Current affairs 27 February 2024

Poverty level in India down to 5%, as per Niti Aayog's latest survey.

• Niti Aayog CEO reported that poverty in India dropped to 5% due to strong rural consumption, closing gap with urban areas.
• The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey indicates near elimination of rural deprivation, impacting RBI's interest rate decisions.
• Shift in expenditure pattern from food to non-food items like appliances and healthcare observed.

Haryana launched "Savera" program for early detection of breast cancer.

• 6 visually impaired women have been trained to use their heightened sense of touch to find breast abnormalities.
• Free screenings had been offered at Gurugram's health centers, with plans having been made to expand statewide in collaboration with Medanta.
• The program was launched at the Civil Hospital in Gurugram, the Polyclinic in Sector 31, and the Primary Health Centre in Wazirabad.

Uttarakhand to introduce bill to make rioters pay for damages.

• Uttarakhand government tabled a bill to hold rioters accountable for damages.
• The proposed law, similar to UP and Haryana, will make individuals financially responsible for losses during protests or strikes.
• The Uttarakhand Public and Private Property Damage Recovery Bill was presented in the state assembly during the budget session.

,

Geeta Batra named First Woman Director of World Bank's GEF.

• Geeta Batra, a distinguished India-born economist, has been appointed as the Director of the Independent Evaluation Office of the World Bank's Global Environment Facility (GEF).
• The GEF was established in October 1991 as a $1 billion pilot program in the World Bank to enable developing countries to take action on environmental challenges and to promote sustainable development.

India reported less than one case of Kala-Azar per 10,000 population.

• India reported less than 1 kala azar case per 10,000 in 2023, a step closer to eliminating the fatal disease, with data shared with the WHO.
• The elimination threshold was 1 case per 10,000 across all blocks for 3 consecutive years; 2023 marked the first year.
• Kala azar cases dropped to 520 in 2023 from 818 in 2022; HIV-VL co-infections decreased from 891 to 595, showing significant progress.