TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 07.10.2024

1. BILATERAL

INDUS WATERS – INDIA TO FREEZE TALKS WITH PAKISTAN

• Indus Water Treaty (IWT):
• Signed: 1960
• Parties: India and Pakistan
• Brokered by: World Bank
• Purpose: To manage the sharing of six Himalayan rivers between India and Pakistan.
• Key Provisions:
• 1. Division of Rivers:
• Eastern Rivers: Beas, Ravi, Sutlej – allocated to India.
• Western Rivers: Chenab, Indus, Jhelum – allocated to Pakistan.
• India allowed limited use of western rivers for irrigation, power generation, and other non-consumptive uses.
• 2. Permanent Indus Commission (PIC): Mandate: Commissioners from both countries meet annually to discuss and resolve issues related to water sharing and hydel projects.
• Significance: Despite wars and disputes, the PIC has been a consistent mechanism for dialogue.
• Recent Developments:
• Call for Renegotiation: Initiated by India: January 2023.
• Reason: Fundamental and unforeseen changes in circumstances, including demographic changes, environmental issues, and cross-border terrorism.
• India’s Focus: Revising the dispute resolution mechanism.
• Communication: India’s Efforts: Four letters sent to Pakistan since January 2023 to initiate talks on revising the treaty.
• Pakistan’s Response: Initially suggested discussions at the commissioner level, which India declined, insisting on governmental negotiations.
• Current Status: No PIC Meetings: Until governments of India and Pakistan meet to discuss renegotiation.
• Last PIC Meeting: May 2022 in Delhi.
• Key Issues: Dispute Resolution Mechanism: ○ India’s Concern: Current mechanism needs reassessment.
• Proposed Changes: To address new challenges and ensure effective resolution.
• Environmental and Demographic Changes: India’s Argument: Need to accelerate clean energy development to meet emission targets. 
• Impact: Changes in population demographics and environmental issues necessitate treaty revision.
• Cross-Border Terrorism: India’s Stand: Persistent terrorism impacts treaty obligations and requires reconsideration.

2. INTERNATIONAL

WALKIE – TALKIES SOLAR EQUPIMENT EXPLODE A DAY AFTER PAGER BLASTS

• Devices Involved: Walkie-talkies, solar equipment, and pagers.
• Blamed On: Israel, targeting Hezbollah member
• Key Developments: 1. Israel’s Stance: Defence Minister Yoav Gallant: Announced a “new phase” of the war, praised Israeli Army and security agencies.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Vowed to return displaced residents of the north securely to their homes.
• Focus Shift: From Gaza to northern Israel, indicating increased tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
• International Reactions: Taiwan and Hungary: Denied involvement in manufacturing the explosive pagers.
• Taiwan’s Gold Apollo: Denied producing the devices, pointed to Hungarian partner BAC Consulting KFT.
• Hungary’s Response: Stated BAC Consulting KFT is a trading intermediary, not a manufacturer, and the devices were never in Hungary.
• U.S. Position: Secretary of State Antony Blinken: Denied U.S. involvement in the pager explosions.
• Implications: Regional Tensions: Escalation in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, with potential for broader regional instability.
• Civilian Impact: Significant civilian casualties and injuries, raising humanitarian concerns.
• International Relations: Denials from Taiwan and Hungary highlight the complexity of international supply chains and the potential for geopolitical ramifications.

3. ENVIRONMENT

MPOX CASE CONFIRMED IN KERALA’S MALAPPURAM

• Mpox (Monkeypox): Transmission: Human-to-human, close contact required.
• Recent Case: Confirmed in Malappuram, Kerala. Patient is under treatment at Government Medical College Hospital, Manjeri.
• Facilities: Treatment and isolation arranged in 14 districts.
• Surveillance: Strengthened at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, and Kannur airports.
• Nipah Virus:
• Recent Incident: 24-year-old man died.
• Testing: 10 more persons tested negative, including close relatives and the treating doctor.
• Health Measures: Preparedness: All government medical college hospitals equipped for Mpox.
• Guidelines: Issued by the Centre for screening passengers from African countries.

4. BILATERAL

GOVENRMENT TO FENCE MYANMAR BORDER AT RS 31,000 CRORE

• The India-Myanmar border stretches for 1,643 kilometers and runs along the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.
• The Union government has approved a budget of ₹31,000 crore for fencing the Myanmar border. Free Movement Regime (FMR)
• Previous Regime: The Free Movement Regime allowed residents living close to the border to travel up to 16 km into each other’s territory without any documentation.
• Scrapping of FMR: Earlier this year, the Home Ministry scrapped this regime to tighten border security and control illegal activities. Significance and Implications
• Security: Ethnic Violence: The fencing aims to curb the movement of insurgents and illegal immigrants, which is believed to be a contributing factor to ethnic violence in Manipur.
• Smuggling and Illegal Activities: Enhanced border security is expected to reduce smuggling, human trafficking, and other illegal activities.
• Strategic Importance: The project is crucial for national security and aims to address the root causes of ethnic violence in Manipur.
• Economic and Social Impact: Local Communities: The scrapping of the FMR and the construction of the fence may impact local communities who have traditionally moved freely across the border for trade and social purposes.
• Infrastructure Development: The project includes the construction of roads, which could improve connectivity and economic opportunities in the border regions

5. SCHEMES

PM – AASHA SCHEMES TO CONTINUE WITH ADDITIONS – CENTRE

• Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)
• Objective: To ensure remunerative prices to farmers. 
• To control price volatility of essential commodities for the benefit of consumers.
• Components: Price Support Scheme (PSS): Provides direct procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and copra from farmers at Minimum Support Prices (MSP).
• Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF): Maintains a strategic buffer stock of pulses and onions to manage price volatility and ensure availability at affordable prices.
• Price Deficit Payment Scheme (PDPS): Compensates farmers for the difference between the MSP and the actual selling price.
• Market Intervention Scheme (MIS): Intervenes in the market to stabilize prices of perishable and horticultural commodities.
• Financial Outgo: Total Budget: ₹35,000 crore during the 15th Finance Commission cycle up to 2025-26.
• Significance: Farmers: Ensures that farmers receive fair prices for their produce, thereby protecting their income.
• Consumers: Controls price volatility, ensuring that essential commodities remain affordable.
• Market Stability: Discourages hoarding and speculation, ensuring a stable supply of essential commodities

ONE LINER

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