TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27.6.2024

1. SRI LANKAN NAVY SAILOR DIES DURING PURSUIT OF INDIAN BOAT

• The incident underscores the enduring fisheries conflict in the Palk Strait, affecting daily-waged fisherfolk in both northern Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu
• Fisheries Conflict: The Palk Strait, a narrow strip of sea between Tamil Nadu and the Jaffna Peninsula of Sri Lanka, is a hotspot for fisheries conflict.
• Indian fishermen often cross into Sri Lankan waters, leading to frequent confrontations with the Sri Lankan Navy.
• The use of bottom trawlers by Indian fishermen is particularly contentious, as it is seen as destructive to marine ecosystems and detrimental to the livelihoods of Sri Lankan fishermen.
• Diplomatic Efforts: Both countries have established mechanisms like the Joint Working Group to address these issues, but durable solutions remain elusive. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote to Union Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar, urging the convening of the Joint Working Group to secure the release of the fishermen and their boats.
• Diplomatic interventions are often sought to secure the release of arrested fishermen and to prevent such incidents.

2. RAILWAYS TO BRING DOWN SPEED OF SELECT VANDE BHARAT, GATIMAN EXPRESS TRAINS

• The decision follows the recent Kancharapara Express accident and reflects a cautious approach by the Indian Railways to ensure passenger safety in light of technical challenges and failures in safety systems.
• Speed Reduction: Gatiman and Vande Bharat Express: Speed reduced from 160 kmph to 130 kmph.
• Shatabdi Express: Speed reduced from 150 kmph to 130 kmph.
• Reason for Speed Reduction: Failure of Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS): The TPWS on the Delhi-Agra-Jhansi routes has failed, necessitating the speed reduction to ensure safety
• Pending Proposals: A proposal to either dispense with TPWS or reduce the speed of trains to 130 kmph has been pending with the Railway Board since November 6, 2023.
• Impact on Travel Time: The reduction in speed will increase the running time by 25-30 minutes.
• This will lead to changes in the timings of at least 10 superfast express trains on these routes

3. AHEAD OF ROLL-OUT OF THE NEW CRIMINAL LAWS, UNION HOME MINISTRY TESTS eSAKHSYA APP

• The eSakshya app is a mobile application developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to assist police in recording and managing evidence in criminal cases. This app is part of the broader digital transformation in India’s criminal justice system, coinciding with the implementation of new criminal laws.
• The eSakshya app represents a significant step towards digitizing the criminal justice process in India.
• It aligns with the new criminal laws set to replace the Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, and Code of Criminal Procedure from July 1.
• Key Features of eSakshya App: Recording Scene of Crime: The app allows police officers to record the scene of a crime, search, and seizure activities using their mobile phones.
• Each recording can be a maximum of four minutes long, and multiple recordings can be uploaded for each First Information Report (FIR).
• Uploading Evidence: After recording, the police officer must upload the file to a cloud-based platform.
• The officer is required to upload a selfie after completing the procedure to ensure authenticity.
• Options for Uploading: If there are connectivity issues, officers can record the crime scene on their personal devices, generate a hash value, and upload the file later from the police station.
• Alternatively, if good internet speed is available, they can directly upload the recordings through the eSakshya app.
• Chain of Evidence: Maintaining the sanctity of the chain of evidence submission is crucial. Any procedural lapse in handling digital evidence could benefit the accused.
• The app aims to minimize procedural infirmities that often lead to accused individuals escaping conviction.
• Uniformity and Conviction Rate: The app aims to bring uniformity in investigations across different states, which is expected to increase the conviction rate.
• The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) mandates compulsory audiovisual recording of search and seizure in each criminal case and mandatory forensic examination in cases where the offence attracts a punishment of seven years or more

4. PAKISTAN DELEGATION INSPECT RATLE POWER PROJECT ON CHENAB RIVER IN J&K

• The visit by a five-member Pakistan delegation and neutral experts from the World Bank to the Ratle power project in the Chenab Valley is part of ongoing discussions and inspections related to hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Ratle Power Project: The Ratle power project is an 850-MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power project located on the Chenab river at Drabshalla village in the Chenab Valley.
• The delegation inspected several units of the project, although the inspection was kept away from media coverage.
• Pakistan’s Objections: Pakistan has raised technical objections to various power projects in Jammu and Kashmir since 2006, including the Ratle project.
• These objections have been presented at different forums, including the Permanent Indus Commission.
• Pakistan has also sought arbitration by international forums, which India has rejected.
• Pakal Dul Project: The Pakistani delegation is also expected to inspect the 1,000- MW Pakal Dul hydroelectric project on the Marusudar river, a tributary of the Chenab river.
• The Marusudar river originates from the Marwah Valley before joining the Chenab river.
• Kishanganga Project: Pakistan raised objections to the Kishanganga project in the Kashmir Valley in 2006.
• It is unclear whether the delegation will be given access to inspect the Kishanganga project, which is located over the Kishanganga river in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
• Duration of Visit: The delegation will be in Jammu and Kashmir until June 28

5. K-SHAPED RECOVERY FUELLING SIMILAR TREND IN INFLATION – HSBC

• Definition: A K-shaped recovery occurs when, following a recession, different parts of the economy recover at different rates, times, or magnitudes. This results in a divergence where some sectors or groups experience robust growth while others continue to struggle.
• Implications: Economic Inequality: Certain sectors (like technology, pharmaceuticals) and higher-income groups recover quickly, while others (like hospitality, retail) and lower-income groups lag behind.
• Sectoral Disparities: High-end goods and services see increased demand, while basic goods and services may not recover as quickly.
• Current Scenario in India Post-Pandemic Recovery: Higher-End Goods and Services: Increased demand due to higher disposable incomes among the affluent sections.
• Basic Goods and Services: Slower recovery due to reduced purchasing power among lower-income groups.
• Inflation Trends: Food Inflation: Outpacing other goods due to factors like climate change affecting agricultural output.
• Rural Inflation: Higher due to greater reliance on food prices. Urban Inflation: More stable but influenced by higher-end goods and services

ONE LINER

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