InstaLinks : help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions ina your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically
Table of Contents:
GS Paper 2:
- SC decision in Delhi’s Chief Secretary’s Case
Content for Mains Enrichment(CME)
- The Buddhist Voice of Global South
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
- Guruvayur temple
- Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival
- e-SAKSHI Mobile Application
- Soil-powered fuel cell
- Artificial reefs in Kerala
Mapping:
- Imphal River
SC decision in Delhi’s Chief Secretary’s Case
GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Constitutional and Non-constitutional Bodies
Source: TH
Context: The Supreme Court has permitted a six-month extension to Delhi’s Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, despite serious charges of corruption and favouritism against him.
What is the Issue?
The ongoing issue involves a constitutional and political debate over the distribution of powers between the elected government of Delhi and the Lieutenant Governor (LG). It particularly revolves around the extension of the Chief Secretary’s tenure, with conflicts arising from notifications, judicial decisions, and legislative actions.
More on the Issue:
| Aspect | Information |
| Unique Status of National Capital Territory of Delhi | NCT of Delhi is unique, serving as the seat of both the central and Delhi governments. Special provisions ensure cooperation and coordination between them. |
| Constitutional Head | The Lieutenant Governor (LG) is the constitutional head, representing the President in the NCT of Delhi. |
| Jurisdiction of LG | Certain subjects like police, public order, and landfall are under LG’s jurisdiction, not the elected government of Delhi. |
| Powers Distribution Debate | Powers and responsibilities between the elected government and LG have been a constitutional and political debate. |
| Ongoing Tussle | The conflict involves the extension of the Chief Secretary’s tenure. |
| 2015 Notification | In 2015, the central government added Entry 41 to Article 239 AA(3(a)), granting the Delhi LG authority over services, public order, police, and land. The notification specified that the Delhi government couldn’t legislate on Entry 41. |
| SC Invalidation (2023) | In the 2023 case of the Government of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India, the Supreme Court affirmed Delhi’s legislative and executive power over administrative services, except for public order, police, and land. The judgment emphasized the “triple chain of accountability” in representative democracy, stressing civil servants’ accountability to the cabinet, the cabinet’s accountability to the legislature, and the legislature’s periodic accountability to the electorate. Severing this chain undermines the core constitutional principle of representative government. |
| Central Government’s Response | Following the Supreme Court’s decision, the Central Government responded by issuing the Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance to overturn the verdict. The Delhi Government challenged the ordinance in the Supreme Court, leading to the matter being referred to a Constitution Bench. Meanwhile, the Parliament enacted the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023, granting overriding powers to the centre in Delhi’s administration. |
| SC judgement (2024) | The judgement to extend the Chief Secretary’s tenure by six months reflects this central government authority. |
| Issues with the Government of NCT of Delhi Act, 2023 | The Government of NCT of Delhi Act, 2023, raises critical issues centred on undermining democracy and violating constitutional principles. It erodes the foundations of representative democracy by diminishing the elected Delhi government’s authority over services and rendering the roles of the Chief Minister and council of ministers symbolic, as they can be overruled by bureaucrats ultimately accountable to the Lieutenant Governor and the Centre |
| This Act contradicts a Supreme Court judgment affirming the Delhi government’s legislative and executive powers, excluding public order, police, and land matters, and contravenes Article 239AA, which envisions a harmonious relationship between the Centre and the Delhi government. | |
| Act infringes upon the constitutional principle of federalism, a fundamental feature, by encroaching upon the domain of the States. |
Concerns regarding the recent SC judgement:
- Firstly, it deviates from constitutional logic and past wisdom, questioning the Court’s evolving stance on constitutional matters.
- The selective application of rules for the Chief Secretary, exempting him from the government’s recommendation, raises doubts about the Court’s consistency.
- Conflict of interest allegations against the Chief Secretary and the criteria for tenure extension are not adequately addressed, casting uncertainty on the extension’s legitimacy.
- The Court’s failure to recognize the breakdown in accountability and neglect of the Chief Secretary’s involvement in multiple subjects under the Delhi government’s competence are significant oversights.
The way forward: Cooperative federalism
- Proper power balance required: A diverse and large country like India requires a proper balance between the pillars of federalism, i.e., the autonomy of states, national integration, centralisation, decentralisation, nationalisation, and regionalisation.
- Basic structure: The federal nature of the Constitution is its basic feature and cannot be altered, thus, the stakeholders wielding power intend to protect the federal feature of our Constitution.
- Distribution of powers: The Constitution provides States with the power to function independently within the area transcribed by the Constitution. The Union and the States are meant to operate within their assigned legislative domains. The States are not subservient to the Union.
- The legislative domain of the States is exclusive, and cannot be interfered with by the Union.
- Inter-governmental institutions: Various inter-governmental institutions facilitate cooperation and coordination between the Union and the states. The Inter-State Council, NITI Aayog, and Finance Commission are examples of such institutions that provide a platform for dialogue, consultation, and resolution of disputes.
- Balancing national and regional interests: By operating within constitutional boundaries, the Union ensures a delicate balance between national and regional aspirations.
- It prevents the domination of the central government and safeguards the rights and interests of states, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable governance structure.
- Role of the Supreme Court: The Supreme Court of India plays a crucial role in interpreting the Constitution, resolving disputes between the Union and states, and maintaining the balance of power. It acts as a neutral arbiter, ensuring that both the Union and states operate within the constitutional boundaries and adhere to the principles of cooperative federalism.
Conclusion:
The way forward involves the formation of an expert committee comprising legal, constitutional, and administrative experts. This committee should thoroughly analyze legal and administrative aspects, review precedents, and propose practical solutions to uphold democratic principles and maintain the delicate balance of power.
Insta Links:
Mains Links:
Discuss the constitutional intricacies surrounding the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023, and its implications on the relationship between the elected government of Delhi and the central government. (15M)
The Buddhist Voice of Global South
Content for Mains Enrichment(CME)
Source: PIB
Context: The vice president addressed the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP) in New Delhi. Emphasizing India’s leadership role in the Global South, he highlighted the theme “ABCP – The Buddhist Voice of Global South.”
Teachings of Buddha:
| Teachings | Current Relevance |
| Life brings sorrow; overcome desire | Promotes a simple, virtuous life between extreme austerity and luxury. Encourages a citizen-centric governance approach where the right speech, conduct, and livelihood can make administration more responsive and service-driven. |
| Four Noble Truths and Eight-Fold Path | Offers a path to the end of suffering, emphasizing the right views, aspirations, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration. These principles are relevant in promoting scientific temper, mindfulness, and a spirit of inquiry in contemporary society. |
| Middle Path | Advocates a middle path between extreme lifestyles. Pertinent to sustainable development, it provides a solution to issues like consumerism, climate change, and corruption. Encourages a balanced approach to address societal challenges. |
| Pursuit of a just and egalitarian society | Promotes eliminating discrimination against vulnerable sections, fostering inter-faith harmony, and advocating for peace. Encourages a spirit of love towards all living beings and emphasizes the law of karma to curb wars, terrorism, extremism, and violence. |
| Welfare for All | Lord Buddha taught us, ‘भवतु सब्ब मंगलम’: which means blessings, compassion and welfare of all. |
Guruvayur temple
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The Prime Minister visited the Sreekrishna Temple in Guruvayur, Thrissur district.
The Guruvayur Temple is a Hindu temple in Guruvayur, Kerala, India.
It is dedicated to Guruvayurappan, a form of Vishnu, also known as Krishna. The presiding deity is depicted in a standing posture with four hands holding Shankh, Sudarshana Chakra, Lotus and Mace. It is carved out of a stone named Patala Anjana.
In 1931-32, Sathyagraha was launched under Kelappan (Kerala Gandhi) to secure the entry of untouchables into the temple.
It led to the Travancore Temple Entry Proclamation in 1936.
Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: DTE
Context: The Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF) has begun in, Arunachal Pradesh, emphasizing the conservation of hornbills.
- The festival highlights the decline in hornbill numbers and urges collective efforts to protect these critically endangered birds.
- The festival declared a ‘state festival’ in 2019, is held near the Pakke Tiger Reserve, home to four hornbill species.
The Great Indian Hornbill is a bird family found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, and Melanesia. It is the state bird of Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh in India.
The Great Indian Hornbill is now considered “Vulnerable” due to high hunting pressure, habitat loss, and deforestation.
e-SAKSHI Mobile Application
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), launched the MPLADS e-SAKSHI Mobile Application for the revised fund flow procedure under the MPLAD Scheme.
- The Mobile Application aims to revolutionize how Members of Parliament (MPs) engage with and manage development projects in their constituencies.
Features:
- It provides convenience, accessibility, and real-time access for MPs to propose, track, and oversee projects, enhancing decision-making processes and enabling swift responses to emerging needs or issues.
- The application promotes transparency by providing instant updates on the status and progress of proposed projects, fostering accountability and public trust in MPLADS fund allocation and utilization.
- The mobile app also includes features for budget management, allowing MPs to monitor expenditures.
Soil-powered fuel cell
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: A team from Northwestern University has developed a soil-powered fuel cell that harvests energy from microbes in the soil.
- This small fuel cell, about the size of a book, could be used to power underground sensors in applications like green infrastructure and precision agriculture.
- The researchers tested the fuel cell by using it to power sensors detecting touch and measuring soil moisture.
- The new fuel cell’s design, with a perpendicular configuration of anode and cathode, performs better in dry conditions, making it more suitable for low-moisture environments.
The researchers claim it can generate power indefinitely as long as there are microbes and carbon in the soil.
Artificial reefs in Kerala
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The deployment of artificial reefs off the coast of 42 fishing villages in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, commenced as part of a project aimed at enhancing fish resources and promoting sustainable fisheries management.
A total of 6,300 artificial reef units, with 150 designated for each village, will be deployed. It intends to boost sustainable fishing practices, improve the marine landscape, and enhance the livelihoods of the fishing community. The initiative is implemented under the Central Government’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, with technical support from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.
What are Artificial reefs?
They are man-made structures intentionally placed on the ocean floor to mimic the characteristics of natural reefs. These structures, often made of materials like concrete, rocks, or sunken ships, serve as habitats for marine life. The primary purpose of artificial reefs is to enhance local marine ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and provide breeding and feeding grounds for fish, ultimately supporting sustainable fisheries and conservation efforts.
Imphal River
Mapping:
Source: DH
Context: The Manipur government has formed a three-member committee to conduct a thorough investigation into a fuel leak from a power plant (Leimakhong Power Station) in Imphal Valley, which subsequently spilt into a nearby stream that converges with the Imphal River. The heavy fuel oil, a byproduct of crude oil distillation, poses environmental concerns.
About HFO:
Heavy fuel oil (HFO) is a residual fuel that’s a byproduct of the distillation of crude oil. It’s also known as bunker fuel or residual fuel oil.
HFO is a tar-like substance that’s used to generate heat and motion. It’s primarily used as a marine fuel.
HFO is toxic and has a boiling temperature of 350–500°C. It has a higher viscosity than diesel. The quality of HFO depends on the quality of the crude oil used in the refinery.
HFO is widely used because it’s about 30% cheaper than alternatives.
About Imphal River:
It originates from the northern hills of Karong in Senapati District and is joined by the Iril River at Lilong, which is a significant watercourse draining the central plain. The river, along with others, contributes to the formation of swamps and lakes, including the renowned Loktak Lake.
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