• 07 Jun 2025

Strategic Advisory Committee in Uttarakhand

Why in News? 

The Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh, has approved the formation of a Strategic Advisory Committee on Innovation & Effective Implementation.  

• Also,Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami signed three key agreements to advance social development, skill-building, and technological innovation. 

Key Points 

• Strategic Advisory Committee: Chaired by the Chief Minister to promote governance innovation and effective program implementation. 
• Tripartite Agreement with Tata Trust: 10-year partnership focusing on water management, nutrition, telemedicine, rural livelihoods, and green energy. 
• Skill Development Agreement with NASSCOM: Positions Uttarakhand as a tech skill hub, offering courses in AI, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Python. 
• Agreement with Wadhwani Foundation: Integrates AI-driven personality development and skill training in government colleges for 1.2 lakh students. 

Governor 

• The Governor is the constitutional head of a state in India, performing a role similar to that of the President at the national level.  
• His position is defined under Articles 153 to 162 of the Indian Constitution, and he functions in dual capacities: 
  • As the constitutional head, bound by the advice of the state’s council of ministers. 
  • As a link between the Union and the State Government, ensuring coordination within India’s federal structure. 
• Appointment and Tenure: 
  • Appointed by the President of India. 
  • Serves a term of 5 years, though this can be shortened by resignation or dismissal. 
  • Must be an Indian citizen, at least 35 years old, and not hold any office of profit. 
• Powers and Responsibilities: 
  • Holds executive, legislative, and discretionary powers. 
  • Plays a key role in state governance, law-making, and emergency provisions. 
  • Can recommend President’s Rule under Article 356 in case of constitutional failure in the state. 

Canal Bank Solar Power Project

Why in News? 

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the Bikram Lock Canal Bank solar power project in Patna district. 

• This initiative is a part of the state's ‘Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali’ campaign, which promotes renewable and green energy to reduce environmental damage from traditional energy sources. 

Key Points 

• About the Project: The solar power project is located along a 2-kilometer stretch of the main canal at Bikram in Patna. 
  • It has an installed capacity of 2 megawatts and is built on 5.7 acres of land provided by the Water Resources Department. 
  • The project was developed under the RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) model, where a private firm (third party) installs, operates, and maintains the system. 

Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Mission (JJHM) 

• About: 
  • JJHM is an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, functioning under the Rural Development Department, Government of Bihar. 
  • Launched in 2019, it functions under the State Government's control as a multi-stakeholder initiative for climate sustainability and resource conservation. 
  • The Rural Development Department acts as the nodal department for implementing the mission in coordination with multiple government departments. 
  • Its motto is  “Water, Life and Greenery — only then will be Prosperity”. 
• Objectives and Focus Areas: 
  • The mission promotes climate sustainability, water conservation, pollution-free ecosystems, and climate-resilient agriculture.  
  • It encourages renewable energy use, energy conservation, and public climate awareness.  
  • JJHM empowers citizens to build a greener future through targeted, time-bound actions for lasting ecological impact. 
• Key Components (11-Point Agenda): 
  • Repair public water structures 
  • Survey and restore ponds/lakes/wells/steps 
  • Restore public wells 
  • Build wells/check dams near canals/streams 
  • Build check dams in small rivers/hilly areas 
  • Transfer water from surplus to deficit areas 
  • Build rainwater harvesting structures 
  • Improve animal drinking water 
  • Promote alternative crops and modern techniques 
  • Promote solar energy and conservation 
  • Water-Life-Greenery awareness campaign.

Contempt of Court

Why in News? 

The Supreme Court of India ruled in May 2025, that a law enacted by Parliament or a State Legislature after a court’s order cannot be considered an act of contempt of court. 

• The verdict came while dismissing a 2012 contempt plea over Chhattisgarh’s formation of an auxiliary force despite an earlier SC order against Salwa Judum. 

Key Points 

• Background of the Case: 
  • 2011 SC Judgment: Directed the Chhattisgarh government to cease support for Salwa Judum and to disband Special Police Officers (SPOs) armed to fight Maoists. 
  • Alleged Contempt: The state passed the Chhattisgarh Auxiliary Armed Police Force Act, 2011 after the judgment, legalizing and restructuring the SPOs. 
• Supreme Court’s Ruling: 
  • Legislative Powers and Contempt: The Court held that enacting a law after a court order is not contempt unless declared unconstitutional by a Constitutional Court. 

Contempt of Court 

• Contempt of court is a legal mechanism used to protect the authority, dignity, and independence of the judiciary from motivated attacks or unwarranted criticism. 
• It ensures that judicial institutions are respected and their orders are followed. 
• Statutory Basis: 
  • Article 19(2): Allows reasonable restrictions on free speech, including contempt of court. 
  • Article 129: Grants the Supreme Court the power to punish for contempt of itself. 
  • Article 215: Grants the same power to High Courts. 
  • The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 provides the statutory framework for contempt proceedings. 
• Kinds of Contempt: 
  • Civil Contempt: Wilful disobedience to any judgment, order, or direction of a court. It also includes breach of undertakings given to the court. 
  • Criminal Contempt: Scandalizing the court, lowering its authority, or interfering with judicial proceedings.  
    • It also includes any act that obstructs the administration of justice. 
• Note: Fair and accurate reporting of court proceedings and fair criticism of judgments after disposal are not considered contempt. 
• Punishment: Under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, punishment may include imprisonment up to 6 months, fine up to ₹2,000, or both. 
  • The 2006 Amendment allows the defence of truth and good faith. 
  • Punishment is to be applied only if there is substantial interference with justice.

Jammu & Kashmir Connectivity Boost

Why in News? 

On 6th June 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a ₹46,000 crore infrastructure plan to improve connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir.  

• These initiatives aim to promote tourism, strengthen regional links, and stimulate the local economy and job opportunities. 

Key Points 

• Major Infrastructure Projects Inaugurated: 
  • Chenab Rail Bridge: The Chenab Rail Bridge is now the world’s highest railway bridge. 
    • It will significantly enhance rail connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar, facilitating faster and safer travel across the mountainous region. 
    • It is built to withstand wind speeds of up to 260 km/h. 
    • Reduces travel time between Katra and Srinagar to 3 hours. 
    • This bridge symbolizes India's engineering prowess and is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) corridor. 
  • Anji Khad Bridge: The Anji Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge. 
    • It is situated 331 meters above the riverbed and stretching 725 meters. 
    • It connects the towns of Katra and Raesi. 
    • The bridge, built in challenging terrain, is designed to withstand harsh weather and seismic activity. 
  • Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL): 
    • Total project cost: ₹43,780 crore. 
    • Length: 272 km, including 36 tunnels (119 km) and 943 bridges through rugged Himalayan terrain. 
    • It provides all-weather connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and India, reducing reliance on disrupted road transport and enhancing mobility and economic integration for remote regions. 

• Boost to Religious and Tourism Sectors: 
  • Launch of Vande Bharat Trains: The new Vande Bharat Express service will operate between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar. 

Chenab River 

• Source: Originates in the upper Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, formed by the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi in Lahaul and Spiti district. 
  • Chandra River: Originates from glaciers near Chandra Taal, east of Bara-lacha la pass. 
  • Bhaga River: Originates from Surya Taal lake, west of the same pass. 
• Course: Flows through the Jammu region of Jammu & Kashmir, enters Punjab in Pakistan, and merges with the Indus River. 
  • Anji river is a tributary of the Chenab River. 
• Major Projects/Dams: 
  • Ratle Hydro Electric Project 
  • Salal Dam (Reasi) 
  • Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Plant (Kishtwar) 
  • Pakal Dul Dam on the Marusadar River, a tributary in Kishtwar. 

50th Anniversary of Sampoorna Kranti

Why in News? 

The 50th anniversary of Jayaprakash Narayan's call for Sampoorna Kranti (Total Revolution) was observed recently in Patna.  

Key Points 

• About Sampoorna Kranti:  
  • Launch: On 5th June 1974, Jayaprakash Narayan called for a Total Revolution at Gandhi Maidan, Patna. 
  • Objective: The 1974 movement sought societal reforms to address hunger, corruption, injustice, economic hardship and political oppression. 
  • Impact: United diverse opposition groups in the 1970s to challenge the ruling establishment. 
    • Non-electoral focus and mass movements shaped future political strategies and actions. 
    • The Total Revolution inspired political change, spreading to Delhi and influencing national politics. 
    • Growing unrest from the movement contributed to the declaration of the Emergency in 1975. 

Jayaprakash Narayan 

• He is popularly known as Loknayak, was a revolutionary, political philosopher, and mass leader.  
• He was born in Sitabdiara, Bihar on October 11, 1902, and became a prominent leader in India’s freedom struggle and post-independence democratic revival. 
• Initially influenced by Marxism, he later embraced Gandhian Sarvodaya, focusing on non-violence, village self-reliance (Gram Swaraj), and social reforms. 
• He actively participated in the Indian freedom struggle and later helped form socialist organizations like the Congress Socialist Party and the Praja Socialist Party. 
• In March 1943, JP, along with leaders like Ram Manohar Lohia, Phoolena Prasad Verma, Suraj Narayan Singh, and Yogendra Shukla, formed the Azad Dasta in the Rajvilas forest (Terai region of Nepal). 
  • The Azad Dasta was a revolutionary guerrilla group with the goal of: 
    • Sabotaging British administrative operations to weaken their control. 
    • Destroying communication lines such as telegraphs and railways to disrupt British infrastructure. 
    • Spreading anti-British propaganda to inspire resistance against colonial rule. 
• He played a key role in forming the Janata Party in 1977, advocated for civil liberties and ethical politics, leaving a lasting impact on India’s democratic movements.