TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

Daily Current Affairs for 29 June 2023

NATIONAL

MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE

  • The MSP is the rate at which the government purchases crops from farmers, and is based on a calculation of at least one-and-a-half times the cost of production incurred by the farmers.

Recommendation :

  • The Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices(CACP) recommends MSPs for 22 mandated crops andfair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane.
  • TheCabinet Committee on Economic Affairs(CCEA) of the Union government takes a final decision on the level of MSPs and other recommendations made by CACP.
  • CACPis an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Crops :

  • Kharif 14
  • Rabi 6
  • Commercial crops 2
  • CACP considers both A2+FL and C2 costs while recommending MSP.

GI tags

  • A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.
  • In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force with effect from September 2003.
  • At the International level, GI is governed by the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO’s)Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
  • The first product in India to be accorded with GI tag was Darjeeling tea in the year 2004-05.

GI Tags in Tamilnadu :

  • Pattamadai Pai (“Pattamadai Mat”) 
  • Nachiarkoil Kuthuvilakku (“Nachiarkoil Lamp”)
  • Chettinad Kottan
  • Toda Embroidery
  • Thanjavur Veenai
  • Thanjavur Art Plate (Logo)
  • Swamimalai Bronze Icons (Logo)
  • Temple Jewellery of Nagercoil (Logo)
  • Mahabalipuram Stone Sculpture 
  • Erode Manjal (Erode Turmeric)
  • Thirubuvanam Silk Sarees
  • Kodaikanal Malai Poondu
  • Palani Panchamirtham
  • Dindigul Locks
  • Kandangi Saree
  • Srivilliputtur Palkova
  • Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai
  • Thanjavur Pith Works
  • Arumbavur Wood Carvings

 Recent :

  • Nagaland Tomato, cucumber
  • Oolong Ginger
  • Assam litchi
  • Arunachal Orange
  • Black Rice
  • Manipur Lemon
  • Sikkim Cardamom
  • Tripura Pineapple

ENVIRONMENT

El Nino

  • El Niño(Spanish “The little Boy”) is the warm phase of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and is associated with a band of warm ocean water that develops in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, including the area off the Pacific coast of South America.  
  • The ENSO is the cycle of warm and cold sea surface temperatures  (SST) of the tropical central and eastern Pacific Ocean.
  • Niño events since 1900, with the 1982–83, 1997–98and 2014–16events among the strongest on record.
  • The data released by the weather department states that the monsoon rainfall recorded in 1902, 1905, 1951, 1965, 1972, 1982, 1987, 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2015 was less than normal by more than 10 per cent.
  • The highest monsoon rainfall departure was 24, 22 ,19 and 18 per cent recorded in 1972, 2002, 1965 and 2009 respectively.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Ethanol Blending

  • Blending ethanol to a certain extent with petrol that makes it burn fewer fossil fuels while running vehicles is called ethanol blending.

Nodal agency :

  • The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) for the promotion of fuel-grade ethanol-producing distilleries in the country.
  • By 2023, all vehicles will be E20 (20% ethanol in petrol) material compatible, as committed by the auto industry.
  • Therefore, in order to carry or store fuel that contains 20% ethanol, the fuel points, plastics, rubber, steel, and other components in cars would need to be compatible.
  • The ‘National Policy on Biofuels’ notified by the Government in 2018 envisaged an indicative target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by year 2030.
  • India’s aim is to increase the ethanol blending to the ratio of 20% originally by 2030 but NITI Aayogin advanced the deadline to
  • Opening new opportunities for farmers to raise their income.
  • Here farmers can sell their products as well as gain extra income from residues as well. Reduce environmental damages caused by fuel because of non-proper

SCHEMES

What is the PM PRANAM scheme ?

  • Government has announced “PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth” (PM-PRANAM) scheme in Budget 2023-24 with the objective to incentivise the States and UTs to promote usage of alternative fertilizers and balanced use of chemical fertilizers.

Features of PM PRANAM Scheme

  • The scheme will be financed by the “savings of existing fertiliser subsidy” under the schemes run by the Department of Fertilisers scheme and will not have a separate budget. 
  • 50% subsidy savings will be given as a grant to the state that saves money. 
  • States can use 70% of the grant given under the scheme for asset creation related to alternate fertiliser production and technological adoption of alternate fertiliser units at the block, village and district levels. 
  • States can use the remaining 30% of the grant money to incentivise panchayats, farmer producer organisations, farmers and self-help groups involved in awareness generation and reducing fertiliser use.

Benefits of PM PRANAM Scheme

  • It would promote using other nutrients and fertilisers, including natural nutrients. 
  • Reduced use of chemical fertilisers may improve soil quality in the long run. It will enhance the yield and productivity of Indian agriculture. 
  • Excessive exposure to chemical fertilisers affects human health through cancers and diseases caused due to DNA damage. It would promote a safe work environment.

Urea subsidy Scheme :

  • The maximum retail price of urea is currently Rs 242/ 45 kg bag,

Anna Bhagya scheme

  • The Karnataka Government entails providing 5 kg rice per person over the 5 kg given under the National Food Security Act.

Launched :

  • 1 July 2023
  • It distribute 5 kg of free rice to each member of families holding BPL (below poverty line) and Antyodaya cards, over and above the 5 kg given under the National Food Security Act (2013).

Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan

Vision :

  • To ensure inclusive and equitable quality education from pre-school to senior secondary stage in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for Education.
  • The Goal SDG-4.1states that “By 2030, ensure that all boys and girls complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
  • Further the SDG 4.5 states that “By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of Education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations”

ECONOMY

Financial Stability Report (FSR)

  • It was released by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) bi-annual.
  • Scheduled commercial banks gross non-performing assets continued its downtrend and fell to a 10 year low of 3.9% in March 2023 and net non performing assets ratios to decline to 1 percent.
  • A non-performing asset (NPA) is a classification used by financial institutions for loans and advances on which the principal is past due and on which no interest payments have been made for a period of time.
  • In general, loans become NPAs when they are outstanding for 90 days or more, though some lenders use a shorter window in considering a loan or advance past due.

Reports released by RBI :

  • Interest Subvention Report
  • Financial Stability Report

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of the Tropics 2023

  • The International Day of the Tropics celebrates the extraordinary diversity of the tropics while highlighting unique challenges and opportunities nations of the Tropics face.
  • It provides an opportunity to take stock of progress across the tropics, to share tropical stories and expertise and to acknowledge the diversity and potential of the region.

National Statistics Day 2023

  • National Statistics Dayis commemorated annually onJune 29 to honor the significant contributions made by Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the fields of statistics and economic planning.
  • Often hailed as the ‘father of Indian statistics,’ Professor Mahalanobis is renowned for developing the Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure utilized to determine the disparity between a point and a distribution
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