Class Notes 4 You

Vice President of India acts as the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha under article 64 of the constitution. In this capacity, his powers and functions are similar to those of the Speaker of Lok Sabha. He also resembles the American vice-president, who also acts as the Chairman of the Senate – the Upper House of the American legislature. As a chairman of Rajya Sabha: Guardian of the prestige and dignity of the House. His impartial and fair judgment enhances the reputation and prestige of his office.  Principal spokesman of the House and represents its collective voice to the outside world.  Exercises only a casting vote in the case of equality of votes Case study on role of Active VP: He can avoid the delay in the matter of disqualification under 10th schedule and disqualification. i.e. - Mr Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar Ansari.  He can ask for Periodic report on duration of meetings held, attendance of members  He can order a comprehensive study of the secretariat in o...

Democratic decentralization is the process of devolving the functions and resources of the state from the center to the elected representatives at the lower levels so as to facilitate greater direct participation of citizens in governance. Decentralization and People’s participation through 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act changed the governance landscape at the grassroots: Women empowerment by ensuring their political participation – 14.54 lakh women are their in PRIs.  Social justice by reserving seats for SCs & STs  Fixing accountability through Social auditing tool  Resolved issues through community participation like water management and disaster management.  Developing programs for weaker sections and backward areas  Financial management and budget sanctity  Simplification of procedures and processes by the use of technology – Social Auditing, e-governance, M-governance, Twitter governance etc. Focus on service delivery through Citizen C...

Article 19 (1)(d) under Part III of the constitution deals with the fundamental right to freedom of movement. It guarantees the citizens of India the right to move freely throughout the territory of India. This right overlaps with Article 19(1)(e) which talks about the right to freely reside in any part of the country. The word “freely” connotes “without any absolute restriction”. Wherever and however one likes, he can move without any restriction. Not Absolute Right:- The provisions for providing the power of externment to the concerned executive authorities can be found in many statutes such as The Maharashtra Police Act (MP 1951), Punjab Security of State Act 1953, and Assam Maintenance of Public Order Act 1947, Karnataka Police Act.  The pandemic has brought many restrictions in our ordinary life. From restricting our movement via imposed lockdowns to freedom of expression and assembly. Public gatherings, restaurants, malls, etc. were put to close,. especially during the early ...

Environment and life are interrelated. Thus, the quality of the environment is undeniably related to our enjoyment of the right to life under Article 21. Supreme Court intervention in environmental problems can be clubbed as: Incorporation of environmental problems into the ambit of Fundamental right. Shubash Kumar VS State of Bihar:- “Right to live includes the right to enjoyment of pollution free water and air for full enjoyment of life.”  Re: Noise Pollution vs Unknown:- The noise level at the boundary of the public place, where loudspeaker or public address system or any other noise source is being used shall not exceed 10 dB(A) above the ambient noise standards for the area or 75 dB(A) whichever is lower. Merging of DPSP and FR. Sachidanand Pandey V. State of W.B. Chinnappa Reddy J:- SC referred to Article 48A of the Constitution which enshrined the directive principle to protect and improve the environment. Incorporation of international norms of 3rd generation collective rig...

Current Affairs  Important Newspaper Highlights for UPSC Civil Services Examination. 17 October 2022 The HINDU 🧡 (Page 1) : Private projects give investment boost in Q2 💚 (Page 2) : 'Scheduled Caste panel cannot initiate inquiry on unsubstantiated complaint 🧡 (Page 8) : Food day as a reminder to 'leave no one behind'  💚 (Page 8) : The bigger picture of intermediation, financial crises 🧡 (Page 9) : The 'plumbing' of inner party democracy 💚 (Page 9) : Making a case for the Old Pension Scheme 🧡 (Page 10) : Understanding the Global Hunger Index  💚 (Page 10) : Why does the SC Collegium hold primacy over transfers?  🧡 (Page 14) : 'India's coal mines are severely under-utilised amid push for new ones'  💚 (Page 14) : India has potential to attract $475 billion in FDI in 5 years: report 🧡 (Page 14) : Public dashboard to track progress of remediation of legacy landfills.  The Indian EXPRESS 💚 (Page 1) : Digital banking is furthering financial inclusion...

1. It is mentioned in the rules of procedure.  2. It is conducted in both houses mandatorily during each day of the session.  Select the correct answer using the code given below:  a) 1 only  b) 2 only  c) Both 1 and 2  d) Neither 1 nor 2 Solution:  Zero Hour an informal device available to the members of the Parliament to raise matters without any prior notice. The zero hour starts immediately after the question hour and lasts until the agenda for the day is taken up.  The Zero hour is not mentioned in the rules of procedure unlike question hour. It is an Indian innovation in the field of parliamentary procedures and has been in existence since 1962. The Zero Hour is a convention and hence it is not conducted on daily basis during the session. Its exercises depend upon the will of the Speaker/Chairman.  Ans: (d)

1. Rules Committee  2. Business Advisory Committee  3. General Purpose Committee  Select the correct answer using the codes given below.  a) 1 only  b) 2 only  c) 1 and 2 only  d) 1, 2 and 3 Solution:  The Rules Committee of Lok Sabha consist of 15 members with Speaker acting as ex-officio chairperson. This Committee considers the matters of procedure and conduct of business in the house.   The Business Advisory Committee of Lok Sabha Consist of 15 members with Speaker acting as its chairperson. This committee regulates the programmes and time table of the house.  The General-Purpose Committee of Lok Sabha deals with matter that do not falls under the jurisdiction of any other committee. The Speaker acts as an ex-officio chairperson of LS General Purpose Committee. Ans: (d)

1. It is granted when the amount authorised by the Parliament through the appropriation act for a particular service for the current financial year is found to be insufficient for that year.  2. It must be approved by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament before they are submitted to the Lok Sabha for voting.  Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  a) 1 only  b) 2 only  c) Both 1 and 2  d) Neither 1 nor 2 Solution:  Excess Grant is granted when money has been spent on any service during a financial year in excess of the amount granted for that service in the budget for that year.  While Supplementary Grant is granted when the amount authorised by the Parliament through the appropriation act for a particular service for the current financial year is found to be insufficient for that year.  Excess grants must be approved by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament before they are submitted to the Lok Sabh...

1. It can be moved in Lok Sabha and not in Rajya Sabha.  2. If it is passed against a minister then the concerned minister must resign.  Select the correct answer using the code given below:  a) 1 only  b) 2 only  c) Both 1 and 2  d) Neither 1 nor 2 Solution:  Privilege Motion can be moved in either of the house by a member when he feels that a minister has committed a breach of privilege.  The purpose of the privilege motion is to censure the minister and even if it passed then Minister need not resign from the office. Ans: (d) 

1. During Question Hour, the questions can be asked to the private members.  2. The Question Hour is mentioned in the rules of procedure of Lok Sabha.  Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  a) 1 only  b) 2 only  c) Both 1 and 2  d) Neither 1 nor 2 Solution:  The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is slotted for the question hour.   During Question Hour, the members ask questions and the ministers usually give answers.  In addition to the ministers, the questions can also be asked to the private members.  Question hour is mentioned in the rules of procedure of Lok Sabha. Ans: (c)

a) The date of election of speaker is fixed by the Election Commission of India.  b) Deputy chairman automatically becomes chairman whenever he is appointed as a member of a parliamentary committee.  c) Speaker of Lok Sabha can be removed only by a resolution passed by absolute majority.  d) The institution of speaker and deputy speaker originated under the provisions of Government of India Act 1919. Solution:  The speaker is elected by Lok Sabha from among its members. The date of election of the Speaker is fixed by the President (and not Election Commission of India).  It Deputy Speaker (and nor Deputy Chairman) who has one special privilege that is, whenever he is appointed as a member of a Parliamentary committee, he automatically becomes its chairman.  Speaker is provided with security of tenure. He can be removed only by a resolution passed by effective majority (and not absolute majority).  The institution of speaker and deputy s...

1. Quorum  2. No-Confidence Motion  3. Office of Whip  4. Term of office of members of Rajya Sabha  Select the answer using the code given below:  a) 2 and 3 only  b) 2, 3 and 4 only  c) 1, 3 and 4 only  d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Solution:  Quorum is the minimum number of members required to be present in the house before it can transact any business. Constitution has provided for quorum under Article 100, it is one-tenth of the total number of members in each house including the presiding officers.  Parliamentary system is based on the principle of collective responsibility which is exercised by no-confidence motion. But the Constitution has not mentioned it in any of its articles.  Office of whip is neither mentioned in the constitution of India nor are they mentioned in the Rules of house and Parliamentary Statutes. This office is based on the convention of the parliamentary government.  Constitution has not fixed the ...

a) Guillotine  b) Closure by Compartments  c) Simple Closure  d) Kangaroo Closure Solution:  Guillotine refers to process by which all outstanding demands of the Budget are directly put to vote without further discussions in the House.  Closure by Compartments: In this case, the clauses of a bill or a lengthy resolution are grouped into parts before the commencement of the debate. The debate covers the part as a whole and the entire part is put to vote.  Simple Closure is a Closure motion, where a member moves the motion that the ‘matter having been sufficiently discussed be now put to vote’.  Kangaroo Closure is a Closure motion, where only important clauses are taken up for discussion and voting and intervening clauses are skipped and taken as passed. Ans: (a)