Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 09 Nov 2023

Need For Policy to Distribute Sanitary Napkins in Schools

The Supreme Court tells Centre to set down a national model for the number of girls’ toilets per femalepopulation across government-aided and residential schools in the country and place on record an “optimum”menstrual hygiene policy with focus on the distribution of sanitary napkins.

  • It was held that certain States had already been implementing their own schemes for distribution of sanitary
    napkins.
    • In Tamil Nadu, 18 packets with six napkins each were given to girls.
    • Northeastern States had also shown progressiveness with their own schemes.
  • The latest National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5) found a significant improvement in the percentage of
    women aged 15-24 who use a hygienic method of protection during their menstrual cycle, rising from 58% in
    NFHS-4 to 78%.

Read More: World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Swachh Bharat guidelines

80% of Semiconductor Manufacturing Funds Remain Untouched

An official from the Industry Ministry stated that out of the USD 10 billion allocated for semiconductor
production through the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme by the Union government, about USD 8 billion
remains unclaimed.

  • In 2021, India announced its roughly USD 10 billion dollar PLI scheme to encourage semiconductor and display
    manufacturing in the country.
  • The PLI scheme was launched by the Government of India to boost the domestic manufacturing sector and to
    reduce the dependence on imports.
    • The scheme offers financial incentives to companies that manufacture products in India.
    • It covers 14 key sectors:

Read more: India Semiconductor Mission

Aadhaar Authentication: Reinforcing Prison Security

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has proposed an initiative to implement Aadhaar authentication for inmates and visitors in around 1,300 jails across the nation.

  • The integration of Aadhaar services with the ePrisons system developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) is aimed at accurately verifying inmates and visitors, thereby reducing identity fraud within the prison system and enhancing administrative processes related to prisoner management.
  • As per the MHA notification, the authentication process will be voluntary, with the onus on the States and Union Territories to adhere to relevant guidelines.

Read more: Safeguarding Aadhaar Data

Uttarakhand State Foundation Day

Annually, 9th November is celebrated as Uttarakhand State Foundation Day, as on this day Uttarakhand became India's 27th state on November 9, 2000, when it was carved out of northern Uttar Pradesh.

  • The state was originally named Uttaranchal, but was renamed Uttarakhand in 2007. The name Uttarakhand comes from the Sanskrit dialect and means "northern city"
  • Uttarakhand is a land of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and religious significance. It is home to the Char Dham, the four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
  • Uttarakhand is home to two UNESCO Heritage sites, Valley of Flowers and Nanda Devi National Park.

Read more: Statehood Demand