TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS (23.3.2024)

India will enhance its financial assistance to Bhutan to ₹10,000 crore for 2024-2029, doubling the amount from the previous five years
This announcement was made by PM Modi in Thimphu, aligning with India’s commitment to Bhutan’s developmental projects and their bilateral relationship
Seven agreements were signed between India and Bhutan covering various sectors, including a space collaboration road map
Plans for new connectivity and infrastructure initiatives, such as airports, rail links, and trade facilities like integrated check posts
India’s support for the ‘Gelephu Mindfulness City’
PM Modi’s visit, which included an audience with Bhutan’s King and former King, underscored the deep ties.

2. HUMAN RIGHTS PANEL REGISTERS CASE AGAINST CLASSICAL DANCER

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has taken cognisance of classical dancer Kalamandalam Sathyabhama’s allegedly racist attempt to set fair complexion and agreeable looks as prerequisites for learning and performing Mohiniyattam, a traditional dance form
SHRC member has sought a report from the Culture and Police departments
Another Mohiniyattam exponent accused Ms. Sathyabhama of cruelly discriminating against classical artistes who hail from marginalised and downtrodden sections of society, including himself
He said that “art knew no caste, colour, creed, or religious boundaries.”
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): Established in 1993, the NHRC is an independent body responsible for protecting and promoting human rights throughout India
NHRC was established on 12 October 1993 under the statute Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993
It is a statutory body
It can take up cases concerning violations of rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution or international covenants
State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs): Following the NHRC’s model, each state in India has its own SHRC
They handle cases pertaining to human rights violations within their respective states

3. INDIA NOW EYES AFRICA FOR CRITICAL MINERALS

India is setting its sights on Africa to secure critical minerals for its clean energy ambitions
Minerals sought: India is particularly interested in cobalt, among other critical minerals
These minerals are essential for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries, a crucial component in reducing carbon emissions
Target countries: Zambia, Namibia, Congo, Ghana, and Mozambique are the African nations India is looking to for these minerals
Australia for lithium: While exploring Africa, India is also continuing discussions with Australia to acquire lithium blocks
Lithium is another key mineral for electric vehicle batteries
Domestic mining efforts: The Indian government is also taking steps to boost domestic mining of critical minerals
They are preparing auction rules for offshore mineral blocks and putting up seven critical mineral blocks for sale in the third round of auctions

4. AUSTRALIA, BRITIAN TO BUILD AUKUS SUBS

Australia and Britain said in a landmark deal to develop AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines would go ahead
Despite mounting fears about costs, capabilities and the possible return of Donald Trump
Under the fledgling AUKUS deal – The two countries along with the United States have pledged to beef up their military muscle in a bid to counter China’s rise
Defence chiefs unveiled ambitious plans to supply Australia with a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, a key pillar of the agreement
What is AUKUS? – AUKUS is a trilateral defence and security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States
It was first announced in September 2021 and consists of two pillars
Pillar 1 focuses on supporting Australia to acquire its first conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet
It does not involve the transfer of nuclear weapons to Australia
Pillar 2 focuses on cooperation in eight advanced military capability areas: artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, innovation, information sharing, and cyber, undersea, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic and electronic warfare domains

5. CAN ARVIND KEJIRIWAL CONTINUE TO BE CM WHILE IN CUSTODY?

Earlier judgments in the Supreme Court and High Courts have concluded that constitutional morality, good governance, and constitutional trust are the basic norms for holding a public office
Judgment by the Madras High Court in S. Ramachandran versus V. Senthilbalaji — on whether a Minister must forfeit his right to occupy a public office
Because the office demands a high degree of morality if he is accused of a “financial scandal”
Mr. Senthilbalaji, a former Tamil Nadu Minister, was arrested by the ED on money-laundering charges last year
He continued to be a Minister without portfolio while he was in judicial custody
The arguments referred to a 2014 Constitution Bench judgment of the Supreme Court in Manoj Narula versus Union of India
It held that the basic norm for holding a public office was constitutional morality
To avoid acting in a manner contradictory to the rule of law
The second norm was good governance
The third was constitutional trust
To uphold the high degree of morality attached to a public office
The Madras High Court judgment highlighted the practical difficulties of being a Minister while in custody
A Minister sitting in prison cannot ask the Secretary of the State to get the files concerning any of the departments without breaching the oath of office

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International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named an Asteroid Jayant Murthy recognition of his contribution to Space Exploration
Ratan Tata has been awarded the PV Narasimha Rao Memorial Award for his Exceptional Philanthropic Contribution