TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24-4-2024

1. NABARD – GREEN FINANCING

• NABARD’s Climate Strategy 2030: Aims to address the significant gap in green financing needed for India’s sustainable development
• India needs $170 billion annually to reach its target of $2.5 trillion by 2030, but currently receives only $49 billion
• Focuses on accelerating green lending, market-making, internal green practices, and resource mobilisation
• DLF’s Commitment to Sustainability: – A leading real estate developer prioritising sustainable construction practices
• Recycles millions of litres of water daily through water treatment plants, reducing strain on local resources
• Featured in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for three years, demonstrating environmental and social responsibility

2. FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS

• Supreme Court Targets Misleading FMCG Ads, Especially Those Affecting Children The Supreme Court of India has raised serious concerns about misleading advertisements by Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies
• Key points:  The Court’s Concern: The court highlighted the negative impact of misleading FMCG ads, particularly on families with babies and schoolchildren
• These ads can affect public health and exploit consumers’ trust
• Nestle’s Baby Food Allegations
• Recent reports alleging higher sugar content in Nestle’s baby food products triggered the court’s intervention
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is investigating these allegations
• Action Against Misleading Ads – The court emphasized the need for the Central government to take action against FMCG companies using misleading advertisements
• This includes identifying such companies and enforcing existing regulations
• Advertising Standards Council’s Role: The court questioned the follow-up actions taken by authorities on the 948 objectionable advertisements flagged by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) to the AYUSH Ministry in the past two years
• Irony of Misleading Ads During Court Proceedings
• Justice Amanullah pointed out the absurdity of a news channel displaying an FMCG company’s misleading advertisement while reporting on the Supreme Court hearing against such practices  
• Contempt Case Against Patanjali: This case initially focused on Patanjali Ayurved’s violation of an undertaking regarding advertising its ayurvedic drugs
• However, the court has broadened the scope to address misleading advertisements by FMCG companies in general This development highlights the growing focus on protecting consumers from deceptive marketing practices, particularly those targeting vulnerable groups like children

3. INDIA PLANNING TO BOOST EV PRODUCTION

• The Union government on March 15 approved a policy to promote India as a manufacturing hub for Electric Vehicles (EVs) India Unveils New Policy to Attract Electric Vehicle (EV) Manufacturing
• Attracting Global Giants: The policy aims to attract established EV manufacturers like Tesla and BYD by offering:
• Reduced import duty on Completely Built Units (CBUs) for a limited period (5 years) with a minimum CIF value
• Duty exemption on a certain amount of imported EVs, capped at 40,000 units over five years
• However, to avail these benefits, companies must:
• Set up manufacturing units in India within three years
• Achieve specific localisation targets (25% in 3 years, 50% in 5 years) § Meet minimum investment criteria
• Impact on Domestic Players: While the policy offers benefits for high-end EV makers, some domestic players fear it might disadvantage them
• Experts believe established Indian manufacturers dominate the affordable EV segment (below ₹29 lakh) and might not benefit as much from the import duty concessions
• Catering to Indian Market Needs: The policy encourages global players to consider:
• Local conditions like environment, roads, and usage patterns
• Developing products for the affordable segment with high localisation
• Building a robust EV ecosystem is crucial, including:
• Widespread charging infrastructure
• Reliable and durable components with proper service support
• The Road Ahead: The success of the policy hinges on: Balancing attraction of foreign investment with supporting domestic players.
• Developing a strong domestic EV ecosystem that caters to Indian market needs.
• Focusing on sustainable practices and product designs suitable for the Indian market. This policy signifies a significant shift towards establishing India as a major EV player Ensuring a balanced ecosystem that fosters both domestic and international participation is crucial for long-term success

4. INDIAN NAVY CONDUCTS MEGA EXERCISE ALONG EAST COAST

• The Indian Navy said it carried out an extensive exercise along the east coast
• As part of efforts to check its preparedness to meet any maritime security challenges
• The exercise ‘Poorvi Leher’ witnessed participation of ships, submarines, aircraft, and special naval forces
• Conducted under the Operational Control of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command
• The exercise was aimed at validation of procedures towards assessment of the Indian Navy’s preparedness to meet maritime security challenges in the region

5. REGULATION OF SINGLE USE PLASTIC

• Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) – Disposable plastic items designed for a single use and then thrown away
• Examples include plastic cups, plates, cutlery, straws, earbuds, thermocol (polystyrene) for decoration, and thin wrapping films
• Regulations in India: Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules (2021): This act banned 19 categories of SUPs in India as of 2022
• What’s not banned? Plastic bottles (even small ones)
• Multi-layered packaging (like milk cartons)
• Enforcement of the ban is not uniform across the country
• Global Negotiations: – India advocates for “regulating” SUPs, not a complete ban
• This stance differs from the EU, which proposes a production and sales restriction
• The US also aligns with India’s position on regulating SUPs
• Key Points: – Countries are discussing a global agreement to address plastic pollution
• A key focus is on “problematic and avoidable plastic products,” which includes many SUPs
• Strategies being discussed include bans, production reduction, alternatives, and sustainable product design
• India supports using science to identify problematic plastics but prefers regulation over a complete ban
• Note: The article mentions negotiations on a potential international agreement. India’s current regulations are based on the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules (2021)

ONE LINER

1. National Panchayati Day – 24^th April 2024
2. Tamil Nadu is now closer to achieving elimination of filariasis