TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23.07.2024

1. ENVIRONEMENT

KERALA TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST DUMPLING GARBAGE

• The recent meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram highlights several technological and administrative measures to tackle waste management issues:
• Trash Booms: Installation of trash booms near Rajaji Nagar to collect plastic waste flowing in the canal.
• AI Cameras: Deployment of 40 AI cameras to monitor waste dumping, linked to the police control room for strict enforcement.
• Effluent Treatment Plants: Directive to KSRTC to set up an effluent treatment plant and integrated waste management system at the Thampanoor bus depot.
• Coordination and Supervision: Utilization of the Disaster Management Act for stringent action against violators, with the District Collector and Subcollector overseeing activities.
• The issue of waste management in urban centres is multifaceted, requiring a combination of policy measures, community involvement, and technological solutions.
• Here are some key technological solutions that can be implemented to address waste management issues effectively
• Smart Waste Bins
• Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Plants
• Recycling and Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)
• Composting Units
• Plastic Waste Management Technologies
• AI and Machine Learning
• Trash Booms and Barriers
• Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs)  
• Integrated Waste Management Systems

2. POLITY

DOES INDIA HAVE ENOUGH LAWS TO COMBAT SUPERSTITION

• Existing Legal Framework:
• i. Indian Penal Code (IPC):
• Sections 295A and 298: Penalize acts intended to outrage religious feelings.
• Sections 302 and 304: Address murder and culpable homicide, which can be applied in cases of fatal superstitious practices.
• Section 508: Penalizes acts committed under the influence of superstitious beliefs.
• ii. Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954:
• Objective: Prohibits misleading advertisements related to magic remedies and cures.
• Limitations: Contains numerous loopholes and does not comprehensively address superstitious practices.
• iii. State-Specific Laws: Maharashtra: Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.
• Karnataka: Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Act, 2017.
• Odisha: Odisha Prevention of Witch-Hunting Act, 2013. § Jharkhand: Jharkhand Witchcraft Prevention Act, 2001.

3. SOCIAL ISSUES

AMIT SHAH CALLS FOR ACTION AGAINSR DRUG SYNDICATES

• Steps Taken to Combat Drug Smuggling and Abuse in India Union Home Minister Amit Shah has emphasized the need for stringent measures to combat drug smuggling and abuse in India.
• Here are the key steps and initiatives announced:
• 1. Launch of MANAS Helpline and Digital Platforms:
• Toll-Free Helpline (1933): Named MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra), this helpline allows citizens to share anonymous information on drug peddling, trafficking, and seek consultation related to drug abuse, de-addiction, and rehabilitation.
• Web Portal and Mobile App: These digital platforms provide round-the[1]clock connectivity with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for reporting drug-related activities and seeking assistance.
• 2. Narco-Coordination Centre Meeting:
• Seventh Apex-Level Meeting: Chaired by Amit Shah, this meeting focused on the major challenges posed by synthetic drugs and their links to terrorism and economic threats.
• Strategic Directives: Emphasis on a ruthless approach towards the supply of drugs, a strategic approach towards demand reduction, and a humane approach towards harm reduction.
• 3. Increased Use of Legal Provisions:
• Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act: Agencies have been directed to increase the usage of this Act to combat drug trafficking more effectively.
• 4. Policy Shift: From ‘Need to Know’ to ‘Duty to Share’: Agencies are encouraged to adopt a policy of sharing information proactively rather than withholding it, to enhance coordination and effectiveness in combating drug-related crimes.
• 5. Addressing Synthetic Drugs and Economic Threats:
• Synthetic Drugs: Highlighted as a new danger, synthetic drugs are increasingly linked with terrorism and illegal economic activities such as hawala dealings and tax evasion.
• Economic Impact: The drug trade is seen as a significant threat to national security and economic stability, necessitating a comprehensive approach to dismantle these networks.

4. ENVIRONMENT

USE RADARS TO LOCATE LANDSLIP- HIT PINARAYI REQUESTS KARNATAKA

• Landslides, also known as landslips, are a significant natural hazard, especially in hilly and mountainous regions.  
• They can cause extensive damage to infrastructure, property, and can result in loss of life. The recent incident in Ankola, Uttara Kannada district, underscores the importance of effective landslide prevention and management techniques.
• Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a geophysical method that uses radar pulses to image the subsurface. It is a non-invasive technique that can detect and map subsurface structures and anomalies, making it useful in landslide detection and management.
• How GPR Works:
• 1. Radar Pulses: GPR transmits high-frequency radio waves into the ground.
• 2.Reflection: When these waves encounter different subsurface materials, they are reflected back to the surface.
• 3. Data Collection: The reflected signals are collected by a receiver and processed to create a subsurface image.
• Applications in Landslide Management: Detection of Subsurface Anomalies: GPR can identify weak zones, fractures, and water saturation levels in the soil, which are critical indicators of potential landslides.
• Monitoring: It can be used to monitor changes in the subsurface over time, helping in early warning systems.
• Rescue Operations: In the event of a landslide, GPR can help locate trapped individuals or vehicles by detecting voids and anomalies beneath the debris.
• Other Technologies and Methods for Landslide Prevention and Management
• Remote Sensing and GIS:
• Satellite Imagery: High-resolution satellite images can monitor land surface changes and identify areas at risk.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS): GIS can integrate various data sources (topography, soil type, rainfall) to create landslide susceptibility maps.
• Early Warning Systems: Rainfall Thresholds: Monitoring rainfall levels and comparing them to historical data to predict landslide risk.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Using sensors to monitor ground movement, soil moisture, and other parameters in real-time.
• Engineering Solutions: Slope Stabilization: Techniques such as retaining walls, rock bolts, and soil nailing can stabilize slopes.  
• Drainage Control: Proper drainage systems can prevent water accumulation, which is a major trigger for landslides.
• Reforestation: Planting trees and vegetation can help bind the soil and reduce erosion.
• Community-Based Approaches:
• Education and Awareness: Training local communities on landslide risks and evacuation procedures.
• Land Use Planning: Avoiding construction in high-risk areas and implementing zoning regulations.

5. POLITY

UPSC FILES CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST PUJA KHEDKAR FOR FORGERY

• Case Study: Misconduct by Probationary IAS Officer Puja Khedkar
• Background: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has registered a criminal case against probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar for allegedly forging identity papers and misrepresenting facts to obtain extra attempts in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022, beyond the prescribed limit.
• The UPSC issued a show-cause notice for the cancellation of her candidature and debarment from future examinations or selections.
• Key Allegations:
• 1. Forgery and Misrepresentation: Puja Khedkar allegedly faked her identity by changing her name, her parents’ names, her photograph/signature, email ID, mobile number, and address.
• 2. Fraudulent Certificates: She fraudulently obtained an OBC certificate and a Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) certificate citing visual impairment and mental illness.
• 3. Exceeding Attempt Limits: She attempted the examination 12 times, beyond the permissible limit.
• 4. Non-compliance with Medical Examination: Despite being asked to prove her disability before a medical board at AIIMS, she skipped six medical examinations.
• Legal Actions:
• 1. Show-Cause Notice: UPSC issued a notice for the cancellation of her candidature and debarment from future exams.
• 2. Criminal Case: A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Sections of the Informational Technology Act, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
• 3. Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Ruling: In 2023, CAT stated that her candidature was liable to be canceled due to non[1]compliance with medical examinations.
• Ethical and Legal Implications:
• 1. Violation of Integrity: The actions of Puja Khedkar represent a severe breach of integrity and ethical conduct expected from civil servants.
• 2. Misuse of Reservation Policies: Fraudulently obtaining OBC and PwBD certificates undermines the reservation policies designed to support genuinely disadvantaged candidates.
• 3. Legal Consequences: Forgery and cheating are serious offenses under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Informational Technology Act. Additionally, misuse of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, is a grave violation.
• 4. Impact on Public Trust: Such misconduct erodes public trust in the civil services and the examination process.
• Recommendations for UPSC and Government:
• 1. Strengthening Verification Processes: Implement more robust verification mechanisms for identity and eligibility documents to prevent such fraud.
• 2. Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits and checks on the credentials of candidates, especially those claiming reservations.
• 3. Strict Penalties: Impose strict penalties and debarment for candidates found guilty of such misconduct to deter future violations.
• 4. Awareness Programs: Conduct awareness programs for candidates about the ethical expectations and legal consequences of fraudulent activities.
• Conclusion: The case of Puja Khedkar highlights the critical need for maintaining high ethical standards and integrity in the civil services. It underscores the importance of stringent verification processes and strict legal actions to uphold the sanctity of the examination system and ensure that only deserving candidates are selected for public service roles.

ONE LINER

1. Sculptor Literacy Award 2024 for Best Poets to Amudabharathi and Na. Ve Arul
2. Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) was renamed as the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL)