Government decides to repeal the three farm laws
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of three contentious farm laws, assuring farmer groups protesting against them for the past year that the legislative process for the repeal would be completed in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. Relevance: GS-III: Agriculture (Storage, transport & marketing of agro-produce and related issues & constraints; supply […]
A stimulating alliance: On addressing fiscal worries of States
Context: The Centre will release over ₹95,000 crore in one stroke to States this month, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced after meeting with Chief Ministers and State Finance Ministers to discuss the state of the economy and to sustain the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Constitutional Provisions, Basic structure of […]
No consensus on limiting Speaker’s powers
Context: The All-India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) ended with the delegates failing to reach a consensus on whether the Speaker’s powers under the anti-defection law should be limited. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Legislature) Dimensions of the Article: Speaker of Lok Sabha Powers and Duties of the Lok Sabha Speaker Anti-Defection law and […]
No records of Internet shutdowns in India
Context: The parliamentary standing committee on information and technology pointed out that there were no verifiable, centralised records of Internet shutdowns in the country. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Constitutional Provisions, Fundamental Rights), GS-II: Governance (Government Policies and Interventions, Accountability and Transparency) Dimensions of the Article: What are the rules regarding suspension of internet services […]
Constitutional courts can’t interfere with temple rituals: SC
Context: The Supreme Court said that constitutional courts could not interfere with day-to-day rituals and sevas performed in temples on the basis of “public interest” petitions- while hearing a writ petition that alleged that rituals were not being performed as per traditions at the famous Tirumala Tirupati temple. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, […]
Proposal for National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA)
Context: The Centre Government is contemplating creation of the National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA) for planning, investigation, financing and the implementation of the river interlinking projects in the country. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Drainage System in India, Projects to improve Irrigation), GS-II: Polity and Governance (Inter-State Relations) Dimensions of the Article: Interlinking of Rivers Benefits […]
SC on validity of special courts for MPs, MLAs
Context: The Supreme Court decided to examine questions regarding the legal jurisdiction of Special Courts set up to exclusively prosecute Members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies for various offences. Relevance: Focus: GS-II Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Details regarding criminal cases against legislators from SC report Madras High Court on special courts […]
SC on Right to protest and blocking roads indefinitely
Context: The Supreme Court said farmers had the right to protest, but roads cannot be blocked indefinitely. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Constitutional Provisions, Fundamental Rights) Dimensions of the Article: Understanding Right to protest and the Constitutional Provision Can Right to Protest be restricted? Related Supreme Court’s Judgements Understanding Right to protest and the Constitutional […]
Neither State not Union can bar CBI, Centre tells SC
Context: The Union Government told the Supreme Court that Mamata Banerjee’s government in West Bengal does not have any “absolute” power to keep the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from investigating crimes inside the State. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution Dimensions of the Article: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Functions of CBI About the current […]
Supreme Court on Pegasus case
Context: A Bench led by Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana passed an order in the Pegasus snooping case related to the recent allegations of the Government using Pegasus software to spy on citizens. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Fundamental Rights, Important Judgements), GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Basics of Cyber Security; Role of […]