TNPSC Current Affairs May 30, 2017 for Group 1 and Group 2 Mains (ALL)

TNPSC Current Affairs May 2017 

1.New National Commission for Backward Classes to be constituted under Article 338 B

The new National Commission for Backward Classes will be constituted under Article 338B. It will function as a constitutional authority and will function in the same manner as the National commission for Scheduled Castes under Article 338 and Scheduled Tribes under Article 338A.

About the New Commission:

• The new Commission was inserted in constitution through 123^rd constitution amendment bill, which has replaced the current National Commission for Backward classes act, 1993 and its rules framed under the act.
• The new National Commission will exercise the function of hearing the complaints, grievances of socially and educationally backward classes.
• It has the powers of a Civil Court which will look into the complaints and greivances.
• New commission also has the duty of advising of the socio economic development of the socially and educationally backward classes and evaluate the progress of their development.

 

2.Production of horticulture crops during 2016-17 is 3.2% higher than previous year estimates.

The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has released the Second Advance Estimates of Area and Production of Horticulture Crops for 2016-17 which was 3.2 % higher than the previous year 2015-16 estimates.

Highlights : 

• The production of horticulture crops in the country during 2016-17 is estimated to be more than 295 million tonnes which is 3.2 % higher as compared to the previous year’s 2015-16 estimates.
• The area under horticulture crops has increased from 245 lakh ha to 249 lakh ha in 2016-17 recording an increase of 1.9% over previous year.
• Fruits production during the current year is estimated to be 93 million tonnes which is 2.9% higher than the previous year.
• Production of vegetables is estimated to be around 175 million tonnes which is 3.5% higher than the previous year.

Important Vegetables: 

• Onion production has increased by 3 % and major onion producing States are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat.
• Potato production has increased by 7.2 %  and  major potato growing States are Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab.
• Tomato production has increased by 5.1 %  and  major tomato growing States are Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha and Gujarat etc.

                                                                                                                   (from Official Release_Pib)