Highlights
- Polity: a Supreme Court ruling on extension of the Delhi Chief Secretary highlighted the constitutional conflict between the Lieutenant Governor and the elected government on administrative appointments.
- Culture: the 9th Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival in Arunachal Pradesh showcased four hornbill species and provided livelihood alternatives for Nyishi tribal communities.
- Governance: the e-SAKSHI mobile application was launched for MPs to propose, track, and oversee MPLADS projects.
- Environment: artificial reef units were deployed off 42 fishing villages in Thiruvananthapuram under PM Matsya Sampada Yojana.
1. Delhi Chief Secretary and the LG-CM conflict
GS area: Polity (federalism, NCT of Delhi)
The Supreme Court allowed a six-month extension to the Delhi Chief Secretary, despite corruption allegations. The case revived the constitutional debate over power distribution between the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor.
- Background: in August 2023 a Constitution Bench held that Delhi's elected government has legislative and executive authority over services (excluding public order, police, and land). The judgement restored control over bureaucracy to the elected government.
- Parliament's counter-response: the Centre responded by enacting the Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023, giving the LG overriding powers over transfers and postings of civil servants.
- Core tension: the Constitution under Article 239AA gives Delhi a special status. The balance between the Centre (through the LG) and the elected government over administrative control is an ongoing constitutional contest.
Static linkage: NCT of Delhi, federalism, constitutional amendments.
2. Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival, Arunachal Pradesh
GS area: Environment, Art and Culture
The 9th Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival was held at Seijosa in the Pakke-Kessang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Purpose: raising awareness for hornbill conservation and providing alternative livelihoods for the Nyishi tribe around Pakke Tiger Reserve.
- Four hornbill species found in Pakke: Great Indian Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, and Rufous-necked Hornbill.
- Great Indian Hornbill: state bird of both Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh. IUCN status: Vulnerable.
- State festival status: declared a state festival of Arunachal Pradesh in 2019.
- Nyishi tribe: the Nyishi are the largest tribal community in Arunachal Pradesh. Traditional headdresses used hornbill beaks; the festival channels that cultural link into conservation.
Static linkage: biodiversity, tribal culture, north-east India.
3. e-SAKSHI Mobile Application
GS area: Governance (MPLADS, technology)
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation launched the e-SAKSHI mobile application to allow Members of Parliament to recommend, track, and monitor MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) projects.
- MPLADS: each MP receives Rs 5 crore annually to recommend local development works in their constituency (or any district in India for Rajya Sabha MPs). The scheme is implemented by district authorities.
- e-SAKSHI features: real-time access to project status, budget tracking, geo-tagging of works, and instant progress updates. Improves transparency.
- Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
Static linkage: MPLADS, parliamentary governance, digital governance.
4. Artificial reefs for fisheries: PM Matsya Sampada Yojana
GS area: Economy, Environment (fisheries, coastal ecosystem)
About 6,300 artificial reef units were deployed off 42 fishing villages in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
- Artificial reefs: human-made underwater structures that mimic natural reefs. They provide habitat for fish and other marine life, increasing biodiversity and supporting sustainable fisheries.
- PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (2020): launched with a budget of Rs 20,050 crore to develop fisheries infrastructure and increase fish production. The scheme targets a production of 22 million tonnes by 2024-25.
- Thiruvananthapuram angle: the deployment of 150 reef units per village provides habitat near the shore, reducing the distance fishermen must travel.
Static linkage: blue economy, fisheries policy, coastal environment.
5. Guruvayur Temple: history and significance
GS area: Art and Culture, History
The Guruvayur Temple in Thrissur district of Kerala, dedicated to a form of Vishnu known as Guruvayurappan, came into focus as Prime Minister Modi visited it following the Pran Pratishtha proceedings in Ayodhya.
- Deity: Guruvayurappan holds the Shankh (conch), Sudarshana Chakra (discus), Lotus, and Mace. The idol is carved from Patala Anjana stone.
- Temple access history: in 1931-32 a satyagraha led by social reformer Kelappan sought the right of untouchables to enter the temple. The satyagraha was eventually withdrawn after Gandhi's intervention.
- Temple Entry: the 1936 Travancore Temple Entry Proclamation opened all government-controlled temples in Travancore to all Hindus regardless of caste.
Static linkage: social reform movements, Kerala history, religious freedom.
6. Briefly noted
- Imphal River, Manipur: a heavy fuel oil leak from the Leimakhong Power Station contaminated a stream feeding into the Imphal River, which contributes to the formation of Loktak Lake, a Ramsar site.
- Buddhist Voice of Global South: the Vice President addressed the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace in New Delhi. The theme linked Buddhist teachings to contemporary development.
Practice MCQs