WEEKLY CURRENT UPDATE 15-21 DECEMBER, 2013

Table of Contents
NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ............................................................................................................................................. 2 GOVERNANCE ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 Scenario of Communal violence in India .............................................................................................................. 2 Highlights of the Bill .................................................................................................................................................. 3 MGNREGA .................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Child Sexual Abuse: States slammed for being silent .......................................................................................... 4 CBI can prosecute bureaucrats in court-monitored cases without Govt. nod ......................................... 6 NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL REPORTS/SURVEYS ..................................................................................................... 6 The India Labour and Employment Report 2014 .............................................................................................. 6 ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE .......................................................................................................................................... 7 RANGARAJAN FORMULA ....................................................................................................................................... 7 CCEA: approves Exploration and Exploitation of Coal Bed Methane ........................................................ 7 Coal bed methane ............................................................................................................................................. 7 Plan to minimise rising non-performing assets (NPAs) ...................................................................................... 8 NPAs ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8 DEFENCE & SECURITY .................................................................................................................................................. 9 Light combat aircraft Tejas.................................................................................................................................... 9 Features ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9 GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ............................................................................................................................................... 10 International Relations .......................................................................................................................................... 10 India and Canada ................................................................................................................................................ 10 Indo - Iran ................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Indo - ASEAN........................................................................................................................................................... 10 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS .......................................................................................................................................... 10 Pakistan ................................................................................................................................................................... 10 What is GSP? ....................................................................................................................................................... 11 Water sharing agreement in Mid-East .............................................................................................................. 11 HEALTH & MEDICINE .................................................................................................................................................. 11

Diagnostic kit for Thalassemia and Sickle cell disease .................................................................................. 11 About thalassemia and sickle cell disease .................................................................................................. 12 Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)........................................................................ 12 MERS-CoV ............................................................................................................................................................... 12 Miscellaneous............................................................................................................................................................. 12 PERSONALITIES ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 Michelle Bachelet.............................................................................................................................................. 12 Sushma Singh...................................................................................................................................................... 12 Harsh Kumar Bhanwala ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Justice DP Buch.................................................................................................................................................. 13

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
GOVERNANCE
Prevention of Communal Violence Bill
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the Prevention of Communal Violence Bill. It will now be introduced in the winter session of Parliament.

Scenario of Communal violence in India

During 2005-09 on an average, 130 people died and 2,200 were injured in communal violence each year. Four states (U.P., Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha) accounted for 64% of all deaths. In 2008, 943 cases of communal violence were reported from across the country. This was 20% higher than the average in the other four years. The Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill intends to create a framework for prevention and control of communal and sectarian violence. It also aims to provide relief to victims of such violence.

Lokpal and Lokayuktas bill

The much awaited Lokpal Bill has been passed by the Parliament. The Bill that provides for setting up an independent ombudsman to investigate charges of corruption against public functionaries was previously introduced in parliament in April 2011. Govt. has to withdraw the bill due to opposition by various parties. Inter alia the Prime Minister is also included in the Bill with some conditions.

Highlights of the Bill

The Bill seeks to establish the office of the Lok Pal at centre and Lokayuktas at the States to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption. Composition: The Lokpal consists of a Chairperson and a maximum of eight members of which 50% shall be judicial members. The Chairperson may be either a serving or retired Chief Justice of India, or a Judge of the Supreme Court or an eminent person. Not less than fifty per cent. of the Members of the Lokpal shall be from amongst the persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities and women.

The Chairperson and Members shall be appointed by the President after obtaining the recommendations of a Selection Committee consisting of The Prime Ministerchairperson; The Speaker of the House of the Peoplemember; The Leader of Opposition in the House of the Peoplemember; The Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by himmember; One eminent jurist, as recommended by the chairperson and members referred to in clauses (a) to (d) above, to be nominated by the President member. The Lok Pal will cover the Prime Minister after he demits office, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Group A officers and officers of organisations which are either government aided or funded by public donations. Lokpal will have the power of superintendence and direction over any investigation agency including CBI for cases referred to them by Lokpal. A high powered Committee chaired by the Prime Minister will recommend selection of the Director, CBI. Directorate of Prosecution headed by a Director of Prosecution under the overall control of Director. The appointment of the Director of Prosecution, CBI will be made on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission. Transfer of officers of CBI investigating cases referred by Lokpal with the approval of Lokpal. Any person may make a complaint against a public servant within seven years of the offence. The Bill provides a process for investigation and inquiry. If the Lok Pal finds that an offence has been committed it may recommend disciplinary action and file a case in the Special Court. All expenses of the Lok Pal will be charged to the Consolidated Fund of India. The Bill also mandates setting up of Lokayuktas through enactment of a law by the State Legislature within 365 days from the date of commencement of the Act.

A brief timeline of the Lokpal bill

1963: idea of ombudsman first came up in parliament. 1966: first ARC recommended the setting up of two independent authorities at centre and state levels to look into complaints against public functionaries and MPs. 1968-2011: Lokpal bill was introduced in parliament eight times but not passed. 2002: the commission to review the working of the constitution recommended the appointment of Lokpal and Lokayuktas and also recommended that PM should keep out of the ambit of the authority. 2005: 2nd ARC recommended that office of Lokpal should be established without any delay. 2011: the govt. formed a group of minister to suggest measures to tackle corruption and examine the of Lokpal bill.

MGNREGA
The Centre announced significant changes to its flagship MGNREGA programme seeking to ensure permanent and durable asset creation and an introduction of a penalty for delayed wage payment. The changes are: Every (MGNREGA) job card holder (including APL) will be entitled to build an individual toilet and the MGNREGA contribution goes up from the current Rs 4,500 to Rs 10,000. Addressing the persistent issue of delay in distributing wage payment to MGNREGA workers, the government has announced compensation for them if it is delayed beyond 15 days and the amount would be deducted from officials responsible for it. Andhra Pradesh has already started to implement this. Wage payments will be made exclusively on the basis of measurement of work done instead of solely attendance.

Child Sexual Abuse: States slammed for being silent

The Supreme Court slammed the states and UTs for being unresponsive towards Protection of children from sexual abuse. The court noted that many States and Union Territories had not complied with the directions. The court directed all States and Union Territories to implement the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. It has been emphasized that under Articles 21, 21A, 23, 24, 45 and 51A (k) of the Constitution states are duty bound to create and maintain a protective and healthy environment in which children, who are the future of this country, can bloom and subsequently become mature and responsible citizens.

Current Scenario: Exponential Child sexual abuse in India

Nineteen percent of the world's children live in India, which constitutes 42 percent of Indias total population. In 2007 the Ministry of Women and Child Development published the "Study on Child Abuse: India 2007." The study's main findings included: 53.22% of children reported having faced sexual abuse. Among them 52.94% were boys and 47.06% girls. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar and Delhi reported the highest percentage of sexual abuse among both boys and girls, as well as the highest incidence of sexual assaults. Children on the street, at work place

and in institutional care reported the highest incidence of sexual assault. The study also reported that 50% of abusers are known to the child or are in a position of trust and responsibility and most children had not reported the matter to anyone. Despite years of lack of any specific child sexual abuse laws in India, which treated them separately from adults in case of sexual offense, the 'Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Bill, 2011' was passed the Indian parliament on May 22, 2012.

STATISTICS OF CHILD MOLESTATION IN INDIA

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

54.00% 53.00% 52.00% 51.00% 50.00% 49.00% 48.00% 47.00% 46.00% 45.00% 44.00% 43.00% BOYS 52.94% GIRLS 47.06%

CHILDREN HAVING FACED SEXUAL ABUSE INTOTALITY 53.22%

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Highlights of the 'Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012'

The Act defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years and provides protection to all children under the age of 18 years from the offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography. This is the first time that an Act has listed aspects of touch as well as non-touch behaviour (eg: photographing a child in an obscene manner) under the ambit of sexual offences. The Act incorporates child friendly procedures for reporting, recording of evidence, investigation and trial of offences The attempt to commit an offence under the Act has also been made liable for punishment for up to half the punishment prescribed for the commission of the offence. The Act also provides for punishment for abetment of the offence, which is the same as for the commission of the offence. This would cover trafficking of children for sexual purposes. For the more heinous offences of Penetrative Sexual Assault, Aggravated Penetrative Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault and Aggravated Sexual Assault, the burden of proof is shifted on the accused. The media has been barred from disclosing the identity of the child without the permission of the

Special Court.

CBI can prosecute bureaucrats in court-monitored cases without Govt. nod

The Supreme Court held that no approval from the Centre is required by CBI to prosecute bureaucrats in court-monitored corruption cases, strengthening the arms of the agency to go ahead against the officials without taking prior sanction from government. The SC asserted that sanction is not necessary under section 6A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act when the case under the Prevention of Corruption Act is monitored by court. The court passed the order in one of the applications filed in coal blocks allocation scam seeking its direction to do away with the provisions of prior sanction of the Centre in cases monitored by court.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL REPORTS/SURVEYS
The India Labour and Employment Report 2014
The India Labour and Employment Report 2014, prepared by Institute for Human Development and the Indian Society of Labour Economics, was released by the Union Minister of Rural Development, Mr. Jairam Ramesh. The report provides an overview of the labour and employment scenario in India during the last two decades after globalisation. Based on latest data, the Report succinctly brings out the emerging pattern of labour market outcomes and challenges of employment. It assesses the gains and losses for labour in the first round of globalisation during last two decades. The central message of the report endorses that a responsive, fair and comprehensive labour and employment policy is vital for sustainable and inclusive development. Major findings of the report are: A quarter of the workforce is under the official Tendulkar poverty line of Rs. 27.20 a day in rural areas and Rs. 33.33 a day in urban areas. If poverty line of $2 per day (at Purchasing Power Parity) is used, the proportion jumps to 58.5 per cent. Unemployment rates, which range between two and four per cent for the general population, rise steadily with the level of education and are higher still among women who are educated. In 2011-12, a third of the total unemployed were graduates or post-graduates. Unemployment is highest in the 15-25 age groups. India is among the bottom of all countries in terms of years of schooling of its workforce. The Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and large sections of Other Backward Classes have lower educational attainments and are concentrated in low productivity sectors. Muslims are concentrated in low-paying petty self-employment. Upper caste Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Christians have a disproportionate share of good jobs. For the report, IHD researchers created a new Employment Situation Index (ESI) to compare the numbers across the States. The composite index is composed of seven indicators that measure the extent of formal and casual employment, work participation rate, unemployment, wages, unionisation

and the incidence of poverty among the self-employed. Using the index, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka and Punjab are in the top five and Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in the bottom five. Himachal Pradesh and Kerala are the top-ranking States in female employment.

ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE
RANGARAJAN FORMULA
A Parliamentary panel has sought a review of the Rangarajan formula that will be used to price natural gas from April next year saying the rate should be fixed after factoring in domestic cost of production. The Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas held that the proposed formula is a simple average of two methodologies - price of imports of LNG into India by different suppliers, and weighted average of prices of natural gas prevailing at Henry Hub in USA, National Balancing Point (NBP) in London and netback import price at the well head of suppliers into Japan. The panel felt Russia which exports 40 to 50 per cent of its gas to Europe, could be a better indicator of gas price. Russia is the world's second largest gas producer and consuming country in the world and its prices could be incorporated as one of the reference price in the pricing formula. The Rangarajan pricing formula will be effective April 1, 2014, for a period of five years, with the price being revised quarterly. The panel, headed by C. Rangarajan, has also recommended that production sharing contracts with oil companies in the future should be based on the amount of oil or gas output that the company was willing to offer to the government. Under the new system of bidding, the company that was willing to offer the highest amount of oil or gas produced from the field would get the contract. The current provision of allowing oil companies to first recover the entire cost of exploration and production and only then share the profit with the government has been dropped.

CCEA: approves Exploration and Exploitation of Coal Bed Methane

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the proposal of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas regarding policy for Exploration and Exploitation of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) areas under Coal Mining Lease allotted to Coal India Limited (CIL). The policy will allow Coal India Limited to carry out exploration and exploitation of CBM from their coal mining lease areas leading to additional availability of CBM. This would also lead to degasifying the coal seams ahead of coal mining thus mitigating safety hazard and gainfully utilizing CBM. It will have an added advantage for the environment since the gas which is presently either being flared or released in the atmosphere adding to greenhouse effect, will now be gainfully channelled into the supply volumes. Production of additional CBM would also add to the revenue of Central / State Government as well as the mine operator in addition to possibility of earning carbon credits through proper exploitation of CBM.

Coal bed methane

Coal bed methane (CBM or Coal Bed Methane), or coal mine methane (CMM) is a form of natural

gas extracted from coal beds. It is called 'sweet gas' because of its lack of hydrogen sulfide. The presence of this gas is well known from its occurrence in underground coal mining, where it presents a serious safety risk. Coal bed methane is distinct from a typical sandstone or other conventional gas reservoir, as the methane is stored within the coal by a process called adsorption. The methane is in a near-liquid state, lining the inside of pores within the coal. The open fractures in the coal can also contain free gas or can be saturated with water. Unlike much natural gas from conventional reservoirs, coal bed methane contains very little heavier hydrocarbons such as propane or butane, and no natural gas condensate. It often contains up to a few percent carbon dioxide. Methane is highly combustible its release can have serious implications for the safety of mine operations. It is also a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) 23 times more harmful than carbon dioxide (CO2).

Plan to minimise rising non-performing assets (NPAs)

The Reserve Bank of India outlined a corrective action plan to minimise rising non-performing assets (NPAs). As per the RBI discussion paper, Early recognition of Financial Distress, Prompt Steps for Resolution and Fair Recovery for Lenders: Framework for Revitalizing Distressed Assets in the Economy, RBI would set up a Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC) to collect, store, and disseminate credit data to lenders. The paper is in public domain for comments till January 1, 2014. The plan include three steps: To motivate early identification of problem cases. To restructure the accounts timely , which are considered to be viable, and Banks must take prompt actions for recovery or sale of unviable accounts.

RBI proposed these rules to help banks to recover bad debts in an effort to ease the financial stress on banks as the economy slows. This discussion comes as there is fear of bad loans to gain a record high of around Rs. 2.9 trillion by the end of the fiscal or 4.5 per cent of the total banking assets.

NPAs
NPA is a classification used by financial institutions that refer to loans that are in jeopardy of default. Once the borrower has failed to make interest or principle payments for 90 days the loan is considered to be a non-performing asset. The higher the amount of nonperforming assets, the weaker the bank's revenue stream. In the short term, many banks have the ability to ride out an increase in nonperforming assets -- they might have strong reserves or other capital that can be used to offset the losses. But after a while, if that capital is used up, nonperforming loans will imperil a bank's health. Think of nonperforming assets as dead weight on the balance sheet.

DEFENCE & SECURITY

Light combat aircraft Tejas
Tejas, Indias first indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), which is all set to replace the MiG-21 1series, developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as its principal partner. This is for the first time an indigenously designed and developed military fighter aircraft has certified for Indian Air Force. It will be used by both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Navy. The cost of each Tejas is around rupees 200 crore. Tejas is 65% Indian right now. But Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister Dr.V K Saraswat has promised that by the time the aircraft gets Final Operational clearance, the indigenization will reach 75%. The main worry is the powerful engine required for the aircraft. Right now the aircraft uses engine made by an American company. But DRDO is developing a suitable engine for our aircrafts called Kaveri. The Kaveri engine is undergoing tests in Russia and will be brought back to India after certification.

Features
Tejas is the smallest, light weight, single engine, single seat, supersonic, multirole, combat aircraft, and best in its class in the world. It has many features of stealth fighter aircraft. Tejas incorporates a wide range of advanced Sensors, Weapons, Stores and Electronic Warfare suite for obtaining Initial Operational Clearance (IOC). This fourth generation combat aircraft has Carbon Composites, light weight/high strength material for primary structures, quadruplex Digital Flight Control System; glass Cockpit and digital Avionics to give multirole capabilities with carefree maneuvering. These capabilities are further raised by several on-board Sensors, Communication and Navigation Systems that are supported by powerful Mission Computers and Cockpit Display System. The aircraft has a totally digital fly-by-wire control system; the wings are made entirely of composite structures. Built by unstable configuration technique. It has open architecture software for avionics. DRDO can update it as and when required. It integrates a glass cockpit in which information is displayed real-time to the pilot.

MiG-21: The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. Its primary users are Russian air force, Indian Air force, Romanian air force, Yugoslav Air force.

 GLOBAL

PERSPECTIVE

International Relations
India and Canada
India and Canada are aiming for closer partnerships in civil nuclear energy and hydrocarbons with the dissipation of distrust that kept them estranged for 40 years after India had conducted a nuclear test in 1974. India will shortly take the first cargo of oil sourced from Canadas east coast. This relationship would be supplemented with a collaborative approach in the civil nuclear sector, decks for which have been cleared with the signing of a civil nuclear accord and finalizing of administrative arrangements. Prime Ministers of both the nations had set the bilateral trade target at $15 billion by the end of 2015 fiscal. Prime Ministers of both the nations had set the bilateral trade target at $15 billion by the end of 2015 fiscal. Canadas ties in the nuclear sphere with India began in the mid-1950s and lasted till Indias first nuclear test in 1974.

Indo - Iran
India and Iran are looking forward to enhance their trade relations in the wake of recent Geneva talks. plans to export the countrys natural gas through a sub-sea pipeline at the bottom of the Sea of Oman to India in order to fulfill the countrys demand for energy have been unearthed. National Iranian Gas Exports Co. is negotiating with three Indian companies to deliver natural gas through a deep water pipeline. The planned 870-mile pipeline would cost more than $4 billion and deliver at least 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas to India per day. Tehran seeks to take a more active role in the international gas trade, especially with the Europe and East Asia. Europe, India, China and the Persian Gulf (littoral states) are Irans target markets for the exports of gas. Currently in the Persian Gulf region, except for Iran and Qatar, other countries have no surplus gas for exports and they face many shortages in their gas supply. These conditions offer a good market for Irans gas.

Indo - ASEAN
The cabinet approved a free trade agreement (FTA) in trade and services with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). The Agreement on Trade in Services and Agreement is to be signed under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation (CECA) between India and the Asean. The CECA between India and Asean was signed in 2003. The Cabinet approved the Agreement on Trade Goods under the CECA with the Asean in July 2009. The agreement approved is aimed at boosting the movement of Indian professionals in the 10-nation Asean.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Pakistan
Pakistan has recently succeeded to secure the long awaited duty-free access to the European markets for four years, by winning Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus status with an impressive count of votes. The

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GSP Plus status will allow almost 20 per cent of Pakistani exports to enter the EU market at zero tariff and 70 per cent at preferential rates for four years till 2017. Experts said that under the scheme, Pakistan can export most of its textile products to 27 EU nations at concessionary duty rates or absolutely duty free, making Pakistani products cheaper for European importers. They said that as a result of the GSP Plus, the textile industry alone is expected to earn profits up to one trillion rupees per year. Textile exports had been declining in Pakistan, as manufacturers and exporters were finding it hard to compete with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh who already had duty-free access to European markets.

What is GSP?
The EUs Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) allows developing country exporters to pay lower duties on their exports to the EU. This gives them vital access to EU markets and contributes to their economic growth. The GSP+ enhanced preferences, means full removal of tariffs on essentially the same product categories as those covered by the general arrangement. The GSP Plus is granted to those countries that ratify and implement international conventions relating to human and labour rights, environment and good governance.

Water sharing agreement in Mid-East

Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority have signed a trilateral agreement that will increase regional access to fresh, clean water. Signed at the World Bank headquarters, the deal is meant to address the falling levels in the Dead Sea and to make use of water resources in the Red Sea and Sea of Galilee. The World Bank is offering loan support to the project, which is part of a bigger plan to connect the Red and Dead Seas. A desalination plant will be built in Aqaba, Jordan in order to turn water from the Red Sea into about 8 to 13 billion gallons of clean water a year each for the southern regions of Jordan and Israel. The brine leftover from the process will be moved via pipeline to slowly refill the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea has unique water properties like humans can float naturally on the surface, etc. Owing to human intervention, the sea is depleting 1m (3.3ft) a year.

HEALTH Diagnostic kit for Thalassemia and Sickle cell disease

& MEDICINE

Addressing the need for affordable diagnostic test kits for Thalassemia, Union government launched the first indigenously developed such device. The kit developed by scientists of National Institute of Immuno Haematology (NIIH) and the Indian Council for Medical research (ICMR) will be available in government hospitals and caters especially to the Indian population. Nearly 10,000 to 12,000 babies are born in India every year who are Thalassemia major. There are 65 gene mutations in India. However some communities have high rates of ThalassemiaSindhi community has 15 per cent rate compared to 3 to 4 per cent of the Indian population on average. Other communities with high rates of

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the disease are Kutchi Bhanushalis, Punjabis, and Jains. The kit has six probes (vials containing testing chemicals) to check six gene mutations.

About thalassemia and sickle cell disease

Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are genetic blood disorders that make normal life difficult. Thalassemia is caused by variant or missing genes that affect how the body makes haemoglobin. Patients suffering from these diseases need regular blood transfusions, almost every month. In the case of Thalassemia, if only one of the parents is a carrier of the disease, then the child will be safe. However, if both the parents are carriers, then the possibility of the child being thalassemia majornot only being the carrier but being affected by the disease is 50 per cent. Once the foetus is diagnosed as being affected by the disease using the kit, doctors can counsel parents. The diagnosis can be made before the tenth week of pregnancy.

Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

According to recent research studies MERS-CoV virus has been identified in Qatari farm camels. The virus has been sickening people in the Middle East. But the study is unable to establish whether such animals could be a source of human infections. A genetic analysis of the MERS-CoV found in patients has shown that it had crossed over from some animal reservoir into humans several times. Although the virus is closely related to coronaviruses in bats, these flying mammals are considered to be an unlikely source of human infections. Determined efforts are therefore being made to identify animals that harbour the virus and might pass it on to people. Several studies have already reported antibodies to the virus in camels in Oman, Canary Islands, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, but not in farm animals such as goats, sheep, cows and chicken.

MERS-CoV
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is viral respiratory illness first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It is caused by a coronavirus called MERS-CoV. Most people who have been confirmed to have MERS-CoV infection developed severe acute respiratory illness. They had fever, cough, and shortness of breath. About half of these people died. So far, all the cases have been linked to six countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula. No cases have been identified in the U.S. This virus has spread from ill people to others through close contact. However, the virus has not shown to spread in a sustained way in communities. The situation is still evolving.

Miscellaneous
PERSONALITIES
Michelle Bachelet
Socialist Michelle Bachelet has won Chile's presidential runoff elections. She has already served as Chile's first woman president back in 2006-10.

Sushma Singh
A former IAS officer Sushma Singh has been appointed as Chief Information Commissioner. Ms. Singh is the fifth Chief Information Commissioner of CIC and the second woman to be appointed to the post after Deepak Sandhu.

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Harsh Kumar Bhanwala

Mr. Bhanwala has been appointed as Chairman of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) by the Centre. Bhanwala succeeds Prakash Bakshi, who retired as NABARD Chairman. Previously, he was an Executive Director at India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL), a state-owned infrastructure lender.

Justice DP Buch
Retired High Court Judge DP Buch was sworn as the fourth Lokayukta of the Gujarat. Lokayukta is an anticorruption investigator organization in the Indian states. The institution of Lokayukta has been set up to inquire into the allegations against Public Functionaries in the State and for matters connected therewith.

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