Current Affairs Question - 18 January 2020

Explanation :

• Article 131 of the Constitution of India grants original jurisdiction to the Supreme Court on all cases involving the enforcement of fundamental rights of citizens.It involves the following cases:
  • Any dispute between the Indian Government and one or more States.
  • Any dispute between the Indian Government and one or more States on one side and one or more States on the other side.
  • Any dispute between two or more States.
• Article 131 can be invoked by a state whenever there is a difference of opinion between the Centre and state on the question of interpretation of the Constitution, which will affect the exercise of government powers that are attributes of a state.
• This cannot be used to settle political differences between state and Central government headed by different parties.

Explanation :

• India’s telecommunication satellite GSAT-30 was successfully launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) on 17^th January, 2020 from Kourou launch base, French Guiana by Ariane-5 VA-251.
• GSAT-30 is configured on ISRO’s enhanced I-3K Bus structure to provide communication services from Geostationary orbit in C and Ku bands. The satellite derives its heritage from ISRO’s earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series.
• Weighing 3357 kg, GSAT-30 is to serve as replacement to INSAT-4A spacecraft services with enhanced coverage.
• The satellite provides Indian mainland and islands coverage in Ku-band and extended coverage in C-band covering Gulf countries, a large number of Asian countries and Australia.
• India's high power communication satellite GSAT-30 is aimed at providing high-quality television, telecommunications and broadcasting services.
• In-orbit operational life of GSAT-30 is more than 15 years.