Uttar Pradesh

• 18 Feb 2025

Hindon River

Why in News? 

 Recently, a large amount of silt and religious material has been dumped into the Hindon River in Ghaziabad, further polluting the river. 

Key Points  

• The Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department attributed the river's pollution to the release of untreated drains into it, along with mismanagement and neglect of water quality. 
• Pollution in the river: 
  • Dissolved oxygen (DO) ranged from 1.43 to 4.22 mg/l, while the minimum DO required for aquatic life should be 4 mg/l. 
  • Total coliform levels range from 260,000 to 380,000 MPN/100 ML, while the standard limit is 1,000 MPN/100 ML. 
  • The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has categorised the river's water quality as 'E', which means the water is suitable only for irrigation, industrial cooling and controlled waste disposal. 
• In 2015, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) declared the Hindon River a  dead river , stating that it had high levels of pollution and was unfit for bathing in many parts. 

 Hindon River 

 

• This river originates from the Shivalik Hills in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh and flows for about 400 km in the industrial area of western Uttar Pradesh and merges with the Yamuna River in Noida. 
  • Hence it is a tributary of Yamuna River. 
  • It is a monsoon fed river. 
• Its catchment area is approximately 7,083 sq. km. 
• The Kali (West) River and the Krishna River are the main tributaries of the Hindon River. 
• Evidence of the Harappan civilization has been found on the banks of this river, which dates back to 2500 BC. 
• Ghaziabad and Noida are situated on the banks of this river. 

Exhibition of Schemes in Maha Kumbh

Why in News? 

Recently, an exhibition was organised in the Mahakumbh Mela on the implementation of important schemes by the Central Government and the Uttar Pradesh Government. 

Key Points  

• About the exhibition: 
  • This exhibition was organized by the Rural Development Department of the Government of India and the Rural Development Department of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. 
  • Through this an attempt has been made to depict the implementation of various schemes and the changing environment of the rural areas through them.  
• The important schemes among them are: 
  • Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act(MGNREGA): Under MGNREGA, various development works were carried out in rural areas such as Amrit-Sarovar, soak pit, rain water harvesting, construction of drains, tree plantation,etc. which changed the face of the rural area and led to development.  
  • National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM): Through Saras Haat of NRLM, women's livelihood was enhanced by promoting their products.  
    • Programs like BC Sakhi and Drone Sakhi showed improvement in the economic and social life of women 
  • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural): The goal of changing the face of housing in rural areas and giving every family its own pucca house was achieved through model houses under this scheme. 
  • Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): Under PMGSY, rural areas with a population of more than 250 are connected with all-weather roads. 
  • Integrated Watershed Management System 
  • Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin 
• Under the MNREGA scheme, various development works were carried out in rural areas such as Amrit-Sarovar, soak pit, rain water harvesting, construction of drains, tree plantation,etc. which changed the face of the rural area and led to development.  

Saras Haat 

• About: 
  • It is a programme to transform rural India in general and the lives of rural women in particular. 
  • During the Mela, workshops on product packaging and design, communication skills, social media publicity and Business to Business marketing will be organised to educate the rural self-help groups and craftsmen. 
• Organiser: 
  • It is an initiative by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) organised by the Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART). 
  • CAPART is an autonomous body set up by the Ministry of Rural Development to interface between the government and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) that seek to improve the quality of life in India's rural areas. 
• Objective: 
  • To bring the rural women Self Help Groups (SHGs) under one platform so that they can showcase their skills, sell their products, and help them build linkages with bulk buyers. 
  • Through participation in SARAS Aajeevika Mela, these rural SHG women will get vital national level exposure to understand the demand and taste of urban customers. 

Kumbh Mela 

• In the year 2025, Maha Kumbh Mela is being organized in Prayagraj from 13 January to 26 February 2025, in which millions of pilgrims are coming every day as a symbol of spiritual purification, cultural celebration and unity. 
• The word 'Kumbh' is derived from the metal 'Kumbhaka' (sacred pot of the nectar of immortality). 
• It is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims during which the participants take a bath or dip in the holy river. This congregation takes place at 4 different places, namely: 
  • On the banks of the Ganga at Haridwar . 
  • On the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain . 
  • On the banks of the Godavari (South Ganga) at Nasik . 
  • At the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical invisible Saraswati in Prayagraj 

Removal of a High Court Judge

Why in News?  

Recently, after the controversial statement of Allahabad High Court judge, an impeachment motion signed by 55 members has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha to remove him from his post.  

Key Points  

• About the issue: 
  • The Judge had allegedly made some communal remarks at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event in December 2024. 
  • Under the Judges Inquiry Act 1968, 55 opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha have given a notice to introduce a motion to remove Justice from the office of judge for his alleged misconduct. 
• Procedure for removal of Judges: 
  • Under Articles 124 and 218 , judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts can be removed by the President on grounds of “proven misbehaviour” or “incapacity”. 
  • To remove this, a resolution must be passed by both houses of the Parliament: 
    • Majority of the total membership of the House. 
    • A special majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting at the same session . 
  • The words “proven misbehaviour” and “incapacity” are not defined in the Constitution. 
    • Misconduct, as interpreted by the Supreme Court, includes wilful misconduct, corruption, lack of integrity or moral turpitude . 
    • Incapacity refers to a physical or mental condition that impedes judicial functioning. 
• Procedure under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968: 
  • Notice of Offer: 
    • For this , signatures of at least 50 Rajya Sabha members or 100 Lok Sabha members are required. 
    • After consultation the Chairman or Speaker decides whether to accept the motion or not. 
  • Inquiry Committee constituted: 
    • If the proposal is accepted then a three-member committee consisting of judges and a renowned jurist is formed. 
    • The committee investigates allegations of: 
      • If the judge is acquitted, the motion is dismissed. 
        • If found guilty then the committee report is sent to the Parliament for voting. 
  • Parliamentary approval: 
    • For the President to remove a judge , both the Houses will have to pass a resolution with a special majority.