54th Chief Justice of Madras High Court
Prelims - Current Events of National and International Importance | Indian Polity & Governance.
Why in News?
Recently, Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava took oath as the 54th Chief Justice of the Madras High Court in a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, Chennai.
- Appointed by - President of India.
- Oath of office - Administered by State Governor.
- Powers derived from - Article 217.
- Qualification –
- Citizen of India,
- Held a judicial office in the territory of India for ten years; or
- An advocate of a high court (or high courts in succession) for ten years.
- Tenure - Constitution has not fixed the tenure.
- He holds office until he attains the age of 62 years.
- Any questions regarding his age are to be decided by the president.
- Resignation - He can resign from his office by writing to the president.
- Salaries and allowance - The salaries, allowances, privileges, leave, and pension of the judges of a high court are determined from time to time by the Parliament.
- Salaries are drawn from the consolidated fund of the state while pensions are from the Consolidated fund of India.
- Removal – He can be removed from his office by the President on the recommendation of the same session of the Parliament.
- Grounds of removal are proven misbehavior or incapacity.
- He can be removed on the same manner and grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.
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High Courts
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- The high court represents the state’s judicial administration.
- Articles 214 to 231 in Part VI of the Constitution deal with the organization, independence, jurisdiction, powers, procedures and so on of the high courts.
- There are 25 high courts in the country, 3 of which have jurisdiction in more than one state.
- The number of judges, which consists of the chief justice and other judges, varies from state to state and is determined by the president.
- Functions
- Original jurisdiction - In certain cases, they can hear a case directly, such as those related to fundamental rights or matters transferred from lower courts.
- Appellate jurisdiction - High Court judges hear appeals against decisions made by subordinate courts (like district and sessions courts) in both civil and criminal matters.
- Writs jurisdiction - High Courts can issue various writs (like Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Quo-warranto, and Certiorari) to protect fundamental rights and ensure justice.
- Supervisory jurisdiction - High Courts have the power to supervise and control all courts and tribunals within their jurisdiction (except those dealing with the armed forces).
- Court of record - Its proceedings, judgments, and acts are officially recorded and considered permanent legal documents.
- Administrative powers- High Courts also handle administrative tasks like appointing staff, determining salaries, and making rules for subordinate courts.
- Power of judicial review - High Courts can review laws and ordinances to ensure they are consistent with the Constitution and declare them unconstitutional if they are not.
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Reference
The Hindu| 54th Chief Justice of Madras High Court
India & European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
Prelims - Current events of National & International importance.
Why in News?
Recently, the Commerce and Industry Minister said that the Free Trade Agreement between India and the four-nation European bloc EFTA will be implemented from October 1.
- EFTA - It is an intergovernmental organisation established to promote free trade and economic integration, benefiting its four Member States.
- Member states - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, as well as their trading partners worldwide.
- India’s biggest trading partner – Switzerland.
- India-EFTA two-way trade - $24.4 billion in 2024-25.
- Tariff lines or product categories - Offering 82.7% by India, which cover 95.3% of EFTA exports, of which more than 80% of imports are gold.
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Outcomes of EFTA agreement
- India secured a follow-up commitment in the EFTA categories
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Countries
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EFTA sub-sectors
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Switzerland
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128
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Norway
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114
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Iceland
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110
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Liechtenstein
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107
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- Reduction of duties - India will phase out customs duties under the trade pact on these goods over 10 years, allowing several products, such as Swiss watches, chocolates, and cut and polished diamonds.
Benefits
- Strategic Investment Timeline – The bloc will invest $100 billion in 15years, consisting of two phases
- First phase - $50 billion within 10 years after the implementation of the agreement.
- Second phase - $50 billion in the next five years.
- Job creation on a large scale - It facilitates the creation of 1 million direct jobs in India.
- Access to high-quality products - Domestic customers will have access to top-grade Swiss products, including watches, chocolates, biscuits, and clocks, at lower prices.
- Boost to services sector - India has identified 105 sub-sectors for the EFTA, including legal, audio-visual, R&D, business services, computer services, accounting, auditing, distribution, and Health services.
- Entry into the EU market - Over 40% of Switzerland’s global services exports are directed to the EU, making it a strategic gateway for Indian firms to expand their presence in the European market.
Reference
The Hindu| India vs European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
Hornbill Conservation Centre
Prelims - Current events of National & International importance | General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity & climate change.
Why in News?
The Tamil Nadu government has announced the establishment of India’s first Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Coimbatore district.
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Hornbills
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- Hornbills are birds, easily recognizable by their large, downward-curved bills, often brightly colored and featuring a unique bony structure called a casque on the upper mandible.
- The name "hornbill" itself stems from this prominent, horn-like projection.
- The keystone species often known as “farmers of the forest”, play a crucial ecological role as seed dispersers, helping to regenerate native forests.
- Habitat – They inhabit the canopy of tall evergreen forests.
- Distribution – They are found in Sub-Saharan Africa, Indian-Subcontinent, Philippines, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands.
- Diet - Hornbills are omnivorous
- Threats - Deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and the impacts of climate change.
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- Reason behind selection - Anamalai Tiger Reserve was selected for its ecological richness, existing conservation infrastructure, and for its track record in protecting endangered species, including
- Tigers,
- Elephants,
- Lion-tailed macaques, and
- Other endemic wildlife.
- Focus - Four hornbill species found in the Western Ghats
- Great Indian Hornbill (IUCN -Vulnerable)
- Malabar Grey Hornbill (IUCN -Vulnerable)
- Malabar Pied Hornbill (IUCN – Near threatened)
- Indian Grey Hornbill (IUCN – Least concern)
- Funding - Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests has sanctioned funds under the Endangered Species Conservation Corpus Fund to establish the Centre.
- Collaboration - Tamil Nadu Forest Department will team up with leading national and international organisations, including
- Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History,
- Nature Conservation Foundation,
- Wildlife Institute of India, and
- International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Hornbill Specialist Group.
- Activities - It include habitat mapping, nest monitoring, scientific research, climate impact assessments, and restoration of degraded forest areas by planting native trees such as fig and Canarium that support hornbill populations.
- Community participation - Residents will be involved in conservation efforts through nest adoption programmes, scholarships for students, and sustainable livelihoods such as seed collection.
- Capacity-building programs - Forest staff and host awareness activities, including field visits for school children and community outreach.
- Similar hornbill conservation activities - In other landscapes such as the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR), and parts of Kanyakumari district.
Quick facts
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Keystone species
- A keystone species is a plant or animal that plays a unique and crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions.
- Without them, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.
- Its disappearance could affect other species that rely on it for survival.
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Reference
The Hindu| TN’s Hornbill Conservation Centre
SASCI Scheme
Prelims - Current events of National & International importance
Why in News?
Recently, the Ministry of Tourism has rolled out operational guidelines for the SASCI scheme to state governments.
- SASCI – Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment - Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ (SASCI) scheme.
- Aim - Transforming select tourist destinations into globally competitive attractions.
- It is a centrally funded initiative for advancing select tourist destinations through capital investment and innovation.
- Launched by - Ministry of Tourism.
- Selection method - These projects are identified based on the project proposals submitted by the relevant state governments.
- Scrutiny parameters - Connectivity to the site, tourism ecosystem, carrying capacity, sustainability measures, sustainable operation and management, project impact and value created, and tourism marketing plans, etc.
- Key features
- Time bounded framework - projects are to be developed and completed within maximum 2 year’s period
- State execution - implemented and managed by the concerned State Government.
- Digital interaction - promotional activities endeavours in the international and domestic markets through social media, promotional websites, events etc.
- Significance
- Developing end to end tourist experience,
- Funding support to the shortlisted proposals,
- Strengthening all points of the tourist value chain,
- Harnessing quality expertise for design and development,
- Sustainable operations and maintenance etc.
Reference
DD News| SASCI Scheme
PIB| SASCI Scheme
