TNPSC Current Affairs April 21, 2018

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs April 21, 2018 (21/04/2018)

Topic : General Administration, Latest Diary of Events

Process to impeach the Chief Justice of India

The Congress and six other opposition parties have moved a notice for the impeachment of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra, accusing him of “misbehaviour” and “misusing” authority.

So far, no Chief Justice has ever been impeached in India.

Procedure for removal of CJI:

Article 124(4) of the Constitution lays down the procedure for removal of a judge of the Supreme Court, including the CJI, who can be impeached on grounds of “misbehaviour or incapacity”.

The process:

Step 1: A removal motion signed by 100 members of Lok Sabha or 50 members of Rajya Sabha has to be submitted to the Speaker of the Lower House or Chairperson (ie Vice President) of the Upper House.

This can be in either of the Houses of Parliament.

Step 2: The Speaker/Chairperson can either accept or reject the motion.

Step 3: If the motion is admitted, then the Speaker/ Chairperson forms a three-member committee comprising a senior judge of the Supreme Court, a judge of a high court and a distinguished jurist to investigate the charges leveled against the CJI.

Step 4: If the committee supports the motion, it can be taken up for discussion. It must be passed by a special two-third majority of MPs in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Step 5: After it is passed in both Houses, it is presented to the President, who can pass a Presidential Order for removal of the CJI.

Can CJI continue to work during this period?

Both the Constitution and the Judges (Inquiry) Act of 1968 are silent on whether a judge facing impeachment motion should recuse from judicial and administrative work till he is cleared of the charges against him.

Topic : Latest Diary of Events

Civil Services Day

12th Civil Services Day was celebrated on April 21st, 2018. It focussed on ‘Evolving Strategies for Transforming Aspirational Districts’.

About the Civil Services Day:

The Government of India celebrates April 21 every year as ‘Civil Services day’ as an occasion for the civil servants to rededicate themselves to the cause of citizen and renew their commitments to public service and excellence in work.

This date is chosen to commemorate the day when first Home Minister of Independent India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers in 1947 at Metcalf House, Delhi.

Topic : Space Technology, Latest Diary of Events

Lunar ‘Gateway’ space station

National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (Nasa) is planning to award its first contract for the lunar “Gateway” program in 2019.

About the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway:

The Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway is Nasa’s planned “staging” area intended for studies of the moon and the deep-space environment.

Eventually, it will function as a way station for astronauts travelling to and from Mars.

The Gateway would also further Nasa’s goal of another human landing on the moon and will help determine whether water near the surface could be used to manufacture propellant for deep-space missions.