TNPSC CURRENT AFFAITS – 23.4.2024

1. SC GRANTS CENTRE A WEEK’S TIME TO LOOK INTO KARNATAKA PLEA FOR DROUGHT RELIEF

• Issue: Dispute over Drought Relief Funds in Karnataka The central issue is the disagreement between Karnataka and the Central Government regarding financial assistance for drought relief in Karnataka
• Karnataka’s Claim: The state is facing a severe drought, causing a humanitarian crisis
• They requested ₹18,171.44 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) six months ago but received no response
• They argue the Centre’s inaction violates the fundamental rights of Karnataka’s people under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution (right to equality and life with dignity)
• Central Government’s Response: -Assured a resolution within a week
• Claimed they need to consult the Election Commission due to upcoming Lok Sabha elections
• Supreme Court’s Intervention: Emphasized the need for amicable resolution in a federal structure
• Questioned the Centre’s approach, urging them to avoid a “contest” with the state What are the types of Fund devolved between Centre and State?
• In India, the distribution of financial resources between the central and state governments is a fundamental aspect of the federal structure
• This process, known as fund devolution
• It is primarily guided by the Constitution of India along with recommendations made periodically by the Finance Commission. Key types of fund devolution between the Centre and the states: 1. Statutory Devolution (Vertical and Horizontal)
• Vertical Devolution: Share of central taxes that is distributed to the states
• Horizontal Devolution: the amount available for distribution among the states
• This distribution is based on criteria such as population, area, forest cover, income distance, and demographic performance 2. Grants-in-Aid:
• Statutory Grants: Article 275 of the Constitution
• For states in need of financial assistance, not necessarily linked to a specific project
• Discretionary Grants: Article 282, both the Centre and states have the freedom to make any grants for public purposes, even if it is not within their direct purview 3. Finance Commission Grants:
• Revenue Deficit Grants: These are provided to states that are unable to meet their revenue requirements with their own revenue and their share of the central taxes
• Grants for Specific Purposes: These include grants for promoting welfare schemes or infrastructure projects, such as those for rural and urban local bodies, health, education, sanitation, and water supply 4. Loans and Advances:
• The Centre can make loans to states or give advances for specific projects or in the event of unforeseen disasters
• These loans are generally provided on the terms recommended by the Finance Commission and have to be repaid 5. Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS):
• These are specific purpose grants by the Central government aimed at encouraging states to meet objectives in areas that the Centre deems nationally important
• Such as education, healthcare, employment, etc
• These schemes usually have a component where the cost is shared between the Centre and the states in a defined ratio 6. Central Sector Schemes:
• These schemes are 100% funded by the Central government but are implemented by state government machinery
• They are generally formulated on subjects from the Union List, but their implementation can be entrusted to states

2. LANDFILL FIRE

• The Delhi police launched a probe into the incident after it booked unknown persons under
• IPC Sections 278 (making atmosphere noxious to health) and
• IPC Section 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) for causing the fire
• Burning garbage dumps, like the recent fire at the Ghazipur landfill site in Delhi, release a complex mixture of toxic fumes
• These fumes can cause various health problems for residents in the surrounding areas
• Some of the harmful components: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5): These tiny particles can irritate the lungs and worsen respiratory problems like asthma
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): VOCs are a large group of chemicals that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat
• Some VOCs are known carcinogens – Dioxins and furans: These highly toxic chemicals are formed when plastics and other materials burn at high temperatures
• They can cause a variety of health problems, including cancer, birth defects, and immune system dysfunction
• Heavy metals: Burning garbage can release heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium into the air
• These metals can accumulate in the body and cause long-term health problems

3. 2 WOMEN NAVY OFFICERS RETURN AFTER HISTORIC TRANSOCEANIC EXPEDITION

• INSV Tarini Completes Historic All-Women Transoceanic Expedition
• INSV Tarini, an Indian Naval Sailing Vessel, returned to Goa on April 21st after a nearly two-month transoceanic expedition
• This expedition was the first of its kind in India, crewed entirely by two women officers – Lt. Cdr. Dilna K. and Lt. Cdr. Roopa A
• The journey involved sailing from Goa to Port Louis, Mauritius, and back, facing challenges like rough seas and strong winds
• The officers’ successful completion highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment to gender equality and women empowerment in maritime roles
• This successful voyage serves as a stepping stone for their next endeavor – a global circumnavigation (Sagar Parikrama-IV) planned for September 2024

4. CUT DIAMOND EXPORTS SLIDE 28% ON SLACK DEMAND

• Diamond Exports From India See Significant Drop
• India’s exports of cut and polished diamonds witnessed a sharp decline of 27.5% in 2023-24
• The total value of exports reached $15.97 billion
• This decrease is attributed to sluggish demand from major markets like the US, China, and UAE
• This data is according to the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)

5. MAIZE CROP

• Maize: A Versatile Crop
• Domesticated in Central America around 10,000 years ago
• Most widely cultivated crop globally due to its adaptability
• Used for human consumption (cornmeal, flour, syrup, etc.), animal feed, biofuels, and industrial products
• Climate Requirements – Warm-weather crop thriving in areas with nighttime temperatures above 15.6°C
• Grows from sea level up to 2,500 meters altitude
• Requires well-distributed moisture throughout its growing cycle
• Sensitive to frost at any stage
• Soil Requirements – Prefers fertile, well-drained soils with a pH between 7.5 and 8.5
• Can tolerate a variety of soils from sandy to clayey
• Highly sensitive to salinity and water-logging, especially during seedling stage
• Cultivation Techniques in India
• Grown in three seasons: Kharif (primary), Spring, and Rabi
• Spring and Rabi seasons yield higher due to water management and reduced pests
• Planting techniques vary depending on region and purpose (fodder or grain) Physiology of a Maize Plant ○ Reaches an average height of 3 meters
• Male flowers in tassels at the top
• Female flowers (ears) encased in husks in the middle of the plant
• Each ear contains around 600 kernels in various colors
• Most common diseases affecting maize crops across India:
• Turcicum leaf blight
• Banded leaf and sheath blight
• Bacterial stalk rot
• Maydis leaf blight
• Charcoal rot
• Fusarium stalk rot
• Rajasthan downy mildew
• Curvularia leaf spot
• Common rust
• Polysora rust
• Sorghum downy mildew

ONE LINER

1. First International Rainbow Tourism Conference held in Nepal
2. India ranks fourth in global military spending in 2023