TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 17.10.2024

1. ENVIRONMENT

SC RAPS AIR QUALITY PANEL OVER POLLUTION IN CAPITAL

• The Supreme Court of India has recently expressed dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in curbing pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). This issue has gained prominence due to the onset of the winter season and the recurring problem of stubbleburning in neighboring state
• Supreme Court’s Observations:
• Temporary Impact of Directions: The Supreme Court criticized the CAQM for issuing directions that seem to have only a temporary impact on violators.
• Justice A.S. Oka remarked that the directions are “in the air,” implying they are not effectively enforced.
•  Non-Compliance with the Act: The court highlighted the non-compliance with the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
• The Bench asked for evidence of any direction issued to stakeholders under the Act.
• Need for Active Measures: The court emphasized that the CAQM needs to be more proactive.
• It stressed that the Commission’s efforts should translate into actual reduction of pollution.
• CAQM’s Defense: The CAQM, represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, claimed that their interventions have made a significant difference, particularly in reducing pollution from stubble-burning.
• CAQM chairperson Rajesh Verma mentioned ongoing meetings with stakeholders and states to address the issue.
• Status Report Requirement: The Supreme Court directed the CAQM to file a status report by the next hearing on October
• This report should include incidents of stubble-burning and actions taken against violators.
• Background and Previous Directives: Supreme Court’s Directive in November 2023: The court had directed the state governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi to immediately stop stubbleburning to protect public health.
• The CAQM had reported an improving trend in Delhi-NCR’s air quality since its inception.
• Air Quality Data: According to the CAQM, the daily average air quality in Delhi for January–September 2023 was the best compared to the corresponding periods from 2018 to 2022, excluding the COVIDaffected year 2020.
• Legislative Framework: Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021: This Act provides the legal framework for the CAQM to take measures to improve air quality in the NCR and surrounding areas.
• The Act empowers the Commission to issue directions to various stakeholders, including state governments and industries, to control pollution.

2. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

IIA FINDS PROOF OF INTERACTION BETWEEN RADIO JET, INTERSTELLAR GAS

• Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have made a significant discovery by finding evidence of an interaction between a radio jet emitted from an Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) and the surrounding interstellar medium. This interaction has been detected for the first time in a dwarf galaxy, NGC 4395, situated approximately 14 million light years away.
• Key Concepts: 1. Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN): AGNs are the extremely luminous central regions of some galaxies, powered by supermassive black holes.
• They emit vast amounts of energy, including radio waves, X-rays, and visible light.
• Radio Jets: Radio jets are streams of charged particles ejected from the vicinity of a black hole at nearly the speed of light.
• These jets emit strong radio waves and can extend over vast distances, influencing the interstellar medium around them.
• Interstellar Medium: The interstellar medium is the matter that exists in the space between the stars within a galaxy, consisting of gas, dust, and cosmic rays.
• The Discovery:
• Galaxy NGC 4395: NGC 4395 is a dwarf galaxy located about 14 million light years away.
• Unlike larger galaxies, dwarf galaxies have smaller masses and less complex structures.
• Interaction Evidence: The IIA researchers observed evidence of interaction between the radio jet and the interstellar medium at a scale of 10 parsecs (about 30 light years) around the black hole at the center of NGC 4395.
• This finding challenges the prevailing hypothesis that only large and massive galaxy jets, which regulate star formation, host AGNs powered by massive black holes.

3. INTERNATIONAL

AT UN MEET, PAKISTAN PM SHEHBAZ SHARIF LIKENS KASHMIR TO PALESTINE

• Kashmir Issue: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif criticized India’s actions in Jammu and Kashmir, drawing a parallel between the situation in Kashmir and Palestine.
• He accused India of reneging on its commitments to implement UNSC resolutions regarding Kashmir.
• Human Rights Allegations: Mr. Sharif accused India of extra-judicial killings, prolonged curfews, and other “draconian measures” in the region.
• He claimed that India is engaging in a “settler colonial project” by seizing lands and properties in Kashmir and settling outsiders to transform the Muslim majority into a minority.
• Military Capabilities and Threats: Mr. Sharif highlighted the expansion of India’s military capabilities and accused Indian leadership of threatening to cross the Line of Control (LoC).
• He warned that Pakistan would respond decisively to any Indian aggression.
• Islamophobia: In a segment on Islamophobia, Mr. Sharif identified what he termed the “Hindu supremacist agenda” in India as the “most alarming manifestation” of the issue.
• He claimed that this agenda aims to subjugate Indian Muslims and obliterate India’s Islamic heritage.

4. STATES

STALIN MEETS MODI, SEEKS MORE FUNDS

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss several critical issues affecting the state. The meeting, which lasted 40 minutes, was described as cordial and focused on three primary demands:
• Equity Participation in Chennai Metro Rail Phase-II
• Release of Funds under Samagra Shiksha
• Protection of Fishermen’s Rights
• The Chennai Metro Rail Phase-II project has faced delays due to financial constraints under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, enacted in 2003, aims to ensure fiscal discipline by setting targets for the government to reduce its fiscal deficits and manage public debt. While the Act has been instrumental in promoting fiscal responsibility, it also has significant implications for infrastructure projects in India.
• Fiscal Deficit Targets: The Act mandates the government to reduce its fiscal deficit to a specified percentage of GDP.
• Revenue Deficit Targets: It also requires the government to eliminate the revenue deficit, ensuring that all revenue expenditures are met from revenue receipts.
• Public Debt Management: The Act sets targets for reducing the overall public debt to sustainable levels. 
• Transparency and Accountability: The Act mandates the government to present a Medium-Term Fiscal Policy Statement, a Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement, and a Macroeconomic Framework Statement to Parliament annually.

5. HISTORY

HC SEEKS MISSING FILE BY EX – PM DECLARING JAMA MASJID NOT A PROTECTED MONUMENT

• A protected monument is a structure or site that has been officially recognized and designated by a government authority for its historical, architectural, cultural, or archaeological significance. These monuments are safeguarded under various laws and regulations to ensure their preservation for future generations. In India, the protection and management of such monuments are primarily governed by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
• Case Study: Jama Masjid and Its Protected Status
• Background: Jama Masjid in Delhi is one of the largest and most significant mosques in India, built during the Mughal era by Emperor Shah Jahan.
• The mosque is a “live monument,” meaning it is still actively used for religious purposes, with devotees offering prayers regularly.
• Legal Dispute: In 2014, petitions were filed in the Delhi High Court seeking to declare Jama Masjid a protected monument and to remove encroachments in and around it.
• The petitions questioned why the mosque was not under the management of the ASI, given its historical significance.
• Missing File Controversy: The Delhi High Court recently expressed displeasure over the failure of authorities to produce a file containing the decision of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which stated that Jama Masjid should not be declared a protected monument.
• The court sought an affidavit from a competent officer of the ASI and the original file on the matter.
• The ASI had earlier informed the court that the original letter dated October 20, 2004, written by the former Prime Minister, was “missing” from the file.
• Current Status: The court has directed the Union Ministry of Culture and the ASI to produce the file containing the decision and to ensure a comprehensive affidavit is filed.
• The ASI Director General has been asked to directly supervise the matter and hold a meeting with the Central government’s counsel

ONE LINER

1. Two day national “Tholkudi “ conference on ‘Preservation and Promotion of Tribal Cultural Heritage of Tamil Nadu ‘ organised by the Department of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare.
2. India will host the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) from 14^th to 24^th October 2024