Tags: SC Article 143 hearing, NIRF retraction penalties, CAA citizenship delay, sugar-salt labelling, Wular lotus return, health policy, legal review, ecology
Supreme Court to Hear Article 143 Reference on Powers of President and Governors
1. Background of the Case
Hearing Date: July 22
Context: The Supreme Court is set to hear a Presidential Reference filed under Article 143 of the Constitution.
Core Issue: Whether the judiciary can impose timelines or prescribe procedures for the President and Governorsin dealing with State Bills presented for assent or reserved for the President.
2. Bench Constitution
Type of Bench: Constitution Bench
Judges on the Bench:
Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai
Justice Surya Kant
Justice Vikram Nath
Justice P.S. Narasimha
Justice A.S. Chandurkar
3. Legal Provisions Involved
Article 143: Permits the President to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on important legal or factual issues.
Article 200: Defines the Governor’s powers regarding assent, withholding assent, or reserving State Bills.
Article 201: Covers the process when the Governor reserves a Bill for the President’s consideration.
Article 142: Allows the Supreme Court to pass any order to ensure complete justice.
4. Legal Questions Raised in the Reference
Can judicial orders substitute constitutional powers of the President or Governor using Article 142?
Is Article 142 limited to procedural law, or does it extend to issuing directions inconsistent with existing constitutional provisions?
Can a State law be considered valid without the formal assent of the Governor?
Are decisions of the Governor or President under Articles 200 and 201 justiciable before a Bill becomes law?
Is it permissible for courts to review the contents of a Bill before it becomes law?
Does the concept of “deemed assent”, as introduced in the April 8 verdict, align with the constitutional scheme, or does it limit the powers of the President and Governors?
5. Trigger for the Presidential Reference
Reference Date: May 13, the last working day of former CJI Sanjiv Khanna.
Origin: Supreme Court’s April 8 ruling on the Tamil Nadu Governor's delays in acting on 10 State Bills.
Issue: The Governor delayed assent, and later reserved the Bills for the President.
The judgment prompted concerns about whether judicial orders can impose deadlines on constitutional functionaries.
6. April 8 Judgment Summary
Bench: Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan
Findings:
The Governor’s delays and reservation of the 10 Bills were declared illegal.
The court used Article 142 to grant “deemed assent” to all 10 Bills, arguing it was necessary to do complete justice.
As a result:
One Bill was treated as having assent by default.
Seven Bills were rejected, and two were left unaddressed by the Governor.
7. Controversy Around “Deemed Assent”
The Reference says the “deemed assent” concept is alien to the Constitution and undermines the authority of constitutional heads.
It argues that such judicial interpretations could fundamentally alter the powers of the President and Governors.
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar had earlier described Article 142 as a “nuclear missile against democratic forces”.
8. Objection to Two-Judge Bench Interpretation
The Reference questions whether a two-judge Bench can rule on substantial constitutional matters.
Cites Article 145(3), which mandates that cases involving major constitutional interpretation must be heard by a minimum five-judge Bench.
9. Clarification Sought on Article 200
The Presidential Reference asks the court to clarify the Governor’s constitutional choices when a Bill is presented:
Grant assent
Withhold assent
Reserve for the President
The April 8 judgment asserted that the Governor cannot delay decisions indefinitely, as a Bill reflects the will of the people.
Conclusion
The Presidential Reference seeks clarity on judicial boundaries in relation to executive discretion. The core question is whether the Supreme Court can intervene in the functioning of constitutional authorities like the President and Governors regarding their role in the legislative process. The outcome could significantly affect the separation of powers, legislative process, and judicial activism in India.
NIRF to Penalise Institutions for Retractions
1. New Rule Introduced (2025)
NIRF will now give negative marks to institutions with retracted research papers and their citations.
Managed by NBA, chaired by Anil Sahasrabudhe.
2. Penalty Details
Mild penalty in 2025.
Harsher penalties from 2026.
Institutions with frequent retractions may even be blacklisted later.
3. Why Papers Are Retracted
Mostly due to unethical practices:
Faked data
Image manipulation
Use of LLMs (AI tools) without disclosure
Few are due to genuine mistakes.
4. Ethical Message
Aim is to promote honest research.
Chairperson says, "Research should be conducted ethically."
5. Institutions Held Responsible
Institutions can't blame only researchers.
If they claim credit for papers, they must also take responsibility for bad ones.
Must improve internal quality checks.
6. Shift to Quality
Focus should be on quality, not just quantity of research.
Institutions should work to reduce retractions.
7. NIRF Ranking Impact
Retractions affect scores in:
Publications
Citations over 3 years
Top 25% citation scores
Doctor from Pakistan Seeks Indian Citizenship
1. Who is Dr. Nanikraz Khanoomal Mukhi?
A 50-year-old doctor from Hyderabad, Pakistan.
Ran a sonography clinic in Pakistan.
Moved to Ahmedabad, India in 2009 for:
His children’s education.
To escape religious persecution.
2. Initial Citizenship Application
Applied for Indian citizenship in 2016.
In 2021, received a letter from the Ahmedabad Collector's office:
Stated that the application had been processed.
Promised citizenship “soon”.
3. Becoming Stateless
After receiving the letter:
He surrendered his Pakistani passport at the Pakistan High Commission, Delhi.
Renounced Pakistani citizenship.
But Indian citizenship certificate never arrived.
Since 2021, he has been stateless:
“It is like being in an open jail. I have no nationality.”
4. Legal Action Taken
After writing letters and repeated visits to the Collector’s office failed:
Filed a petition in Gujarat High Court on April 30 against:
Union of India
State of Gujarat
The Union government is yet to file a reply.
The case has been repeatedly adjourned.
Next hearing date: August 6.
5. Concerns and Injustice
Dr. Mukhi’s fears:
He left Pakistan for a better life and daughter’s safety.
Spoke of forcible conversion of women in Pakistan.
Feels targeted by government inaction:
“I am being made to suffer here because officials have chosen to look the other way.”
6. Citizenship of His Family
Wife: Granted naturalisation certificate.
Three children:
Acquired citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019.
CAA became effective from March 11, 2024.
7. About the Citizenship Process
Citizenship falls under the Union List.
Managed by the Union Home Ministry.
Powers delegated to District Magistrates/Collectors in 31 districts across 9 States.
Applies to legal migrants (entered via passport/visa) from:
Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
Belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities.
Eligible under:
Section 5 (registration)
Section 6 (naturalisation) of the Citizenship Act, 1955
8. CAA Application and Pending Status
Dr. Mukhi also applied under the CAA in 2024.
His application is still pending.
CAA Application Requirements:
Though CAA is for undocumented migrants, the online portal asks for:
Any 6 types of documents.
Date of entry in India.
An eligibility certificate from a locally reputed community institution confirming:
The applicant belongs to the Hindu/Sikh/Buddhist/Jain/Parsi/Christian community.
Continues to be part of that community.
Empowered Committee Details:
Citizenship under CAA is granted by a State-level committee:
Headed by Director (Census Operations).
Dr. Mukhi was told by the Census official that:
His application is pending.
It was submitted through the Collector’s office.
He had renounced Pakistani citizenship based only on a Collector’s letter.
What Does the Sugar and Salt Labelling Say?
Government's New Labelling Initiative
The Health Ministry asked all departments to display oil and sugar content on popular snacks like samosa, vada paav, kachori, pizza, and burger.
This display must appear in cafeterias, meeting rooms, lobbies, and even on stationery items like letterheads, notepads, and folders.
Purpose of the Initiative
To promote healthier dietary habits by using visual behavioural nudges.
Designed for schools, offices, and public institutions.
Aims to raise awareness about hidden fats and sugars in everyday foods.
2. Why Are Warning Labels Being Devised?
Health Concerns Behind the Move
India faces a rapid increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
NCDs like heart disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, and cancer now cause over 66% of all deaths.
Especially affects people above the age of 30.
Expert Insights
Pariksha Rao, director at The Good Bug, says:
Excessive intake of sodium, added sugar, refined oils, and sugary drinks is a major health risk.
Many of these are marketed as healthy options.
Simultaneously, people lack essential nutrients like fibre, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
3. How is the Nutrient Value of Food Calculated?
Lab-based Analysis
Food nutrients are calculated per 100g using lab assessments.
Key metrics: total sugar, saturated fat, and salt levels.
When Lab Data is Not Available
Ingredient-based analysis using Indian Food Composition Tables (ICMR-NIN) is used.
ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines (2024)
Defines High Fat, Sugar, Salt (HFSS) foods:
Sugar >10% of total energy
Added fats/oils >15% of total energy
Salt >625 mg per 100g
HFSS foods are low in essential nutrients and often processed.
Overconsumption can lead to obesity and other health problems, especially among children and youth.
4. What Are the Guidelines on Sugar and Salt?
WHO Dietary Recommendations
Promote healthy diets to prevent malnutrition and NCDs.
Daily recommended intake for adults:
Fat: <65g
Added sugar: <25g
Salt: <5g
Advice from Nutritionist
Pariksha Rao suggests:
Eat more fibre-rich ingredients, local produce, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Cook at home, eat slowly, and avoid packaged foods.
Consistent small changes matter more than restrictive diets.
Goal: Develop a sustainable and nourishing food pattern.
Wular Back in the Pink
1. Lotuses Return After 30 Years
Pink lotuses and green leaves are back on Wular Lake after 30 years.
Dew drops and scenic views add to the lake’s charm.
Locals see it as a miracle and hope for better income.
2. Why Lotuses Disappeared
Farming and population growth caused pollution and silting.
High nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels harmed water quality.
Lotus plants need low phosphorus and clean, deep water.
Heavy silt on the lakebed blocked lotus growth.
3. How the Lake Recovered
De-siltation after the 2014 Kashmir floods helped restore conditions.
Teacher Khursheed Khan credits this cleanup for the return of lotuses.
4. Lake’s Shrinking Over Time
In 1911: 217.8 sq.km. area with 58 sq.km. marshes.
By 2007: reduced to 86.71 sq.km.
Agriculture use caused a 28% loss in area and 17% drop in fauna.
1992 Jhelum floods damaged the lake ecosystem, ending lotus bloom.
5. Culture and Daily Life
The lake supports 12,000+ households across 31 villages.
Wular is part of local legends and folklore.
Lotuses show the lake’s health and are a cherished delicacy.
Stems are cooked with fish, especially at weddings. Collecting them is tough but valued.
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