President appoints Governors

The President has been pleased to appoint the following as Governors:- 1. Shri Ram Naik as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh; 2. Shri Balramji Dass Tandon as the Governor of Chhattisgarh; 3. Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi as the Governor of West Bengal; 4. Shri Om Prakash Kohli as the Governor of Gujarat. The above appointments will take effect from the dates the incumbents assume charge of their respective offices.

PM meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Fortaleza

• India and China have enormous opportunities to not only forge mutually beneficial partnerships, but also serve as catalytic agents of Asian and global prosperity • PM suggests opening of a second route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra • China invites India to APEC meeting in November; says India should deepen engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, met Chinese President Xi Jinping shortly after his arrival in Fortaleza, Brazil, today on the eve of the Sixth BRICS Summit. The 80-minute meeting was the Prime Minister’s first summit-level interaction with China. The two leaders observed that India and China had enormous opportunities to not only forge mutually beneficial partnerships, but also serve as catalytic agents of Asian and global prosperity. President Xi Jinping underscored the importance of the bilateral relationship and said: When India and China meet, the whole world watches. The two leaders were pleased with the opportunity to meet within a few weeks of the assumption of office by Prime Minister. They expressed satisfaction at the high momentum of bilateral engagement during the past few weeks, including the visit of Vice-President of India Shri Hamid Ansari to China and the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India as President Jinping’s Special Envoy, in June. Both sides emphasized on the need to find a solution to the Boundary Question. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of strengthening mutual trust and confidence, and maintaining peace and tranquility on the border. He said that if India and China could amicably resolve the Boundary Question, it would set an example for the entire world, on peaceful conflict resolution. Shri Narendra Modi suggested the addition of one more route for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, keeping in view the terrain difficulties. President Xi Jinping accepted this as a suggestion for consideration. The Prime Minister called for enhanced Chinese investment in the infrastructure sector in India, and hoped that the trade imbalance between the two countries is resolved. President Xi Jinping agreed that balance in trade is necessary for a sustainable economic relationship. He also said enhanced services exports from India to China could be one way to address the issue. China has invited India to attend an APEC meeting in November this year. President Xi Jinping also said India should deepen its engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The Prime Minister said India currently has observer status in the SCO, and was ready to accept additional responsibility, if asked to. Shri Narendra Modi warmly recalled his visits to China as Chief Minister. He underlined that relations between countries are built on the strength of relations between their people. He expressed hope for increase in tourism and ties between the people of the two ancient civilizations. Prime Minister expressed hope that President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to India this year was an opportunity to chart a new and ambitious agenda for the strategic partnership between India and China. He expressed appreciation for the invitation extended to him to visit China and looked forward to an early visit.

Everything about new initiative to clean,develop and linking of rivers for IAS MAINS

Development of Rivers

Ministry of Environment & Forests have informed that the Central Government by a Notification dated 20.02.2009, has set up the ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority’ (NGRBA) under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister, for conservation of the river Ganga. Further, for rivers other than Ganga, Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) is being implemented by the Central Government jointly with the State Governments on a cost-sharing basis. The pollution abatement works under NRCP presently cover identified polluted stretches of 40 major rivers in 121 towns spread over 19 States in the country. The names of the rivers development of which is being undertaken by NRCP are: Godavari, Yamuna, Mandovi, Sabarmati, Mindhola, Damodar, Subarnarekha, Pennar, Bhadra, Tungabhadra, Cauvery, Tunga, Pamba, Betwa, Tapti, Wainganga, Mandakini, Narmada, Khan, Chambal, Beehar, Kshipra, Krishna, Panchganga, Tapi, Diphu & Dhansiri, Brahamini, Mahanadi, Satluj, Beas, Ghaggar, Rani Chu, Adyar, Cooum, Vaigai, Vennar, Tamrabarani, Musi, Gomti, and Mahananda. Development of river Ganga is being implemented by National Ganga River Basin Authority, and a provision of Rs. 355 crore is envisaged in the financial year 2014-15. For development of rivers other than Ganga, a provision of Rs. 195.74 crore is envisaged in the financial year 2014-15 for implementation under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). However, the subsequent river-wise allocation of funds under NRCP is to be done internally by Ministry of Environment & Forests. Development and Rejuvenation of Ganga During 12th Plan, outlay for Rs. 2200 crore has been provisioned for National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), which has been entrusted with the work of controlling pollution in the river Ganga. Further, Government is giving special emphasis on rejuvenation of River Ganga. Consultation with different stakeholders viz., Ministries such as Ministry of Environment & Forests; Water Resources, Ganga Rejuvenation and River Development; Urban Development; Tourism; Shipping; Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation; Rural Development, etc., as well as academics, technical experts and NGOs associated with cleaning of Ganga, is in progress. Crystallisation of action plan, including framing of its salient features, time line and likely expenditure would be known only after the finalisation of the action plan for cleaning of River Ganga. This would include issues of ecological flow in River Ganga as also curbing of pollution.   Ministry of Environment & Forests have informed that the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) are required to implement the effluent discharge standards by the industries. Action is to be taken against the defaulting industries by the SPCBs under powers delegated to them by the Central Government under relevant provisions of Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Further, efforts made by the Government for management of Industrial Pollution affecting Rivers includes notifying industry specific effluent standards. The Ministry of Environment & Forests has identified 764 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) discharging 501 million litres per day (mld) of wastewater into Ganga and its major tributaries. 704 industries have been inspected Under NGRBA programme by the NGRBA Cell, CPCB till May, 2014. Directions have been issued to 165 industries, of which 48 are the closure directions under Section -5 of E(P) Act,1986. Government is also promoting setting up of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Environmental Surveillance of industries by CPCB, State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees. Status of Ganga Rejuvenation Plan Ministry of Environment & Forests have informed that in 2009,National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was set up to control pollution in river Ganga. The key activities include laying of sewerage system, sewage treatment plants, solid waste management, common effluent treatment plant for controlling industrial pollution, river front management, crematoria etc. So far, 67 schemes in 48 towns in five Ganga States and 6 institutional development projects including Automatic Water Quality Monitoring and Ganga Knowledge Centre have been sanctioned at a total cost of Rs. 4683.61 crore under the programme. Till date, Rs. 1229.87 crore has been released from centre and states, of which Central Government’s share is Rs. 912.52 crore and State Governments’ share is Rs. 317.35 crore. An expenditure of Rs. 838.76 crore has been reported till March, 2014 for implementation of the project. During 12th Plan, an outlay for Rs. 1500 crore for National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and Rs. 2200 crore for NGRBA has been provisioned. Government is also giving special attention to rejuvenation of River Ganga. Consultation with different stakeholders viz., Ministries such as Ministry of Environment & Forests; Water Resources, Ganga Rejuvenation and River Development; Urban Development; Tourism; Shipping; Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation; Rural Development, etc., as well as academics, technical experts and NGOs associated with cleaning of Ganga, is in progress. Crystallisation of action plan, including framing of its salient features, time line and likely expenditure would be known only after the finalisation of the action plan for cleaning of River Ganga. There is at present no proposal to prepare a comprehensive plan for the entire stretch of any other river under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) like that being done for Ganga under National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA). However, pollution abatement of rivers is an ongoing and collective effort of the Central & State Governments. The Central Government is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in addressing the problem of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers under NRCP for implementation of projects on a cost sharing basis between the Central & State Governments. NRCP presently covers polluted stretches of 40 rivers in 121 towns spread over 19 States at a sanctioned cost of Rs.5334.97 crore. Various pollution abatement schemes taken up by the States under the Plan, inter-alia, include interception and diversion of raw sewage/laying of sewerage system, setting up of sewage treatment plants, creation of low cost sanitation/community toilet complexes, setting up of crematoria & river front development. Till end of March, 2014, funds amounting to Rs.3240.30 crore have been released to the States and sewage treatment capacity of 3729.49 mld has been created under NRCP. Further, during 12th Plan, a provision of Rs. 1500 crore has been provisioned for NRCP. Plan to Clean Rivers Pollution abatement of rivers is an ongoing and collective efforts of Central and State Governments. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in addressing the problem of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), Ganga Action Plan (GAP) phase I and II, and National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) programmes for implementation of projects on a cost sharing basis between the Central and State Governments. These programmes have presently covered polluted stretches of 42 rivers in 199 towns spread over 21 States at a sanctioned cost of Rs.10,716.45 crore. Till the end of March, 2014, funds amounting to Rs.5097.50 crore have been released to the States, expenditure amounting to Rs.6454.26 crore (including State share) has been incurred. Under NGRBA, the key activities include laying of sewerage system, sewage treatment plants, solid waste management, common effluent treatment plant for controlling industrial pollution, river front management, crematoria etc. So far, 67 schemes in 48 towns in five Ganga States and 6 institutional development projects including Automatic Water Quality Monitoring and Ganga Knowledge Centre have been sanctioned at a total cost of Rs.4683.61 crore under the programme. Till date, Rs.1229.87 crore has been released from centre and states, of which Central Government’s share is Rs.912.52 crore and State Governments’ share is Rs.317.35 crore. An expenditure of Rs. 838.76 crore has been reported till March, 2014 for implementation of the project. Further, during 12th Plan, outlay for Rs.1500 crore for NRCP and Rs.2200 crore for NGRBA has been provisioned. Funds for Cleaning Ganga Ministry of Environment & Forests have informed that in the year 2009 National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was set up to control pollution in river Ganga. The key activities include laying of sewerage system, sewage treatment plants, solid waste management, common effluent treatment plant for controlling industrial pollution, river front management (including development of ghats), development of crematoria etc. So far, 67 schemes in 48 towns in five Ganga States and 6 institutional development projects including Automatic Water Quality Monitoring and Ganga Knowledge Centre have been sanctioned at a total cost of Rs. 4683.61 crore under the programme. Till date, Rs. 1229.87 crore has been released from centre and states, of which Central Government’s share is Rs. 912.52 crore and State Governments’ share is Rs. 317.35 crore. An expenditure of Rs. 838.76 crore has been reported till March, 2014 for implementation of the project. In the Financial Year 2014-15, a provision of Rs. 355.0 crore is envisaged for NGRBA. Government is committed for rejuvenation of River Ganga. Consultation within different stakeholders viz., Ministries such as Ministry of Environment & Forests; Water Resources, Ganga Rejuvenation and River Development; Urban Development; Tourism; Shipping; Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation; Rural Development, etc., as well as academics, technical experts and NGOs associated with cleaning of Ganga, is in progress. Crystallisation of action plan, including framing of its salient features, time line and likely expenditure would be known only after the finalisation of the action plan for cleaning of river Ganga. A comprehensive River Basin Management Plan for Ganga is being prepared by a consortium of seven IITs (Kanpur, Delhi, Madras, Bombay, Kharagpur, Guwahati and Roorkee) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been signed on 6.7.2010 by Ministry of Environment & Forests & the IITs. The objective of the plan is to suggest comprehensive measures for restoration of the wholesomeness of the Ganga system and improvement of its ecological health, with due regard to the issue of competing water uses in the river basin. The Plan would take into consideration the requirements of water and energy in the Ganga Basin, while ensuring that the fundamental aspects of the river system are protected. The IIT consortium is proposing to submit its report by the end of August, 2014. In the 12th Five Year Plan, a provision of Rs. 2200 crore has been kept for cleaning of river Ganga being implemented by National Ganga River Basin Authority.  Inter-Linking of Rivers Under the National Perspective Plan prepared by Ministry of Water Resources, National Water Development Authority has already identified 14 links under Himalayan Component and 16 links under Peninsular Rivers Component. Out of these, Feasibility Reports of 14 links under Peninsular Component and 2 links (Indian portion) under Himalayan Component have been prepared. Five Peninsular links namely (i) Ken – Betwa, (ii) Parbati – Kalisindh – Chambal, (iii) Damanganga – Pinjal, (iv) Par – Tapi – Narmada & (v) Godavari (Polavaram) - Krishna (Vijayawada) have been identified as priority links for preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). The Government is pursuing the inter-linking of the rivers programme in a consultative manner with the States concerned and in accordance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter. The status of various Inter-State water disputes which have been referred to Tribunals for conflict resolution is given below: S. No Name of Tribunal States concerned Date of constitution Present Status 1 Ravi & Beas Water Tribunal Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan April, 1986 Report and decision under section 5(2) given in April, 1987. A Presidential Reference in the matter is before Supreme Court and as such the matter is sub-judice. 2. Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puduchery June, 1990 Report and decision given on 5.2.2007 which was published vide Notification dated 19.2.2013. Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by party States in Hon’ble Supreme Courtpending and as such the matter is sub-judice. 3. Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal -II Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra April, 2004 Report and decision given on 30.12. 2010. Further report given by the Tribunal on 29.11.2013.  Term of the Tribunal has been extended for a further period of two years w.e.f. 1stAugust, 2014 to address the terms of reference as contained in section 89 of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. As per Supreme Court Order dated 16.9.2011, decision taken by the Tribunal on references filed by States and Central Government shall not be published in the official Gazette. As such, matter is sub-judice. 4. VansadharaWater Disputes Tribunal Andhra Pradesh &Odisha February, 2010 Report and decision not given by the Tribunal. State of Odisha has filed an SLP in Supreme Court against the appointment of one of the Members of the Tribunal. The SLP in the matter filed by the State of Odisha in the Supreme Court is pending. Thus the matter is sub-judice. Beside, Hon’bleVansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal in its Order dated 17.12.2013 has directed to constitute a 3-member Protem Supervisory Flow Management and Regulation Committee on River Vansadhara to implement its Order.  5. MahadayiWater Disputes Tribunal Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra November, 2010 Report and Decision not given by the Tribunal.     Further, the Central Government has constituted a 3-member Supervisory Committee on;          i.            Mullaperiyar Dam for implementing the order dated 7.5.2014 of the Hon’ble Supreme            Court.        ii.            Babhali Barrage on 24.10.2013 for implementation of the Order dated 28.2.2013 of Hon’ble Supreme Court.   Action has also been initiated by the Central Government as per the provisions of Section 3 of the ISRWD Act, 1956 on the request of Government of Bihar, on river Sone.               Inter-State River Water Dispute Act, 1956 has already been amended in the year 2002 in consultation with the State Governments, whereby adjudication of water disputes by the Tribunals was made time-bound. Further, a committee was also set up by the Central Government to study the activities that are required for the optimum development of a river basin and changes that may be required in the existing River Board Act, 1956.  The report of the Committee has been placed before National Forum of Ministers of Water Resources/irrigation of the States and also been sent to the concerned Central Ministries, all the States and Union Territories

Greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by atmosphericgreenhouse gases, and is re-radiated in all directions. Since part of this re-radiation is back towards the surface and the lower atmosphere, it results in an elevation of the average surface temperature above what it would be in the absence of the gases

Solar radiation at the frequencies of visible light largely passes through the atmosphere to warm the planetary surface, which then emits this energy at the lower frequencies of infrared thermal radiation. Infrared radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases, which in turn re-radiate much of the energy to the surface and lower atmosphere. The mechanism is named after the effect of solar radiation passing through glass and warming a greenhouse, but the way it retains heat is fundamentally different as a greenhouse works by reducing airflow, isolating the warm air inside the structure so that heat is not lost by convection.

Contributers to Greenhouse Effect

Those gas molecules in the Earth's atmosphere with three or more atoms are called "greenhouse gases" because they can capture outgoing infrared energy from the Earth, thereby warming the planet. The greenhouse gases include water vapor with three atoms (H₂O), ozone (O₃), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and methane (CH₄). Also, trace quantities of chloro-fluoro-carbons (CFC's) can have a disproportionately large effect.

By their percentage contribution to the greenhouse effect on Earth the four major gases are:

• water vapor, 36–70%
• carbon dioxide, 9–26%
• methane, 4–9%
• ozone, 3–7%

The major non-gas contributor to the Earth's greenhouse effect, clouds, also absorb and emit infrared radiation and thus have an effect on radiative properties of the atmosphere

ALBEDO OF EARTH (geo)

When sunlight reaches the Earth’s surface, some of it is absorbed and some is reflected. The relative amount (ratio) of light that a surface reflects compared to the total incoming sunlight is called albedo. Surfaces with high albedos include sand, snow and ice, and some urban surfaces, such as concrete or light-colored stone. Surfaces with low albedos include forests, the ocean, and some urban surfaces, such as asphalt.
Albedo is important to Earth scientists because it plays a significant role in our planet’s average surface temperature. When a surface reflects incoming sunlight, it sends the energy back to space, where it doesn’t affect temperature or climate. When a surface absorbs light, however, solar energy is turned into heat. If the surface is snow or ice, it may melt; otherwise, the surface’s temperature rises.
A surface’s albedo may change depending on the angle of the incoming sunlight and the satellite’s viewing angle. These maps show the albedo that would be observed at each location at noon local solar time—in other words, as if the Sun were directly overhead at every location.
In addition, the same surface may not have the same albedo for all wavelengths of light. Consider leaves: they look green because they are reflecting a lot of the green wavelengths of light falling on them. So, they have a high albedo in green wavelengths. But we know they are absorbing other wavelengths of visible light for photosynthesis, so in those wavelengths (mostly red and blue), leaves have a low albedo. 

A force for tech-savviness

example of good policing

Bangalore police is trying not to let its lack of numbers show.

It was a carefully crafted sting operation that could have been straight out of a movie. Early this month in Bangalore, some 700 undercover policemen, including 100 women, carried out an all-day operation on autorickshaw drivers. Posing by turn as Kannada, English and Hindi-speaking commuters, they tracked the responsiveness of drivers in a 15-hour long operation. The result: over 3,000 autorickshaw drivers were fined and 450 auto rickshaws seized for a variety of offences ranging from boorish behaviour and overcharging to refusal to ply to the commuter’s destination of choice. The scale, creativity and originality of the operation transformed what might have been a small-scale exploit into a full-fledged police feat.

Autorickshaws are a lifeline in Bangalore, whose public transport system consists of a crowded, inefficient bus service as well as a piecemeal metro rail system that is ineffectual because it only operates at two extreme ends of the city. So, the three-wheeled vehicle is often the only option for thousands of students and young workers, who use them to travel to their colleges or workplaces. By posing as Hindi- and English-speaking commuters, the Bangalore police exposed the travails of “outsiders” in dealing with auto drivers.

The raid gave the much-maligned Bangalore police force a reputation lift. Just weeks before, a young woman who refused to give in to the exorbitant fare demands of an autorickshaw driver had been soundly abused by him. Not to be cowed down, she had whipped out her smartphone and started filming the abusive driver, who then pushed and shoved her. The shaken woman’s Facebook entreaty went viral and inspired the police sting operation.

Following the auto raid, hundreds of residents took to social networks to stack praise on the police’s efforts to rein-in rogue auto drivers. “This operation made us non-Kannadigas feel that we belong in the city,” said one resident on a social networking site. “If this raid had happened earlier, I would not have bought a car,” said another. Commuters from cities like Gurgaon and Pune demanded that their police also embark on similar raids.

Bangalore Police rarely gets such a shower of eulogies. On the contrary it is flak, like when a member of the legislative assembly, Vijayanand Kashappanavar of the Congress, was caught on tape abusing and assaulting two policemen who — as is routine — started filming liquor being served to his party, without knowing his identity, at a ritzy downtown bar much past closing time.

Policing is an underappreciated job in Bangalore, where an inadequate force manages an ever-expanding city steadily swelling with an influx of immigrant workers, students and professionals. Its population is over 10 million but the city has a police force of 16,000, with some 3,000 vacancies at last count. Surprisingly, while the city has exploded both in population and size, the police force has shrunk. The city and its people are changing, policing is also changing and has become very challenging, said Raghavendra Auradkar, the city’s police commissionerin a recent speech. Solving crime and maintaining law and order is part of it, and the Bangalore police is also required to smoothen the city’s nightmarish traffic during peak hours. It is a mammoth task in an urban sprawl with over 5 million registered vehicles — one vehicle for every two residents. Hundreds of policemen position themselves at crowded intersections in neighbourhoods trying to untangle traffic snarls. It is backbreaking, 7-days-a-week work.

To compensate for low manpower, the force is taking to technology in a big way, making it the country’s most tech-savvy. The public can send complaints through multiple modes — text messages, emails or even a post on its official website. Its social networking pages have turned into handy tools to disseminate news of crime and warn the public about the modus operandi of criminals. Recently, a Facebook upload of an offender’s photo gave the police a direct lead to the accused, who stole luxury cars by posing as a buyer and pretending to take the cars on a test drive. Automated cameras at street junctions send feeds that are monitored at a central location, yielding video evidence to book hundreds of traffic offenders.

Later, the police reprised their role as stealth agents by duplicating the sting operation on the city’s cab drivers. Constables dressed in plain clothes pretending to be commuters booked no less than 8,000 cab drivers on a single day for offences including speeding and using mobile phones while driving. The operation earned the police a cool Rs 8.65 lakh in fines. The police strategy has sorted out, at least temporarily, the problem of errant auto and cab drivers. What the police force lacked in numbers, it seems to have made up with original thinking.

Governed by whim,removal of governors

The office of the governor has always been a subject of political controversy. Of course, a governor’s removal from office evokes greater controversy than her appointment. Traditionally, politicians who have become non-performing assets and bureaucrats who retired from top positions in government and who were particularly helpful to the ruling dispensation have been appointed governors.

In our constitutional scheme, the governor plays a very important role. But strangely enough, the Constitution does not lay down any criteria for the appointment of a governor except that she should be an Indian citizen and should have completed 35 years of age.  The debates in the Constituent Assembly indicate that the general thinking of the members was in favour of appointing persons of eminence in the field of education or other fields of life, as well as individuals who would “represent before the public something above politics”. Though no criteria have been laid down for selecting a governor, the governments that held office after the Constitution came into force should have respected the views of the Constituent Assembly and set a tradition of appointing persons of eminence and not politicians who were defeated in elections, or retired bureaucrats who were useful. Raj Bhavans have become convenient parking places for them.

It has now become a convention for a new government led by a different party to get rid of the governors appointed by the previous one. In 2004, the UPA removed NDA-appointed governors, although the Vajpayee government had not resorted to this measure in 1999. Now the new government in Delhi has instructed the home secretary to informally ask governors to quit. Some have resigned (mainly ex-bureaucrats), but some — mostly politicians — are resisting the Centre’s pressure. Till 2010, it was believed that governors could be sacked through a presidential order. After all, the Constitution says governors hold office during the pleasure of the president or in other words, the pleasure of the government of the day.

But in 2010, the Supreme Court handed down a judgment that placed certain restrictions on the withdrawal of the pleasure of the president. It said that the president can sack a governor only on the basis of valid and compelling reasons.

The presidential act should not be malafide, capricious or whimsical. The judgment categorically said that a change of government is no ground for the changing of governors. The court made it clear that if the reasons for the removal of a governor are arbitrary, whimsical, etc, such executive actions will be subject to judicial review.

In light of this judgment, what are the options available to the president? The court said that it would not intervene in the removal of a governormerely on the ground that a different view is possible or that the material or reasons for the decision are insufficient. The judgment, in essence, highlights that there should be reasons for such a removal, which are relevant and not arbitrary or whimsical.

It is not very difficult for the government to find valid and relevant reasons for the removal of a governor. The Union home ministry would have sufficient information about the activities of a governor. If she indulges in political activities covertly, it would be a valid ground for withdrawing the pleasure of the president. Similarly, if the governor is closely associated with some activity that is being investigated by agencies, the continuance of such a person in the Raj Bhavan would become untenable and it can be presumed that there is a valid reason for removing her. If a person who was involved in a criminal activity has been made a governor, the next government has a valid and compelling reason to remove her. All that the Supreme Court has suggested is that the proximate cause of removal should not be a change of government or that the governor is not in sync with the politics and ideology of the new government.

So, it seems correct, as many have asserted, that the Supreme Court has barred a new government from dismissing governors appointed by the previous regime. The court’s intervention will take place only if an aggrieved governor could prove beyond doubt that his removal was malafide, whimsical and arbitrary. The court wants there to be a valid reason for the removal, which may not even be sufficient. But it will not look beyond such reasons. In sum, the government can throw the ball out of its court with ease of conscience.