Uttar Pradesh State PCS

• 20 Mar 2024

Section 144 Imposed in Lucknow

Why in News?

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government has imposed Section 144 Code Of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in Lucknow till 17^th May, 2024 in the wake of upcoming Lok Sabha elections and festivals.

Key Points

• The Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh for the year 2024 will be conducted in seven phases, spanning from 19^th April to 1^st June.
• The election schedule, announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI), will commence from the sugarcane belt in the western region of the state and conclude in Purvanchal, often described as the rice bowl of UP.
  • Vote counting is set to take place on 4th June, 2024.

Section 144 CrPC

• This law empowers the magistrate of any state or union territory in India to pass an order prohibiting the gathering of four or more people in a specified area.
• It is imposed in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger of some event that has the potential to cause trouble or damage to human life or property.
• This order can be passed against a particular individual or general public.
• Features of Section 144:
  • It places restrictions on handling or transporting any kind of weapon in the given jurisdiction.
    • The maximum punishment for such an act is three years.
  • According to the order under this section, there shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed.
  • Further, there will be a complete bar on holding any kind of public meeting or rallies during the period of operation of this order.
  • It is deemed a punishable offence to obstruct law enforcement agencies from disbanding an unlawful assembly.
  • It also empowers the authorities to block internet access in the region.
  • The ultimate purpose of Section 144 is to maintain peace and order in the areas where trouble could erupt to disrupt the regular life.

Deepak Kumar New Home Secretary of Uttar Pradesh

Why in News?

Recently, the Election Commission has approved Senior IAS officer Deepak Kumar as the new Home Secretary of Uttar Pradesh.

Key Points

• Deepak Kumar, a 1990 batch IAS officer, is presently Additional Chief Secretary of Finance and Basic Education.

Chief Secretary of State

• Appointment:
  • The Chief Secretary is ‘chosen’ by the Chief Minister.
  • As the appointment of Chief Secretary is an executive action of the Chief Minister, it is taken in the name of the Governor of the State.
• Position:
  • The post of Chief Secretary is the senior-most position in the civil services of the states and union territories of India.
  • The position is a cadre post for the Indian Administrative Services.
  • The Chief Secretary is the chief advisor to the Chief Minister in all matters of the cabinet.
• Tenure:
  • The office of Chief Secretary has been excluded from the operation of the tenure system.
  • There is no fixed tenure for this post.

Election Commission of India

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India.
• It was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950 (celebrated as National Voters' Day). The secretariat of the commission is in New Delhi.
• The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.
• It is not concerned with the elections to panchayats and municipalities in the states. For this, the Constitution of India provides for a separate State Election Commission.