TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14.6.2024

1. GST COUNCIL TO MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR ON JUNE 22

• Goods and Services Tax (GST):GST is a comprehensive indirect tax levied on the manufacture, sale, and consumption of goods and services across India.
• It was implemented on July 1, 2017, replacing multiple indirect taxes like VAT, service tax, and excise duty.
• GST Council:The GST Council is a constitutional bodychaired by the Union Finance Minister and includes the Finance Ministers of all states.
• It is responsible for making recommendationson various aspects of GST, including tax rates, exemptions, and procedural changes.
• Significance of the Meeting
• Long Gap Between Meetings: The Council is generally expected to meet every quarter, but it has met only six times since 2022.
• The eight-and-a-half-month gapsince the last meeting in October 2023 highlights the importance of this upcoming session.
• Union Budget Preparations:The meeting is crucial as it precedes the Union Budget, likely to be presented next month.
• State Finance Ministers are expected to propose changes to the indirect tax regimethat could be incorporated into the Budget.
• GST Revenue Trends:With significant increases in GST revenues, there is a renewed focus on restructuringthe complex multiple-rate tax structure.
• This could lead to simplification and rationalization of GST rates, impacting businesses and consumers.

2. FRESH INFILTRATORS IN J & K MAY HAVE PLAYED ROLE IN ATTACKS

• Current Security Challenges
• Militancy: Despite efforts to curb militancy, groups like Lashkar-e Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) continue to operate, often with alleged support from across the border.
• Radicalization: There is a concern about the radicalization of youth, driven by socio-economic issues and political discontent.
• Cross-Border Terrorism: Infiltrationattempts from Pakistan continue to pose a significant threat. The Line of Control (LoC) remains a volatile area with frequent ceasefire violations.
• Internal Disturbances: Protests and civil unrest are common, particularly in the Kashmir Valley. Issues like unemployment, human rights violations, and political disenfranchisement fuel discontent.
• Line of Control (LoC):The LoC is a heavily militarized de facto border between India and Pakistan in the region of Jammu and Kashmir. It is approximately 740 km long and passes through difficult and mountainous terrain, making it challenging to monitor and secure.
• Terrain and Weather:The rugged terrain, dense forests, and harsh weather conditions provide cover for infiltrators, making it easier for them to cross the border undetected
• Infiltration Routes
• Traditional Routes:Infiltrators often use traditional routes through the Pir Panjal range, Kupwara, Baramulla, and Poonchsectors. These areas have historically seen high infiltration activity.
• New Routes: In response to increased surveillance and fencing along the LoC, infiltrators have been attempting to find new routes, including through tunnels and riverine areas.

3. SCIENCE IS NOW TOO VAST TO BE ADMINSTERED BY ONE MINISTER

• The challenges and complexities of managing India’s vast and diverse scientific and technological landscape under a single ministerial portfolio.
• Ministerial Portfolios: The 18th Lok Sabha has seen the continuation of many ministers in their previous roles, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retaining major portfolios.
• Jitendra Singh, a Minister of State with independent charge, oversees multiple significant departments: Space (DoS), Atomic Energy (DAE), Earth Sciences (MoES), Science and Technology (MST), and Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
• Challenges in Each Department: Department of Space (DoS):  
• Managing the entry of private sector players.
• Development of the maiden human spaceflight mission. § New launch vehicles.
• Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES): Exploring seabed mineral resources.
• Climate adaptation and mitigation.
• Ministry of Science and Technology (MST):
• Overseeing research in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, multi-omics approaches, and advanced energy storage solutions.
• Department of Atomic Energy (DAE): Advancing nuclear power.
• Starting phase two of its reactors programme.
• Commissioning one facility every year.
• Persistent Problems in Scientific Administration:
• Delays in fellowship and grant disbursals for young researchers.
• Localized facilities that hinder interdisciplinary research.
• Cutting-edge research hampered by inconsistent regulations.
• Weak intellectual property rights protection.
• Limited translational research.
• Declining gross domestic expenditure on research and development as a fraction of GDP since 2008-09.
• Need for Specialized Ministers:
• The article argues that the sheer diversity and technical complexity of these fields require more than a shared Minister of State.
• Suggests the need for separate ministers, ideally of Cabinet rank, for each major nodal research body to address their unique challenges effectively.

4. CHINA’S GREY ZONE WARFARE TACTICS AGAINST TAIWAN

• Coercive Measures Imposed by China:
• Military Drills and Simulated Attacks:
• Training Drills: Conducted by the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command (PLA ETC) to demonstrate readiness for high-intensity war.
• Simulated Audiovisuals: 3D animation videos depicting invasion scenarios, such as missile strikes on Taipei and Kaohsiung.
• Daily Military Sorties: PLA Fighter Jets and UAVs: Regular sorties by PLA aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and strategic fighters, to exert sustained pressure on Taiwan’s defense forces.
• Intelligence Gathering: UAVs conducting intelligence operations around Taiwan, causing wear-out within Taiwanese forces.
• Ideological Warfare:
• Propaganda: Use of narratives and propaganda within Taiwan to influence public opinion.
• Drone Operations: Instances like the drone dropping fliers on Kinmen island with messages against Taiwan independence.
• Political Tactics: Carrots and Sticks Approach:
• Sticks for DPP: Coercive economic measures against the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), such as suspending preferential tax rates for chemical imports from Taiwan.
• Carrots for KMT: Engagements and favorable treatment towards the Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan’s primary opposition party with pro-mainland views.
• Economic Coercion:
• Trade Restrictions: Unilateral suspension of preferential tax rates under the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) as retaliation against pro-independence sentiments.

5. YEDIYURAPPA MAY BE ARRESTED AS POCSO COURT ISSUES WARRANT

• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 Objective: The POCSO Act was formulated to effectively address sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children.
• It aims to provide a child-friendly system for the trialof these offenses, incorporating child-sensitive procedures for reporting, recording of evidence, investigation, and speedy trial of offenses through designated Special Courts. Key Provisions:
• Definition of Child:The Act defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years.
• Offenses Covered: Penetrative Sexual Assault: Involves penetration of the child’s body parts.
• Aggravated Penetrative Sexual Assault: Committed by a person in a position of trust or authority, such as a family member, police officer, teacher, or doctor.
• Sexual Assault: Involves non-penetrative sexual contact.
• Aggravated Sexual Assault: Similar to aggravated penetrative sexual assault but involves non-penetrative contact.
• Sexual Harassment: Includes showing pornography to a child or making sexual remarks.
• Using a Child for Pornographic Purposes: Involves using a child in any form of media for sexual gratification.
• Reporting Mechanism:
• Mandatory reportingof sexual offenses.
• Any person (including the child) who has apprehension that an offense under this Act is likely to be committed or has knowledge that such an offense has been committed, must report the same to the Special Juvenile Police Unitor the local police.
• Child-Friendly Procedures: The Act mandates that the child should not be exposed to the accused in any way during the recording of evidence.
• The police should not be in uniform while recording the statement of the child.
• The statement of the child should be recorded at the residence of the child or at a place where the child is comfortable.
• The Act provides for the establishment of Special Courts for the trial of offenses under the Act.
• Punishments: The Act prescribes stringent punishments graded as per the gravity of the offense, with a minimum of rigorous imprisonment for three yearsand a maximum of life imprisonment or death penalty in certain cases.
• Special Courts: The Act mandates the establishment of Special Courts for the trial of offenses under the Act to ensure a speedy trial. The Case: In the case mentioned, former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has been accused under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year old girl.
• Non-Bailable Warrant: The issuance of a non-bailable arrest warrant indicates the seriousness of the charges under the POCSO Act.
• Investigation and Trial: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is responsible for investigating the case.
• The trial will be conducted in a Special Court designated under the POCSO Act.
• Legal Recourse:
• Mr. Yediyurappa has sought anticipatory bail and a stay of the probe, which are legal remedies available to him.
• The High Court will decide on these petitions based on the merits of the case.

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