TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 8.7.2024

1. A.P IN CRISIS NEEDS MORE THAN SPECAIL CATEGORY STATUS: CM

• Demands from the Central Government:
• CM Naidu met with PM Modi and six Union Ministers with a list of demands.
• Key demands include: Financial support for the state in the short term.
• Support for the Polavaram irrigation project.
• Assistance to complete infrastructure works in Amaravati.
• Support for backward regions of Andhra Pradesh similar to the Bundelkhand package.
• Special Category Status: Naidu’s remarks indicate that the state’s needs go beyond just demanding special category status.
• The NDA government has ruled out special category status for any state.  
• The Janata Dal (United) also scaled down its demand for special category status for Bihar, opting for either special status or a special package. Special Category Status (SCS) is a classification given by the Central Government to assist the development of states that face geographical and socio-economic disadvantages.
• Here are some key points about SCS: Criteria for SCS: Hilly and difficult terrain.
• Low population density or sizeable tribal population.
• Strategic location along borders with neighboring countries.
• Economic and infrastructural backwardness. ○ Non-viable nature of state finances.
• Benefits of SCS: Preferential treatment in federal assistance and tax breaks. Significant grants and financial aid from the central government.
• Concessions on excise duty to attract industries.
• Current Scenario: The 14th Finance Commission recommended doing away with the distinction between general and special category states.
• Instead, it suggested that the central government should provide a higher share of central taxes to all states.

2. MAHARASTRA TABLES BILL TO PREVENT UNFAIR MEANS IN COMPETITIVE EXAMS

• Maharashtra Competitive Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
• Key Provisions of the Bill: Classification of Offences: The Bill classifies offences related to competitive exams as cognisable, non-bailable, and non[1]compoundable. This means that the police can arrest without a warrant, bail is not easily granted, and the offences cannot be settled out of court.
• Penalties: Imprisonment: Those caught engaging in illegal practices during exams could face a minimum of three years in prison, extendable up to five years. ○ Fines: Fines can go up to ₹10 lakh.
• Additional Imprisonment: Failure to pay the fine would result in additional imprisonment as per the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
• Service Providers: Service providers facilitating the exams could be fined up to ₹1 crore and held accountable for the costs associated with the examination.
• Preventive Measures: The Bill includes measures to prevent disruptions during exams and defines the responsibilities of paper setters.
• Investigative Authority: High-ranking police officers are granted investigative authority to enforce the provisions of the Act.
• Context: Union Government Act: The Union government enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which targets malpractices in competitive exams with stricter penalties, including a maximum jail term of 10 years and fines up to ₹1 crore.

3. AFRICAN SWINE FEVER OUTBREAK REPORTED IN KERALA’S THRISSUR

• African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs.
• It is caused by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), which belongs to the Asfarviridae family. ASF is not a threat to human health, but it has severe economic and social consequences due to its impact on pig populations and the pork industry.
• Transmission: Direct Contact: Between infected and healthy pigs.
• Indirect Contact: Through contaminated feed, equipment, vehicles, clothing, and footwear.
• Vectors: Ticks of the genus Ornithodoros can also transmit the virus.
• Symptoms:
• High fever
• Loss of appetite
• Hemorrhages in the skin and internal organs
• Respiratory distress
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• High mortality rates, often approaching 100% in acute forms
• Diagnosis: Laboratory tests such as PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) to detect viral DNA.
• Serological tests to detect antibodies against ASFV.
• Prevention and Control: Biosecurity Measures: Strict biosecurity protocols on farms to prevent the introduction and spread of the virus.
• Culling: Infected and exposed animals are often culled to contain outbreaks.
• Movement Restrictions: Limiting the movement of pigs and pork products from affected areas.
• Disinfection: Thorough cleaning and disinfection of facilities and equipment.
• Economic Impact:
• Loss of pig populations due to culling.
• Trade restrictions on pork and pork products.
• Financial losses for farmers and the pork industry

4. MODI’S VISIT TO RUSSIA PURELY BILATERAL

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia on July 8-9, 2024, holds significant importance for several reasons, both in terms of bilateral relations and broader geopolitical dynamics.
• Bilateral Focus Amid Global Tensions
• Timing and Context: The visit coincides with the NATO summit in the U.S., which is expected to focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, Indian officials have emphasized that the visit is purely bilateral and not intended to contrast with the NATO summit.
• India’s Position on Russia-Ukraine Conflict: India maintains a consistent stance favoring dialogue and diplomacy for resolving the conflict, which will likely be reiterated during the talks.
• Pending Bilateral Issues
• Annual Summit: This will be the 22nd annual summit between India and Russia, the first since 2021. The summit aims to address several pending issues that have accumulated over the past few years.
• Trade and Economic Cooperation: Resolving the trade deficit is a high priority.
• India’s imports from Russia, primarily oil, have surged to about $60 billion, while exports stand at about $4 billion.
• Efforts to maximize Indian exports in various sectors will be discussed. Payment Mechanisms: Despite Western sanctions, the payment mechanisms between the two countries are currently functioning well, and this will be a point of discussion.
• Nuclear Cooperation – Nuclear Power: Russia is the only foreign country operating nuclear power plants in India.
• The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, with units 1 and 2 operational and units 3-6 under construction, is a significant aspect of this cooperation.
• PM Modi will visit an exhibition showcasing new developments by Rosatom. 4
• Defence and Security Cooperation
• Defence Supplies: The long-standing defence cooperation between India and Russia, including the supply of military equipment, will be a key topic.
• Indian Nationals in Russian Military: India is addressing the issue of Indian nationals recruited by the Russian military through illegal and unethical means, seeking their early discharge.
• Space and Connectivity Projects
• Space Exploration: Collaboration on space exploration projects, including satellite launches and space research, will be discussed.
• International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC): Enhancing connectivity through the INSTC to reduce the time and cost of transporting goods between India and Russia is another important agenda.
• Cultural and Educational Exchanges
• Cultural Programs and Educational Cooperation: Strengthening cultural exchanges and educational cooperation through scholarships and student exchange programs will be part of the discussions.
• Geopolitical Implications-  Strategic Autonomy: The visit underscores India’s strategic autonomy in maintaining and strengthening its bilateral relations with Russia, independent of other global alliances and conflicts.
• Balancing Act: By engaging with Russia while maintaining its stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India aims to balance its relationships with major global powers.

5. AT 1.27 LAKH CRORE DEFENCE PRODUCTION REGISTERED A NEW HIGH IN 2023-24 SAYS CENTRE

• Increase in Defence Production – Value of Production (VoP): The value of defence production in FY 2023-24 reached ₹1,26,887 crore.
• Growth Rate: This represents a growth of 16.7% over the previous financial year (FY 2022-23), where the value was ₹1,08,684 crore.
• Five-Year Trend: Since FY 2019-20, the value of defence production has been increasing steadily, with a growth of over 60% in the past five years Contributors to Defence Production
• Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Other PSUs: Contributed approximately 79.2% of the total value of production.
• Private Sector: Contributed about 20.8% of the total value of production.
• Steady Growth: Both DPSUs/PSUs and the private sector have shown steady growth in absolute value terms. Programs and Initiatives Contributing to Growth
• Make in India: A flagship program aimed at promoting manufacturing in India, including the defence sector. It has been instrumental in achieving new milestones in defence production.
• Policy Reforms: Various policy reforms and initiatives have been introduced over the past decade to ease doing business and promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
• Ease of Doing Business: Measures to simplify regulations and procedures for defence manufacturing have encouraged both public and private sector participation.

ONE LINER

1. The 24^th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is being held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.
2. The 67^th meeting of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Council took place in Washington, DC.