• 07 Oct 2024

Haryana Assembly Elections 2024: Voter Turnout

Why in News?  

Recently, Haryana witnessed its 15th Assembly General Election, with polling conducted on 5th October, 2024.

Key Points

• Overall Voter Turnout: 
  • Haryana recorded a voter turnout of 67.90% for the Assembly Elections. 
  • Highest Turnout: Sirsa district with 75.36%. 
  • Lowest Turnout: Faridabad district with 56.49%. 
• Assembly Constituency-wise Voting Analysis: 
  • Highest Turnout: Ellenabad Assembly constituency with 80.61%. 
  • Lowest Turnout: Badkhal Assembly constituency with 48.27%. 
• Polling Statistics: 
  • Total Voters in Haryana: 2,03,54,350. 
  • Votes Cast: 1,38,19,776. 
    • Men: 74,28,124. 
    • Women: 63,91,534. 
    • Third-Gender Voters: 118. 
• Counting of votes will take place on 8th October, 2024. 

Articles from the Constitution of India relevant to State Assembly Elections: 

• Article 170: This article provides for the composition of the Legislative Assemblies of States. 
• Article 171: It pertains to the composition of the Legislative Councils of States. 
• Article 172: This article addresses the duration of State Legislatures. 
• Article 173: It details the qualifications for membership of the Legislative Assemblies and Councils. 
• Article 174: This article discusses the summons and prorogation of the sessions of the State Legislature. 
• Article 175: It provides for the Governor's address to the State Legislature. 
• Article 212: It states that the validity of proceedings in the legislature cannot be questioned. 

Uttarakhand Cybersecurity Review Post-Attack

Why in News? 

Recently, Uttarakhand's data center was temporarily shut down due to a malware attack, prompting a cybersecurity review by the state's Chief Minister.

Key Points  

• Cyberattack Incident: 
  • Malware attack temporarily closed down Uttarakhand's State Data Centre. 
  • Chief Minister  held a review meeting with officials from key departments like Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA),  National Informatics Centre (NIC), and police. 
    • CM ordered the creation of a cybersecurity task force for online services security. 
  • Proposed establishing a disaster recovery center for securing and recovering online data. 
• Cybersecurity Enhancements: 
  • CM directed a security audit of the State Data Centre and online platforms. 
  • Instructed the study and implementation of best practices from other states, central ministries, and agencies in cybersecurity. 
  • Ordered a review of the ITDA's technical work and potential action if negligence is found. 
• Personnel and Training: 
  • Directed filling of personnel vacancies in ITDA and provision of cybersecurity training to staff. 
  • Ensured updating of anti-virus systems in every government office to prevent future incidents. 
• Damage Control: 
  • No data loss reported from the malware attack on virtual machines. 
  • Out of 1378 machines, 11 were affected. 
  • Sites like e-office and CM helpline have already been restored. 

Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA) 

• The Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA) is an independent and autonomous body under the Government of Uttarakhand.  
• Its primary mission is to drive the growth of the Information Technology (IT) sector in Uttarakhand and to implement e-Governance projects across the state.  
• ITDA provides IT-related inputs and support to government departments, promotes IT sector growth, facilitates IT human resource development, and encourages innovation in technology.  
• Additionally, it undertakes tasks related to Information Technology enabled Services (ITeS), Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and electronics. 

Nominated MLAs and Potential Impact on J&K Assembly

Why in News?  

Recently, as the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) assembly election results draw near, the nomination of five Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) by the Lieutenant Governor has raised concerns about its potential influence on government formation.

Key Points  

• Nominations Before Assembly Formation: 
  • The Lieutenant Governor of J&K is reportedly nominating five MLAs before the formation of the assembly, raising concerns in political circles. 
  • The five nominated MLAs represent Kashmiri displaced persons and those from Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). 
  • These MLAs will have full legislative powers and privileges, just like elected representatives. 
• Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019: 
  • The J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 allows for the nomination of members to the assembly, with provisions to give representation to women. 
  • A 2023 amendment to the Act expanded the nomination to include three additional members – two from the Kashmiri migrant community and one from POJK displaced persons, bringing the total to five. 
• Majority Mark Shift: 
  • The assembly's strength would expand to 95 members if these nominations go through, raising the majority mark for government formation to 48 seats. 
• Puducherry Assembly Model: 
  • The J&K assembly is modeled on Puducherry's, where nominated members have the same powers and voting rights as elected representatives. 

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 

• It divided Jammu and Kashmir into 2 Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. 
• It repealed Article 370, which had granted Jammu & Kashmir a unique status. 
• Leh and Kargil districts were included in the Union Territory of Ladakh, while the remaining areas became part of Jammu & Kashmir. 
• Five Lok Sabha seats were retained by Jammu & Kashmir, and one was transferred to Ladakh. 
• Legislature: The seats in the Legislative Assembly will be reserved for tribal and scheduled caste people to keep the proportion intact of their population in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. 
  • The Lt. Governors can nominate two women members for the Assembly to represent women if women are not sufficiently represented to justify equality between men and women. 
  • The elected Legislative Assembly will be for 5 years, and the Lt. The Governor will summon the Assembly once every six months. 
  • The Legislative Assembly has the right to pass a law for any given part of the Union Territory of J&K related to any of the matters listed in the Indian Constitutions State's List except for the "Police" and "Public Order." 
  • Any matter specified in the Concurrent List will be applied to Indian Union Territories. Furthermore, Parliament will have the decision-making power to create laws for Jammu Kashmir and its Union Territory. 

Logo and Mascot for Women's Asian Champions Trophy, 2024

Why in News?  

Recently, Bihar Chief Minister unveiled the logo and mascot for the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, 2024, set to take place in Rajgir, Bihar from 11th November to 20th, 2024.

Key Points 

• Mascot Unveiling - 'Gudiya': 
  • The mascot for the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, 2024 is “Gudiya,” a term of endearment in Bihar for young girls. 
  • Inspired by the house sparrow, an endangered species, the mascot represents resilience, strength, and natural heritage. 
  • Gudiya’s bold stance and confident expression reflect the determination and athleticism of the players, symbolizing empowerment and awareness for endangered species protection. 
• Logo Design: 
  • The logo features the Bodhi Tree, symbolizing growth and resilience, tied to Bihar’s spiritual heritage. 
  • The intertwining branches reflect the journey of an athlete, connecting the past and future, showcasing Bihar’s increasing role in international sports. 
• Promoting Women’s Empowerment and Sports Infrastructure: 
  • The tournament and its symbolic elements align with Bihar’s mission to promote women’s empowerment and further develop the state's sports infrastructure. 
  • Hosting such prestigious international events brings global attention to Bihar, creating new opportunities for local talent and sports development. 

Women's Asian Champions Trophy  

• The Women's Asian Champions Trophy is a biennial international field hockey competition featuring the top six women's national teams from member associations of the Asian Hockey Federation. 
• Key Highlights: 
  • The tournament includes the best six women's national teams from Asia. 
  • South Korea holds the most titles, having won the tournament three times. 
  • India and Japan have each won the tournament twice.

MP Cabinet Honors Tribal Queen

Why in News?  

Recently, the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet held a meeting in Singrampur, Damoh district, on 5th October, 2024, to honor the 500th birth anniversary of 16th-century tribal queen Rani Durgavati.

Key Points  

• Rani Durgavati Shri Anna Protsahan Yojana: 
  • The Cabinet approved additional financial assistance of up to Rs. 3,900 per hectare for millet farmers under the Rani Durgavati Shri Anna Protsahan Yojana. 
  • This is in addition to the minimum purchase price, with the State already providing Rs. 1,000 per quintal through direct benefit transfer (DBT). 
• Rani Durgavati Memorial and Garden: 
  • A committee was approved to develop a Rani Durgavati Memorial and Garden in Jabalpur at a cost of Rs.100 crore. 
  • The project will develop a 24-acre area on Madan Mahal hill and involve several state ministers from Panchayat, Public Works, Tribal Affairs, and Culture & Tourism. 
• Madhya Pradesh Jain Welfare Board: 
  • The Cabinet approved the formation of the Madhya Pradesh Jain Welfare Board for the social, educational, and economic empowerment of the Jain community. 
  • The Board will alternate leadership every two years between members of the Shwetambar and Digambar sects. 
• Short-Term Crop Loans for Farmers: 
  • The government decided to continue providing short-term crop loans at 0% interest through cooperative banks for the year 2024-25.

Rani Durgavati 

• Rani Durgavati, born in 1524 in Mahoba's Chandela dynasty (present-day Uttar Pradesh, near the border with Madhya Pradesh), was a symbol of India's self-determination. 
  • Chandelas were known for building the famous Khajuraho temples in the 11th century. 
• She married Dalpat Shah, the son of Gond King Sangram Shah, and ruled the kingdom of Garha-Katanga after the death of her husband in 1550 with great vigor and courage. 
  • The Kingdom of Garha-Katanga included the regions of Narmada Valley and parts of Northern Madhya Pradesh. 
  • Gond tribe is a prominent tribe in central India known for their rich cultural heritage and resilience.
• As per the government’s documentation, the queen and her generals managed the affairs of the kingdom for 16 years.

Kishore Kumar Samman

Why in News?  

• Recently, the Madhya Pradesh government announced that filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani will be honored with the prestigious Kishore Kumar Samman 2023.

Key Points

• Notable Films: 
  • Hirani is known for directing iconic films such as 3 Idiots, PK, Sanju, Munna Bhai MBBS, Dunki etc.  
  • The award ceremony will take place on 13th October, 2023, in Khandwa, Kishore Kumar's hometown. 
  • It coincides with the death anniversary of the legendary singer. 
• Significance of the Award: 
  • This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hirani's directorial debut with Munna Bhai MBBS, a film that transformed Bollywood storytelling. 
  • The Kishore Kumar Samman has previously honored notable personalities in Indian cinema, including Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Manoj Kumar, Dharmendra, Shatrughan Sinha.

Kishore Kumar Samman 

• The Kishore Kumar Samman is an award given by the Madhya Pradesh government to recognize contributions to Hindi cinema.  
  • The award is given in the following fields: Acting, Screenplay, Songwriting, and Direction. 
• The award includes a prize of Rs 5 lakh, a plaque, and a shawl-shriphal. The award is given in memory of the famous playback singer and versatile artist, Kishore Kumar.  
• Kishore Kumar was a playback singer, actor, music director, lyricist, film producer, film director, screenwriter, and composer. He was a skilled imitator, interpreter, and innovator. He used colorful timbral effects, electric organs, and other atypical instruments in his accompaniments.