TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26.10.2024

1. AGRICULTURE

FARMERS EARN LESS THAN 40% OF PRICE PAID FOR FRUITS, VEGETABLES: RBI PAPER

• In working papersprepared by RBI’s Department of Economy & Policy Research, farmerswere found to have earned far lesser share of the consumer rupee in case of fruits, including bananas, grapes and mangoes and essential vegetablessuch as tomatoes, onions and potatoes, while the share was much higher in dairy, poultry farmingand pulses
• Middlemen and retailers seemed to have cornered a large part of the price paid by consumers, thus profiteering at the cost of farmers, during the time of high inflation in case of fruits and vegetables, working papers by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) show.

2. ECONOMY

SENSEX, NIFTY FALL MORE THAN 2% ON WAR FEARS, CURBS ON F&O TRADING

• Global Sentiment and Geopolitical Tensions:
• Escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asiahave created uncertainty in global markets, leading to a risk-averse sentiment among investors.
• Such geopolitical issues often lead to volatility as investors move towards safer assets, impacting equity markets negatively.
• Domestic Economic Indicators: Lower GST Collections: A decline in Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections indicates potential slowing in economic activity, which can dampen investor sentiment.
• Slowing Factory Activity: Reduced industrial outputor factory activity suggests a slowdown in economic growth, further contributing to negative market sentiment.
• Regulatory Changes: SEBI’s New Regulations: The Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) new rules aimed at curbing speculative trading in the Futures and Options (F&O) segment have led to reduced trading volumes.
• This regulatory change can cause short-term disruptions as market participants adjust to the new norms.
• Market Reactions to RBI’s MPC Changes: The appointment of three new external members to the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)may have introduced uncertainty regarding future monetary policy directions, influencing market behavior.

3. BILATERAL

INDIA AND ITALY RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO INDO – MEDITERRANEAN REGION

• Strategic and Security Cooperation: Italy has increased its commitment to security and defense in the Indian Ocean Regionand West Asia.
• This includes joining the Group of Friends of UNCLOSand contributing significantly to EU navaloperations like EU NAVFOR Atalantaand EUNAVFOR ASPIDES.
• Italy’s naval presence in India has been bolstered with visits from Italian naval vessels, such as the ITS Francesco Morosini and the Italian Carrier Strike Group, which includes the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour.
• Defense Ties: A defense agreement signed in October 2023 lays the groundwork for expanding defense cooperationbetween Italy and India.
• This includes areas like research, industrial cooperation, maritime domain awareness, and education.
• Italian defense companies like Leonardo and Fincantieri are among the top arms-producing companies globally and are involved in joint ventures and co-production with Indian companies, aligning with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
• Economic and Trade Relations: Italy is a significant global exporter and a reliable economic partner for India.
• The Blue-Raman submarine data cables project, connecting Genoa with Mumbai, underscores the importance of digital connectivity between the two nations.
• Italy supports the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which aims to enhance trade and economic cooperation in the region.
• Development Initiatives: Italy’s Mattei Planaims to foster partnerships with African countries, with a focus on sustainable development projects.
• This initiative aligns with India’s interests in the Indian Ocean Region and Africa.
• Cultural and People-to-People Ties: Italy hosts the second-largest Indian diaspora in the EU, highlighting strong people-to-people connections.
• These ties are reinforced through cultural exchanges and business collaborations.
• Geopolitical Context: The Indo-Mediterranean regionis crucial for global trade, and both Italy and India face common challenges such as piracy, regional conflicts, and the impact of geopolitical tensions on trade.

4. SOCIAL ISSUES

MARTIAL RELATIONS MUST BE EXEMPT FROM RAPE PROVISIONS, CENTRE TELLS APEX COURT

• Section 375 of IPC:This section defines the offense of rape in India. However, Exception 2 to this section excludes non-consensual sexual intercourse by a husband with his wife, if she is over 15 years of age, from the definition of rape. This is often referred to as the “marital rape exception.”
• Government’s Argument:
• Institution of Marriage:The government argues that marriage is a unique institution with its own dynamics and expectations, including reasonable sexual access between spouses. They suggest that this expectation does not justify coercion but provides a basis for distinguishing marital relationships from other types of relationships.
• Impact on Marriage:The government expressed concerns that criminalizing non-consensual sexual acts within marriage as rape could lead to disturbances in the institution of marriage. They argue that the dynamics of marriage require a different legal approach than other relationships.
• Legal Provisions:While acknowledging that a husband does not have the right to violate his wife’s consent, the government argues that labeling such acts as “rape” could be excessively harsh. They suggest that there are other legal provisions to address violations of consent within marriage without invoking the severe penalties associated with rape.
• Balancing Rights:The government emphasizes the need to balance the protection of a woman’s consent within marriage with the potential implications for the accused husband. They suggest that any future legal framework should carefully consider this balance.

5. DEFENCE

AT LEAST 28 NAXALITIES KILLED IN CHHATTISGARH OPERATION

• The issue of Maoist insurgency, often referred to as Naxalism, is a significant internal security challenge in India. It primarily affects the central and eastern parts of the country, known as the “Red Corridor,” which includes states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and parts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
• Origins: The Maoist movement in India began in the late 1960s in Naxalbari, West Bengal, as a peasant uprising against feudal landlords.It was inspired by Mao Zedong’s communist ideology.
• Objectives: The Maoists aim to overthrow the Indian state through armed struggle and establish a communist society. They claim to fight for the rights of marginalized communities, including tribal populations and landless laborers.
• Current Situation: The insurgency has led to significant violence, including attacks on security forces, infrastructure, and civilians. The Maoists have been known to use guerrilla warfare tactics and have a strong presence in forested and remote areas.
• Government Measures to Tackle Maoist Insurgency
• Security Operations: The government has intensified security operations in Maoist affected areas. This includes deploying specialized forceslike the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)and state police units.
• Operations are often based on intelligence inputs, as seen in the recent operation in Chhattisgarh where 28 Naxalites were killed.
• Development Initiatives: The government has launched various development programs aimed at improving infrastructure, education, and healthcarein affected regions. The idea is to address the socio-economic grievances that fuel the insurgency.
• Schemes like the Integrated Action Plan (IAP)focus on building roads, schools, and health centers in Maoist-affected districts.
• Surrender and Rehabilitation Policies: The government encourages Maoists to surrender by offering rehabilitation packages, which include financial assistance, vocational training, andreintegration into society.
• Dialogue and Negotiation: Efforts have been made to engage in dialogue with Maoist leaders to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. ○ However, these efforts have met with limited success due to the Maoists’ insistence on certain preconditions.
• Use of Technology: The government is increasingly using technology, such as drones and satellite imagery, to monitor Maoist activities and gather intelligence.

ONE LINER

1. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has shared a video of a spiral galaxy known as Caldwell 45, or NGC 5248
2. Former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishida became the 102^nd Prime Minister of Japan