{"id":3560,"date":"2025-02-21T11:05:32","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T11:05:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawentranceindia.com\/blogs\/?p=3560"},"modified":"2025-02-21T11:05:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T11:05:46","slug":"mlc-daily-current-affairs-21-february-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawentranceindia.com\/blogs\/mlc-daily-current-affairs-21-february-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"MLC Daily Current Affairs – 21 February 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today in History (February 21st<\/sup>,1894)<\/h1>\n

Sir Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar (21 February 1894 \u2013 1 January 1955), was an Indian scientist, academician, and scientific administrator. He was the first Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and also the first director-general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). He is known as the \u201cfather of research laboratories\u201d in India. In 1958, to honour his name and legacy, the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) instituted the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology for scientists who have made significant contributions in various branches of science. <\/p>\n

Summary of Today’s News<\/strong><\/h2>\n

SC stays Lokpal order on powers over HC judges<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022\tThe Supreme Court stayed the Lokpal’s order on January 27 that brought High Court judges under its jurisdiction, describing the interpretation of the top anti-corruption ombudsman as “very disturbing.”
\n\u2022\tA Special Bench, consisting of Justices B.R. Gavai, Surya Kant, and A.S. Oka, which includes three senior judges of the Supreme Court and Collegium members, took suo motu cognizance of the Lokpal order, expressing concern that it impacted judicial independence.
\n\u2022\tDuring the brief hearing, the Bench was assisted by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and B.H. Marlapalle, while Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of the Union government.
\n\u2022\tThe Special Bench issued notices to the Centre, the Registrar of Lokpal, and the complainant, on whose plea the January 27 order was issued. The court scheduled the next hearing for March 18.
\n\u2022\tThe court also prohibited the complainant from disclosing the name of the High Court judge involved and ordered the complainant to keep the contents of the complaint confidential.
\n\u2022\tSenior advocate Kapil Sibal emphasized that the court needed to establish clear legal guidelines regarding this issue.
\n\u2022\tSolicitor-General Tushar Mehta strongly argued that High Court judges should not be included under the jurisdiction of Lokpal.
\n\u2022\tThe Lokpal\u2019s order, led by former Supreme Court judge Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, stemmed from a complaint alleging that an Additional High Court judge had influenced other judges in favor of a private company.
\no\tThe company was said to have been a client of the judge when he was an advocate earlier.
\n\u2022\tIn its 13-page order, the Lokpal concluded that High Court judges were “public servants” and, therefore, fell under the jurisdiction of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act of 2013.<\/p>\n

Uttar Pradesh Government presents the annual budget-2025-2026<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022\tThe Uttar Pradesh government presented the 2025-26 budget with an outlay of \u20b98.09 lakh crore, marking the largest budget in the state’s history. The focus of the budget is on infrastructure development, technological advancements, women, and religious tourism.
\n\u2022\tState Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna highlighted that this year’s budget is 9.8% higher than the previous year, with 22% allocated for development purposes, 13% for education, 11% for agriculture and related services, and 6% for health.
\n\u2022\tAmong the key proposals, the government plans to construct four new expressways, with an allocation of \u20b9900 crore. Additionally, \u20b9300 crore has been earmarked for the development of primary schools as smart schools.
\n\u2022\tIn terms of tourism, the budget allocates over \u20b9400 crore for the Chief Minister\u2019s Tourist Places Development Scheme, with \u20b9150 crore specifically for developing tourism infrastructure in Ayodhya.
\n\u2022\tChief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that the budget reflects the commitment of the double-engine government to expand the state\u2019s economy and aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Prayas.”
\n\u2022\tOpposition parties criticized the budget, with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav referring to it as the \u201csecond last budget\u201d of the BJP government. Yadav argued that the budget lacks a vision for the state and fails to address the needs of the youth, farmers, and the poor.
\n\u2022\tBSP chief Mayawati also expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the budget lacks a clear intention or policy roadmap to combat inflation, poverty, unemployment, and rural distress. She further claimed that the budget is designed to appease the well-off middle class rather than addressing the concerns of the disadvantaged.<\/p>\n

The long and winding road of India-China relations<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022\tIndia\u2019s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited China.
\n\u2022\tHe met key Chinese officials:
\n\u2022\tWang Yi (Foreign Minister, Director of the Office of Central Commission of Foreign Affairs, Politburo member).
\n\u2022\tLiu Jianchao (Minister of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party).
\n\u2022\tAnnouncements were made regarding the future of bilateral relations, focusing on:
\n\u2022\tRestoration of media and think tank exchanges.
\n\u2022\tKailash Mansarovar Yatra.
\n\u2022\tResumption of bilateral flights (targeted for the summer of 2025).
\nPossible Reasons for Recent Developments:<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tTense Relations Post-2020 Galwan Clash:
\n\u2022\tIndia and China have faced over four years of strained relations.
\n\u2022\tStalemates are unsustainable; both sides have moved towards d\u00e9tente.
\n\u2022\tExternal and Internal Factors:
\n\u2022\tThe election of Donald Trump and his unpredictable approach may have influenced the timing of agreements.
\n\u2022\tEconomic concerns in both India and China may have contributed to the push for bilateral cooperation.
\n\u2022\tTiming of Key Agreements:
\n\u2022\tDe-escalation agreement (October 2024) and the January 2025 agreement may have been influenced by Trump\u2019s rising electoral chances.
\n\u2022\tHistoric logic: China normalized relations with India post-1962 war, after the Tiananmen Square massacre, indicating geopolitical shifts may prompt similar actions now.
\nConcerns and Questions Regarding the Status of Border Issues:<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tLack of Clarity on Troop Movements:
\n\u2022\tNo clear information on whether patrolling rights have been restored or demobilization of troops is ongoing.
\n\u2022\tAbsence of government communication raises doubts.
\n\u2022\tTroop Deployment and Border Tensions:
\n\u2022\tIndian and Chinese troops were mobilized during the 2020 clashes at key locations (Galwan, Depsang, Charding Nala, Gogra Post, Hot Springs, Pangong Lake).
\n\u2022\tThere is uncertainty regarding the status of People\u2019s Liberation Army troops on the Chinese side\u2014whether they\u2019ve retreated to their bases.
\n\u2022\tIndia emphasized China\u2019s violation of agreements and protocols in the aftermath of 2020.
\n\u2022\tUncertainty About Resolution:
\n\u2022\tLack of verifiable restoration of normalcy on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
\n\u2022\tIndia\u2019s Foreign Secretary briefed cautiously in October 2024, indicating a process for disengagement and resolution of issues from the 2020 clash, but no follow-up clarification.
\nIndia\u2019s Position on Bilateral Relations Post-2020:<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tIndia\u2019s Stand:
\n\u2022\tIndia insists that stability on the border and restoration of the status quo ante (pre-crisis conditions) are preconditions for broader bilateral relations.
\n\u2022\tChina\u2019s Position:
\n\u2022\tChina urges India to move on from the border standoff and not let it hinder broader economic, political, and social cooperation.
\nNeed for Clarity and Caution:<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tIndia\u2019s silence on the restoration of status quo ante may suggest a shift towards accepting China\u2019s position.
\n\u2022\tThis may appear as India abandoning its demand for stability before progressing in other areas.
\n\u2022\tRestoring normalcy is expected to be a prolonged process with challenges.
\n\u2022\tDiverging worldviews between India and China make convergence on global order unlikely in the near future.
\n\u2022\tIndia-China relations have experienced cyclical ups and downs under Xi Jinping\u2019s leadership.
\n\u2022\tRecommendation:
\n\u2022\tAbundant caution should be exercised moving forward, as India\u2019s lack of clarity creates uncertainty about the direction of bilateral relations.<\/p>\n