Read Current Affairs
- Why in News?
- A global study assessed progress in reducing deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across 185 countries between 2010 and 2019. For India, the findings were concerning.
- Key Provisions:-
- The risk of dying from NCDs such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases before the age of 80 has risen, in contrast to declining trends in many high-income Western and East Asian nations. Heart disease and diabetes emerged as the leading causes of fatalities, with their burden continuing to grow.
- NCDs are chronic illnesses not spread by infection, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory conditions, and diabetes. In India, their contribution to overall deaths increased sharply from 37.9% in 1990 to 63% in 2018. Key drivers include unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, tobacco and alcohol use, pollution, and stress, compounded by urbanization and poverty.
- To tackle this, India has launched initiatives such as the Eat Right India campaign, Fit India Movement, NP-NCD, and Ayushman Bharat.
- Why in News?
- Recent amendments have streamlined the merger process for unlisted companies, including holding and subsidiary firms, making corporate restructuring more efficient.
- About Mergers
- A merger refers to the consolidation of two or more independent entities into a single legal body. Such combinations may be horizontal (within the same industry), vertical (within a supply chain), or conglomerate (across unrelated sectors). The Companies Act, 2013 provides a legal framework for mergers and demergers in India.
- Role of NCLT
- The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) acts as the approving authority, ensuring that merger proposals comply with statutory and regulatory norms.
- Significance
- The amendments are expected to reduce compliance hurdles, expedite approvals, and improve ease of doing business. They also encourage corporate restructuring, resource optimization, and long-term value creation for companies and stakeholders.
- Why in News?
- At a meeting with the 16th Finance Commission, the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister emphasized the need to revise the Disaster Risk Index (DRI) to better reflect the state’s unique vulnerabilities. The demand highlights the importance of accurate assessment tools for equitable resource allocation in disaster-prone regions.
- About Disaster Risk Index (DRI)
- The DRI was developed by the 15th Finance Commission to introduce objectivity into fiscal transfers by accounting for disaster risks faced by different states. It evaluates 14 hazards, 14 vulnerabilities, and 2 exposure parameters. Hazards include earthquakes, cyclones, floods, and droughts, while vulnerabilities consider factors such as the rural and urban poor, women, and children. Exposure is measured using population and GDP indicators.
- By integrating these dimensions, the index helps guide resource distribution, strengthen preparedness, and ensure that states with higher risks receive adequate financial support.