Delhi Legislative Assembly

Context: Recently, the Delhi Legislative Assembly became the first legislature in the country to be powered entirely by solar energy and goes 100% Paperless.

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• The Delhi Legislative Assembly made it possible by commissioning a 500-kilowatt rooftop solar power plant and aims to eliminate the Assembly’s annual electricity bill of nearly INR 2 crore.
• The Assembly also launched the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), marking a shift towards paperless legislative functioning.
• The NeVA platform is developed under the Centre’s “One Nation, One Application” initiative.
• NeVA aims to enable paperless legislative functioning, featuring smart delegate units with microphones and voting panels, RFID/NFC access, multilingual support, real-time document access via iPads, an automated AV system with HD cameras, and a secure, power-backed network.

Delhi Legislative Assembly 

• The Delhi Legislative Assembly was constituted on 17th March 1952 under the Government of Part-C States Act, 1951.
• It was abolished on 1st November 1956 following the recommendations of the State Reorganisation Commission, and Delhi became a Union Territory under President’s rule.
• The 69th Constitutional amendment is a milestone in Delhi's history, as it got a Legislative Assembly with the enactment of the National Capital Territory Act, 1991.
• Article 239AA, effective from 1st February 1992, provided for a Legislative Assembly for Delhi, which held its first sitting on 14th December 1993.

The 2025 Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (VOPPA) Regulation Order

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has notified a new framework for the edible oil industry.

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• New rules impose stricter registration and reporting requirements on producers to enhance transparency and oversight, according to an official release.
• New rules amend the Vegetable Oil Products Production and Availability (Regulation) Order, 2011, under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
• These measures aim to prevent hoarding or misrepresentation and protect consumers from supply disruptions.

Regulatory reform

• Under the new framework, producers must apply for registration certificates through the Directorate of Sugar and Vegetable Oils in New Delhi, providing details such as factory location and production capacity as outlined in Schedule I.
• This order mandates monthly reports by the 15th of each month, detailing oil usage, production, sales and stocks, to ensure better supply chain tracking and maintain availability of cooking oils at fair prices.
• The Director is empowered to inspect factories, demand information and to seize stocks if false reporting is suspected.
• Non-compliance with orders is explicitly prohibited, with producers required to follow all directives.
• The 2025 Amendment Order represents a step toward greater transparency and accountability in the vegetable oil industry through streamlined regulations and enhanced oversight to stabilise the supply of this essential commodity.

Supreme Court empowers Pollution Control Boards

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that the Pollution Control Boards (PCB) are empowered to impose environmental compensation on polluting entities under their statutory mandate.

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• The ruling is seen as a major step in strengthening environmental governance and regulatory oversight in India.
• SC directed the government to notify rules and regulations that define how to determine environmental damage and assess the quantum of damages.

Supreme Court Ruling

• The Supreme Court overturned the Delhi High Court’s earlier view, affirming that Sections 33A (Water Act) and 31A (Air Act) empower Pollution Control Boards to take preventive financial actions against potential environmental damage.
• The court held that the Pollution Control Boards had expansive powers and “enormous responsibilities” under the Water Act and the Air Act and Board also had a broad statutory mandate to prevent, control and abate water and air pollution.
• The Court clarified that such powers are remedial and civil in nature, not punitive, and distinct from penalties, which require court proceedings under Chapter VII of the Water Act and Chapter VI of the Air Act.
• The court further clarified that the powers must be exercised only after proper subordinate legislation, guided by the principle of natural justice, details the governing principles and procedures.
• The 2024 amendments introducing adjudicating officers and decriminalisation of some offences do not weaken the boards' compensatory powers.
• The court reaffirmed the “polluter pays” principle, stating that even the potential for damage is enough to trigger compensatory action.
• Though it upheld the legal authority of the boards, the court refused to revive the 2006 Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) show cause notices, and ordered refunds of previously collected sums.