The TN Governor Issue
Context The leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), TR Baalu, urged all like-minded MPs to support a proposal to remove the governor of Tamil Nadu, R N Ravi. Governors in several non-BJP-ruled states, including Kerala and Punjab, have expressed disagreements with the government on various issues, prompting the DMK to call for their removal. […]
Aadhaar-Voter ID linkage
Context: Recently, The Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre on a plea challenging the power of the Election Commission (EC) to link the Aadhaar database with voter ID cards. Relevance: GS II: Government policies and Interventions Dimensions of the Article: What was the petition challenging? Is the linking of Aadhaar with one’s Voter ID […]
Curious Run of Andhra’s 3-Capitals Case
Context The Chief Justice of India (CJI) recently recused himself from hearing appeals filed by the government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) against an AP High Court decision that invalidated the state’s “three-capital” system. As a senior advocate, the CJI made this decision because he was previously involved in a thorough legal opinion to the state […]
Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat
Focus: GS II- Government policies and Interventions Why in News? Prime Minister in the latest edition of Mann Ki Baat, highlights the importance of various festivals, celebrations and sports in uniting people and bringing out the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ About Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Objectives:
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
Context: An internal study commissioned by the Ministry of Rural Development has argued for decentralisation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), allowing for more “flexibility” at the ground level. Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice and Governance (Health and Poverty related issues, Government Interventions and Policies, Issues arising out of the design and […]
Anti-Superstition Legislation in India
Context Two women were recently discovered murdered as part of a human sacrifice ritual in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district. Following that, the state government emphasised the need for new legislation to combat such superstitious practises and urged strict adherence to existing laws. Relevance GS Paper 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and […]
Raj Bhavan’s Extra-Constitutional Delusions
Context The article critically examines the Governor’s powers and limitations in light of recent actions by the Governor’s office that have garnered national attention for all the wrong reasons. Relevance GS Paper 2: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure. Mains Question Any office that […]
Anti-Superstition laws in India
Context: The brutal murders of two women as part of “ritualistic human sacrifices” in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala have left the country in shock. Chilling details of the killings have sparked a debate about the prevalence of superstitious beliefs, black magic and sorcery in Kerala. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the […]
Fiscal Space To Increase Capital Spending
Context According to a study by ratings firm ICRA, 13 major states have a massive fiscal space of Rs 7.4 lakh crore for capital spending in the current fiscal, which is 81% higher than the previous fiscal. These may also be eligible for the Centre’s interest-free loan for 50 years to invest in capacity expansion […]
Immediate Action Against Hate Speech
Context: Recently, The Supreme Court said it is “tragic what we have reduced religion to” in the 21st century and a “climate of hate prevails in the country”, while directing the police and authorities to immediately and suo motu register cases against hate speech makers without waiting for a complaint to be filed. The court […]