TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14.09.2024

1. NATIONAL

WHY THE UNION GOVERNMENT BANNED 156 IRRATIONAL FIXED DOSE COMBINATIONS

• Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) are pharmaceutical products that contain two or more active ingredients combined in a single dosage form, such as a pill, capsule, or injection. These combinations are designed to simplify treatment regimens, improve patient compliance, and potentially enhance therapeutic efficacy.
• The Union Health Ministry of India has recently banned 156 “irrational” FDC medicines, including antibiotics, painkillers, and multivitamins.
• This decision was made under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which allows the government to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of drugs that pose a risk to human health.
• These risks include adverse drug reactions, increased toxicity, and potential for drug resistance
• Lack of adequate research or clinical trials to back up their safety and efficacy

2. GEOGRAPHY

MONSOON LIKELY TO EXTEND, THREATENING RIPE SUMMER CROPS

• Southwest Monsoon: The southwest monsoon is a critical weather phenomenon for India, bringing the majority of the annual rainfall between June and September. It is vital for the agricultural sector, which relies heavily on monsoon rains for irrigation.
• Withdrawal of Monsoon: The withdrawal of the monsoon typically begins in early September from northwest India and gradually moves southeastward. However, this year, the withdrawal is likely to be delayed due to a low-pressure system expected to develop in mid-September.
• Impact on Summer-Sown Crops Summer-Sown Crops: These include rice, cotton, soybean, corn, and pulses. These crops are usually harvested from mid-September onwards.
• Potential Damage:
• Excess Rainfall: Prolonged monsoon and above-normal rainfall can lead to waterlogging and flooding, which can damage crops ready for harvest.
• Quality and Yield: Excess moisture can affect the quality and yield of the produce, leading to potential losses for farmers.
• Economic Implications
• Food Inflation: Crop damage can reduce the supply of essential commodities like rice, pulses, and oilseeds, leading to higher prices and food inflation.
• Export Curbs: To manage domestic supply and control inflation, the government may extend or impose export restrictions on key commodities like wheat, rice, and sugar

3. POLITY

ON THE CONTROVERSY OVER LATERAL ENTRY INTO THE CIVIL SERVICES

• Lateral Recruitment in Indian Civil Services
• UPSC Withdrawal: UPSC withdrew its advertisement for 45 lateral recruitment posts (JS, Directors, DS) following objections and PMO intervention regarding the need for reservation.
• Merit vs. Spoils System:
• Merit System: Appointments through rigorous selection by an independent authority (e.g., UPSC exams for IAS, IPS).
• Spoils System: Political appointments to government posts, often leading to cronyism and inefficiency.
• Lateral Entry:
• Definition: Appointment of private sector, PSU, and academic experts to senior/middle management government positions.
• Historical Examples: Manmohan Singh, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, M.S. Swaminathan.
• Recommendations: Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2005), NITI Aayog (2017).
• Debate on Lateral Entry:
• Expertise vs. Administration: Experts suitable as advisors, not for administrative posts (DS, Directors, JS). 
• Policy and Implementation: Intimately connected; good policy requires implementation experience.
• Risks: Potential for spoils system, political loyalties, cronyism, nepotism, and corruption.
• Opposition Concerns:
• Reservation Bypass: Accusations of bypassing reservation policies for OBCs, SCs, STs.
• Promotion Prospects: Affecting career bureaucrats’ promotion prospects.
• Single-Post Cadre: UPSC’s narrow definition to avoid reservation.
• Pros and Cons:
• Pros:
• Specialization in niche areas (e.g., emerging technologies, climate change).
• Infusion of fresh ideas.
• Potential to make career bureaucrats more responsive.
• Cons: IAS officers’ field experience hard to match.
• Coordination issues with career bureaucrats.
• Potential for opaqueness and conflicts of interest.

4. GEOGRAPHY

BONDA TRIBE STUDENT SET TO PURSUE MBBS PROGRAMME IN ODISHA

• The Bonda tribe of Odisha is a unique and culturally rich community facing numerous challenges.
• Location: The Bonda tribe primarily resides in the Malkangiri district of Odisha, India.
• Population: They are one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India, with a population of around 12,000.
• Language: The Bonda people speak the Bonda language, which belongs to the Austroasiatic language family. Social Structure:
• Clans: The Bonda society is divided into several clans, each with its own totem.
• Matrilineal Society: Inheritance and lineage are traced through the female line.
• Marriage: Marriages are usually arranged within the tribe, and bride price is a common practice.
• Culture and Lifestyle:
• Attire: Bonda women are known for their distinctive attire, which includes a short, coarse cloth called “ringa” and heavy brass and aluminum ornaments. Men typically wear a loincloth.
• Housing: They live in small, thatched-roof huts made from locally available materials like bamboo and mud.
• Diet: Their diet primarily consists of rice, millets, and forest produce. They also practice shifting cultivation and hunting.
• Economy:
• Agriculture: The Bonda people practice shifting cultivation, growing crops like millets, pulses, and vegetables.
• Forest Produce: They collect and sell forest produce such as honey, fruits, and medicinal plants.
• Handicrafts: Some Bonda people are skilled in making traditional handicrafts, which they sell in local markets.
• Challenges:
• Isolation: The Bonda tribe lives in remote, hilly areas, which makes access to basic amenities like healthcare and education difficult.
• Health Issues: Malnutrition and lack of healthcare facilities contribute to high infant mortality rates and low life expectancy.
• Education: Literacy rates are very low among the Bonda people, particularly among women.
• Land Rights: Issues related to land ownership and displacement due to development projects pose significant challenges.

5. ENVIRONMENT

NILGIRIS RATION SHOPS FORTIFIED TO KEEP WILD ELEPHANTS AND SLOTH BEARS AT BAY

• Location: Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) area, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.
• Issue: Wildlife Intrusions: Wild elephants and sloth bears frequently raiding fair price shops for food.
• These break-ins pose risks to both people and local wildlife.
• Solution:
• Three-Tier Security System: Electric Fence: A hanging electric fence installed around the shop.
• Steel Fence: Stairs surrounded by a steel fence that can be closed after working hours.
• Reinforced Shutter: The shop entrance is secured with a reinforced rolling shutter.
• Warning Signs: Signs to prevent accidental electrocution of locals.
• Implementation: Masinagudi Shop: The fair price shop in Masinagudi has been remodeled with the new security system.
• Future Plans: Similar fortifications are planned for shops in Vazhaithottam (MTR buffer zone) and other forest-adjacent areas in the Nilgiris forest division.
• Impact: Reduced Human-Wildlife Conflict: The fortifications aim to reduce the reasons for wildlife to enter human habitation, thereby decreasing negative interactions between humans and animals.
• Forest Department’s View: Officials support the move as it helps in keeping wildlife away from human settlements, ensuring safety for both.

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