Current Affairs of 24th March 2016

1. Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched Longitudinal Ageing Study in India
1. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 22 March 2016 launched the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI).
2. The Longitudinal Ageing Study is the largest survey of its kind. It will survey more than 60000 elderly over 25 years plan. The survey will provide scientifically validated data on various issues of the elderly.
3. The study will be important as it will investigate various health structures, and impact of social determinants on health of the elderly. It will also help in framing evidence-based policy.


2. World Tuberculosis Day 2016 observed with theme Unite to End TB

1. World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) 2016 was globally observed on 24 March 2016 with the theme Unite to End TB.
2. The theme was selected against the backdrop of the adoption of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015.
3. The Goal 3 of the Agenda aspires to ensure health and well-being for all, including a bold commitment to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other communicable diseases by 2030.

3. NC-PER-APNT-Justice (retd) Permod Kohli appointed Chairman of Central Administrative Tribunal
1. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on 23 March 2016 approved the appointment of Justice (retd) Permod Kohli as the Chairman of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).
2. He is a former Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court.He was appointed for a period of five years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or till attaining the age of 68 year, whichever is earlier.

4. India, France sign MoU for construction of six nuclear reactors at Jaitapur
1. India and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for construction of six nuclear reactors at Jaitapur nuclear park in Maharashtra. It was inked by Electricite de France (EDF), a French public utility and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL).
2. The MoU was signed after the two countries had decided to conclude the techno-commercial negotiations for the Jaitapur project by the end of 2016. This cooperation roadmap was finalised during the official state Visit of French President Francois Hollande to India in January 2016.
3. EDF is France’s public electricity producer and supplier. It has been designated by the French government for taking over AREVA NP and shall supply equipment to for Jaitapur nuclear park.

5. Nepal joins SCO grouping as dialogue partner

1. Nepal was officially made a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a Beijing-based regional security grouping. In this regard, Nepal signed memorandum during Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli official visit to China. As a dialogue partner, Nepal will be able to participate in the multi-field cooperation of the SCO.
2. It will also create new opportunities for the SCO’s mutually beneficial cooperation and benefit people living in the extensive region that the SCO covers.


6. Govt okays India-UAE pact for $75 bn investment in NIIF

1. Government cleared a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to explore opportunities for mobilisation of up to USD 75 billion long-term investment in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).
2.The government in December had set up the Rs 40,000 crore NIIF, which is an investment vehicle for funding commercially viable greenfield, brownfield and stalled projects.
3. While the government will invest Rs 20,000 crore in NIIF, another similar amount will come from private investors.
NIIF has already been established as a Category II Alternate Investment Funds (AIF) as per the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India.