MLC Daily Current Affairs – 21 February 2025

Today in History (February 21^st,1894)

Sir Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar (21 February 1894 – 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 “father of research laboratories” 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.

Summary of Today’s News

SC stays Lokpal order on powers over HC judges

• The 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.”
• A 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.
• During 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.
• The 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.
• The 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.
• Senior advocate Kapil Sibal emphasized that the court needed to establish clear legal guidelines regarding this issue.
• Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta strongly argued that High Court judges should not be included under the jurisdiction of Lokpal.
• The Lokpal’s 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.
o The company was said to have been a client of the judge when he was an advocate earlier.
• In 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.

Uttar Pradesh Government presents the annual budget-2025-2026

• The Uttar Pradesh government presented the 2025-26 budget with an outlay of ₹8.09 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.
• State 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.
• Among the key proposals, the government plans to construct four new expressways, with an allocation of ₹900 crore. Additionally, ₹300 crore has been earmarked for the development of primary schools as smart schools.
• In terms of tourism, the budget allocates over ₹400 crore for the Chief Minister’s Tourist Places Development Scheme, with ₹150 crore specifically for developing tourism infrastructure in Ayodhya.
• Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that the budget reflects the commitment of the double-engine government to expand the state’s economy and aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Prayas.”
• Opposition parties criticized the budget, with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav referring to it as the “second last budget” 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.
• BSP 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.

The long and winding road of India-China relations

• India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited China.
• He met key Chinese officials:
• Wang Yi (Foreign Minister, Director of the Office of Central Commission of Foreign Affairs, Politburo member).
• Liu Jianchao (Minister of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party).
• Announcements were made regarding the future of bilateral relations, focusing on:
• Restoration of media and think tank exchanges.
• Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
• Resumption of bilateral flights (targeted for the summer of 2025).
Possible Reasons for Recent Developments:
• Tense Relations Post-2020 Galwan Clash:
• India and China have faced over four years of strained relations.
• Stalemates are unsustainable; both sides have moved towards détente.
• External and Internal Factors:
• The election of Donald Trump and his unpredictable approach may have influenced the timing of agreements.
• Economic concerns in both India and China may have contributed to the push for bilateral cooperation.
• Timing of Key Agreements:
• De-escalation agreement (October 2024) and the January 2025 agreement may have been influenced by Trump’s rising electoral chances.
• Historic logic: China normalized relations with India post-1962 war, after the Tiananmen Square massacre, indicating geopolitical shifts may prompt similar actions now.
Concerns and Questions Regarding the Status of Border Issues:
• Lack of Clarity on Troop Movements:
• No clear information on whether patrolling rights have been restored or demobilization of troops is ongoing.
• Absence of government communication raises doubts.
• Troop Deployment and Border Tensions:
• Indian and Chinese troops were mobilized during the 2020 clashes at key locations (Galwan, Depsang, Charding Nala, Gogra Post, Hot Springs, Pangong Lake).
• There is uncertainty regarding the status of People’s Liberation Army troops on the Chinese side—whether they’ve retreated to their bases.
• India emphasized China’s violation of agreements and protocols in the aftermath of 2020.
• Uncertainty About Resolution:
• Lack of verifiable restoration of normalcy on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• India’s 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.
India’s Position on Bilateral Relations Post-2020:
• India’s Stand:
• India insists that stability on the border and restoration of the status quo ante (pre-crisis conditions) are preconditions for broader bilateral relations.
• China’s Position:
• China urges India to move on from the border standoff and not let it hinder broader economic, political, and social cooperation.
Need for Clarity and Caution:
• India’s silence on the restoration of status quo ante may suggest a shift towards accepting China’s position.
• This may appear as India abandoning its demand for stability before progressing in other areas.
• Restoring normalcy is expected to be a prolonged process with challenges.
• Diverging worldviews between India and China make convergence on global order unlikely in the near future.
• India-China relations have experienced cyclical ups and downs under Xi Jinping’s leadership.
• Recommendation:
• Abundant caution should be exercised moving forward, as India’s lack of clarity creates uncertainty about the direction of bilateral relations.