TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18.11.2024

1. NATIONAL

SC UPHOLDS SECTION 6A OF CITIZENSHIP ACT AS VALID LAW

• Section 6A upheld:The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, by a 4:1 majority. This section deals with the citizenship of immigrants from Bangladesh residing in Assam.
• Provisions of Section 6A: The section specifies that immigrants who entered Assam from Bangladesh before January 1, 1966, are deemed Indian citizens.
• Those who entered between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971, can gain citizenship by fulfilling specific procedures.
• Entry after March 25, 1971, is barred from citizenship under this section.
• Rationale behind the judgment: The court emphasized the principle of fraternity, stating that it cannot be selectively applied. 
• It prioritized the avoidance of disenfranchising millions over safeguarding a community’s way of life.
• The court acknowledged the burden of migration from Bangladesh on Assam but attributed part of the blame to the government’s failure to detect and deport post-1971 immigrants.
• Concerns about implementation: The court expressed concerns about the adequacy of the machinery for identifying and deporting illegal immigrants.
• It directed the Chief Justice of India to constitute a bench to monitor the implementation of relevant immigration and citizenship laws in Assam.
• Balancing act:The Chief Justice of India described Section 6A as a parliamentary balancing act between humanitarian concerns towards immigrants and the impact of influx on Assam’s resources. The cutoff date of March 25, 1971, was deemed reasonable, considering the events leading up to the Bangladesh Liberation War.

2. ENVIRONMENT

MINISTER FACES HEAT OVER EMBANKMENT BREACH ISSUE

• Embankment Breaches in the Sunderbans, West Bengal
• Causes of embankment breaches:Natural factors (heavy rain, storms, cyclones) and potential human factors (inadequate maintenance, corruption, etc.)
• Impact of breaches:Flooding of residential and agricultural areas, displacement of people, economic losses.
• Role of MGNREGS:The shutdown of MGNREGS has hampered repair work due to lack of funds. This highlights the scheme’s importance in rural infrastructure maintenance.
• Government response:The Minister’s visit and assurance of further action. Analyze the effectiveness and timeliness of the response.
• Long-term solutions, considering the ecological sensitivity of the area: This could include strengthening existing embankments, exploring alternative flood control measures, and community involvement in maintenance.

3. ECONOMY

A MODIFIED BUI POLICY MAY BE MORE FEASIBLE

• Universal Basic Income (UBI): Definition:A regular, unconditional cash payment provided to all citizens, regardless of income, wealth, or employment status.
• Objective:To provide a safety net, alleviate poverty, and reduce inequality. Can potentially address challenges like job losses due to automation and jobless growth.
• Implementation:Leveraging existing infrastructure like Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile (JAM) for direct benefit transfers (DBT).
• Challenges: Fiscal feasibility:Significant budgetary implications, especially for large-scale transfers.
• Political considerations:Debate on whether it disincentivizes work.
• Logistical hurdles:Ensuring access to cash-out points and minimizing technical issues with digital transfers.
• Modified UBI: A More Feasible Approach
• Concept:A smaller, more targeted version of UBI, focusing on specific vulnerable groups or complementing existing welfare schemes.
• Example:Expanding the PM-KISAN scheme (currently for farmers) to cover all citizens, providing a modest monthly income. This would roughly double the PM-KISAN budget, making it a universal transfer.
• Advantages: Lower cost:More fiscally manageable than full UBI.
• Simplified implementation:Reduced administrative burden compared to means-tested programs.
• Complementary to existing schemes:Can work alongside programs like MGNREGS to provide comprehensive support.
• Considerations:Still requires addressing last-mile delivery challenges and ensuring efficient implementation.
• Key Arguments for Modified UBI: Addresses limitations of existing schemes:Can fill gaps in coverage for vulnerable groups excluded from targeted programs.
• Reduces administrative costs:Simpler to implement than complex means tested programs.
• Provides a basic safety net:Offers a minimum income floor for all citizens, regardless of circumstances

4. POLITY

SUPREME COURT QUESTIONS LOGIC BEHIND EXCEPTION TO MARITAL RAPE IN PENAL LAW

• The issue of marital rape in India revolves around the exception provided under Section 375of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which exempts sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under fifteen years of age, from the definition of rape. This exception has been challenged on the grounds of violating women’s fundamental rights to equality, dignity, and personal liberty as enshrined in Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Indian Constitution.
• Historical Context:The marital rape exemption is rooted in archaic notions of marriage, where a wife was considered the property of her husband. This view is increasingly seen as incompatible with modern understandings of individual rights and gender equality.
• Judicial Scrutiny:The Supreme Court of India has questioned the rationale behind this exception, highlighting the inconsistency with the constitutional mandate of gender equality. The court’s intervention is significant in light of global trends where many countries have criminalized marital rape, recognizing it as a violation of human rights.
• Legal and Social Implications:The exception perpetuates gender inequality and undermines women’s autonomy over their bodies. It also contradicts India’s commitments under international conventions like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
• Recent Developments:In the case ofIndependent Thought v. Union of India(2017), the Supreme Court read down the age of consent within marriage to 18 years, aligning it with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, thereby partially addressing the issue.
• Public Discourse and Legislative Action:There is a growing demand for legislative reform to criminalize marital rape, supported by various women’s rights organizations and legal experts. However, concerns about the potential misuse of such laws and the sanctity of marriage are often cited by opponents.

5. ECONOMY

RBI ORDERS CEASE AND DESIST ON 4 NBFCs FOR USURIOUS PRICING

• RBI’s action against four NBFCs for unethical lending practices:
• RBI’s ‘Cease and Desist’ Order:This is a regulatory action that requires the named NBFCs to immediately stop giving out new loans. It’s a significant step taken when the RBI identifies serious violations that could harm consumers or the financial system.
• Usurious Pricing:This refers to charging excessively high interest rateson loans, exploiting borrowers’ vulnerability.
• The RBI’s action indicates that these NBFCs were charging rates significantly above reasonable levels, considering their cost of funds.
• The Weighted Average Lending Rate (WALR)and the spread charged over the cost of funds were key indicators used by the RBI in its assessment. Regulatory Deviations:Besides usurious pricing, the NBFCs violated other regulations related to microfinance lending.
• These include: Inaccurate Household Income Assessment:Properly assessing a borrower’s income is crucial for responsible lending. The NBFCs seem to have bypassed this step, potentially leading to over indebtedness for borrowers.
• Ignoring Existing Debt Obligations:Responsible lenders consider a borrower’s existing loan repayments before issuing new loans. Failing to do so can push borrowers into a debt trap. 
• Other Violations:The article mentions additional deviations, including: Loan Evergreening:This is a deceptive practice where new loans are issued to repay existing ones, masking the true extent of bad loans.
• Issues with Gold Loan Portfolio:This suggests irregularities in the management of loans secured by gold.
• Non-Disclosure of Interest Rates and Fees:Transparency is crucial in lending. These NBFCs failed to adequately disclose key information to borrowers.
• Improper Outsourcing of Core Financial Services:Outsourcing certain functions without proper oversight can compromise the quality and integrity of financial services.
• Impact and Next Steps: Existing Customers:The RBI’s order doesn’t affect services to existing borrowers. They will continue to repay their loans as per the agreed terms.
• Review of Restrictions:The RBI will review the restrictions once the NBFCs demonstrate corrective actions. This indicates that the RBI aims to ensure compliance and protect borrowers rather than permanently shutting down these businesses.
• NBFCs’ Response:The statements from Navi Finserv and Asirvad Microfinance suggest an acknowledgement of the issues and a commitment to address the RBI’s concerns.

ONE LINER

1. Purchase Price of wheat has been raised to Rs. 2,425 per quintal as Minimum Support Price for wheat has been increased by the Central government
2. The Advanced Institute of Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) in Vandalur has become the first institution from southern India to be officially recognized as a government scientific expert

BANKING

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched development projects worth over Rs 6,600 crore in Bihar’s Jamui district on the occasion of  ‘Tribal Pride Day’ on November 15
2. The 43rd India International Trade Fair(IITF) is underway at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the 14-day fair on November 15. This year’s theme is ‘ Developed India in 2047’ .
3. The Andhra Pradesh Government has signed eight MoUs with  IIT Madras to launch transformational initiatives in various sectors
4. The ‘World Health Organization’ (WHO) has recorded a sharp increase in measles cases worldwide in the year 2023. According to a WHO report, last year 13 million cases of measles were registered worldwide, which is 20 percent more than the year 2022. 
5. On the occasion of Tribal Pride Day, Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan Chowk has been renamed as ‘ Birsa Munda Chowk’ . Now this square will be known by the name of Lord Birsa Munda.