NPR 2020 SKIDS
Why in news? On February 25 2020, the Bihar Assembly passed a unanimous resolution stating that there is no need for a National Register of Citizens in the State and that the implementation of the National Population Register (NPR) would be done strictly according to the 2010 format. What is the National Population Register (NPR)? […]
CEASE THE DISTRACTIONS, SEIZE THE MOMENT
Why in news? The government has issued two ordinances, Parliament has modified its rules to reduce the salary and allowances of Members of Parliament and Ministers, and the Union Cabinet has decided to cancel the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for two years. These measures are purportedly to save costs as the […]
SACKING BY SUBTERFUGE: REMOVAL OF A.P.’S TOP ELECTION OFFICIAL
Why in news? The legality of the removal of the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner (SEC) is seriously in doubt. That it was the culmination of an open conflict between the Election Commissioner, and Chief Minister makes it a glaring instance of misuse of power. Background The State government got the Governor to issue an […]
NEEDED, GREATER DECENTRALISATION OF POWER
Why in news? Over the course of the last few weeks, as we have found ourselves in the throes of a pandemic, one of the striking features of governance has been the signal role played by State Chief Ministers across India. What did the Governments do? Even before the Union government invoked the Disaster Management […]
EXPLAINED: BRITISH-ERA LAW INVOKED IN PANCHKULA TO CURTAIL MOVEMENT
In March end, authorities in Panchkula invoked an otherwise redundant British-era law, titled the “Punjab Village and Small Towns Act”, to curtail people’s movement during the lockdown. What is the law? The law was first enacted in 1918 in erstwhile Punjab to make provisions for nightly patrol duty by inhabitants of small villages and towns […]
11,077 FREED FROM PRISONS, SAYS NALSA
Why in news? The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has said that around 11,077 undertrials have been released from prisons nationwide as part of the mission to decongest jails following the COVID-19 pandemic. NALSA said it had been providing assistance to prisoners who were eligible to be released on parole or interim bail under the […]
FLOOR TEST IS GOVERNOR’S DISCRETION
Why in news? A Governor can call for a floor test any time he objectively feels a government in power has lost the confidence of the House and is on shaky ground, the Supreme Court held in its judgement on 13th March 2020. Highlights of the Judgement A Governor can call for a trust vote […]
PRESS STATEMENT FROM CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL
Why in news? With the imposition of lock down, it became impossible for the Central Administrative Tribunal and its Benches to function since neither the Advocates nor the Employees of the Tribunal would be in a position to attend to the work. Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) History behind the formation The Administrative Reforms Commission (1966-70) […]
COURTS CAN ORDER PASSPORT SURRENDER IN CONTEMPT CASES: SC
Why in news? The Supreme Court has held that courts are empowered to order parties in a contempt case to surrender their passport in order to ensure their presence in the proceedings. The apex court clarified that contemnors would only be depositing their passport with the court.
POCSO CASE AGAINST TEACHER IN KERALA
Why in news? Police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against a teacher of a school at Panur in connection with the sexual abuse of a girl student of the same school. All About Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 The Protection of Children […]