22nd FEBRUARY 2024 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS

22nd FEBRUARY 2024 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS

Solar power capacity - Tamil Nadu ranks 4th

• Tamil Nadu gets up to 300 days of sunshine in a year. Thus, private companies are setting up high capacity solar power plants on land; They are also interested in setting up low capacity rooftop solar power plants on large buildings. 
• As of last January, Rajasthan tops the overall solar power installed capacity with 18,795 MW. Gujarat is second with 10,548 MW; Karnataka is third with 9,463 MW. Tamil Nadu ranks fourth with 7,426 MW capacity.

The Prime Minister dedicated various development projects worth Rs.13,500 crore to the country and laid foundation stones for new projects at Tarab in Mehsana, Gujarat

• At Tarab in Mehsana, Gujarat, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for various development projects including internet connectivity, rail, road, education, health, connectivity, research and tourism worth more than Rs 13,500 crore.

5.1% growth in mineral production of the country in December 2023

• The Mining and Quarrying Sector Mineral Production Index (Base: 2011-12=100) for December 2023 stood at 139.4, up 5.1% from the December 2022 level. According to Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) provisional data, overall growth for April-December, 2023-24 was 8.5% percent over the corresponding period of the previous year.
• Production volume of important minerals in December 2023 is coal 929 lakh tonnes, brown coal 40 lakh tonnes, petroleum (crude) 25 lakh tonnes, iron ore 255 lakh tonnes, limestone 372 lakh tonnes, used natural gas 3078 million cubic meters, bauxite 2429 thousand tonnes, chromite. 
• 235 thousand tons, copper concentrate 11 thousand tons, lead concentrate 35 thousand tons, manganese ore 319 thousand tons, zinc concentrate 148 thousand tons, phosphorite 117 thousand tons, magnesite 16 thousand tons, gold 122 kg.
• Important minerals showing positive growth in December 2023 over December 2023 are: magnesite (83.7 percent), lead ore (16.5 percent), brown coal (14.6 percent), copper conc (13.7 percent), limestone (12.5 percent), coal (10.8 percent), zinc conc (7.8 percent), bauxite (6.6 percent), natural gas (6.6 percent), manganese ore (4.0 percent) and iron ore (1.3 percent), and other major minerals showing negative growth include: petroleum ( crude) (-1.0 percent), gold (-29.9 percent), chromite (-30.8 percent), phosphorite (-31.2 percent) and diamond (-74.4 percent).

Manipur High Court Verdict quashing order to include Meithis in Scheduled Tribes (ST)

• More than 200 people have died in the caste-related violence in the state, according to the High Court order, which was a major cause of the violence in Manipur.
• Last year, the Manipur High Court had directed the state government to consider including the Meithi community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. In protest against this, the Naga and Kuki tribes strongly protested that reservation should not be given to the Meithi community. This was followed by violence in the state.
• On the other hand, they filed a review petition in the court regarding the issue. When this review petition came up for hearing, it modified its judgment. That is, the court amended paragraph 17(3) of its order.
• Citing the Supreme Court's clear statement that courts cannot amend or alter Scheduled Tribes, the Manipur High Court revised its earlier judgment.
• The bench held that the directions given last year under Section 17(3) should be deleted and therefore deleted.

MoU between Department of School Education and Shiv Nadar Foundation

• An MoU was signed between the Department of School Education and the Shiv Nadar Foundation to set up a Boarding School for the students of classes 6 to 12.

Union Cabinet approves proposal to implement Integrated Program on "Women's Safety".

• Prime Minister Mr. The Union Cabinet chaired by Narendra Modi approved the Home Ministry's proposal to continue implementation of the integrated program 'Women's Safety' at a cost of Rs 1179.72 crore during the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• Out of the total scheme allocation of Rs 1179.72 crore, the Ministry of Home Affairs will provide Rs 885.49 crore from its own funds and Rs 294.23 crore from the Nirbhaya Fund.
• The safety of women in a country is the result of many factors such as strong preventive measures through strict laws, efficient justice, timely redressal of complaints and easily accessible institutional support structures for victims. 
• Amendments to the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and the Indian Evidence Act have provided for stricter preventive measures in matters relating to crimes against women.

Union Cabinet approves Flood Management, Border Areas Scheme for 2021-26

• The Central Government sponsored scheme “Flood Management, Frontier Areas Scheme”, Rs. 4,100 crores total allocation has been approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the continuation of the Water Resources Department's proposal for 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26 (15th Finance Committee period).
• Under the Flood Management Scheme with an allocation of Rs 2940 crore, central government funding will be provided to the state governments for carrying out important works such as flood control, soil erosion prevention, drainage improvement and sea erosion prevention.
• 90 per cent financial assistance will be provided by the Central Government to the Special Status States (8 North Eastern States, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir). 60 percent financial assistance will be provided by the central government to the states that have not received general and special status.
• 1160 crore under the Rivers Management and Transboundary Areas Programme, flood control in common transboundary rivers with neighboring countries, soil erosion control works, hydrological monitoring and flood forecasting, study of joint water resources projects in common transboundary rivers, pre-construction works (with neighboring countries) 100 percent Central Govt. To be carried out with financial assistance.

Union Cabinet approves additional measures in National Animal Movement

• Prime Minister Mr. In a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Narendra Modi, approval was given for the additional activities of the National Animal Movement.
• 50 per cent capital subsidy up to 50 lakh rupees will be given to individuals, farmer producer organization, self help group, collective responsibility group, farmer cooperative societies for those engaged in livestock rearing business like horse, donkey, mule, camel etc. 
• Also, assistance will be given to the state government to protect the species of horse, donkey and camel. To set up insemination station, embryo breeding farm for horses, donkeys and camels, the central government has allocated Rs. 10 crore will be provided.
• Livestock insurance scheme simplified. Beneficiary's share of insurance premium for farmers has been reduced to 15 per cent from 20 per cent, 30 per cent, 40 per cent and 50 per cent.

Union Cabinet approves amendment in Foreign Direct Investment Policy in space sector

• Prime Minister Mr. The Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Narendra Modi approved the amendment in the Foreign Direct Investment Policy in the space sector. 
• As per the revised Foreign Direct Investment Policy, 100% FDI is allowed in the aerospace sector. Liberalized entry routes under the revised policy are aimed at attracting potential investors to invest in Indian companies in the space.
• Currently, the satellite sub-sector is divided into three distinct activities with limited limits for foreign investment in each sector.
• The Indian Space Policy 2023 was announced as a comprehensive, collaborative framework to showcase India's capability in the space sector through enhanced private participation. 
• This policy aims to increase space capabilities. Building a thriving business presence in the space. Technological development in space-based sectors, using space as a driving force for benefits; To improve international relations and create an optimal ecosystem for the effective implementation of space applications among all stakeholders.
• As per the existing FDI policy, FDI is allowed only in government-approved channels for establishing and operating satellites. In line with the strategy under the Indian Space Policy 2023, the Union Cabinet has relaxed the FDI policy in the space sector by recommending liberalized FDI limits for various sub-sectors/activities.

Union Cabinet approves minimum source price to be paid by sugar mills for procurement of cane during 2024-25 sugar season (October-September)

• The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved a minimum reference price of Rs. 340.
• This is about 8% higher than the minimum reference price for cane procurement in the current 2023-24 season. This minimum resource price will be provided from October 2024 onwards.
• This decision of the central government will benefit more than 5 crore sugarcane farmers (including family members) and lakhs of others involved in sugarcane production. This reaffirms the fulfillment of Modi's promise of doubling farmers' income.