TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5.6.2024

1. ICMR SEEKS TO PROVIDE ORAL FORMULATION OF HYDROXYUREA TO TREAT SICKLE CELL DISEASE

• Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease in India:
• India has the highest prevalence of sickle cell disease in South Asia, with over 20 million people affected by the disease.
• Sickle cell disease is a common monogenic disorder of haemoglobin.
• Current Treatment Challenges: Most pharmaceutical companies in India market hydroxyurea in 500-mg capsules or 200-mg tablets.
• The biggest challenge is the lack of hydroxyurea in suspension form, which is essential for effective use in paediatric patients.
• Paediatric Formulation Need: There is a need for a paediatric formulation of hydroxyurea considering the high number of SCD cases in India.
• The National Mission to eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia/SCD by 2047underscores the urgency of this need.
• Prescribed Dose for Children: The prescribed dose for children is 10 mg to 15 mg per kilogram of body weight after two years of age.
• Titration of the dose is currently done using fractions of broken capsules, which is not an appropriate method and can lead to less accurate administration.
• Side Effects: Inaccurate dosing can lead to dose-related side effects, which are a concern with the current method of breaking capsules. Proposed Solution:Development of Paediatric Formulation: The availability of a paediatric oral formulationof hydroxyurea would allow for better titration of the drug.
• This would reduce dose-related side effects and improve the efficacy of the treatment.

2. FORMER BRAHMOS ENGINEER GETS LIFE TERM FOR LEAKING DATA TO ISI

• The Official Secrets Act (OSA)of India, originally enacted in 1923, is a colonial-era legislation aimed at maintaining the confidentiality and security of sensitive information pertaining to the state.
• The primary objective of the Act is to prevent espionage, unauthorized access, and disclosure of official secrets that could potentially harm national security and the interests of the state. Key Objectives and Provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923: Protection of Official Information: The Act criminalizes the act of spying, sharing, or disseminating any informationthat is considered a state secret or could be detrimental to the security of the state.
• It covers a wide range of information, including military operations, defense strategies, and any other classified information.
• Espionage and Unauthorized Disclosure: The Act defines espionage as any act intended to gather, transmit, or publish information that could be useful to an enemy state. Unauthorized disclosure of official documents, sketches, plans, models, or notes related to national security is punishable under the Act.
• Penalties and Punishments: The Act prescribes severe penaltiesfor those found guilty of violating its provisions.
• This includes imprisonment, which can extend up to 14 years, and fines.
• Both the person who discloses the information and the person who receives it can be prosecuted under the Act.
• Scope and Applicability: The Act applies to government officials, employees, and any other individuals who come into possession of official secrets.
• It also extends to journalistsand media personnelwho might publish classified information.
• Search and Seizure Powers: The Act grants authorities the power to search premises and seize documentsif there is a suspicion of a breach of the Act.
• It allows for the arrestof individuals suspected of espionage or unauthorized disclosure without a warrant.

3. TERRORISM ORGANISATION – DEFENCE MECHANISM

• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA):The MHA is the primary agency responsible for internal security and law enforcement. It maintains and updates the list of banned terrorist organizations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
• National Investigation Agency (NIA):The NIA is India’s counter-terrorism task force, which investigates and prosecutes offenses related to terrorism and certain other laws.
• Intelligence Bureau (IB):The IB provides intelligence inputs and assessments related to terrorist threats. Its reports and recommendations play a crucial role in the classification process.
• State Police Forces:In coordination with central agencies, state police forces also contribute to identifying and tracking terrorist activities within their jurisdictions

4. RESIGNATION OF MLA’S

• Article 190: Vacation of Seats Article 190 of the Indian Constitution deals with the vacation of seats in the state legislature, including the resignation of members. The key clauses related to resignation are:
• Article 190(3): Clause (b): A member of the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council of a state can resign by writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker or the Chairman, as the case may be.
• The resignation shall take effect upon being accepted by the Speaker or the Chairman
• Clause (c): If a member of a House of the Legislature of a state becomes subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in clause (1) or clause (2) of Article 191, his seat shall thereupon become vacant. Article 190(3)(b): Resignation
• Acceptance of Resignation: The resignation must be submitted in writing to the Speaker (for Legislative Assembly) or the Chairman (for Legislative Council).
• The resignation takes effect only after the Speaker or Chairman accepts it.
• The Speaker or Chairman has the discretion to verify the genuinenessof the resignation to ensure it is voluntary and not under duress. Article 191: Disqualifications for Membership Article 191 outlines the conditions under which a person is disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council of a state.
• Article 191(1):Specifies disqualifications related to holding office of profit, unsound mind, undischarged insolvency, and citizenship issues.
• Article 191(2): Specifies disqualification based on defection as per the Tenth Schedule.

5. FOREST FIRE – REASONS

• Natural Causes: Lightning Strikes:One of the natural causes of forest fires is lightning, which can ignite dry vegetation.
• High Temperatures and Dry Conditions:Prolonged dry spells and high temperatures during the summer months create conditions conducive to forest fires.
• Anthropogenic (Human-Induced) Causes: Agricultural Practices:Farmers sometimes use fire to clear land for agricultural purposes, which can spread to nearby forests.
• Tourism and Human Activities:Careless disposal of cigarette butts, campfires, and other human activities can lead to accidental fires.
• Illegal Activities:Activities such as illegal logging and poaching can also result in forest fires.
• Climate Change: Changing Weather Patterns: Climate change has led to unpredictable weather patterns, including extended dry periodsand increased temperatures, which exacerbate the risk of forest fires.
• Forest Management Practices: Accumulation of Dry Biomass:Poor forest management practices, such as the accumulation of dry leaves, twigs, and other biomass, can act as fuel for fires.
• Lack of Firebreaks:Inadequate creation and maintenance of firebreaks can allow fires to spread uncontrollably.

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