News Digest: AIIMS Study Hints at Rampant Selective Foeticide in South Delhi

Here are the headlines from the leading daily newspapers:

1. AIIMS study hints at rampant selective feticide in south Delhi

The analysis of aborted fetuses and newborns abandoned in different parts of South Delhi and brought to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences between 1996 and 2012 has revealed the enormity of the crime prevalent in the capital. There were 238 instances of unborn or newly borns being abandoned reported at the hospital in these 16 years, reports The Times Of India.

Overall, male fetuses were predominant among the prenatal deaths. However, on closer examination, the doctors said they observed that females outnumbered males among fetuses that were less than or equal to 20 weeks of gestational age, clearly suggesting sex-selective abortion.

2. Up to 5% error margin in cabs' GPS-based bills

The bill generated at the end of an app-based taxi ride may not be totally kosher. During a trial conducted by a government agency , an error margin of up to 5% (plus or minus) was discovered.

App-based cab aggregators calculate fares by measuring distance using the GPS in a smartphone, reports The Times Of India.

The results of the trial were analysed by the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) and discussed by a panel in a meeting held with taxi aggregators and radio taxi companies earlier this year.

3. Metro's elevated tracks adding to drainage woes

Waterlogging in Delhi has got the International Road Federation worried. It's not just the potholes and overflowing drains, water flowing down from overhead metro track is also adding to the mess, reports The Times Of India.

“Delhi Metro's elevated tracks are partially adding to the city's drainage problems, as rainwater from the elevated structures flows down with force on roads, creating more problems for choked city drains and causing hazards to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists,“ said KK Kapila, chairperson, IRF.

4. Modi Govt Concerned that HCs Freeing Members of Terror Outfits

The Modi government on Monday told the Supreme Court that it was “concerned“ by the fact that high courts were freeing members of banned or terror outfits in the wake of a top court 2011 ruling that mere membership of such an outfit was not per se a crime and urged the court to revisit the ruling, but the court prima facie maintained that it was the correct law, reports The Economic Times.

“We are concer ned that high courts are following the (SC) ruling,“ Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar told a three-judge bench comprising justices JS Khehar, V Gopalagowda and Arun Misra, in his preliminary submissions, urging the court to have a relook at its earlier 2011 ruling.

5. Adidas Gets Govt Nod for FDI in Retail

Adidas India has received the government's approval to bring in foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail through its existing wholesale entity, and won't have to set up a separate retail company for the purpose, reports The Economic Times.

The company plans to open 30-50 company-owned Adidas stores in large cities by 2020, and will file another FDI application by this month for Reebok to set up its company stores.

6. U.S. assisting India in the search for missing aircraft

The U.S. government has been providing assistance to Indian authorities since July 28 in the search for the An-32 aircraft which went missing over the Bay of Bengal.

The Indian Air Force aircraft went missing on July 22 with 29 people on board a few minutes after it took off for Port Blair from Chennai in the morning, reports The Hindu.

“At the request of the Indian government, the U.S is assisting in the search for the missing Indian Air Force An-32 transport aircraft,” a U.S. embassy spokesperson said.

He said the weather conditions and cloud cover have frequently obscured the ability to view parts of the search area.

7. Young Punjab farmers wilt in agrarian crisis

A recent study by the Indian Council for Social Science Research of the growing number of farmers’ suicides in Punjab has revealed that the agrarian crisis is hitting farmers and labourers below the age of 35 the hardest, reports The Hindu.

“Nearly 48.6 per cent of farmers who have committed suicide in Punjab in recent years are below 35 years of age, while the percentage is as high as 57.5 per cent in case of agricultural labourers,” says the recently conducted study “Agrarian distress and farmers suicides in North India”.

8. Valley HC asks Centre to treat Kashmiris as its own people

In its observations made while hearing a PIL against the use of pellet or pump guns in Kashmir, the court asked the Centre to explain why the injuries suffered by people are above the knees — mostly in the eyes, reports The Hindustan Times.

“You are not treating them as your own people,” observed Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar while hearing the PIL.

“Why don’t you think about it (use of pellet guns)? Your own home minister said avoid its use… Why don’t you find alternative methods?” the judges told the assistant Solicitor general of India. The next hearing in thecase is on August 9.

9. LS clears Bill for speedy recovery of bad loans

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed a Bill, which provides for expeditious recovery of bad loans by banks. The Bill, passed by voice vote, also proposes to move towards online debt recovery tribunals (DRTs), reports The Business Standard.

The Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws and Miscellaneous Provisions (Amendment) Bill, 2016, seeks to amend four laws -Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (Sarfaesi), Recovery of Debts due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993, Indian Stamp Act, 1899, and Depositories Act, 1996.

10. Kerosene, LPG prices to be raised every month

The government decided to increase retail prices of subsidised cooking gas and kerosene on a monthly basis, reports The Business Standard.

In a policy change that has been slipped in quietly, the price of kerosene sold through the public distribution system and domestic LPG cylinders would be increased every month. Kerosene price has been raised by 25 paise from August 1 and that of LPG by Rs 1.93 a cylinder, to narrow losses from selling below market price.