TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15.07.2024

1. SOCIAL ISSUES

TWO HELD FOR FORCING DALIT MAN TO DRINK URINE

• Incident – Two men in Madhya Pradesh were arrested for allegedly abducting, beating, and forcing a Dalit man, Mohan Ahirwar, to drink urine.
• The accused, Sillu Budholiya and Suraj Kachera, were booked under sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
• SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: Purpose: This Act is designed to prevent atrocities and hate crimes against Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). It aims to ensure justice and equality for these communities.
• Provisions: It includes stringent punishments for various forms of violence, harassment, and discrimination against SC/ST individuals. It also mandates special courts for faster trial and rehabilitation of victims.
• Relevance: The accused in the article were booked under this Act, demonstrating its application in cases of violence and humiliation against Dalits.
• Constitutional Safeguards: Article 17: Abolishes ‘untouchability’ and forbids its practice in any form. Any disability arising out of ‘untouchability’ is an offense punishable in accordance with the law.
• Article 46: Directs the State to promote the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, particularly SC/ST, and protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.
• Right to Equality (Articles 14-18): Ensures equality before the law and equal protection of the laws to all individuals. It prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Protection of Human Rights: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): This body can be approached for redressal of grievances related to human rights violations, including those against Dalits.
• State Human Rights Commissions (SHRC): Similarly, state-level commissions also handle cases of human rights violations within their jurisdiction.
• Role of the Judiciary: Judicial Activism: Indian courts have played an active role in interpreting and enforcing laws protecting Dalit rights. The judiciary has often intervened to ensure justice in cases of atrocities against Dalits

2. POLITY

ON U.P STRINGENT ANTI-CONVERSION LAW

• Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024: Key Provisions of the Amendment:
• 1. Increased Penalties: Unlawful Conversion: Minimum prison term increased from 1 year to 5 years, maximum from 5 years to 10 years. Fine increased from ₹15,000 to ₹50,000.
• Vulnerable Groups: For conversions involving minors, women, or SC/ST individuals, the penalty increased from 2-10 years to 5-14 years. Fine increased from ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh.
• 2. New Offences Introduced: Foreign Funding: Prison term of 7-14 years and a fine of ₹10 lakh for securing foreign funds for unlawful conversion. 
• Coercion and Inducement: Minimum 20 years imprisonment, extendable to life, for causing fear of life/property, assault, force, or inducing conversion through marriage or trafficking.
• 3. Complaint Registration: The amendment allows “any person” to file an FIR, expanding the scope from the original Act which only allowed relatives of the aggrieved person to file complaints.
• 4. Bail Provisions: Twin Conditions of Bail: Unlawful conversion offences are now nonbailable. Bail can only be granted by a sessions court if the public prosecutor is given an opportunity to contest, and the court believes the accused is not guilty and will not commit further offences.
• Reverse burden of proof on the accused makes obtaining bail challenging until trial completion.
• Constitutional Provisions: Article 25: Guarantees freedom of religion, allowing all individuals the right to profess, practice, and propagate their religion.
• Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty, potentially impacted by harsh penalties and non-bailable offences.
• Legal Framework: SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act: Provides protection against discrimination and exploitation of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, relevant in cases involving SC/ST individuals.
• Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC): Governs the process of arrest, bail, and trial, relevant to understanding the implications of non-bailable offences and stringent bail conditions.
• Human Rights and Civil Liberties: Right to Equality (Article 14-18): Prohibits discrimination and ensures equal protection of the laws.
• Freedom of Conscience: Intrinsic to personal liberty and individual rights, impacted by anti-conversion laws.
•  Judicial Review and Challenges: Role of the judiciary in upholding constitutional rights and reviewing the validity of laws.
• Importance of public interest litigation (PIL) in challenging laws perceived as infringing on fundamental rights.
• Impact on Society: Potential for misuse of stringent laws, leading to harassment of minorities and suppression of religious freedom.
• The balance between preventing coercive conversions and safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.

3. ENVIRONMENT

DUMPING OF PLASTIC WASTE IN RIVERS – SC RAISES CONCERN

• Problem Statement: The Supreme Court of India has expressed serious concerns over the rampant dumping of plastic waste in rivers and water bodies. This practice is leading to severe environmental degradation and adversely affecting aquatic life.
• Key Points Highlighted by the Supreme Court:
• Environmental Degradation: The accumulation of plastic waste is causing significant harm to the environment.
• Impact on Aquatic Life: Aquatic organisms are severely affected by plastic pollution, which can lead to disruptions in the ecosystem.
• Call for Action: The Court emphasized the need for a collaborative effort between the public and authorities to address this issue effectively.
• Solutions to Address Plastic Pollution in Water Bodies:
• 1. Strengthening Waste Management Systems: Enhance Collection and Segregation: Improve the infrastructure for waste collection and segregation at the source to ensure that plastics are separated from other waste.
• Recycling Facilities: Increase the number and efficiency of recycling facilities to process plastic waste properly.
• 2. Implementing Strict Regulations and Enforcement: Ban Single-Use Plastics: Enforce bans on single-use plastics and promote alternatives.
• Penalties for Violations: Impose strict penalties for individuals and organizations found dumping plastic waste in rivers and water bodies.
• 3. Public Awareness and Participation: Education Campaigns and Community Initiatives: Encourage community-driven initiatives like river clean-up drives and plastic waste collection programs.
• 4. Technological Interventions: Innovative Solutions: To efficiently remove plastic waste from water bodies, such as floating barriers and automated clean-up devices.
• Research and Development: Invest in R&D for biodegradable alternatives to plastics and better waste processing technologies.
• 5. Policy and Legislative Measures: National Policies: Formulate and implement comprehensive national policies focused on reducing plastic pollution, including extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes where manufacturers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their plastic products.
• Local Ordinances: Empower local bodies to create and enforce regulations tailored to their specific environmental needs.
• 6. Corporate Responsibility: Corporate Participation: Encourage corporations to adopt sustainable practices, reduce plastic usage, and participate in cleanup and recycling initiatives.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Facilitate partnerships between government bodies and private companies to fund and execute large-scale waste management projects.
• 7. Monitoring and Accountability: Regular Inspections: To monitor pollution levels and ensure compliance with anti-pollution regulations.
• Accountability Mechanisms: Establish mechanisms to hold accountable those responsible for pollution, including transparency in reporting and public access to environmental data.

4. SCIENCE

CENTRE ISSUES NORMS FOR ORGAN TRANSPORT IN INDIA

• Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994: Purpose: This Act regulates the removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs and tissues for therapeutic purposes and aims to prevent commercial dealings in human organs.
• Consent: Organs can be harvested from living donors or brain-dead patients with the consent of family members.
• Transportation Protocols: Organs can be transported via various modes, including metro trains and water, but primarily by air or road.
• Only within India: Human organs for transplant cannot be transported outside the country.
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): The SOP serves as a guide for healthcare institutions across States/Union Territories. 
• It outlines the protocols for using commercial and non-commercial aircraft, helicopters, air ambulances (excluding drones), and other modes of transport.
• Screening and Security: The box containing the organ must be screened without opening it, and passengers carrying it are not exempt from security checks.
• Priority seating and reservations may be provided, and airline officials are responsible for ensuring a “green path” (free from obstruction) for organ transport.
• Staff Responsibilities: Staff accompanying the organ box should be given priority in de-boarding, with in-flight announcements facilitating this.
• Coordination between the ambulance and the aircraft is crucial for smooth transfer at both the point of origin and the destination

5. INTERNATIONAL

GOOGLE A MONOPOLIST RULES AMERICAN JUDGE IN KEY ANTI – TRUST CASE

• Judicial Ruling: A U.S. judge ruled that Google is a monopolist in a significant anti-trust case.
• Monopoly Maintenance: The ruling found that Google maintained a monopoly through exclusive distribution agreements, making it the default search engine on devices.
• Judge’s Findings: District Court Judge Amit Mehta stated that Google acted to maintain its monopoly and had a significant advantage over its rivals.
• Legal Basis: The case was based on the Sherman Antitrust Act, which prohibits monopolization of markets.
• Appeal: Google announced its intention to appeal the verdict.
• Central Issue: The core of the case involved Google’s substantial payments to Apple and other companies to secure its position as the default search engine on iPhones and web browsers

ONE LINER

1. The Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India in association with Conference of Indian Industries (CII) will host the 1^st BIMSTEC Business Summit held in New Delhi
2. Tamil Nadu government has announced Thagaisal Tamizhar (distinguished Tamilian) award for veteran Congress leader Kumari Ananthan