge from the northeast to be appointed as the Chief Justice.
The appointment comes nearly a week after his predecessor Dipak Misra wrote to the government recommending him as his successor. Chief Justice Misra retires a day before, but since October 2 is a holiday, October 1 will be his last working day.
It is convention for the law ministry to write to the Chief Justice asking for his recommendation on the man who will replace him.
Justice Gogoi is known to be a soft-spoken but tough judge. He was among the four judges who, in January, criticised Chief Justice Misra in a rare press conference and accused him of misusing his role of assigning cases as the Supreme Court's Master of the Roster.
Born on November 18, 1954, Justice Gogoi was enrolled as an advocate in 1978. He practised in the Gauhati High Court on constitutional, taxation and company matters. He was appointed as a Permanent Judge of the Gauhati High Court on February 28, 2001. He was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on September 9, 2010.
He was appointed as Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court on February 12, 2011. He was elevated to the Supreme Court on April 23, 2012.
His tenure as the Chief Justice Of India will last till November 2019.
Kerala Demands Rs. 4,700 Crore As Compensation For Flood Damage
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The Kerala government on Thursday sought Rs. 4,700 crore as compensation from the central government for the damage caused by the recent floods, termed as the worst in a century, officials said.
At least 488 people have died in Kerala due to the rains and floods this monsoon, which hit 14 districts of the state.
The Kerala government has sent a memorandum to the Home Ministry giving details about the loss of human life, properties, infrastructure and crops and sought about Rs. 4,700 crore as compensation, a senior government official said.
In case of any natural calamity beyond the coping capacity of a state, the state government submits a detailed memorandum indicating sector-wise details of damage and requirement of funds for relief operations of immediate nature.
Accordingly, the Kerala government sent the memorandum, the official said.
As per the existing guidelines, the central government will soon send an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) for on-the-spot assessment of damage and additional requirement of funds.
The IMCT report will be considered by the Sub-Committee of National Executive Committee (SC-NEC) headed by the Union home secretary in conformity with the norms and then by a high-level committee, chaired by the home minister for approving the quantum of additional assistance from the NDRF.
The financial mechanism to meet the rescue and relief expenditure during any notified disaster event is governed by guidelines on State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), another official said.
State Disaster Response Fund has been constituted in each state in which the Centre contributes 75 per cent for general category states and 90 per cent for special category states of hilly regions every year according to the award of the successive Finance Commissions.
According to the guidelines, the Centre provides its allocation to SDRF of each state in advance in two installments. In case of any natural calamity, the state meets the expenditure of relief and rescue from the State Disaster Response Fund already available at its disposal.
On August 21, the central government had released Rs. 600 crore to flood-hit Kerala as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Rs. 500 crore) and Home Minister Rajnath Singh (Rs. 100 crore) during their visits to the state.
This was in addition to Rs. 562.45 crore already made available in State Disaster Relief Fund of the state.
At least 488 people have died in Kerala due to the rains and floods this monsoon, which hit 14 districts of the state.
The Kerala government has sent a memorandum to the Home Ministry giving details about the loss of human life, properties, infrastructure and crops and sought about Rs. 4,700 crore as compensation, a senior government official said.
In case of any natural calamity beyond the coping capacity of a state, the state government submits a detailed memorandum indicating sector-wise details of damage and requirement of funds for relief operations of immediate nature.
Accordingly, the Kerala government sent the memorandum, the official said.
As per the existing guidelines, the central government will soon send an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) for on-the-spot assessment of damage and additional requirement of funds.
The IMCT report will be considered by the Sub-Committee of National Executive Committee (SC-NEC) headed by the Union home secretary in conformity with the norms and then by a high-level committee, chaired by the home minister for approving the quantum of additional assistance from the NDRF.
The financial mechanism to meet the rescue and relief expenditure during any notified disaster event is governed by guidelines on State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), another official said.
State Disaster Response Fund has been constituted in each state in which the Centre contributes 75 per cent for general category states and 90 per cent for special category states of hilly regions every year according to the award of the successive Finance Commissions.
According to the guidelines, the Centre provides its allocation to SDRF of each state in advance in two installments. In case of any natural calamity, the state meets the expenditure of relief and rescue from the State Disaster Response Fund already available at its disposal.
On August 21, the central government had released Rs. 600 crore to flood-hit Kerala as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Rs. 500 crore) and Home Minister Rajnath Singh (Rs. 100 crore) during their visits to the state.
This was in addition to Rs. 562.45 crore already made available in State Disaster Relief Fund of the state.
Top Maoist Leader Who Carried Rs. 25 Lakh Reward Surrenders In Jharkhand
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A top Maoist leader wanted by the police in three states and carrying a reward of Rs. 25 lakh on his head surrendered before senior officials on Thursday, police said.
Kamlesh Ganju alias Birsai ji, leader of the Bihar-Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand Special Area Committee of CPI(Maoist) surrendered before the commissioner of Palamau division, Manoj Kumar Jha and DIG (Palamau division), Vipul Shukla they said.
Kamlesh Ganju was wanted by the police of Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand, as there are over hundreds of cases against him in the three states, the DIG said.
He was also carrying a reward of Rs. 25 lakh on his head, they said.
Mr Jha said Kamlesh Ganju had been active in ultra outfits including the erstwhile MCC and Peoples War Group as he came in contact with them at the tender age of 12 years.
Palamau Superintendent of Police Indrajeet Mahatha said Kamlesh Ganju has been working for the naxal outfit for last 23 years while Garwah SP Shivani Tiwary said he was leading the Maoists group in Budapahar.
Speaking on the occasion, Kamlesh Ganju, a native of Belgada village of naxal-affected Latehar district, said the people look at adivasi community in despicable manner, which led him to join the ultra outfit.
Kamlesh Ganju said he came in contact with the ultra group unknowingly and was being used by the naxals for delivering letters or goods or as an informer.
Kamlesh Ganju said he decided to surrender because of his family responsibility as well as prevailing ills in his community and admitted that naxals have lost their loyalty towards Maoism.
Kamlesh Ganju said he has surrendered with an intention to bring his community back into the mainstream of the society.
Kamlesh Ganju alias Birsai ji, leader of the Bihar-Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand Special Area Committee of CPI(Maoist) surrendered before the commissioner of Palamau division, Manoj Kumar Jha and DIG (Palamau division), Vipul Shukla they said.
Kamlesh Ganju was wanted by the police of Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand, as there are over hundreds of cases against him in the three states, the DIG said.
He was also carrying a reward of Rs. 25 lakh on his head, they said.
Mr Jha said Kamlesh Ganju had been active in ultra outfits including the erstwhile MCC and Peoples War Group as he came in contact with them at the tender age of 12 years.
Palamau Superintendent of Police Indrajeet Mahatha said Kamlesh Ganju has been working for the naxal outfit for last 23 years while Garwah SP Shivani Tiwary said he was leading the Maoists group in Budapahar.
Speaking on the occasion, Kamlesh Ganju, a native of Belgada village of naxal-affected Latehar district, said the people look at adivasi community in despicable manner, which led him to join the ultra outfit.
Kamlesh Ganju said he came in contact with the ultra group unknowingly and was being used by the naxals for delivering letters or goods or as an informer.
Kamlesh Ganju said he decided to surrender because of his family responsibility as well as prevailing ills in his community and admitted that naxals have lost their loyalty towards Maoism.
Kamlesh Ganju said he has surrendered with an intention to bring his community back into the mainstream of the society.
No Money Spent On PM Modi's Maternity Scheme In UP, Reveals RTI
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Not a rupee of government money has been spent on pregnant and lactating women enrolled under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's much-hyped maternity benefit scheme till August 2018 in the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh (UP), which happens to have India's highest fertility rate, an RTI query has revealed.
This, despite the fact that UP got the largest sanctioned amount of over Rs. 336 crore from a total of Rs. 2,049 crore in 2017-18 approved by the central government for 29 states and seven Union Territories, the query filed by IANS under the Right To Information (RTI) revealed.
According to the reply by the Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry, only 184 women have enrolled in UP for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) since its inception in January 2017 up to August 2018 -- out of 44 lakh women enrolled across the country in 717 districts.
While the number of beneficiaries stand at more than 34 lakh across the country, not a single woman in Uttar Pradesh has received payment under the maternity scheme, the RTI reply showed.
According to a NITI Aayog report of 2016, Uttar Pradesh has the second highest fertility rate (children per woman) of 3.1 after Bihar which has a fertility rate of 3.3. The ideal fertility rate as mentioned by the central government is 2.4.
The Health Ministry's data released in July this year on Total Fertility Rate (TFR) further elaborates that 11 districts like Bahraich, Sitapur, Hardoi, Shahjahanpur, Banda, Gonda, Etah, Balrampur, among others, have a fertility rate of 4.
According to the fact sheet, 19 districts in UP have a TFR between 3.5 and 4, while 28 have a TFR of between 3 and 3.5.
The RTI further revealed that apart from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab has low enrollment of only 7 women while the beneficiaries are a mere 5. The state was allocated Rs. 46.49 crore.
West Bengal has the highest number of women enrolled in the scheme -- 6.8 lakh -- of which more than 5 lakh lactating and first time mothers have benefited. The centre sanctioned Rs. 102 crore for the state.
According to the WCD Ministry, the cost-sharing ratio for the maternity benefit programme between the centre and states and those UTs with a legislature is 60:40. The centre shares 90 per cent of the programme for the northeastern and Himalayan states and provides the full amount for UTs without legislature.
However, as per the government, Aadhaar is mandatory for women who wants to get enrolled for the maternity scheme. Also, states and UTs have been asked to maintain an Escrow Account for the scheme to pay out, thus avoiding parking of the funds with them.
Currently, the scheme is being implemented through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) platform under the WCD or Social welfare state departments, barring a few states like Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, where it is looked after by the health department.
The RTI reply noted that in Tamil Nadu, there has not been a single enrolment under the PMMVY scheme and therefore there are no beneficiaries as the state operates a similar maternity benefit scheme. However, the Centre released more than Rs. 120 crore to the state in 2017-18.
Initially launched as the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) in 2010 under the UPA-II government, the scheme was renamed Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) after PM Modi announced its pan-India implementation in all districts of the country during a New Year's Eve speech on December 31, 2016.
Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries get Rs. 5,000 after delivery of a child in an institution like a hospital and the remaining cash incentive of Rs. 1,000 is given as maternity benefit under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) for a Rs. 6,000.
Applicable to women aged above 19 for the first birth, the scheme provides partial compensation to women for the wage-loss during birth and child care and provides conditions for safe delivery and good nutrition and feeding practices, according to the information available on the scheme.
This, despite the fact that UP got the largest sanctioned amount of over Rs. 336 crore from a total of Rs. 2,049 crore in 2017-18 approved by the central government for 29 states and seven Union Territories, the query filed by IANS under the Right To Information (RTI) revealed.
According to the reply by the Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry, only 184 women have enrolled in UP for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) since its inception in January 2017 up to August 2018 -- out of 44 lakh women enrolled across the country in 717 districts.
While the number of beneficiaries stand at more than 34 lakh across the country, not a single woman in Uttar Pradesh has received payment under the maternity scheme, the RTI reply showed.
According to a NITI Aayog report of 2016, Uttar Pradesh has the second highest fertility rate (children per woman) of 3.1 after Bihar which has a fertility rate of 3.3. The ideal fertility rate as mentioned by the central government is 2.4.
The Health Ministry's data released in July this year on Total Fertility Rate (TFR) further elaborates that 11 districts like Bahraich, Sitapur, Hardoi, Shahjahanpur, Banda, Gonda, Etah, Balrampur, among others, have a fertility rate of 4.
According to the fact sheet, 19 districts in UP have a TFR between 3.5 and 4, while 28 have a TFR of between 3 and 3.5.
The RTI further revealed that apart from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab has low enrollment of only 7 women while the beneficiaries are a mere 5. The state was allocated Rs. 46.49 crore.
West Bengal has the highest number of women enrolled in the scheme -- 6.8 lakh -- of which more than 5 lakh lactating and first time mothers have benefited. The centre sanctioned Rs. 102 crore for the state.
According to the WCD Ministry, the cost-sharing ratio for the maternity benefit programme between the centre and states and those UTs with a legislature is 60:40. The centre shares 90 per cent of the programme for the northeastern and Himalayan states and provides the full amount for UTs without legislature.
However, as per the government, Aadhaar is mandatory for women who wants to get enrolled for the maternity scheme. Also, states and UTs have been asked to maintain an Escrow Account for the scheme to pay out, thus avoiding parking of the funds with them.
Currently, the scheme is being implemented through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) platform under the WCD or Social welfare state departments, barring a few states like Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, where it is looked after by the health department.
The RTI reply noted that in Tamil Nadu, there has not been a single enrolment under the PMMVY scheme and therefore there are no beneficiaries as the state operates a similar maternity benefit scheme. However, the Centre released more than Rs. 120 crore to the state in 2017-18.
Initially launched as the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) in 2010 under the UPA-II government, the scheme was renamed Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) after PM Modi announced its pan-India implementation in all districts of the country during a New Year's Eve speech on December 31, 2016.
Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries get Rs. 5,000 after delivery of a child in an institution like a hospital and the remaining cash incentive of Rs. 1,000 is given as maternity benefit under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) for a Rs. 6,000.
Applicable to women aged above 19 for the first birth, the scheme provides partial compensation to women for the wage-loss during birth and child care and provides conditions for safe delivery and good nutrition and feeding practices, according to the information available on the scheme.
Maharashtra Celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi Amid 'Ganpati Bappa Morya' Chants
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The Ganesh Chaturthi festival kicked off with zeal and enthusiasm across Maharashtra on Thursday. The festival began with devotees, mostly attired in traditional clothes, bringing colourfully-crafted idols of the elephant-headed God in their homes and pandals and installing them amid chants of 'Ganapati bappa moraya', beating of drums and and sprinkling of 'gulal' (red coloured powder).
Several beautifully decked up pandals have been erected in all major cities and towns in the state, including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur, where huge idols of Lord Ganesha have been placed on raised platforms for people to worship.
These makeshift tents also serve as a venue for promoting social causes such as free medical checkup, blood donation camps, charity for poor during Ganesh Chaturthi days.
Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis extended greetings to the people of the state on the festive occasion.
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi, is celebrated across the country as birthday of Lord Ganesha which comes to an end after 10 days when people come out in large numbers for immersing the idols in the sea or in different water bodies.
The festival sees devotees offering to the deity various sweets as prasad, of which 'modak' (sweet rice flour dumplings filled with coconut and jaggery) is an integral part.
According to the Hindu mythology, modak is believed to be Lord Ganesha's favourite sweet. As per the rituals, 21 modaks are offered to the God and eventually served to devotees.
In view of the festival, police across the state have beefed up security.
In the state capital, at least 15,000 security personnel will keep a vigil during the festival. Along with the personnel of local police stations, the Local Armed Police, State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Riot Control Police, Quick Response Team (QRT), Bomb Detection and
Disposal Squad (BDDS) and the Civil Defence force will be deployed across the city, Mumbai police spokesperson, DCP, Manjunath Shingte, told reporters Wednesday.
Altogether 500 CCTV cameras have been installed at various locations in the metropolis for security, he said.
Several beautifully decked up pandals have been erected in all major cities and towns in the state, including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur, where huge idols of Lord Ganesha have been placed on raised platforms for people to worship.
These makeshift tents also serve as a venue for promoting social causes such as free medical checkup, blood donation camps, charity for poor during Ganesh Chaturthi days.
Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis extended greetings to the people of the state on the festive occasion.
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi, is celebrated across the country as birthday of Lord Ganesha which comes to an end after 10 days when people come out in large numbers for immersing the idols in the sea or in different water bodies.
The festival sees devotees offering to the deity various sweets as prasad, of which 'modak' (sweet rice flour dumplings filled with coconut and jaggery) is an integral part.
According to the Hindu mythology, modak is believed to be Lord Ganesha's favourite sweet. As per the rituals, 21 modaks are offered to the God and eventually served to devotees.
In view of the festival, police across the state have beefed up security.
In the state capital, at least 15,000 security personnel will keep a vigil during the festival. Along with the personnel of local police stations, the Local Armed Police, State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Riot Control Police, Quick Response Team (QRT), Bomb Detection and
Disposal Squad (BDDS) and the Civil Defence force will be deployed across the city, Mumbai police spokesperson, DCP, Manjunath Shingte, told reporters Wednesday.
Altogether 500 CCTV cameras have been installed at various locations in the metropolis for security, he said.
Business Affairs
Trump's America puts another hurdle for H-1B visa applicants; missing documents, errors will lead to straight rejection
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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can now reject visa and green card applications at its own discretion. In case of missing documents or errors, visas and permanent residence applications can be rejected without intimating the applicants if USCIS finds asking for missing information frivolous. The changes in visa policy have come into effect from September 11.
All immigration applications, petitions and requests, including the H-1B visa and Green Card applications will be brought under the ambit of the new policy. While there are no changes in appeal rights - applicants can raise an appeal against a rejected application like before - USCIS's discretionary application denial is likely to add to the cost and time of the already time-consuming and expensive process.
Under the Obama administration, the USCIS officials had to compulsorily issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) if applicants made an error or failed to produce the necessary documents, to inform them of the same. Now these notices will be issued on the discretion of the USCIS officials.
"This policy is intended to discourage frivolous or substantially incomplete filings used as "placeholder" filings and encourage applicants, petitioners, and requestors to be diligent in collecting and submitting required evidence. It is not intended to penalize filers for innocent mistakes or misunderstandings of evidentiary requirements," USCIS said in a statement.
If the required information for visa and Green Card applications was found to be missing, USCIS adjudicators would determine whether it was due to mistake or misunderstanding. If the non-compliance or error was a mistake, an RFE would be sent to the applicant.
According to reports, 72 per cent of H-1B cases for Indians received a Request for Evidence, compared to 61 per cent for all other countries in the fourth quarter of FY 2017. A change in policy could mean that a substantial number of them could get rejected without any chance of timely intervention, resulting in going about the process all over again. The decision will also affect 632,219 Indian immigrants and their families who were reportedly waiting for their Green Card to be approved as in April. The visa policy, however, will have no effect on travel and business visas.
All immigration applications, petitions and requests, including the H-1B visa and Green Card applications will be brought under the ambit of the new policy. While there are no changes in appeal rights - applicants can raise an appeal against a rejected application like before - USCIS's discretionary application denial is likely to add to the cost and time of the already time-consuming and expensive process.
Under the Obama administration, the USCIS officials had to compulsorily issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) if applicants made an error or failed to produce the necessary documents, to inform them of the same. Now these notices will be issued on the discretion of the USCIS officials.
"This policy is intended to discourage frivolous or substantially incomplete filings used as "placeholder" filings and encourage applicants, petitioners, and requestors to be diligent in collecting and submitting required evidence. It is not intended to penalize filers for innocent mistakes or misunderstandings of evidentiary requirements," USCIS said in a statement.
If the required information for visa and Green Card applications was found to be missing, USCIS adjudicators would determine whether it was due to mistake or misunderstanding. If the non-compliance or error was a mistake, an RFE would be sent to the applicant.
According to reports, 72 per cent of H-1B cases for Indians received a Request for Evidence, compared to 61 per cent for all other countries in the fourth quarter of FY 2017. A change in policy could mean that a substantial number of them could get rejected without any chance of timely intervention, resulting in going about the process all over again. The decision will also affect 632,219 Indian immigrants and their families who were reportedly waiting for their Green Card to be approved as in April. The visa policy, however, will have no effect on travel and business visas.
Centre's Ayushman Bharat in planning stage, Odisha one step ahead
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In one of the most ambitious public private partnership (PPP) plans in Indian healthcare sector, the state government of Odisha will rope in private hospital operators to develop secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in 25 locations across the state.
The Odisha Affordable Healthcare Project (AHP) is expected to extend healthcare facilities to 16 million people and cover 72 per cent of the population. Over 85 per cent of the target population will come under the economically weaker sections of the society. The government has estimated Rs 1300 crore as initial project cost and expects it to generate 10,000 employment opportunities in the nursing and para-medical areas.
According to Pratap Jena, minister of health and family welfare, Odisha, the state government programme is superior to what is being worked out by the Central government under the Ayushman Bharat Mission. Jena said free treatment will be offered to deserving patients through the government's health insurance scheme Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY).
"Our scheme is superior to the central government scheme. While the centre offers coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family, we offer Rs 7 lakh. While 60 lakh families will be covered under their criteria, we cover 70 lakh. While the Central Government scheme is available only for in-patient, our scheme covers OPD expenses as well," Jena said.
The PPP is meant to create the healthcare infrastructure that can deliver the services offered under BSKY. According to state government officials, AHP is a mix of 3 cluster projects and 19 individual hospital projects. The bed size will be 100 in some locations while the bigger hospitals that can act as hubs will have 200 beds each.
"The uniqueness of the project is that the government will provide a viability gap funding to the hospital developer for the first seven years. Separate budgetary provisions will be made for AHP for timely payments," an official said. The private players will be allowed to build and operate hospitals in the already identified land parcels under a 30 year renewable license.
Jena said the feedback from the private healthcare sector is good. "Hyderabad based Care Hospitals has already set up a cardiac speciality hospital in Jharsuguda. We are now looking for a partner to set up a cancer care adjacent to this facility on similar lines," he said.
Odisha has around 36,000 hospital beds, indicating a gap of 120,000 (77%) hospital beds in the state. At present there is only 0.8 bed available per 1000 population against WHO average of 3.5 beds per 1000 population for low-mid income countries. Private healthcare facilities comprise of only 27.59 per cent of the total healthcare facilities in the state. The new hospitals are expected to provide secondary and basic tertiary care services and be organically integrated into Odisha's Public Health System.
The Odisha Affordable Healthcare Project (AHP) is expected to extend healthcare facilities to 16 million people and cover 72 per cent of the population. Over 85 per cent of the target population will come under the economically weaker sections of the society. The government has estimated Rs 1300 crore as initial project cost and expects it to generate 10,000 employment opportunities in the nursing and para-medical areas.
According to Pratap Jena, minister of health and family welfare, Odisha, the state government programme is superior to what is being worked out by the Central government under the Ayushman Bharat Mission. Jena said free treatment will be offered to deserving patients through the government's health insurance scheme Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY).
"Our scheme is superior to the central government scheme. While the centre offers coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family, we offer Rs 7 lakh. While 60 lakh families will be covered under their criteria, we cover 70 lakh. While the Central Government scheme is available only for in-patient, our scheme covers OPD expenses as well," Jena said.
The PPP is meant to create the healthcare infrastructure that can deliver the services offered under BSKY. According to state government officials, AHP is a mix of 3 cluster projects and 19 individual hospital projects. The bed size will be 100 in some locations while the bigger hospitals that can act as hubs will have 200 beds each.
"The uniqueness of the project is that the government will provide a viability gap funding to the hospital developer for the first seven years. Separate budgetary provisions will be made for AHP for timely payments," an official said. The private players will be allowed to build and operate hospitals in the already identified land parcels under a 30 year renewable license.
Jena said the feedback from the private healthcare sector is good. "Hyderabad based Care Hospitals has already set up a cardiac speciality hospital in Jharsuguda. We are now looking for a partner to set up a cancer care adjacent to this facility on similar lines," he said.
Odisha has around 36,000 hospital beds, indicating a gap of 120,000 (77%) hospital beds in the state. At present there is only 0.8 bed available per 1000 population against WHO average of 3.5 beds per 1000 population for low-mid income countries. Private healthcare facilities comprise of only 27.59 per cent of the total healthcare facilities in the state. The new hospitals are expected to provide secondary and basic tertiary care services and be organically integrated into Odisha's Public Health System.
Supreme Court and government interventions may help to salvage only 13 GW of stressed power plants
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The Supreme Court's stay on Reserve Bank of India's initiative on insolvency proceedings against stressed power assets may give a lifeline to about 13,000 MW of stressed power assets heading for insolvency, but it will be a herculean task to save majority of the estimated 60,000 MW of troubled power plants.
Apart from the stay, the stressed power plants were also given another breather recently, when the high-level empowered committee constituted by the Prime Minister's Office allowed retaining fuel supply agreements (FSAs), Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and long-term transmission network access rights. When a company is referred to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for insolvency, these agreements stand suspended or cancelled. The high power committee's decision to waive this clause was to allow these projects get a fair valuation.
"The current decision of the Supreme Court may give a few months more time, at least till November, for bankers and stakeholders to salvage about 13 GW of projects, as the government is taking many favourable policy decisions and bankers will get time to resolve issues of many of these projects under stress," says Ashok Khurana, Director General, Association of Power Producers (APP).
Industry sources point out that of the 34 stressed projects with loans of about Rs 1.77 lakh crore, less than 20 have proper PPAs and fuel supply agreements in place. In most cases, the PPAs or FSAs are for less than half the planned capacity.
Bankers had earlier tried to resolve issues of about 12 power plants under a 'Samadhan Scheme' but could not conclude deals due to various issues with different stake holders and large debt baggage with these projects. These were Lanco Anpara Power, Jaypee Power Ventures (Nigrie), KSK Mahanadi Power, Coastal Energen, Avantha Power, Jindal India Thermal Power, SKS Power Generation, Prayagraj Power Gen, RKM Power Gen, IND Bharat Utkal and Ideal Energy. These have projects worth a cumulative 12,640 MW and are likely to be the immediate beneficiaries from the stay and the empowered committee decisions.
Industry sources say many of these 12 projects having proper PPAs and FSAs can be saved without much effort with ownership changes, one time settlements and hair-cuts by banks. Those with partial FSAs and PPAs can be an attraction for buyers with deep pockets and are ready to wait for 3-4 year period, to recover and stabilise these power plants, as thermal energy is still one of the cheapest and abundant form of energy in Indian conditions.
They point out that the courts, government, banks and other stakeholders understand the current mess with the power sector is an outcome of systemic failures and wrong policy decisions over the years and the entire blame should not be on the project developers.
It is estimated that the discoms owe power producers more than Rs 35,000 crore for the power sold, Rs 3000 crore given as advance for coal and rail, Rs 14000 crore is mired in regulatory issues etc, they note.
Industry sources say the whole issue started in the 2004-09 period, when power plants were given coal linkages for over 1,30,000 MW of power, when actual delivery position was not even 30,000 MW. Similarly, the Central Electricity Authority's (CEA) demand projections went off target by over 42 per cent. While power plants came up, setting up of adequate transmission and distribution lines remained neglected, which led many plants to limit production or idle capacities.
When coal shortages, mine cancellations and less demand gripped the sector and financial health of discoms went from bad to worse post 2009, many of the power producers who did not order boiler, turbine, generator (BTGs) stalled their projects. Those who gave advances and made investments were forced to continue with the projects, which finally went into a stage beyond redemption.
Industry sources claims except for 2-3 plants that may have abnormal costs, almost all projects were done with quality equipment and maintaining global standards.
Apart from the stay, the stressed power plants were also given another breather recently, when the high-level empowered committee constituted by the Prime Minister's Office allowed retaining fuel supply agreements (FSAs), Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and long-term transmission network access rights. When a company is referred to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for insolvency, these agreements stand suspended or cancelled. The high power committee's decision to waive this clause was to allow these projects get a fair valuation.
"The current decision of the Supreme Court may give a few months more time, at least till November, for bankers and stakeholders to salvage about 13 GW of projects, as the government is taking many favourable policy decisions and bankers will get time to resolve issues of many of these projects under stress," says Ashok Khurana, Director General, Association of Power Producers (APP).
Industry sources point out that of the 34 stressed projects with loans of about Rs 1.77 lakh crore, less than 20 have proper PPAs and fuel supply agreements in place. In most cases, the PPAs or FSAs are for less than half the planned capacity.
Bankers had earlier tried to resolve issues of about 12 power plants under a 'Samadhan Scheme' but could not conclude deals due to various issues with different stake holders and large debt baggage with these projects. These were Lanco Anpara Power, Jaypee Power Ventures (Nigrie), KSK Mahanadi Power, Coastal Energen, Avantha Power, Jindal India Thermal Power, SKS Power Generation, Prayagraj Power Gen, RKM Power Gen, IND Bharat Utkal and Ideal Energy. These have projects worth a cumulative 12,640 MW and are likely to be the immediate beneficiaries from the stay and the empowered committee decisions.
Industry sources say many of these 12 projects having proper PPAs and FSAs can be saved without much effort with ownership changes, one time settlements and hair-cuts by banks. Those with partial FSAs and PPAs can be an attraction for buyers with deep pockets and are ready to wait for 3-4 year period, to recover and stabilise these power plants, as thermal energy is still one of the cheapest and abundant form of energy in Indian conditions.
They point out that the courts, government, banks and other stakeholders understand the current mess with the power sector is an outcome of systemic failures and wrong policy decisions over the years and the entire blame should not be on the project developers.
It is estimated that the discoms owe power producers more than Rs 35,000 crore for the power sold, Rs 3000 crore given as advance for coal and rail, Rs 14000 crore is mired in regulatory issues etc, they note.
Industry sources say the whole issue started in the 2004-09 period, when power plants were given coal linkages for over 1,30,000 MW of power, when actual delivery position was not even 30,000 MW. Similarly, the Central Electricity Authority's (CEA) demand projections went off target by over 42 per cent. While power plants came up, setting up of adequate transmission and distribution lines remained neglected, which led many plants to limit production or idle capacities.
When coal shortages, mine cancellations and less demand gripped the sector and financial health of discoms went from bad to worse post 2009, many of the power producers who did not order boiler, turbine, generator (BTGs) stalled their projects. Those who gave advances and made investments were forced to continue with the projects, which finally went into a stage beyond redemption.
Industry sources claims except for 2-3 plants that may have abnormal costs, almost all projects were done with quality equipment and maintaining global standards.
HCL to create 1,000 jobs at new IT centre in Vijaywada
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State Street HCL Services, a joint venture between HCL Technologies and US-based State Street Corporation, will hire 1,000 graduates and post graduates to run its new IT centre at Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh. The facility will serve global clients of HCL Technologies.
"The facility is spread over 63000 sq ft in Medha Tech Park, Ganavaram and is expected to create 1000+ high-end employment opportunities in the areas of Capital Markets - Middle & Back office for Custody, Fund Administration, Investment Management and Brokerage Services," HCL Technologies said in a regulatory filing.
SSHS is looking for post graduates and graduates in commerce, accountancy and finance to fill these profiles at its new facility.
With the new facility at Vijaywada, SSHS is looking to expand its presence in Andhra Pradesh. The joint venture, formed in 2012, has its centres in Chennai, Coimbatore and Manila, and a workforce of 4,000 employees, the regulatory filing said.
"We are confident that our expanding presence across Andhra Pradesh will boost employment and skill development opportunities for the youth of the state who will be able to access these opportunities in their home towns," said Anoop Tiwari, Corporate Vice President, HCL Technologies at the launch of the facility.
"This initiative will help provide a diverse range of employment opportunities to the youth in the region that will help in building a strong foundation for their future by enhancing the quality of life," the statement by HCL said.
Reportedly, India's top five software services providers - Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Cognizant Technology Solutions, Infosys, Wipro and HCL Technologies - collectively added 24,047 people to their workforce in the first quarter of this fiscal. The June quarter net additions of the top five IT sector players in the country was the highest in at least two years.
This came after a phase of lay-offs in IT sector which saw around 56,000 employees losing their jobs. The last high in IT sector recruitments was during the quarter ended June 30, 2016, during which these five companies had collectively added 26,565 people. Industry body NASSCOM is expecting the IT industry to add one lakh new jobs in the current fiscal.
"The facility is spread over 63000 sq ft in Medha Tech Park, Ganavaram and is expected to create 1000+ high-end employment opportunities in the areas of Capital Markets - Middle & Back office for Custody, Fund Administration, Investment Management and Brokerage Services," HCL Technologies said in a regulatory filing.
SSHS is looking for post graduates and graduates in commerce, accountancy and finance to fill these profiles at its new facility.
With the new facility at Vijaywada, SSHS is looking to expand its presence in Andhra Pradesh. The joint venture, formed in 2012, has its centres in Chennai, Coimbatore and Manila, and a workforce of 4,000 employees, the regulatory filing said.
"We are confident that our expanding presence across Andhra Pradesh will boost employment and skill development opportunities for the youth of the state who will be able to access these opportunities in their home towns," said Anoop Tiwari, Corporate Vice President, HCL Technologies at the launch of the facility.
"This initiative will help provide a diverse range of employment opportunities to the youth in the region that will help in building a strong foundation for their future by enhancing the quality of life," the statement by HCL said.
Reportedly, India's top five software services providers - Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Cognizant Technology Solutions, Infosys, Wipro and HCL Technologies - collectively added 24,047 people to their workforce in the first quarter of this fiscal. The June quarter net additions of the top five IT sector players in the country was the highest in at least two years.
This came after a phase of lay-offs in IT sector which saw around 56,000 employees losing their jobs. The last high in IT sector recruitments was during the quarter ended June 30, 2016, during which these five companies had collectively added 26,565 people. Industry body NASSCOM is expecting the IT industry to add one lakh new jobs in the current fiscal.
Vistara launches complimentary wireless entertainment system on flights
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Vistara announced the launch of its complimentary wireless inflight entertainment system on Thursday. The entertainment system will be made available across its entire network and fleet of 22 planes. The entertainment system has been named Vistara World. Passengers can access the system on their own laptops or mobile phones and can choose from a multimedia library of Bollywood and Hollywood content.
Vistara Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer, Sanjiv Kapoor said in a statement, "We are delighted to roll-out our 'Vistara World' wireless streaming inflight entertainment system across our entire network and all flights, to further enhance the high levels of customer experience that Vistara is famous for. This is a significant addition to our product portfolio and fulfils a much sought-after request from our customers."
Vistara released a statement that elaborated on the kind of content they are rolling out. From movies across genres to popular Indian TV programmes, Vistara World hosts more than 70 hours of content. "Refreshed every month, it features movies of various categories such as Drama, Romance, Comedy, Thriller, Action, Adventure and Kids, as well as popular Indian and Western TV programmes and a great selection of music including Indian, Pop, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Electronica and English Retro," the statement said.
Not only that, Vistara World also offers a map where passengers can track their flight, right from takeoff. One can also access reading material, including Vistara's inflight magazine.
The content will be streamed wirelessly and directly on the passengers' mobile phones or laptops. The airline, however, says that it highly recommends that customers download these apps before onboarding.
The complete catalogue is best accessed on the Vistara World app that is available for free on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. However, content that are digitally unrestricted can be accessed without the app as well.
Vistara Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer, Sanjiv Kapoor said in a statement, "We are delighted to roll-out our 'Vistara World' wireless streaming inflight entertainment system across our entire network and all flights, to further enhance the high levels of customer experience that Vistara is famous for. This is a significant addition to our product portfolio and fulfils a much sought-after request from our customers."
Vistara released a statement that elaborated on the kind of content they are rolling out. From movies across genres to popular Indian TV programmes, Vistara World hosts more than 70 hours of content. "Refreshed every month, it features movies of various categories such as Drama, Romance, Comedy, Thriller, Action, Adventure and Kids, as well as popular Indian and Western TV programmes and a great selection of music including Indian, Pop, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Electronica and English Retro," the statement said.
Not only that, Vistara World also offers a map where passengers can track their flight, right from takeoff. One can also access reading material, including Vistara's inflight magazine.
The content will be streamed wirelessly and directly on the passengers' mobile phones or laptops. The airline, however, says that it highly recommends that customers download these apps before onboarding.
The complete catalogue is best accessed on the Vistara World app that is available for free on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. However, content that are digitally unrestricted can be accessed without the app as well.
General Awareness
UN Interagency Task Force (UNIATF)
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What to study?
For Prelims: UNIATF- composition and objectives.
For Mains: NCDs- concerns, spread and efforts to contain, at both national and global level.
Context: Shri Manoj Jhalani, Additional Secretary & Mission Director (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has been conferred with the prestigious UN Interagency Task Force (UNIATF) Award for his outstanding contribution towards prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and related Sustainable Development Goals.
About UNIATF:
A July 2013 resolution at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) formally established the UN Interagency Task Force on NCDs by expanding the mandate of the existing UN Ad Hoc Interagency Task Force on Tobacco Control.
The Task Force is convened and led by WHO, and reports to ECOSOC through the UN Secretary General.
Functions:
UN Interagency Task Force (UNIATF) on the Prevention and Control of NCDs coordinates activities of relevant United Nations funds, programmes and specialised agencies and other intergovernmental organisations, to support the realisation of the commitments made in the UN Political Declaration on NCDs, in particular through the implementation of the WHO Global NCD Action Plan 2013-2020.
Following the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, UNIATF’s scope of work was expanded in 2016 to include “NCD related SDGs” – i.e. mental health, violence and injuries, nutrition, and environmental issues that impact on NCDs.
What are NCDs?
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behaviours factors.
The main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
Concerns:
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally.
Each year, 15 million people die from a NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years; over 85% of these “premature” deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.0 million), respiratory diseases (3.9million), and diabetes (1.6 million).
These 4 groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths.
Tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets all increase the risk of dying from a NCD.
Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.
What are the socioeconomic impacts of NCDs?
NCDs threaten progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a target of reducing premature deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030.
Poverty is closely linked with NCDs. The rapid rise in NCDs is predicted to impede poverty reduction initiatives in low-income countries, particularly by increasing household costs associated with health care. Vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people get sicker and die sooner than people of higher social positions, especially because they are at greater risk of being exposed to harmful products, such as tobacco, or unhealthy dietary practices, and have limited access to health services.
In low-resource settings, health-care costs for NCDs quickly drain household resources. The exorbitant costs of NCDs, including often lengthy and expensive treatment and loss of breadwinners, force millions of people into poverty annually and stifle development.
What to study?
For Prelims: UNIATF- composition and objectives.
For Mains: NCDs- concerns, spread and efforts to contain, at both national and global level.
Context: Shri Manoj Jhalani, Additional Secretary & Mission Director (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has been conferred with the prestigious UN Interagency Task Force (UNIATF) Award for his outstanding contribution towards prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and related Sustainable Development Goals.
About UNIATF:
A July 2013 resolution at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) formally established the UN Interagency Task Force on NCDs by expanding the mandate of the existing UN Ad Hoc Interagency Task Force on Tobacco Control.
The Task Force is convened and led by WHO, and reports to ECOSOC through the UN Secretary General.
Functions:
UN Interagency Task Force (UNIATF) on the Prevention and Control of NCDs coordinates activities of relevant United Nations funds, programmes and specialised agencies and other intergovernmental organisations, to support the realisation of the commitments made in the UN Political Declaration on NCDs, in particular through the implementation of the WHO Global NCD Action Plan 2013-2020.
Following the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, UNIATF’s scope of work was expanded in 2016 to include “NCD related SDGs” – i.e. mental health, violence and injuries, nutrition, and environmental issues that impact on NCDs.
What are NCDs?
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behaviours factors.
The main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
Concerns:
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally.
Each year, 15 million people die from a NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years; over 85% of these “premature” deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.0 million), respiratory diseases (3.9million), and diabetes (1.6 million).
These 4 groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths.
Tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets all increase the risk of dying from a NCD.
Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.
What are the socioeconomic impacts of NCDs?
NCDs threaten progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a target of reducing premature deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030.
Poverty is closely linked with NCDs. The rapid rise in NCDs is predicted to impede poverty reduction initiatives in low-income countries, particularly by increasing household costs associated with health care. Vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people get sicker and die sooner than people of higher social positions, especially because they are at greater risk of being exposed to harmful products, such as tobacco, or unhealthy dietary practices, and have limited access to health services.
In low-resource settings, health-care costs for NCDs quickly drain household resources. The exorbitant costs of NCDs, including often lengthy and expensive treatment and loss of breadwinners, force millions of people into poverty annually and stifle development.
For Prelims: UNIATF- composition and objectives.
For Mains: NCDs- concerns, spread and efforts to contain, at both national and global level.
Context: Shri Manoj Jhalani, Additional Secretary & Mission Director (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has been conferred with the prestigious UN Interagency Task Force (UNIATF) Award for his outstanding contribution towards prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and related Sustainable Development Goals.
About UNIATF:
A July 2013 resolution at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) formally established the UN Interagency Task Force on NCDs by expanding the mandate of the existing UN Ad Hoc Interagency Task Force on Tobacco Control.
The Task Force is convened and led by WHO, and reports to ECOSOC through the UN Secretary General.
Functions:
UN Interagency Task Force (UNIATF) on the Prevention and Control of NCDs coordinates activities of relevant United Nations funds, programmes and specialised agencies and other intergovernmental organisations, to support the realisation of the commitments made in the UN Political Declaration on NCDs, in particular through the implementation of the WHO Global NCD Action Plan 2013-2020.
Following the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, UNIATF’s scope of work was expanded in 2016 to include “NCD related SDGs” – i.e. mental health, violence and injuries, nutrition, and environmental issues that impact on NCDs.
What are NCDs?
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behaviours factors.
The main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
Concerns:
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally.
Each year, 15 million people die from a NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years; over 85% of these “premature” deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.0 million), respiratory diseases (3.9million), and diabetes (1.6 million).
These 4 groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths.
Tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets all increase the risk of dying from a NCD.
Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.
What are the socioeconomic impacts of NCDs?
NCDs threaten progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a target of reducing premature deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030.
Poverty is closely linked with NCDs. The rapid rise in NCDs is predicted to impede poverty reduction initiatives in low-income countries, particularly by increasing household costs associated with health care. Vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people get sicker and die sooner than people of higher social positions, especially because they are at greater risk of being exposed to harmful products, such as tobacco, or unhealthy dietary practices, and have limited access to health services.
In low-resource settings, health-care costs for NCDs quickly drain household resources. The exorbitant costs of NCDs, including often lengthy and expensive treatment and loss of breadwinners, force millions of people into poverty annually and stifle development.
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