TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16.7.2024

1. CENTRE AMENDS RULES TO BROADEN THE ADMINISTRATIVE ROLE OF J & K L-G (POLITY)

• Amendment to Transaction of Business Rules: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has amended the rules to expand the administrative role of the L-G in J&K.
• Enhanced Role of L-G: The L-G now has more authority over police, public order, AIS, anti-corruption matters, and legal appointments.
• Pending Assembly Elections: The Supreme Court has ordered the Election Commission to conduct Assembly elections in J&K before September 30, 2024, which could lead to the restoration of statehood.
• Article 370: Revoked on August 5, 2019, which granted special status to J&K.
• Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019: Legislative framework under which the amendments to the Transaction of Business Rules were made.
• Transaction of Business Rules: Amended to expand the administrative role of the L-G.
• Central Rule in J&K: Ongoing since June 2018, pending the restoration of statehood.
• Election Commission Mandate: Supreme Court’s directive to conduct Assembly elections in J&K before September 30, 2024.
• Issues – Enhanced Powers of the L-G: The Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Jammu and Kashmir now has increased administrative control over police, public order, All India Services (AIS), and anti-corruption matters.
• Centralization of Authority: The amendments centralize power, potentially reducing the autonomy of local governance.
• Impact on Governance: The increased role of the L-G could affect the functioning and decision-making of the local administration.
• Political Implications: The changes occur amidst ongoing central rule and pending restoration of statehood, which could have political consequences.
• Solutions – Clear Guidelines: Establish transparent guidelines for the exercise of the L-G’s enhanced powers.
• Consultative Mechanism: Implement mechanisms involving local stakeholders to balance the L-G’s powers with local governance needs.
• Monitoring and Oversight: Set up bodies to review decisions made under the new rules to ensure alignment with broader interests.
• Public Communication: Clearly communicate the rationale and benefits of the amendments to the public.

2. KAZIRANGA’S WOMEN FOREST GUARDS ENSURE A SAFE PASSAGE FOR FLOOD HIT ANIMALS BY PATROLLING HIGHWAY (ENVIRONMENT)

• Deployment of Women Forest Guards: Since September 2023, 108 women forest guards have been deployed for patrolling and flood management in Kaziranga.
• Record Flood Levels: On July 1, 2024, Kaziranga recorded the highest flood level in a decade at 87.47 meters, resulting in the death of 174 animals.
• Reduction in Vehicle Hits: The first year of women forest guards’ deployment saw the least number of animals run over by vehicles, with only two cases reported.
• Schemes and Programs
• Special Rhino Protection Force: A dedicated force for the protection of rhinos, including women forest guards.
• Van Durga Initiative: Named by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this initiative involves the deployment of women forest guards for active flood management and patrolling
• Speed Regulation Measures: Installation of speed guns and cameras along National Highway 715 to monitor and control vehicle speeds.
• Flood Management Training: Programs to train forest guards in effective flood management and animal rescue techniques.
• Issues Animal Deaths Due to Floods: The annual floods in Kaziranga National Park, while essential for the ecosystem, result in significant animal casualties.
• Vehicle Hits: Animals fleeing the floodwaters often cross National Highway 715, leading to fatalities due to speeding vehicles.
• Patrolling and Traffic Regulation: Ensuring the safety of animals during floods requires effective patrolling and traffic regulation on the highway.
• Training and Experience: Newly deployed women forest guards need to quickly adapt and gain experience in flood management and animal protection.
• Solutions – Enhanced Patrolling: Increase the number of patrolling units, especially during flood seasons, to monitor animal movements and regulate traffic.
• Speed Control Measures: Install more speed guns and cameras along the highway to enforce speed limits strictly.
• Awareness Campaigns: Conduct awareness campaigns for drivers about the presence of animals on the highway during floods.
• Training Programs: Provide continuous training and support for forest guards, focusing on flood management and animal rescue operations.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Construct more animal corridors and underpasses to facilitate safe crossing for animals

3. VILLAGES ALONG CHINA BORDER TO GET 4G, TOURIST CIRCUITS, ALL WEATHER ROADS, SAYS HOME MINSTRY (INTERNATIONAL)

• Infrastructure Development: Connectivity: 136 border villages are being connected through 113 all-weather road projects at a cost of ₹2,420 crore.
• 4G Network: By December, all villages under the programme will be covered by the 4G network.
• Financial Inclusion: India Post Payments Bank: Branches are being facilitated in all these villages to ensure financial inclusion.
• Tourism Promotion: Tourist Circuits: Development of tourist circuits to promote tourism and bring vibrancy to these villages.
• Capacity Building: Tourism-related infrastructure is being developed in coordination with the Tourism Ministry.
• Employment Generation: Projects: More than 600 projects have been sanctioned for employment generation.
• Local Products: Central Armed Police Forces and the Army are encouraged to purchase local agricultural and handicraft products through cooperatives.
• Healthcare facilities of Central Armed Police Forces and the Army are to be regularly made available to benefit the residents of nearby villages.
• Monitoring and Integration:
• Gati Shakti Portal: The programme is being integrated with the Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti Portal for better monitoring.
• Events and Camps: Service Delivery and Awareness Camps: Over 6,000 events, including 4,000 service delivery and awareness camps, have been organized in these border villages.

4. KERALA SET TO USE TECHNOLOGY, TRADITION TO END HUMAN – WILDLIFE CONFLICT (ENVIRONEMENT)

• Artificial Intelligence-based Alert Systems for real-time updates on wildlife movements.
• Benefits: Provides timely warnings to prevent human-wildlife conflicts. Thermal Sensor-equipped Drones for enhanced surveillance along forest fringes. Benefits: Helps in monitoring wildlife activities, especially during night[1]time or in dense forest areas.
• Camera Traps to monitor and record wildlife movements. Benefits: Provides data for studying animal behavior and movement patterns, aiding in conflict mitigation.
• Traditional Knowledge and Other Strategies: Physical and Biological Barriers to prevent animal incursions into human habitations. Benefits: Reduces the chances of wildlife entering human settlements.
• Beehive Fencing along forest boundaries. ○ Benefits: Effective in repelling elephants, as they avoid bees.
• Bio-fences using Crops like Chilli to deter elephants from entering settlements. Benefits: Utilizes traditional knowledge from tribal communities to prevent conflicts.
• Habitat Management Efforts: Ensuring adequate fodder in grasslands and interior forests. Benefits: Reduces the need for wildlife to venture into human areas in search of food.
• New Waterholes and Check-dams: To secure the water needs of wildlife. Benefits: Ensures that animals have sufficient water within their natural habitats, reducing their movement towards human settlements

5. CHANCE TREASURE DISCOVERY SPARKS FRENZY (HISTORY)

• Discovery: A pot containing 18th-century gold and silver coins, along with other period artefacts.
• Location: Chengalai, a village in Kannur district, Kerala. Contents: Gold and silver coins with Indo-French and Kannur Ali Raja markings.
• Bead necklaces from the same era.
• Police have cordoned off the area for potential future excavations by the State Archaeology Department.
• Historical Significance: Local Folklore: The discovery aligns with local myths about ‘moola bhandari’ or secreted assets.
• Ancestral houses in the locality were known to bury valuables in pots in ancient temple groves.
• Cultural Context: The coins and artefacts are indicative of the late 18th century. The Indo-French and Kannur Ali Raja markings suggest historical trade and political connections.
• Archaeological Importance: The find is rare for the locality, which seldom yields historical collections.
• A comprehensive study is needed to fully understand the historical context and significance of the artefacts

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