1. NCRB merged with bureau of police research
The government merged the National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB) - which, over the years, has been the principal source of reference by policy makers, police, criminologists, researchers and media - both in India and abroad, with the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D).
- The ministry of home affairs issued an order placing NCRB's functions under the Director General of BPR&D, who will now oversee all the data collection related to Crime in India, Accidental Deaths and Suicides, Prison Statistics and Fingerprints.
- The merger means that the Director NCRB and all its staff will now report to Meera C Borwankar, DG of BPR&D but administrative matters of both the bodies will be handled directly by home ministry itself.
2. Low-cost, sensitive CO sensor from IISc
Indian Institute of Science researchers have developed a highly sensitive nanometer-scale carbon monoxide sensor by employing an innovative fabrication technique.
- Typically, a sensor would be a thin, current carrying plate whose resistance changes on exposure to carbon monoxide. This in turn changes the value of the current flowing through it. This change when measured indicates the level of carbon monoxide in the air.
3. BCCI ordered to lift lifetime ban on cricketer Sreesanth by Kerela HC
The Kerala High Court on Monday set aside the lifetime ban imposed on cricketer S Sreesanth by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) alleging engagement in spot-fixing during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match in 2013.
- BCCI had continued with the ban despite a Delhi sessions court exonerating him in July 2015.
- In 2013, Sreesanth faced allegations on spot-fixing issues in the Indian Premier League and was hence charged with the same alongside fellow cricketers Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan.
4. Centre completes first phase of measles-rubella vaccination campaign
Ministry of health and family welfare has completed the first phase of the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign – the largest ever vaccination campaign in the world aiming to cover approximately 41 crore children.
- India, along with ten other WHO South East Asia Region member countries, have resolved to eliminate measles and control rubella/congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2020. Under the measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign, all children in the age group of 9 months to less than 15 years will be vaccinated in a phased manner across the nation.
5. Government forms action plan for easy execution of WTO’s TFA
The government has formulated a detailed action plan with timelines for smooth implementation of WTO's trade facilitation agreement (TFA).
- Members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) including India has ratified TFA, which aims at easing customs procedures, expediting movement, release and clearance of consignments. For the implementation of the pact, the government has last year set up Cabinet Secretary-headed National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF).
6. S. Aparna appointed as Executive Director of World Bank
S. Aparna, an IAS officer from Gujarat cadre has been appointed as Executive Director, World Bank to represent the constituency of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka for three years.
- A 1988-batch IAS, she is currently Principal Secretary to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. At the World Bank, she will replace Subhash Garg, who was recently appointed Economic Affairs Secretary, Ministry of Finance.
7. Hockey tournament: ONGC wins Murugappa Gold Cup
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has beaten Bengaluru Hockey Association (BHA) by 4-2 in the final in 91st All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament.
- It was held at Mayor Radhakrishnan stadium , Egmore Chennai.
- The ONGC team received Rs 5, 00,000 prize money while BHA got Rs 2.5 lakh. Murugappa Group executive chairman A Vellayan gave away the prizes in the presence of MCC president Srivatsan Subramaniyam.
8. World’s Shortest Woman Unveils 51-Feet High Book
The world's shortest woman Jyoti Amge today unveiled a 51-feet high book at a programme.
- The book 'Kadve Vachan' written by Jain saint Acharya Tarun Sagar Maharaj was unveiled by her in the presence of BJP state president Ashok Parnami.
- Amge is considered to be the world's shortest woman alive by the Guinness World Records at 62.8 cm.The book contains various “bitter” discourses about life and guides people for better living.
