Daily Current Affairs- 1st May 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 1st May 2025

National 

Why Puri Is Concerned About the New Jagannath Temple in Digha

The inauguration of a ₹250 crore Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal, has sparked controversy in Puri, Odisha. Puri servitors warn against replicating sacred rituals, fearing dilution of their temple's sanctity. The Digha temple, termed "Jagannath Dham," is seen as challenging Puri's unique status.

• The new temple has been built at a cost of Rs 250 crore on a 24-acre plot in Digha in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district, about 350 km from Puri. Like the Puri Temple, the Digha temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Goddess Mahalaxmi.
• The 213-foot-high temple is a replica of the world famous Puri Temple, and has been built in sandstone in the Kalingan architectural style. The project was announced in 2019, and construction began in May 2022, supervised by the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation. 

Water Sharing Dispute Between Punjab and Haryana

The longstanding water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana has intensified, with Punjab refusing to release additional water to Haryana. This escalation follows the Bhakra Beas Management Board's (BBMB) decision to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, which Punjab opposes, citing its own agricultural needs and asserting that Haryana has already utilized its share.

• The dispute traces back to the 1966 reorganization of Punjab, which led to the creation of Haryana. Haryana demanded a share of the Ravi and Beas river waters, leading to a 1976 central government notification allocating 3.5 million acre-feet (MAF) to both Punjab and Haryana, and 0.2 MAF to Delhi.
• To facilitate this allocation, the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal was proposed in 1981, aiming to connect the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers. While Haryana completed its portion, Punjab halted construction in 1990 due to political opposition and security concerns.
• In 2004, Punjab passed the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, annulling all previous water-sharing agreements. The Supreme Court later deemed this act unconstitutional, but Punjab has continued to resist completing the SYL Canal. 

What Is the Rs.2,000 Crore 'Classroom Scam' Involving AAP Leaders?

• The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Delhi has registered an FIR against former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and ex-PWD Minister Satyendar Jain over alleged corruption in the construction of 12,748 classrooms between 2015 and 2019. The scam, estimated at ₹2,000 crore, involves inflated construction costs, procedural violations, and awarding contracts to AAP-linked contractors. The initial estimated cost per classroom was around ₹5 lakh. However, the actual expenditure rose to approximately ₹24.86 lakh per classroom, nearly five times the standard cost.
• Semi-Permanent Structures (SPS) with a 30-year lifespan were built at costs comparable to Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) structures, which typically last 75 years, negating any financial advantage. 

PM Modi Inaugurates Vizhinjam Port, Elevating Kerala's Global Maritime Standing

• On May 2, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This event marks the commissioning of India's first deep-water transshipment port, strategically located just 10 nautical miles from major international shipping routes.
• Developed through a public-private partnership between the Government of Kerala and Adani Ports, the ₹8,867 crore project aims to position India as a significant player in global maritime trade. 

U.S. Economy Contracts in Q1 2025; Trump Attributes Decline to Biden Administration

• In the first quarter of 2025, the U.S. economy experienced a contraction of 0.3%, marking the first decline since 2022. This downturn is primarily attributed to a significant surge in imports, as businesses accelerated purchases to preempt President Trump's newly imposed tariffs.
• President Donald Trump has deflected responsibility for the contraction, labeling it a "Biden Overhang" and asserting that the economic challenges stem from policies of the previous administration. Despite implementing substantial tariff increases, including a 145% levy on Chinese imports, Trump maintains that these measures are not the cause of the current economic issues.