-The Hindu It is targeted as an insidious provision as it confers almost unbridled powers upon executive officers India’s criminal justice architecture continues to reflect its colonial heritage, both on paper and in practice. This is perhaps reflected best in the vibrant and unfettered invocation of Section 144 in the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 [“Cr.P.C.”], which confers upon executive officers such as executive magistrates or sub-divisional magistrates, unimaginable powers for passing orders...

-The Hindu Agency tested salt, fat, trans-fat and carbohydrates in 33 popular ‘junk foods’ An array of packaged snacks and fast foods breach safe limits of salt and fat content, says a laboratory analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment. The agency tested salt, fat, trans-fat and carbohydrates in 33 popular “junk foods”, which consisted of 14 samples of chips, salted snacks, instant noodles and instant soup, and 19 samples of burgers,...

-Press release by Centre for Science and Environment, dated 17 December, 2019 Levels of salt, fat in junk foods way higher than proposed thresholds, says new CSE lab study Points out that industry is opposing notification of draft regulation because then we will know how bad their food is Expert group made recommendations six years ago, but the draft regulation that has emerged is severely diluted -- even this much-diluted draft...

-The Hindu Owing to low Health insurance coverage in India, especially for the poor, households have to dip into their savings or borrow to meet hospital bills A majority of Indians did not have Health insurance as of 2017-18. Coverage levels varied widely based on ‘wealth classes’. The poorest were the least covered as they mostly depended on government schemes, while the richest fared better and relied more on private insurance Abysmal coverage Among...

-TheWire.in In a recent NITI Aayog report, essential areas like population Health and primary Healthcare receive only ritualistic treatment. The NITI Aayog’s recently published report titled ‘Health System for a New India: Building Blocks – Potential Pathways to Reform‘ is remarkable in a number of ways. It has dared to challenge the entrenched Healthcare paradigm and move beyond the traditional, clichéd discourse on Healthcare reform that has hitherto characterised our plan and...