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Background of the Case The Union government has informed the Supreme Court of India that it cannot investigate corruption and nepotism allegations against Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu , as the matter pertains to state jurisdiction. The Centre clarified that issues concerning the Code of Conduct for Ministers and public procurement rules fall within the state government’s domain , not the Centre’s. The statement came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by two non-profit organisations — Save Mon Region Foundation and Voluntary Arunachal Sena — seeking a probe into alleged irregularities in the award of public contracts to firms linked to Khandu’s family members. The Petition and Allegations The petitioners accused Chief Minister Pema Khandu , his father’s second wife Rinchin Drema , and his nephew Tsering Tashi of benefitting from public contracts awarded by the Arunachal government. They alleged that such actions violated: The Code of ...

1. Background of the Case The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice Bhushan R. Gavai, has severely criticised the Maharashtra Government for its poor record in carrying out compensatory afforestation in the Aarey region. The issue came up during the hearing of an application filed by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) seeking permission to cut trees for the Goregaon–Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project, a tunnel connecting Filmcity in Goregaon with Khindipada in Mulund. An inspection report presented by Anitta Patil , Director of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) , revealed that out of 20,460 saplings planted as compensatory afforestation, only 50% survived . Most surviving trees were poorly maintained, with stunted growth, low height, and little ecological recovery due to lack of maintenance, poor soil conditions, water scarcity, and grazing . 2. Supreme Court’s Observations The bench comprising CJI Bhushan R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran expres...

Introduction India’s rich built heritage—palaces, forts, colonial mansions, temples, ghats—is under serious stress from neglect, institutional fragmentation and inadequate funding. As you outline, public-private partnerships (PPPs) and adaptive reuse have emerged as a possible route to reviving this heritage. The question arises: can the government mandate that eligible companies direct their statutory CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) obligations under the Companies Act 2013 towards heritage revival projects? This article examines the statutory CSR regime, constitutional and jurisprudential constraints, and the feasibility of directing CSR funds specifically to heritage preservation. The CSR Regime in India – Statute and Rules Applicability and key features Under section 135(1) of the Companies Act 2013, every company which, in the preceding financial year, satisfies any of the following criteria must comply with CSR obligations: net worth of ₹500 crore or more, or turnover ...

The Bombay High Court has issued a significant environmental directive, ordering six district administrations in the Konkan region — Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Sindhudurg — to transfer 10,000 hectares of mangrove land to the Maharashtra Forest Department within two months . The order, passed by a division bench comprising Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Sandesh Patil , came in response to a contempt petition filed by the Mumbai-based NGO Vanshakti in 2018 . The case underscores the persistent failure of local administrations to implement earlier court orders aimed at protecting the state’s vital mangrove ecosystems. Background of the Case The petition by Vanshakti , an environmental NGO, was filed after the state failed to comply with the Bombay High Court’s 2018 directions mandating the transfer of mangrove lands to the forest department’s mangrove cell for protection. According to Vanshakti, although 4,000 hectares of mangrove land ...

 In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has held that artificial lakes or man-made waterbodies do not enjoy statutory protection under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 , but emphasized that governments must safeguard them under the Doctrine of Public Trust to promote ecological balance and sustainable development. The Futala Lake Case: Background The verdict came in connection with Futala Lake (Telangkhedi Tank) in Nagpur , a historical waterbody built in 1799 by the ruler of Nagpur to serve irrigation needs. The lake spans a catchment area of approximately 200 hectares and has long been a prominent urban landmark. A non-profit organization, Swacch Association Nagpur , had approached the Supreme Court challenging construction activities around the lake—such as the creation of a plaza, floating restaurant, musical fountain, and viewers’ gallery —arguing that these developments violated the Wetlands Rules, 2017 . The Bombay High Court’s N...

Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu Successfully Concludes  Four-Day Davos Visit Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wrapped up a highly productive four-day visit to Davos, Switzerland, where he promoted the state as an attractive investment destination. His interactions with global leaders and CEOs highlighted the potential of Andhra Pradesh in sectors such as green energy, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and manufacturing. Key Highlights of the Davos Visit 1️⃣ Global Networking for Investments CM Naidu held discussions with executives from 15 prominent global companies , presenting Andhra Pradesh’s business-friendly policies and infrastructure. He invited investments in sectors like pharmaceuticals, medical devices, technical textiles , and rail components . 2️⃣ Focus on Brand Building During roundtable meetings and special sessions, CM Naidu emphasized Andhra Pradesh's vision and capabilities, promoting its brand image on the global stage. Day 1: Collaboration with Sw...

India's Bold Leap: 12 Industrial Smart Cities  Approved by Cabinet 🚀 A New Era for Indian Industry 🚀 In a landmark move, the Indian Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of 12 new industrial smart cities under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP). This ambitious initiative, with an investment of ₹28,602 crore, is set to reshape India’s industrial landscape and significantly boost the nation’s economic growth.                                             🌍 Strategic Locations Across 10 States 🌍 These industrial smart cities will be established across 10 states, strategically positioned along six major corridors. The cities will be located in: - Khurpia (Uttarakhand) - Rajpura-Patiala (Punjab) - Dighi (Maharashtra) - Palakkad (Kerala) - Agra and Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) - Gaya (Bihar) - Zaheerabad (Telan...

 Empowering Women in India's Panchayati Raj System: A Path to Sustainable Development India's Panchayati Raj System: A Beacon of Women's Leadership India's Panchayati Raj system has emerged as a beacon of women's leadership and empowerment, showcasing the transformative impact of decentralized governance.  Highlighting Constitutional Milestones At the recent #CPD57 side event, "Localising the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Leads the Way," Ruchira Kamboj, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, highlighted the strides made in women's representation within this unique system. Decentralized Governance and Active Participation The Panchayati Raj system, characterized by its decentralized power structure, ensures active participation from all residents through the Gram Sabha, setting it apart from conventional municipal governance models.  A Milestone for Gender Equality A pivotal moment for gender equality was marked in 1992 with a consti...