Cabinet approves notifications for 2019 Lok Sabha Elections
Tags: Constitution, Ministries & Departments
Published on: 14 March 2019
EC issues advisory on telecasting exit polls
Tags: Constitution, Bills & Laws
Published on: 25 March 2019
Tamil Nadu reiterates demand for IGST dues from Centre
Tags: Constitution, Bills & Laws
Published on: 14 May 2019
President appoints 4 new judges of Supreme Court
Tags: Constitution, Judiciary & Judgments
Published on: 23 May 2019
Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister of India
Tags: Constitution, Commissions & Committees
Published on: 31 May 2019
Maneka Gandhi likely to be pro-tem Speaker of 17th Lok Sabha
Tags: Constitution
Published on: 03 June 2019
Cabinet extends President’s Rule in J&K by six months
Tags: Constitution
Published on: 14 June 2019
ECI organises National Conference of SVEEP Nodal Officers
Tags: Constitution, Commissions & Committees
Published on: 14 June 2019
National People’s Party granted national party status
Tags: Constitution, Commissions & Committees
Published on: 08 June 2019
Justice Pinaki Ghose sworn in as first Lokpal of India
Tags: Constitution, Bills & Laws, Judiciary & Judgments
Published on: 23 March 2019
Appointment of new Governors of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh
Tags: Constitution
Published on: 16 July 2019
EC issues showcause notice to TMC, CPI, NCP over national party status
Tags: Constitution, Commissions & Committees
Published on: 20 July 2019
Govt Decides to Repeal Articles 370 and 35A, J&K and Ladakh to be Separate Union Territories
Tags: Constitution
Published on: 05 August 2019
After J&K bifurcation, hill parties want Darjeeling to be Union territory
Tags: Constitution
Published on: 06 August 2019
The S R Bommai judgement on centre-state relationship
Tags: Constitution
Published on: 27 November 2019
CAG blames Coal India for violating environmental laws
Tags: Constitution
Published on: 13 December 2019
Supreme court issues notice to Election commission on election discrepancies
Tags: Constitution
Published on: 14 December 2019
Andhra Pradesh government plans to abolish Legislative
Tags: Constitution
Published on: 25 December 2019
Andhra Pradesh planning to scrap Legislative Council
Tags: Constitution
Published on: 24 January 2020
Special powers related to Union Territory of Delhi
Tags: Constitution
Published on: 08 February 2020
Election commission working on remote voting system
Tags: Constitution
Published on: 17 February 2020
Kesavananda Bharati case and Basic structure of constitution
Tags: Constitution
Published on: 07 September 2020
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'[repository]' => 'cacategories' } ] $breadcrumb = [ (int) 0 => [ 'name' => 'Home', 'link' => 'https://currentaffairs.studyiq.com/' ], (int) 1 => [ 'name' => 'Constitution', 'link' => 'https://currentaffairs.studyiq.com/tags/constitution' ] ] $currentaffairs = [ (int) 0 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 419, 'title' => '17th Lok Sabha elections to be held in 7 phases', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that 17th Lok Sabha elections will begin from 11th April 2019 and will be held till 19th May 2019. Voting will be conducted in 7 phases and counting will be held on 23 May 2019, ten days before term of current 16th Lok Sabha ends. <strong>It will be world’s biggest democratic exercise</strong>. With announcement of election dates, Model Code of Conduct (MCC) come into force in the entire country. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Highlights of 17th Lok Sabha elections</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Total 90 crore electorates (81.45 crore in 2014) of 29 states and 7 Union territories will elect 543 Lok Sabha members in these seven phases. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">VVPATs (voter verified paper audit trails) will be used along with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used in all polling stations across the country.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">22 states/UTs will have single phase elections, while 4 states will go to polls in two phases. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Elections Assam and Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand will be conducted in three phases.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In Maharashtra and Odisha polls will be conducted in four phases. Jammu and Kashmir will have five phases. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh will have seven phases. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Simultaneous assembly elections along with Lok Sabha elections will be held in four states viz. Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Phases of 17th Lok Sabha elections</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">1st phase (April 11): It will cover 91 Parliamentary constituencies in 20 states.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">2nd phase (April 18): It will cover 97 Parliamentary constituencies in 13 states. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">3rd phase (April 23): It will cover 115 constituencies in 14 states.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">4th phase (April 29): It will cover 71 constituencies in 9 states.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">5th phase (May 6): It will cover 51 constituencies in seven states.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">6th phase (May 12): It will cover 59 seats in 7 states.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">7th phase (May 9): It will cover 59 constituencies in 8 states </span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">J&K Assembly elections</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">There will be no simultaneous assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir along with Lok Sabha elections for security reasons. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Election Commission has appointed three special observers (committee) for effective monitoring of Lok Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Based on report submitted by these special observers timing of J&K assembly elections will be announced. </span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => '17th-lok-sabha-elections-held-7-phases', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/005c/j22uitpm7hq7a3z6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/005c/j22uitpm7hq7a3z6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => '17th Lok Sabha elections to be held in 7 phases | Govt GK Affairs', 'metakeyword' => 'In National Current Affairs, 17th Lok Sabha elections to be held in 7 phases', 'metadescription' => '17th Lok Sabha elections to be held in 7 phases, Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that 17th Lok Sabha elections will begin from 11th April 2019 and will be held till 19th May 2019.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/5i5ey3epmegd7gt/11Mar_17th_Lok_Sabha_elections.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 1 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 464, 'title' => 'Cabinet approves notifications for 2019 Lok Sabha Elections', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved issuance of statutory notifications for General Elections to Lok Sabha 2019. These notifications were notified under sub-section (2) of Section 14 of Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951. The issuing of notifications will begin election process for constituting the Seventeenth House of the People. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Sub-Section (2) of Section 14 of RPA, 1951</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It provides statutory and legal backing for calling upon parliamentary constituencies to elect Members to Lok Sabha (House of the People), on dates to be recommended by Election Commission of India (ECI) in its proceedings.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was enacted by provincial parliament in exercise of powers enshrined to it under Article 324 to 329 of Part XV of the Constitution.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It provides for actual conduct of elections in India. It also deals with details like qualification and disqualification of members of both houses of Parliament (ie Loksabha and Rajyasabha) and state legislatures (ie. State Legislative Assembly and State Legislative Council). </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Election Commission make rules for conducting of various elections under this Act.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'cabinet-approves-2019-lok-sabha-elections', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/122d/27g3oc2o0ajvsa36g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/122d/27g3oc2o0ajvsa36g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Cabinet approves notifications for 2019 Lok Sabha Elections', 'metakeyword' => 'In National Current Affairs, Cabinet Decisions, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, issuance, statutory notifications, General Elections, Lok Sabha 2019.', 'metadescription' => ' Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved issuance of statutory notifications for General Elections to Lok Sabha 2019.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/5e5a43hfv7ta1l3/14Mar_Cabinet_approves_notifications_for_2019.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 2 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 543, 'title' => 'EC issues advisory on telecasting exit polls', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued advisory to media and other platforms (websites, social media) on various issue related to elections including publication of exit polls, publication of results etc. It includes prohibition display of any opinion poll and of standard debates, analysis, visuals and sound-bytes</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Section 126A of Representation of People Act, 1951</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The advisory has been issued in pursuance of Section 126A of Representation of People Act, 1951 which prohibits conduct of exit poll and dissemination of its results hour fixed </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This legal provision prohibits displaying any election matter by means of television or similar apparatus, during period of 48 hours before hour fixed for conclusion of poll from commencement of polling in first phase and half hour after time fixed for end of polling for the last phase in all the states.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In this case, election matter is defined as any matter intended or calculated to influence or affect the result of an election. It also includes conducting exit polls and releasing its reults.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">EC Advisory</span></span></span></strong></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Exit polls</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">: can only be telecast after final phase of polling for Lok Sabha elections ending on May 19, 2019. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is also applicable for Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim which are held along with Lok Sabha elections.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Prejudicing Content</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">: TV, cable networks, radio channels, websites and social media platforms must ensure that contents of programmes published and telecasted during 48-hour period before end of polling in each phase does not contain any material, including views or appeals by participants that may be promoting or prejudicing prospect of any particular party or candidate as per Section 126 of RPA, 1951. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Violations</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">: Any violation by broadcasters will be reported by EC to News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) and will be dealt with by NBSA under its regulations. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Results:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> News broadcasters should not to air any final or definite results until they are formally announced by ECI. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Moreover, such results should carry disclaimer that they are unofficial or incomplete or partial results or projections and should not be taken as final results. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Incitement of Violence and hatred:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Political parties should not criticise other countries or make any verbal attack on any religion or community, use defamatory or obscene remarks or incite violence during broadcast time allocated in public broadcasting agencies.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'ec-issues-advisory-telecasting-exit-polls', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/08d9/1a5aeobbdludwb26g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/08d9/1a5aeobbdludwb26g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'EC issues advisory on telecasting exit polls', 'metakeyword' => 'In National Current Affairs, Election Commission,advisory, media, websites, social media, publication of exit polls, publication of results etc.', 'metadescription' => 'Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued advisory to media and other platforms on various issue related to elections including publication of exit polls, publication of results etc.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/bwlgujpablldbt2/EC_issues_advisory_on_telecasting.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1088, 'title' => 'Tamil Nadu reiterates demand for IGST dues from Centre', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Tamil Nadu Government has reiterated its demand to Union Finance Ministry for apportionment of its share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) from 2017-18 fiscal. 50</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">% </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">of the </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Rs.1,76,688.44 crore received as IGST during 2017-18 is to be apportioned to SGST component,</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> with Tamil Nadu entitled to get Rs.</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">5,453.82 crore.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Integrated Goods and Service Tax</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is one of three categories under Goods and Service Tax (CGST, IGST and SGST) rolled out July 2017 with concept of one tax one nation. It is charged on movement of goods and services from one state to another. For example, if goods are moved from Maharashtra to Gujarat, IGST is levied on such goods. Its legal provision and statutory backing is under Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST) Act, 2016. The revenue collected out of IGST is shared by X central government and state government as per the rates fixed by the authorities.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Article 269A of the Constitution: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It says that GST on supplies in course of interstate trade will be levied and collected by Central Government and such tax will be apportioned between Centre and States according to provisions of law on recommendations of GST Council. On basis of this constitutional provision IGST Act, 2016 was enacted.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">IGST scheme for collection and devolution (As recommended by GST Council)</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">50</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">%</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> of IGST collections will go to Centre (as Central Goods and Services Tax component) and remaining 50</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">%</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> will be allocated to States and Union Territories (as State Goods and Services Tax component). And, 42</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">%</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">%of CGST component will be devolved to States/UTs. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Issue of Devolution:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Thus, States/UTs are supposed to get 71</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">%</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> of IGST (including 50</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">%</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> of SGST and 21</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">%</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">, which is 42</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">%</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> of the 50</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">%</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> CGST). But due to wrong calculation, States received only 42</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">%</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> of the IGST during 2017-18.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">CAG report</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) report, ‘Accounts of the Union Government - Financial Audit’, released in February 2019 had pointed out that Centre had devolved </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Rs. </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">67,998 crore under IGST to States/UTs from States’ share. </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Only 50</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">%</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> of IGST revenues are of Centre, and devolution is possible only from the Central share.</span></span> <span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Thus, the devolution, as done, is not consistent with scheme of GST/IGST. CAG has advised Centre to take into consideration needs to account for its share correctly and devolution should take place from Central share only. The remaining 50</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">%</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> should be apportioned to the States as per the law.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'tn-reiterates-igst-dues-centre', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/2d1c/ry27rfdzr34qomk6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/2d1c/ry27rfdzr34qomk6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'TN reiterates demand for IGST dues from Centre', 'metakeyword' => 'In National Current Affairs, Tamil Nadu Government, demand , Union Finance Ministry, apportionment,its share, Integrated Goods and Services Tax, IGST, ', 'metadescription' => 'Tamil Nadu Government has reiterated its demand to Union Finance Ministry for apportionment of its share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) from 2017-18 fiscal', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/3bc41aimc40rx3u/Tamil_Nadu.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1186, 'title' => 'President appoints 4 new judges of Supreme Court', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">President of India Ram Nath Kovind in exercise of powers under Article 124 (2) has appointed four judges to Supreme Court. They are <em>Justice Aniruddha Bose, Justice A S Bopanna, Justice B R Gavai and Justice Surya Kant</em>. With appointment of these four judges, SC will now function with its full sanctioned strength of 31 judges, including Chief Justice of India. At present, the apex court has strength of 27 judges. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Appointment Procedure:</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Article 124(3) of the constitution:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It mentions following criteria for people eligible to become a Supreme Court (SC) Judge (i) High Court (HC) judge who has held that post for 5 years or more. (ii) Advocate who has practiced in HC/SC for 10 years or more. (iii) Distinguished Jurist (no judge appointed on this basis till date).</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Article 124(2):</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It says that judges of Supreme Court can be appointed by President of India after <strong>consultation</strong> with such number of Judges of the SC/HCs as he deems necessary. For appointment of any Judge of SC other than Chief Justice of India (CJI), CJI must be consulted.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Collegium system: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It was formalized by three Judges cases of 1981, 1993 & 1998 for the purpose of consultation mentioned in Article 124 (2). The collegium for appointing SC judge consists of CJI and four senior-most judges of SC.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Memorandum of Procedure (MoP)</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">: It was evolved after Third Judge Case of 1998 to provide the process for Collegium to recommend names for appointments to the Executive. As per it, President of India can either accept recommendation or send it back for reconsideration. The reconsidered advice is binding on President and he must accept it.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'president-4-new-judges-supreme-court', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/12a5/x3z979r808le7916g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/12a5/x3z979r808le7916g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'President appoints 4 new judges of Supreme Court', 'metakeyword' => 'President of India Ram Nath Kovind in exercise of powers under Article 124 (2) has appointed four judges to Supreme Court', 'metadescription' => 'President of India Ram Nath Kovind in exercise of powers under Article 124 (2) has appointed four judges to Supreme Court', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/edgd1otzlpa12i6/President_appoints.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 5 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1296, 'title' => 'Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister of India', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">National Democratic Alliance leader Narendra Modi was sworn in as 15th Prime Minister for a second five-year term. He was administered oath of Office and Secrecy President Ram Nath Kovind at ceremony held at courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Besides PM, president also administer oath of office and secrecy to 57 council of ministers comprising of 24 Cabinet ministers (including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani, and Piyush Goyal), 9 Minister of State (MoS) with Independent charge (MoS I/C) and another 24 as Minister of State (MoS). The oath taking function was attended by leaders from Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries, President of Kyrgyzstan and Mauritius.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The 2019 Indian general election was held in seven phases from 11 April to 19 May 2019 to constitute the 17th Lok Sabha. About 90 crore people were eligible to vote and it saw turnout was over 67</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">%</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">– the highest ever as well as the highest participation by women voters. The election was held for total 543 seats (however, elections of Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu was cancelled by President of India based on recommendation of Election Commission over misuse of money power, thus total elections for 542 seats was held).</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Results:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister had emerged victories by winning 303 seats, and BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 353 seats. Indian National Congress party won 52 seats and Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) won 91 seats. Other parties and their alliances won 98 seats.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Note:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Legislative assembly elections in states of Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim were held simultaneously with 2019 Lok Sabha elections.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Council of Ministers</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Article 74:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It provides provisions for Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister to aid and advise the President in exercise of his functions. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Appointment:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Prime Minister is appointed by President <strong>as per Article 75 (1) of constitution of India,</strong> who also appoints other ministers on the advice of Prime Minister. Usually by convention, Council of Ministers comprises Ministers who are members of Cabinet, Ministers of State (independent charge), Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Article 75 (2): </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It says that Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the President. It means that as long as it maintains majority in Lok Sabha as it is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Article 78:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It is the duty of Prime Minister to communicate to President all decisions of Council of Ministers relating to administration of affairs of Union of India and proposals for legislation and information relating to them.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'narendra-modi-sworn-in-pm-of-india', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0f2c/0jjtpvnz6a6jdbh6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0f2c/0jjtpvnz6a6jdbh6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Narendra Modi sworn in as PM of India', 'metakeyword' => 'Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister of India', 'metadescription' => 'Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister of India, National Democratic Alliance leader Narendra Modi was sworn in as 15th Prime Minister for a second five-year term.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/0w1p38q118055jj/Narendra_Modi_sworn_in_as_Prime_Minister_of_India.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1323, 'title' => 'Maneka Gandhi likely to be pro-tem Speaker of 17th Lok Sabha', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Senior most and eight-time MP Maneka Gandhi (62) is likely to be the pro-tem speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha elections. She is veteran BJP leader and recently had won from Sultanpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh. She is outgoing Union Minister for Women and Child Development.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Speaker Protem</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">He/she is appointed by President of India to perform duties of Speaker from commencement of first sitting of newly constituted Lok Sabha till the election of a new Speaker.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">By tradition the most senior most Member of Lok Sabha (i.e. having the most experience) is appointed as protem speaker. </span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Literal meaning:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Protem is abbreviated form of Pro tempore. It is Latin phrase which means “for the time being” in English.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Constitutional Provisions:</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Article 94(2) of constitution</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">: It states that office of Speaker becomes vacant immediately before the first meeting of the new Lok Sabha.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Article 95(1): </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It states that while office of Speaker and deputy speaker is vacant, the duties of the office will be performed by such member of Lok Sabha (House of the People) appointed by President</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Note:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Similar constitutional provisions exist for State Legislative Assembly under Article 183 (2) and Article 184 (1) of the Constitution.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Appointment and oath:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> President appoints and administers the oath to protem speaker. In the case of state legislative assembly, Governor of State performs this task.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Functions and Powers of Pro-tem speaker:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> (i) Administer oath of newly elected members. (ii) Presid over the election of new Lok Sabha speaker. (iii) Pro-tem speaker has all the powers of the speaker.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Duration of term:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> This office is temporary office, existing for a few days till new speaker is elected by the house. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'maneka-gandhi-pro-tem-speaker-17th-lok-sabha', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d67f/be1bukar345btub6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d67f/be1bukar345btub6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Maneka Gandhi likely to be pro-tem Speaker of 17th Lok Sabha', 'metakeyword' => 'In Persons in News Current Affairs, Senior most, eight-time, MP, Maneka Gandhi, pro-tem speaker, 17th Lok Sabha elections', 'metadescription' => 'Senior most and eight-time MP Maneka Gandhi (62) is likely to be the pro-tem speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha elections', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/nges303uy3704nc/Maneka_Gandhi_likely_to_be_pro-tem_Speaker_of_17th_Lok_Sabha.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1450, 'title' => 'Cabinet extends President’s Rule in J&K by six months', 'description' => '<h2 style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved extension of President's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir for further period of six months with effect from 3 July, 2019, under article 356(4) of the Constitution of India. The extension comes based on recommendation of Governor based on the prevailing situation in the state as stated in the report. The present term of President's Rule is expiring on 2nd July, 2019. Now resolution seeking approval of parliament for the same will be moved in both the houses of parliament during the forthcoming session.</span></span></span></span></h2> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><strong><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Governor’s Rule in Jammu & Kashmir</span></span> </span></span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In case of failure of constitutional machinery in any other state of India, President’s Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution is directly imposed (bringing state under Centre’s rule). </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">However, in case of failure of constitutional machinery J&K, Governor’s Rule (it is different from President’s Rule) is imposed for period of six months in the state as per <strong>Section 92 of J&K Constitution</strong> (only after the consent of the President of India).</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">During the Governors rule, State Legislative Assembly is either suspended or dissolved and the state completely comes under direct Central rule through Governor.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">If the Constitutional machinery in state is not restored before expiry of this six month period of Governor’s Rule, then provisions of Article 356 of Constitution of India (dealing with President’s) are extended to J&K and President’s rule is imposed in the State.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Article 356 (President’s Rule)</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It empowers President of India to issue a proclamation of Present’s Rule (or State Emergency), if he is satisfied that situation has arisen in which government of a state cannot be carried on in accordance with provisions of Constitution. It is also called Constitutional Emergency as it deals with failure of constitutional machinery in State. The President can act in accordance with or without the report of Governor of state. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Duration of President’s Rule in a state: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Once proclaimed, it can continue for period of 6 months at a time and after that it has to be extended for another six month term with approval of both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), but this can be for maximum period of 3 years.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'cabinet-extends-presidents-rule-jk-six-months', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a345/edv24ajuvuxldae6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a345/edv24ajuvuxldae6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Cabinet extends President’s Rule in J&K by six months', 'metakeyword' => 'Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved extension of President's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir for further period of six months with effect from 3 July, 2019, under article 356(4) of the Constitution of India', 'metadescription' => 'Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved extension of President's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir for further period of six months with effect from 3 July, 2019, under article 356(4) of the Constitution of India', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/km7xn61258decmx/Cabinet_extends.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1451, 'title' => 'ECI organises National Conference of SVEEP Nodal Officers', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Election Commission of India (ECI) had organized two-day National Conference of SVEEP Nodal Officers at TERI Retreat in Gurugram, Haryana to deliberate upon the blueprint for the next five years. It had seen participation of SVEEP Nodal Officers from across the country and shared their state experiences, challenges faced, good practices as well as case studies</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is the flagship program of Election Commission of India for voter education, spreading voter awareness and promoting voter literacy in India. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It was launched in 2009 as IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) interventions in the Jharkhand elections of end-2009 and was later revamped in 2010 and given its present name.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Since then, it is working towards preparing India’s electors and equipping them with basic knowledge related to the electoral process.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Objective:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Promote voter education, spread voter awareness and promote voter literacy in India.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Primary goal</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">: Build truly participative democracy in India by encouraging all eligible citizens to vote and make an informed decision during the elections.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Features:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It is based on multiple general as well as targeted interventions which are designed according to socio-economic, cultural and demographic profile of the state as well as the history of electoral participation in previous rounds of elections and learning thereof.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'national-conference-sveep-nodal-officers', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9477/svdpzuls5pldo5w6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9477/svdpzuls5pldo5w6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'ECI organises National Conference of SVEEP Nodal Officers', 'metakeyword' => 'Election Commission of India (ECI) had organized two-day National Conference of SVEEP Nodal Officers at TERI Retreat in Gurugram, Haryana ', 'metadescription' => 'Election Commission of India (ECI) had organized two-day National Conference of SVEEP Nodal Officers at TERI Retreat in Gurugram, Haryana ', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/ubf7vc2udr5em3h/ECI_organises.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1424, 'title' => 'National People’s Party granted national party status', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Election Commission of India (ECI) has declared National People’s Party led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma as National Party. With this, NPP became 8th national party in India. Before NPP’s elevation, India had seven national parties (Trinamool Congress led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was seventh party to get this status in September 2016). This also made NPP first political party from the north-eastern region to get national party status</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Other seven national Parties are: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), Bhaujan Samaj Party (BSP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">NPP was given the national party status by ECI after fulfilling conditions under 6B (iii) of Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. It is stipulates that political party can be recognised as a national party if its candidates secure at least6</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">% </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">votes polled in four or more states in Lok Sabha or assembly elections, and, in addition, it has at least four members in the Lok Sabha or being recognised as State party in at least four States. NPP has meet criteria of being recognised as State party in four state viz. Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Note:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Election Commission of India (ECI) is only the entrusted authority in India that grants National Party or State Party status to any political party in the country.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'npp-granted-national-party-status', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d52e/idyi1h2ttvxz69y6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d52e/idyi1h2ttvxz69y6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'National People’s Party granted national party status', 'metakeyword' => 'Election Commission of India, ECI, National People’s Party, Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma,National Party. ', 'metadescription' => 'Election Commission of India (ECI) has declared National People’s Party led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma as National Party. ', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/wqdwps66fjsa6kb/National_People%C6s.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 535, 'title' => 'Justice Pinaki Ghose sworn in as first Lokpal of India', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Justice Pinaki Ghose was sworn in as first Lokpal of India, national anti-corruption ombudsman of the country. He was oath to office by President Ram Nath Kovind. His appointment was approved by President based on recommendation of Lokpal selection panel chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprised of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, eminent jurist Mukul Rohatgi. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge was not present in meeting of selection panel. President also has appointed four judicial and four non-judicial members of the Lokpal. They are</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Judicial Members: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Dilip B. Bhosale (Former Chief Justice), Pradip Kumar Mohanty (Former Chief Justice), Abhilasha Kumari (Former Chief Justice), Ajay Kumar Tripathi (sitting Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh).</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Non-Judicial Members:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Archana Ramasundaram (First woman Chief of Sashastra Seema Bal), Dinesh Kumar Jain (Former Chief Secretary, Maharashtra), Mahender Singh (Former IRS officer), Indrajeet Prasad Gautam (Former IAS officer).</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Lokpal</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is national anti-corruption authority or body of ombudsmen with jurisdiction over central government to inquire into allegations of corruption against its public functionaries and for matters connected to corruption.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Historical Background</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The institution of ombudsman originated in Scandinavian (referred to Norway, Denmark and Sweden) countries. It first came into being in Sweden in 1713 as “chancellor of justice” appointed by King to assist as invigilator by looking into functioning of a wartime government. Word Lokpal is derived from Sanskrit word “Loka” meaning people and “pala” meaning protector or caretaker. Together it means “protector of people”. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Statutory Backing</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 provides for establishment of Lokpal for Centre and Lokayukta for States to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for related matters.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It extends to whole of India, including Jammu & Kashmir. It is applicable to “public servants” within and outside India. It mandates for creation of Lokpal for Union and Lokayukta for states.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Structure of Lokpal</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is statutory body without any constitutional backing. It is multimember body, made up of one chairperson and maximum of 8 members. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Person to be appointed as chairperson of Lokpal should be either the former Chief Justice of India or former Judge of Supreme Court or eminent person.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In this case, eminent person must have impeccable integrity and outstanding ability, special knowledge and expertise of minimum 25 years in matters relating to anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance, finance including insurance and banking, law and management.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Out of maximum eight members, four are judicial members and four are non judicial. Minimum 50% of members must be from SC/ST/OBC/minorities and women. Judicial members should be either a former Judge of Supreme Court or former Chief Justice of High Court.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Jurisdiction of Lokpal</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It includes Prime Minister under its ambit. But except in cases on allegations of corruption related to international relations, security, public order, atomic energy and space. Moreover, bench of Lokpal and at least two-thirds of members approve an inquiry. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It also has jurisdiction over ministers and MPs (but not in matter of anything said in Parliament or a vote given there).</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It also cover all categories of public servants viz, Group A, B, C or D officers defined as such under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Any corruption complaint against Group A and B officers, after inquiry, will directly come to Lokpal. However, in case of Group C and D officers, Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) will investigate and report to Lokpal. </span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Powers of Lokpal</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Superintendence over CBI and give direction to CBI. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Investigating officer of case transferred to CBI by Lokpal cannot be transferred without its approval.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can authorize CBI for search and seizure operations connected to such case.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its Inquiry Wing is vested with the powers of a civil court.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can confiscate assets, proceeds, receipts and benefits arisen or procured by means of corruption in special circumstances</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can recommend transfer or suspension of public servant connected with allegation of corruption.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can give directions to prevent destruction of records during preliminary inquiry.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'justice-pinaki-ghose-sworn-in-first-lokpal-india', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9b61/qk0ccozu34ptf2c6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9b61/qk0ccozu34ptf2c6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Justice Pinaki Ghose sworn in as first Lokpal of India', 'metakeyword' => 'In National Current Affairs,Justice Pinaki Ghose, sworn in, first, Lokpal of India, national anti-corruption ombudsman, President Ram Nath Kovind.', 'metadescription' => 'Justice Pinaki Ghose was sworn in as first Lokpal of India, national anti-corruption ombudsman of the country. He was oath to office by President Ram Nath Kovind.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/ptqt378pnpc3xqc/Justice_Pinaki_Ghose.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1717, 'title' => 'Appointment of new Governors of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">President Ram Nath Kovind has confirmed appointment of Kalraj Mishra and Acharya Dev Vrat as Governors of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat respectively. Kalraj Mishra (78) had served as Union Cabinet Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) during first tenure of the Modi government. He succeeds Acharya Devvrat as Governor of Himachal Pradesh who has been transferred to Gujarat after incumbent Governor of Gujarat, O.P. Kohli retired. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Kalraj Mishra:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> He had served as Union Cabinet Minister for MEME during the first tenure of the Modi government. He was elected as Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Deoria constituency in Uttar Pradesh. He has also served as a Member of Rajya Sabha three times. He had not contested Lok Sabha polls 2019.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Acharya Dev Vrat:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> He hails from a non-political background. He was first appointed Governor of Himachal Pradesh in August 2015. He has been credited for taking concrete steps against a number of social evils, including drug abuse in the state. He had served as principal of a Gurukul in Kurukshetra (Haryana). He is Arya Samaj pracharak and had taken up social issues such as those of farmers, village upliftment, drug-free society, Ayurveda and naturopathy and organic farming.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Governors in India</span></span></strong> </span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The articles relating to Governors of states can be found in provision Articles 152-162 of the Constitution of India. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"> </p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Article 153:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It mandates Governor for each state. The same person as governor for two or more states (it was facilitated by 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956). </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Article 155:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Governor is appointed by President of India by warrant under his hand and seal. By convention, it is done on the recommendation of Prime Minister of India.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Eligibility:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> He/she should be at least 35 years of age (Article 157) and not hold any other office of profit (Article 158). </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Tenure of a Governor</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">: There is no fixed tenure of the governor and he/she holds office at pleasure of the President.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'appointment-of-new-governors', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cec5/4eklpuo613vd1fi6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cec5/4eklpuo613vd1fi6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Appointment of new Governors of Gujarat and HP', 'metakeyword' => 'Appointment of new Governors , new Governors of Gujarat, Governors of Gujarat, Governors of HP, News Governors of HP, Governors of Himachal Pradesh', 'metadescription' => 'President Ram Nath Kovind has confirmed appointment of Kalraj Mishra and Acharya Dev Vrat as Governors of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat respectively.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/2ekvuqpll8uuv7i/Appointment_of_new_Governors.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1734, 'title' => 'Cabinet extends term of 15th Finance Commission', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved extension of term of Fifteenth Finance Commission by a month up to 30th November, 2019. It also approved amendment Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Commission to address concerns regarding funds for defence and internal security.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Cabinet Approvals</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Extension of term:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It will enable Commission to examine various comparable estimates for financial projections in view of reforms and the new realities to finalise its recommendations for the period 2020-2025.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Amendment to ToR:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It will enable Commission to address serious concerns regarding the allocation of adequate, secure and non-lapsable funds for defence and internal security of India.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is proposed to ensure an assured allocation of resources towards defence and internal security imperatives.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The Commission will also examine whether separate mechanism for funding of defence and internal security ought to be set up and if so how such a mechanism could be operationalized.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Finance Commission</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is constitutional quasi-judicial body constituted by the President of India every fifth year under Article 280 of the Constitution of India. It consists of Chairman and four other members, appointed by President of India. It makes non-binding advisory recommendations to Government on following matters-</span></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Distribution of net proceeds of taxes between Centre and States and allocation of respective shares of such proceeds between states.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Principles governing centre in granting aid to states</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Measures to be taken to augment consolidated fund of states to supplement resources of local governments in states</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Any other method referred by President of India in interests of sound finance</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">15th Finance Commission (XV-FC)</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It was constituted by President in November 2017 in ' pursuance of clause (1) of article 280 of the Constitution and Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It was to submit its Report on basis of its Terms of Reference (ToR) by 30th October, 2019 and to give recommendations for devolution of taxes and other fiscal matters for five fiscal years, commencing 1 April 2020 till March 31, 2025.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Composition:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> N. K. Singh is Chairman. Its full-time members are Ajay Narayan Jha, Ashok Lahiri and Anoop Singh. Ramesh Chand is its part-time member.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> <strong>ToR of the Commission</strong>: It takes in to account above fiscal/budgetary reforms introduced by the Union Government in the past four years. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'term-15th-finance-commission', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d7bd/8ppfuo53b5y167l6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d7bd/8ppfuo53b5y167l6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Cabinet extends term of 15th Finance Commission', 'metakeyword' => 'Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved extension of term of Fifteenth Finance Commission by a month up to 30th November, 2019', 'metadescription' => 'Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved extension of term of Fifteenth Finance Commission by a month up to 30th November, 2019', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/zfib5pk4gfkwcx2/Cabinet_extends_term_of_15th_Finance_Commission.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1752, 'title' => 'EC issues showcause notice to TMC, CPI, NCP over national party status', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Election Commission (EC) has issued showcause notice to three political parties Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Communist Party of India (CPI) over revoking their national party status following their dismal performance in Lok Sabha elections as per the rules. EC has asked them to explain why their national party status should not be revoked and asked to respond to the notice by August 5, 2019.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Note:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which has won 10 Lok Sabha in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections and some assembly seats, does not face the possibility of losing its national party status now.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Criteria for National Party Status</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">According to Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, EC can recognise political party as national party if its candidates secure at least 6</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">% </span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">of votes polled in four or more states in Lok Sabha or assembly elections, and, in addition, it has at least four members in the Lok Sabha OR it also should have at least 2</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">% </span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">of total Lok Sabha seats and its candidates come from not less than three states OR it is recognisated as state party in four states. As of now, TMC, BJP, BSP, CPI, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress (INC), NCP and National People’s Party of Meghalaya have national party status.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Change in Reviewing Status:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> In 2016, EC amended its rules stating that national and state party status of political parties are to be reviewed every 10 years instead of five. This change in rule had given reprieve to CPI, BSP and NCP which were facing prospects of losing their national party status after their dismal performance in 2014 Lok Sabha elections as well.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Note:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Under the Symbols Order 1968, a party, on losing national status, does not have right to fight elections using common symbol across country and it can use it only in states where it is recognised as state party. Thus, loss of national party status is equivalent to losing national character of the party.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'ec-issues-showcause-notice-national-party-status', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7812/pm8ygoputsta37b6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7812/pm8ygoputsta37b6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Showcause notice to TMC, CPI, NCP', 'metakeyword' => 'Election Commission (EC) has issued showcause notice to three political parties Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Communist Party of India (CPI) over revoking their national party status', 'metadescription' => 'Election Commission (EC) has issued showcause notice to three political parties Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Communist Party of India (CPI) over revoking their national party status', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/sa31ogs7jw6ki52/EC_issues_showcause_notice_to_TMC%2C_CPI%2C_NCP.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1757, 'title' => 'President appoints four new Governors', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Governors of four states including West Bengal, Tripura, Bihar and Nagaland by exercising his authority under Article 155 and transferred two Governors. The appointments will be effective from dates incumbents take charge of their respective offices.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">President made following appointments/ changes - </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Jagdeep Dhankhar:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> was appointed as Governor of West Bengal</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Ramesh Bais:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> was appointed as Governor of Tripura</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Phagu Chauhan:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> was appointed as Governor of Bihar</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">N. Ravi:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> was appointed as Governor of Nagaland </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Anandiben Patel</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">, Governor of Madhya Pradesh was transferred and appointed as Governor of Uttar Pradesh.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Lal Ji Tandon</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">, Governor of Bihar was transferred and appointed as Governor of Madhya Pradesh</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Governors</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">He/She is the head of the executive of the state (Article 154). Appointed by President of India (under Article 155 of Constitution of India). 7th Constitution Amendment Act of 1956 (amending Article 153), facilitated appointment of same person as governor of 2 or more states.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Qualifications for appointment (Article 157 and 158)</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">: (i) Should be a citizen of India. (ii) Should have completed 35 years of age. (iii) Should not hold any office of profit under Union Govt. or State Govt. or any local Authority or any other public authority. (iv) Should not be member of either house of parliament or a house of the state legislature.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Tenure (Article 156):</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Governor holds office for a term of 5 years from the date on which he assumes office. This term of 5 years is subject to the pleasure of president. He/she can resign anytime by addressing a resignation letter to the president.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Oath (Article 159):</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> The oath of office to the governor is administered by the chief justice of concerned HC and in his absence by the senior-most judge of the HC available.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'president-appoints-four-new-governors', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ff1a/vy46q57dvwsimsp6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ff1a/vy46q57dvwsimsp6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'President appoints four new Governors', 'metakeyword' => 'President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Governors of four states including West Bengal, Tripura, Bihar and Nagaland by exercising his authority under Article 155 and transferred two Governors', 'metadescription' => 'President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Governors of four states including West Bengal, Tripura, Bihar and Nagaland by exercising his authority under Article 155', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/qjro72nacfmfi95/President_appoints_four_new_Governors.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1838, 'title' => 'Govt Decides to Repeal Articles 370 and 35A, J&K and Ladakh to be Separate Union Territories', 'description' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Context: </strong>In an announcement with massive repercussions for Jammu and Kashmir<strong>, Home ministry has announced in Rajya Sabha that the government has decided to repeal Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to J&K.</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Highlights:</strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government has also <strong>decided to bifurcate the state into two Union territories </strong> Jammu & Kashmir And Ladakh</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>J&K </strong>will have <strong>a legislature, and Ladakh, will be without a legislature.</strong></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>These changes brought about by Presidential order.</strong></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Another crucial part of <strong>this presidential order </strong>is that it <strong>amended the term 'Constituent Assembly' to mean 'Legislative Assembly' of the state.</strong></span></span></li> </ul> <ul style="list-style-type:square; margin-left:40px"> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This amendment was essential <strong>since Article 370, in its sub-clause (3), </strong>has itself laid down that <strong>Article 370 can cease to operate by way of a presidential order but a recommendation of the 'Constituent Assembly</strong>' shall have to be placed before him.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Therefore, the<strong> order first gave authority of the Legislative Assembly to the Governor</strong>, and then <strong>changed the ‘Constituent Assembly’ to mean ‘Legislative Assembly’, </strong>which in turn <strong>means</strong> that <strong>the president could have issued the order upon a recommendation by the Governor.</strong></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>About Article 370:</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 370 <strong>gives Jammu & Kashmir its own constitution </strong>and <strong>decision-making rights for all matters barring defence, communications and foreign affairs.</strong></span></span></li> </ul> <ul> <li style="list-style-type:none"> <ul style="list-style-type:square"> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>The removal </strong>of this part of the constitution <strong>ends special status for Kashmir, which was key to its accession to India in 1947.</strong></span></span></li> <li><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Article 370 made it necessary for the centre to get the state legislature's approval for introducing any policies or constitutional powers to the state</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">. This <strong>in turn means that the Governor, who is being treated as the 'State' govt at the moment, was able to move the resolution to the President.</strong></span></span></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>About Article 35A:</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 35A was <strong>introduced in 1954 by the then President Rajendra Prasad </strong>on the <strong>advice of the Nehru government (not by the Parliament).</strong></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 35A <strong>gives the J&K government the right to decide who qualifies as a ‘permanent resident’</strong>. </span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The permanent resident is subject to some special rights.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Only permanent residents can acquire land, settle, and get government jobs, scholarships in the state.</strong></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Article also says <strong>none of the above laws can be held as void on the ground that it takes away the rights conferred on other citizens of the country.</strong></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'govt-decides-to-repeal-articles-370-and-35a', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d463/yxriocf9jr014w56g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d463/yxriocf9jr014w56g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Govt Decides to Repeal Articles 370 and 35A', 'metakeyword' => 'Articles 370 and 35A, No more Articles 370 and 35A, article 35a and 370, article 35a news, what is article 370 ', 'metadescription' => 'In an announcement with massive repercussions for Jammu and Kashmir, Home ministry has announced in Rajya Sabha that the government', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/skz2qkpoblxwgej/Govt_Decides_to_Repeal_Articles_370_and_35A%2C_J%26K.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1843, 'title' => 'After J&K bifurcation, hill parties want Darjeeling to be Union territory', 'description' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Context:</strong> The Centre's decision to <strong>revoke provisions of Article 370 </strong>and bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir has <strong>rekindled hope among the major hill parties</strong>, which want <strong>that Darjeeling should also be a separate Union territory with a legislature. </strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Highlights:</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The <strong>GJM's (Gorkha Janamukti Morcha) call </strong>for Darjeeling to be a Union territory was <strong>backed by the Gorkha National Liberation Fron</strong>t (GNLF), which felt it would be the most suitable solution for the problem. </span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The views of the GJM and the GNLF <strong>also found support from several smaller outfits in the hills. </strong></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background:</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Darjeeling is a <strong>picturesque hill town and the area is ethnically dominated by the Gorkhas</strong>. The place, known for its world-renowned tea, is also <strong>inhabited by the Lepchas, Sherpas, Bhutias among others. </strong></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>The demand </strong>for a separate state was <strong>first made in the 1980s, </strong>with the <strong>Subhas Ghisingh-led GNLF launching a violent agitation in 1986, </strong>which went on for 43 days and led to the death of 1,200 people in the hills. </span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The movement <strong>culminated in the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council in 1988, </strong>following the intervention of then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu. </span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Several political parties have over the years promised the people of the hills a <strong>separate state and implementation of the sixth schedule, which grants more autonomy to a region. </strong></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The separate statehood <strong>demand gained momentum yet again in 2007 after the formation of the GJM, </strong>under the leadership of Bimal Gurung, who was once a trusted aide of Ghisingh. </span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After the TMC took over the reins of the state <strong>in 2011</strong> by ending the 34-year Left rule, <strong>the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) was formed with Gurung as its chief. </strong></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">But, <strong>peace was short-lived</strong> in the area as Gurung led an agitation in support of the statehood demand, first in 2013, and then <strong>engineered a 104-day-long strike in 2017, accusing the TMC government of trying to "wipe out" Gorkha identity. </strong></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'after-jk-bifurcation-hill-parties-want-darjeeling', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/05ad/gib6jfhgq5e1lu86g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/05ad/gib6jfhgq5e1lu86g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'After J&K bifurcation, hill parties want Darjeeling', 'metakeyword' => 'hill parties want Darjeeling, Darjeeling', 'metadescription' => 'The Centre's decision to revoke provisions of Article 370 and bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir has rekindled hope among the major hill parties', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/xxwxqeltzv88jyl/After_J%26K_bifurcation%2C_hill_parties.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 1849, 'title' => 'Lok Sabha endorses Centre’s decisions on Kashmir', 'description' => '<p><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Context: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The Centre’s decisions of <strong>reorganising </strong></span></span><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">J&K</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> as Union Territories, ending its special status under Article 370 and 35 (A) </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">and <strong>extending to it all the provisions of the Constitution</strong> were<strong> endorsed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday</strong></span></span><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> (6/08/2019).</span></span></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Highlights:</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir: </strong>The Bill reorganises the state of Jammu and Kashmir into:</span></span></li> </ul> <ul style="list-style-type:square; margin-left:40px"> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The <strong>Union Territory of Ladakh</strong> <strong>(comprising Kargil and Leh districts)</strong>, without a legislature</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The <strong>Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir</strong> (It will comprise <strong>the remaining territories of the existing state of Jammu and Kashmir</strong>) with a legislature</span></span></li> </ul> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Lieutenant Governor: </strong>Both the UTs<strong> </strong>will be <strong>administered by the President, through an administrator </strong>appointed by him/her known as <strong>the Lieutenant Governor. </strong></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir: </strong></span></span></li> </ul> <ul style="margin-left:40px"> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Bill provides for a <strong>Legislative Assembly for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. </strong></span></span></li> <li><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The total number of seats in the Assembly </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">will be <strong>107 of these, 24 seats will remain vacant on account of certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir being under the occupation of Pakistan</strong></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'lok-sabha-endorses-centres-decisions-on-kashmir', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d98c/hib7d38vze3uy9g6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d98c/hib7d38vze3uy9g6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Lok Sabha endorses Centre’s decisions on Kashmir', 'metakeyword' => 'Kashmir, Centre’s decisions on Kashmir', 'metadescription' => 'The Centre’s decisions of reorganising J&K as Union Territories, ending its special status under Article 370 and 35 (A) and extending', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/7lzi7oxpz6xpcym/Lok_Sabha_endorses_Centre%C6s_decisions_on_Kashmir.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2349, 'title' => 'President impeachment', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the House would launch an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Impeachment is the process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official. Impeachment does not in itself remove the official from office but it is the equivalent to an indictment in criminal law, and thus is only the statement of charges against the official.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Impeachment of President in India</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The president may also be removed before the expiry of the term through impeachment for <strong>violating the Constitution of India</strong> by the Parliament of India..</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The process may start <strong>in either of the two houses of the parliament</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The house initiates the process by levelling the charges against the president. The charges are contained in a notice that has to be signed by at least <strong>one-quarter</strong> of the total members of that house.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The notice is sent up to the president and 14 days later, it is taken up for consideration.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A resolution to impeach the president has to be passed by a <strong>two-thirds majority of the total number of members of the originating house</strong>. It is then sent to the other house.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The other house investigates the charges that have been made. During this process, the president has the right to defend oneself through an authorised counsel.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If the second house also approves the charges made by <strong>special majority( two third majority of members present and voting which is more than half of the strength of the house)</strong> again, the president stands impeached and is deemed to have vacated their office from the date when such a resolution stands passed.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">No president has faced impeachment proceedings so the above provisions have never been used.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'president-impeachment', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5614/othm2am8bsdlecx6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5614/othm2am8bsdlecx6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'President impeachment', 'metakeyword' => 'Impeachment is the process by which a legislative', 'metadescription' => 'Impeachment is the process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official. Impeachment does not in itself remove the official from ', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/4fhmd1kypouatsu/President_impeachment.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 19 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2434, 'title' => 'President’s power on pardoning', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The President has commuted death sentences to life imprisonment in at least 20 cases over the past nine years, based on the recommendations received from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These commutations were based on the President’s exercise of powers under <strong>Article 72</strong> of the Constitution after the convicts filed mercy petitions.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 72</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 72 says that the President shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence:<br /> (a) in all cases where the punishment or sentence is by a <strong>court Martial</strong>.<br /> (b) in all cases where the punishment or sentence is for an <strong>offence against any law</strong> relating to a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">(c) in all cases where the sentence is a <strong>sentence of death</strong>.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The question is that whether this power to grant pardon is absolute or this power of pardon shall be exercised by the President on the advice of Council of Ministers. The <strong>pardoning power of President is NOT absolute.</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Types of pardon</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Pardon</strong>: means completely absolving the person of the crime and letting him go free. The pardoned criminal will be like a normal citizen.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Commutation</strong>: means changing the type of punishment given to the guilty into a less harsh one.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Ex: Death penalty commuted to a life sentence.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Reprieve</strong>: means a delay allowed in the execution of a sentence, usually a death sentence, for a guilty person to allow him some time to apply for Presidential Pardon or some other legal remedy to prove his innocence or successful rehabilitation.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Respite</strong>: means reducing the quantum or degree of the punishment to a criminal in view of some special circumstances, like pregnancy, mental condition etc.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Remission</strong>: means changing the quantum of the punishment without changing its nature.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Ex: Reducing twenty year rigorous imprisonment to ten years.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'presidents-power-on-pardoning', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0b5d/ksudmzmwkq2bi5y6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0b5d/ksudmzmwkq2bi5y6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'President’s power on pardoning', 'metakeyword' => 'Reprieve: means a delay allowed in the execution', 'metadescription' => 'Reprieve: means a delay allowed in the execution of a sentence, usually a death sentence, for a guilty person to allow him some time to apply for Presidential ', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/aw5lebry75oq434/President%25E2%2580%2599s_power_of_pardoning.pdf', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 20 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2435, 'title' => 'Lokpal ', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The anti-corruption ombudsman, Lokpal has disposed of 1,000 of the 1,065 complaints received till September 30 since its appointment in March 2019.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The President had appointed the Lokpal chairperson and eight members on March 19 after recommendation by the Selection Committee, under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act . Justice (retired) Pinaki Chandra Ghose took charge as the first Lokpal chairman.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Lokpal</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Lokpal is constituted under The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, passed in 2013 with amendments in parliament.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Lokpal is responsible for enquiring into corruption charges at the national level while the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lokayukta" title="Lokayukta">Lokayukta</a> performs the same function at the state level.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Ambit</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Lokpal has jurisdiction to inquire into corruption allegations against anyone who is, or has been, Prime Minister, or a Minister in the Central government, or an MP and Central government officials.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chairpersons, members, functionaries and directors of any organisation set up under a law passed by Parliament, or wholly/partly funded by the Central or State government, are also covered. The registered bodies that receive foreign contribution above ?10 lakh also come under Lokpal.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Composition</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Out of the maximum eight members, half will be judicial members.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minimum fifty per cent of the Members will be from SC / ST / OBC / Minorities and women.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The judicial member of the Lokpal should be either a former Judge of the Supreme Court or a former Chief Justice of a High Court.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The non-judicial member should be an eminent person with impeccable integrity and outstanding ability, having special knowledge and expertise of minimum 25 years in the matters relating to anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance, finance including insurance and banking, law and management.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Terms</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The term of office for Lokpal Chairman and Members is 5 years or till attaining age of 70 years.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The salary, allowances and other conditions of service of chairperson are equivalent to Chief Justice of India and members is equivalent to Judge of Supreme Court and charged upon Consolidated Fund of India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If the chairperson dies in office or has resigned from the post, President can authorise the senior-most Member to act as the Chairperson until new chairperson is appointed.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Powers of Lokpal</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Lokpal will have the power of superintendence and direction over any investigation agency including CBI for cases referred to them by the ombudsman.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the Act, the Lokpal can summon or question any public servant if there exists a prima facie case against the person, even before an investigation agency (such as vigilance or CBI) has begun the probe.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">An investigation must be completed within six months. However, the Lokpal or Lokayukta may allow extensions of six months at a time<span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans","serif""><span style="color:black">.</span></span></span></span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'lokpal ', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1aac/qspr7skjahy7fft6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1aac/qspr7skjahy7fft6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Lokpal | The anti-corruption ombudsman', 'metakeyword' => 'The Lokpal is responsible for enquiring into corruption charges', 'metadescription' => 'The Lokpal is responsible for enquiring into corruption charges at the national level while the Lokayukta performs the same function at the state level.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/x5ib6fqsxdmkulv/Lokpal.pdf', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 21 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2506, 'title' => 'Chief Justice of India', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A Supreme Court ruling has stated that a judge who retired as an Acting Chief Justice of a High Court cannot claim the pension of a regular Chief Justice.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The court was handling the case of Justice Rao, who had retired from the Gauhati High Court after serving 14 months as its Acting Chief Justice. The court also ruled that the judge be given pension for the time he served as the Chief justice and not more.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Acting Chief Justice</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 126</strong> states that when the office of CJI is vacant or when the Chief Justice is by reason of absence or otherwise unable to perform duties of office, the President in such case can appoint Judge of the court to discharge the duties of office.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Retired Judges</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Art 128</strong> states that the CJI at any time with the previous consent of the President and the person to be so appointed can appoint any person who had previously held office of a Judge of SC.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Ad-Hoc Judges</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Art 127</strong> states that if at any time there is lack of quorum of Judges of Supreme Court, the CJI may with previous consent of the President and Chief Justice of High Court concerned request in writing the attendance of Judge of High Court duly qualified to be appointed as Judge of SC.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Powers of Chief justice</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Constitutes the rooster and allocates cases to the benches of judges.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As the head of collegium, he/she appoints judges of Supreme Court and High court.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Judicial representative of appointment committee to select heads of constitutional and statutory body.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'chief-justice-of-india', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/09fa/vms0xmpvm7876qn6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/09fa/vms0xmpvm7876qn6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Chief Justice of India | Chief Justice of a High Court', 'metakeyword' => 'Chief Justice of India, Chief Justice of a High Court', 'metadescription' => 'A Supreme Court ruling has stated that a judge who retired as an Acting Chief Justice of a High Court cannot claim the pension of a regular Chief Justice.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/egpy6mrf5xw9uyv/Chief_Justice_of_India.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 22 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2535, 'title' => 'Lok Sabha seat freeze and delimitation', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Former Union Minister and Congress leader Jitin Prasada had said that number of Lok Sabha seats should be rationalised on the basis of population and demanded that limits on the seat numbers must be lifted.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is argued that northern states are under- represented in Lok Sabha as their seats are not in proportion to their population. There has been a demand from those in these states to start a delimitation exercise.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 81 of the Constitution defines the composition of the House of the People or Lok Sabha. It states that the House shall not consist of more than 550 elected members of whom not more than 20 will represent Union Territories.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 81 also mandates that <strong>the number of Lok Sabha seats allotted to a state would be such that the ratio between that number and the population of the state is, as far as possible, the same for all states</strong>. This is to ensure that<strong> every state is equally represented</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">For the <strong>purpose of allocation of seats, population as ascertained at the last preceding census of which the relevant figures have been published must be considered</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although unintended, this implied that states that took little interest in population control could end up with a greater number of seats in Parliament. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The southern states that promoted family planning faced the possibility of having their seats reduced. To protect their interests, the number of seats as well as delimitation exercise was freezed.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The lower House’s composition has also changed with each Census up to 1971. A temporary freeze was imposed in 1976 on Delimitation until 2001.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Delimitation Commission</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The <strong>Delimitation commission</strong> or <strong>Boundary commission of India</strong> is a commission established by the Government of India under the provisions of the Delimitation Commission Act. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The main task of the commission is redrawing the boundaries of the various assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies based on a recent census.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Commission is a powerful and independent body whose orders cannot be challenged in any court of law. The orders are laid before the Lok Sabha and the respective State Legislative Assemblies. However, modifications are not permitted</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'lok-sabha-seat-freeze-and-delimitation', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c0ac/ikuota83t0s6thj6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c0ac/ikuota83t0s6thj6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Lok Sabha seat freeze and delimitation', 'metakeyword' => 'Lok Sabha seat freeze and delimitation', 'metadescription' => 'Former Union Minister and Congress leader Jitin Prasada had said that number of Lok Sabha seats should be rationalised on the basis of population', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/8mbj51rslmszddx/Lok_Sabha_seat_freeze_and_delimitation.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 23 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2561, 'title' => 'Legislative council', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Jammu and Kashmir government issued formal orders for abolition of legislative council in the state after it was made a union territory.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In early August, the central government revoked the special status granted to J&K and bifurcated the state into two Union territories of J&K and Ladakh. This resulted in re-organisation of J&K’s political structure.</span></span><br /> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad ) is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_house" title="Upper house">upper house</a> in those <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_and_territories_of_India" title="States and territories of India">states</a> of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" title="India">India</a> that have a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicameralism" title="Bicameralism">bicameral legislature</a>; the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_house" title="Lower house">lower house</a> being the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Legislative_Assembly_(India)" title="State Legislative Assembly (India)">State Legislative Assembly</a>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Its establishment is defined in Article 169 of the Constitution of India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The membership of the Legislative Council is for <strong>6 years</strong> and <strong>1/3rd</strong> members retire every 2 years.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">At present , seven states have Legislative Councils. These are <strong>Jammu and Kashmir(abolished), Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Membership of Legislative Council</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">About <strong>1/3rd</strong> of members are elected by <strong>members of the Assembly</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>1/3rd</strong> by electorates consisting of <strong>members of municipalities, district boards and other local authorities</strong> in the state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>1/12th</strong> by an electorate consisting of <strong>teachers</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>1/12th</strong> by registered <strong>graduates</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The remaining members (<strong>1/6th</strong>) <strong>are nominated by the Governor</strong> from among those who have distinguished themselves in <strong>literature, science, art, the cooperative movement, and social service</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Importance</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It acts as a check on hasty actions by the popularly elected House.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To ensure that individuals who might not be able to fight direct elections too are able to contribute to the legislative process.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Criticism</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They are used to park leaders who have not been able to win an election.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They can be used to delay progressive legislation.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They would strain state finances<span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"AdobeCaslonRegular","serif""><span style="color:black">.</span></span></span></span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'legislative-council', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c1c4/bgrl83lgrskj25o6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c1c4/bgrl83lgrskj25o6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Legislative council', 'metakeyword' => 'resulted in re-organisation of J&K’s political structure', 'metadescription' => 'In early August, the central government revoked the special status granted to J&K and bifurcated the state into two Union territories of J&K and Ladakh. This .', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/on2o28mcscksl29/Legislative_council.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 24 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2716, 'title' => 'Overseas Citizenship of India', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government has<strong> </strong>announced it will revoke the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to famous author and journalist Aatish Taseer. Authorities accused him of attempting to conceal information that his father, Salman Taseer, was of Pakistani origin.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Home Ministry guidelines, one of the grounds on which OCI registration can be cancelled is when it becomes necessary to do so in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity and security of India.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Overseas Citizenship of India is an immigration status permitting a foreign citizen of Indian origin to live and work in the Republic of India indefinitely. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The OCI was introduced in response to demands for dual citizenship by the Indian diaspora, particularly in developed countries.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">OCI is not to be misconstrued as 'dual citizenship'. OCI does not confer political rights. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The registered Overseas Citizens of India shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen of India under <strong>Article 16</strong> of the Constitution with regard to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Eligibility</strong></span></span></p> <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha"> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The following categories of persons (except Pakistan and Bangladesh) are eligible to apply under OCI scheme:</span></span></p> </li> </ol> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Who is a citizen of another country, but was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after, the commencement of the constitution; or</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Who is a citizen of another country, but was eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of the commencement of the constitution; or</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Who is a citizen of another country, but belonged to a territory that became part of India after the 15th day of August, 1947; or</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Who is a child or a grand-child or a great grandchild of such a citizen; </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> or</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">(b) A person, who is minor child of a person mentioned in clause (a); or</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">(c) A person, who is a minor child, and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India; or</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">(d) Spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of india Cardholder registered under section 7A, Citizenship Act 1955 and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application under this section.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Reasons for revoking OCI card</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The registration as an overseas citizen of India was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or the concealment of any material fact.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The overseas citizen of India has shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India as by law established.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The overseas citizen of India has, during any war in which India may bee engaged, unlawfully traded or communicated with an enemy or been engaged in, or associated with, any business or commercial activity that was to his knowledge carried on in such manner as to assist an enemy in that war.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The overseas citizen of India has, within five years after registration under sub-section(1) of section 7A has been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is necessary so to do in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of India, friendly relations of India with any foreign country, or in the interests of the general public.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'overseas-citizenship-of-india', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9b0b/1j48eaojygn1qbc6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9b0b/1j48eaojygn1qbc6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Overseas Citizenship of India', 'metakeyword' => 'Overseas Citizenship of India', 'metadescription' => 'The government has announced it will revoke the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to famous author and journalist Aatish Taseer. ', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/rpu08zf50vz44jx/Overseas_Citizenship_of_India.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 25 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2745, 'title' => 'Pardoning power of the president', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Sri Lanka’s President Sirisena has pardoned a death-row prisoner, who had murdered a Swedish teenager, sparking national outrage.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A pardon is a government decision to allow a person to be absolved of guilt for an alleged crime or other legal offense, as if the act never occurred. The pardon may be granted before or after conviction for the crime, depending on the laws of the jurisdiction.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Pardoning powers in India</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The pardoning powers of the <strong>Indian President</strong> are elucidated in Art 72 of the Indian Constitution under the following:</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">in all cases where the punishment or sentence is by a Court Martial;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">in all cases where the punishment or sentence is for an offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">in all cases where the sentence is a sentence of death.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Pardon</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Completely absolving the person of the crime and letting him go free. The pardoned criminal will be like a normal citizen.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Commutation</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Changing the type of punishment given to the guilty into a less harsher one. For example, a death penalty commuted to a life sentence.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Reprieve</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A delay allowed in the execution of a sentence, usually a death sentence, for a guilty person to allow him some time to apply for Presidential Pardon or some other legal remedy to prove his innocence or successful rehabilitation.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong> Respite</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Reducing the quantum or degree of the punishment to a criminal in view of some special circumstances, like pregnancy, mental condition etc.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong> Remission </strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Changing the quantum of the punishment without changing its nature. for eg. reducing 20 year rigorous imprisonment to 10 years.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Difference between pardoning powers of President and Governor</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The power of the President to grant pardon extends in cases where the punishment or sentence is by a Court Martial but Article 161 does not provide any such power to the Governor.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The President can grant pardon in all cases where the sentence given is sentence of death but pardoning power of Governor does not extend to death sentence cases.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'pardoning-power-of-the-president', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9321/agwbh0qbp4ac4ln6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9321/agwbh0qbp4ac4ln6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Pardoning power of the president', 'metakeyword' => 'Pardoning power of the president', 'metadescription' => 'Sri Lanka’s President Sirisena has pardoned a death-row prisoner, who had murdered a Swedish teenager, sparking national outrage.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/d1bunl0xmogjhx6/Pardoning_power_of_the_president.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 26 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2749, 'title' => 'Disqualification of MLA’s', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme court is set to announce the verdict on the disqualification of 15 Karnataka Congress and JDS MLA’s, who had resigned from the party.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Background</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> The resignations of 17 MLAs had brought down the 14-month JD(S)-Congress government. They were disqualified in July 2019 by the then Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar till the expiry of the Assembly term.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The EC had postponed the bypolls, which were earlier scheduled on October 21, in view of the pending petitions filed by the disqualified legislators.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Though the electoral notification had been issued by the EC on September 27, enforcement of the model code of conduct was suspended till November 10 since it would adversely impact development programmes of the government.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The 10th schedule of the constitution, also called as anti-defection law was used for disqualifying legislators who indulged in anti-party activities, as claimed by the speaker of the house.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Grounds for disqualification of legislator under Anti-defection law</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If an elected member voluntarily gives up the membership of his political party.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If the member votes, or does not vote in the legislature, contrary to the directions of his political party. However, if the member has taken prior permission, or is condoned by the party within 15 days from such voting or abstention, the member shall not be disqualified.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If an independent candidate joins a political party after the election.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If a nominated member joins a party six months after he becomes a member of the legislature.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Power to Disqualify</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Chairman or the Speaker of the House takes the decision to disqualify a member.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If a complaint is received with respect to the defection of the Chairman or Speaker, a member of the House elected by that House shall take the decision.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Exceptions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The law allows a party to merge with or into another party provided that at least two-thirds of its legislators are in favour of the merger.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In such a scenario, neither the members who decide to merge, nor the ones who stay with the original party will face disqualification.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'disqualification-of-mla', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a086/hl7491jaypegue86g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a086/hl7491jaypegue86g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Disqualification of MLA’s', 'metakeyword' => 'Disqualification of MLA’s', 'metadescription' => 'The Supreme court is set to announce the verdict on the disqualification of 15 Karnataka Congress and JDS MLA’s, who had resigned from the party.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/5lbwkmm3zad3bl7/Disqualification_of_MLA%C6s.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 27 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2755, 'title' => 'Government formation and role of governors', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Maharashtra state is undergoing a crisis on government formation with no parties having clear majority to stake claim to form the government. In this case the role of governor has become important regarding his decision to invite any party to form the government.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Shiv Sena has refused to back its pre-poll ally BJP, a coaliation that had clear numbers. The other coaliation of NCP-Congress do not have seats to form the government. The governor, going by tradition has invited largest party to form the government and prove its majority on the floor of the house.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After the elections are conducted and results are declared, the governor waits for the single largest party to stake claim for government formation in the state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If there is a pre-poll alliance which commands majority then the government allows the alliance to stake claim to the power.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The majority party or coaliation produces the letter of support from the newly elected MLAs and based on that the governor allows the process of government formation to start.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The leader of the single largest party or the coaliation is appointed as the chief minister of the state and he will have to prove majority on the floor of the house within a stipulated time, failing of which will result in falling of the government.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Once the majority is proved, the chief minister recommends the names for ministerial positions and the governor appoints them as ministers.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Governor’s role in case of hung assembly</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Sarkaria commission, which is considered a benchmark study says the following:</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If there is a single party having an absolute majority in the Assembly, the leader of the party should automatically be asked to become the Chief Minister.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, if there is no such party, the Governor should select a Chief Minister from among the following parties or group of parties by sounding them, in turn, in the order of preference indicated below:</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">An alliance of parties that was formed prior to the Elections.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The largest single party staking a claim to form the government with the support of others, including “independents.”</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A post-electoral coalition of parties, with all the partners in the coalition joining the Government.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A post-electoral alliance of parties, with some of the parties in the alliance forming a Government and the remaining parties, including “independents” supporting the Government from outside.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'government-formation-and-role-of-governors', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/4ed8/49sucl2b9fjmup16g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/4ed8/49sucl2b9fjmup16g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Government formation and role of governors', 'metakeyword' => 'Government formation and role of governors', 'metadescription' => 'Maharashtra state is undergoing a crisis on government formation with no parties having clear majority to stake claim to form the government', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/v89vcctj56azs72/Government_formation_and_role_of_governors.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 28 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2765, 'title' => 'President’s rule in Maharashtra', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Ram Nath Kovind has approved a proclamation imposing President’s Rule in Maharashtra, following a recommendation from Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met and approved a recommendation to the President to issue a proclamation under Article 356(1) of the Constitution.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In his report to the President, the governor said a situation had arisen in which it was impossible to constitute or form a stable government in the State, and the government could not be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under the proclaimation, the Legislative Assembly will be kept under suspended animation and functions of the state will be carried out by the governor on behalf of the President.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>State Emergency or President’s rule</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The president's rule is the suspension of state government and imposition of direct central government rule in a state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under Article 356 of the Constitution of India, in the event that a state government is unable to function according to constitutional provisions, the Central government can take direct control of the state machinery. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Subsequently, executive authority is exercised through the centrally appointed governor, who has the authority to appoint other administrators to assist them.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The president's rule has been imposed under any one of the following different circumstances:</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A state legislature is unable to elect a leader as chief minister for a time prescribed by the Governor of that state, at the Will of Governor.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Breakdown of a coalition leading to the Chief minister having minority support in the house and the Chief minister fails/will definitely fail to prove otherwise, within a time prescribed by the Governor of that state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Loss of majority in the assembly due to a vote of no-confidence in the house.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Elections postponed for unavoidable reasons like war, epidemic or natural disasters.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 356 state that the president can invoke president rule in a state on the report of the governor if the state machinery/legislature fails to abide by constitutional norms.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If approved by both houses, president's rule can continue for 6 months. It can be extended for a maximum of 3 years with the approval of the Parliament done every 6 months.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If the Lok Sabha is dissolved during this time, the rule is valid for 30 days from the first sitting of the Lok Sabha provided that this continuance has already been approved by Rajya Sabha. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 introduced a new provision to put a restraint on the power of the Parliament to extend the president's rule in a state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> According to this provision, the president's rule can only be extended over a year every 6 months under the following conditions:</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There is already a national emergency throughout India, or in the whole or any part of the state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Election Commission certifies that elections cannot be conducted in the concerned state.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President's rule can be revoked at any time by the president and does not need the Parliament's approval.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Criticism</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 356 gave wide powers to the central government to assert its authority over a state if civil unrest occurs, and the state government does not have the means to end it.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The practice was limited only after the Supreme Court established strict guidelines for imposing president's rule in its ruling on the S. R. Bommai v. Union of India case in 1994. This landmark judgement has helped curtail the widespread misuse of Article 356.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Sarkaria Commission Report on Centre-State Relations 1983 has recommended that Article 356 must be used very sparingly, in extreme cases, as a measure of last resort, when all the other alternatives fail to prevent or rectify a breakdown of constitutional machinery in the state.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'president-rule-in-maharashtra', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/99ce/iz3226yzuk7a4016g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/99ce/iz3226yzuk7a4016g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'President’s rule in Maharashtra', 'metakeyword' => 'President’s rule in Maharashtra', 'metadescription' => 'President Ram Nath Kovind has approved a proclamation imposing President’s Rule in Maharashtra, following a recommendation from Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/qm1pmqbzywb9rqi/President%C6s_rule_in_Maharashtra.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 29 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2776, 'title' => 'CJI to come under RTI act', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court has ruled that the office of the Chief Justice of India is a public authority under the Right to Information Act.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The move to bring the office of the CJI under the transparency law was initiated by RTI activist SC Agrawal. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is alleged that moves of the CJI such as appointment system through collegium as well as rooster for hearing cases have been shrouded in secrecy and must come out in public domain.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While ruling that the office of the CJI is a public authority, the Supreme Court held that RTI cannot be used as a tool of surveillance and that judicial independence has to be kept in mind while dealing with transparency.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Offices such as those of the Prime Minister and the President too are public authorities under the RTI Act. But public authorities have often denied information quoting separate observations by the Supreme Court.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Chief Justice of India</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the head of the judiciary of India and the Supreme Court of India. The CJI also heads their administrative functions.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As head of the supreme court, the chief justice is responsible for the allocation of cases and appointment of constitutional benches which deal with important matters of law</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Appointment </strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 124</strong> of the Constitution of India provides the matter of appointing judges of the Supreme Court. No specific provision exists in the Constitution for appointing the Chief Justice, who as a result, is appointed like the other judges conventionally.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The outgoing CJI recommends the name of the senior-most judge (i.e. by date of appointment to the Supreme Court) for appointment by the President of India, as his successor.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Removal</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 124(4)</strong> of Constitution of India lays down the procedure for removal of a Judge of Supreme Court which is applicable to Chief Justice as well. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Once appointed, the Chief Justice remains in the office until the age of <strong>65 years</strong>. He can be removed only through a process of <strong>impeachment by Parliament.</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'cji-to-come-under-rti-act', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/3d67/1r4gmlrldiw6l1m6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/3d67/1r4gmlrldiw6l1m6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'CJI to come under RTI act', 'metakeyword' => 'CJI to come under RTI act', 'metadescription' => 'The Supreme Court has ruled that the office of the Chief Justice of India is a public authority under the Right to Information Act.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/gld7rfmioy903vi/CJI_to_come_under_RTI_act.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 30 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2850, 'title' => 'National status for political parties', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Election Commission of India is likely to take a call on whether the Nationalist Congress Party, the All-India Trinamool Congress and the Communist Party of India can continue to have the status of national parties.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A party’s candidates have to secure at least 6% vote share in four States or more and it must have at least four Lok Sabha MPs for the status.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The ECI has been hearing the issue of de-recognition of the three parties after their performance in the Lok Sabha elections.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">An ECI official said the parties had asked for more time since Assembly elections in Jharkhand, scheduled to finish in December, and Delhi, expected to go to polls in early 2020, were coming up.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>National Party criteria</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A registered party is recognised as a national party only if it fulfils any one of the following three conditions: </span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A party wins 2% of seats in the Lok sabha from at least three different states. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">At a general election to Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly, the party polls 6% of votes in any four or more states and in addition it wins four Lok Sabha seats.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A party gets recognition as a state party in four states.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Benefits of National party</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A recognised party enjoys privileges like a reserved party symbol, free broadcast time on state run television and radio, a consultation in setting of election dates and giving input in setting electoral rules and regulations.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'national-status-for-political-parties', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/b741/tiqtwur7y826bcs6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/b741/tiqtwur7y826bcs6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'National status for political parties', 'metakeyword' => 'National status for political parties', 'metadescription' => 'The Election Commission of India is likely to take a call on whether the Nationalist Congress Party, the All-India Trinamool Congress and the Communist Party', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/nrvikde0q0146b0/National_status_for_political_parties.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 31 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2894, 'title' => 'National Constitution day', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government is celebrating ‘Constitution Day’ or ‘Samvidhan Diwas’ to mark the 70th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A Constitution is an important law of the land. It determines the relationship of the citizens with the governments.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It lays down principles and guidelines which are required for people belonging to different ethnic and religious groups to live in harmony.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Special features of our constitution</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Indian Constitution is remarkable for many outstanding features which make it different from the other constitutions, even though it has been prepared after “ransacking all the known Constitutions of the world” and most of its provisions are substantially borrowed from others.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Britain: </strong>Parliamentary government, Rule of Law, Legislative procedure, Single citizenship,Cabinet system, Prerogative writs, Parliamentary privileges, Bicameralism.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>USA</strong>: Impeachment of the president, Functions of president and vice-president,Removal of Supreme Court and High court judges, Fundamental Rights.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Ireland</strong>: Directive Principles of State Policy, Method of Election of the president, Members nomination to the Rajya Sabha by the President.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Canada</strong>: Centrifugal form of federalism where the centre is stronger than the states, Residuary powers vest with the centre, Centre appoints the Governors at the states, Advisory jurisdiction of the supreme court.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Australia</strong>: Concept of Concurrent list, Article 108 i.e. Joint sitting of the two houses, Freedom of trade and commerce.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Russia</strong>: Fundamental duties, The ideals of justice (social, economic and political), expressed in the Preamble.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>France</strong>: Concept of “Republic”, Ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity(contained in the Preamble).</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Germany</strong>: Fundamental Rights are suspended during Emergency.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>South Africa</strong>: Election of members of the Rajya Sabha, Amendment of the Constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Japan</strong>: Concept of “procedure established by Law”.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Indian Constitution is the most lengthy and detailed handwritten constitution of any sovereign country in the world.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Our constitution has a single integrated system of Courts for the Union as well as the States which administer both Union and State laws, and the Supreme Court heads the entire system.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Another remarkable feature of the Indian Constitution is that it confers upon a federal system the strength of a unitary government. Though normally the system of government is federal, the Constitution enables the federation to transform itself into a unitary State.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The President has been given the power of Emergency to tackle the unusual situations where the security of any part or whole of India is threatened, to maintain the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of the nation.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'national-constitution-day', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5128/aieoql2gyyjgwsn6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5128/aieoql2gyyjgwsn6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'National Constitution day', 'metakeyword' => 'National Constitution day', 'metadescription' => 'The government is celebrating ‘Constitution Day’ or ‘Samvidhan Diwas’ to mark the 70th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/0ybpam1be0cvgvr/National_Constitution_day.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 32 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2905, 'title' => 'The S R Bommai judgement on centre-state relationship', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court directed Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to ensure that the trust vote be held on 27th November.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Several observations were made by the Supreme Court in its order, which will be relevant for this and similar situations involving the role of the Governor in a hung House in the future. The most important reference among this is ‘S R Bommai case’.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The historic judgment by the nine-judge Bench in SR Bommai vs Union of India in March 1994 laid down the supremacy of the floor test in determining the support enjoyed by the party in power.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In September 1988, a legislator from the Janata Dal, defected from the party, and presented a letter to Governor along with petitions from 19 other members of the Legislative Assembly, stating their decision to withdraw support to the Bommai government.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at the Centre dismissed the state government using Article 356, without giving Bommai a chance to prove his majority, and imposed President’s Rule.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Karnataka decision was seen as controversial, and more such examples followed across India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The nine-judge Bench in the Bommai case adjudicated on a range of issues around the constitutional limitations of the use of Article 356.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Highlights of S R Bommai judgement</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The court laid down a number of guidelines to curb the Centre’s capacity to dismiss a state government, and upheld the federal structure enshrined in the Constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The ruling laid down the law that the only way to determine support enjoyed by a particular state government would be by means of a floor test.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The court ruled that the validity of a proclamation of President’s Rule is subject to judicial review.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The court said that the only time the President shall have unconditional powers to dissolve a state government is when there is a complete breakdown of constitutional machinery.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The judgment also underlined the secular nature of the Constitution in the wake of the Babri demolition, and said that a party cannot resort to religion for the sake of gaining power and, if found to be indulging in religious politics, could be acted against using Article 356.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Significance of the judgement</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since the Constitution came into force, President’s Rule under Article 356 has been imposed on states on over 100 occasions without any concrete reasons. These instances, however, declined considerably after the S R Bommai ruling.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'the-s-r-bommai-judgement-on-centre-state-relationship', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/873d/1l01terrumgvv7s6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/873d/1l01terrumgvv7s6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'The S R Bommai judgement on centre-state relationship', 'metakeyword' => 'The S R Bommai judgement on centre-state relationship', 'metadescription' => 'The Supreme Court directed Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to ensure that the trust vote be held on 27th November.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/21fgesg64mt3efk/The_S_R_Bommai_judgement_on_centre-state_relationship.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 33 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2917, 'title' => 'Central Information commission', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Central Information Commission was not consulted regarding the Right to Information Amendment Act, 2019 or the Rules of the Act, according to a RTI application.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Rules to the RTI Amendment Act were notified in October, and reduced the tenure of the Commissioners from five to three years, while also downgrading their status and allowances.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The amendments to the transparency legislation were enacted in July, and gave the Centre the power to determine the tenure, salary and perks of the State and Central Information Commissioners.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">RTI users and activists have warned that this move will dilute the autonomy and efficacy of the Commissions.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Central Information Commission</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Central Information Commission includes 1 Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and not more than 10 Information Commissioners (IC) who are appointed by the President of India on the recommendations of a Committee. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Central Information commission was established in 2005 by the Government of India under the provisions of the Right to Information Act (2005). It is a statutory body. Tenure is 5 years or 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Appointment</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Committee consisting the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister as nominated by the Prime Minister. Approved by the President. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They should be persons of eminence in public life with experience and knowledge & Law, management, journalism, science & technology, administration & governance, mass media and social service.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They should not be members of legislative assembly of any state or Union territory. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They should not be connected with any political party or carrying any business, they should not hold any office of profit or pursuing any other profession.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Functions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It looks into complaints and appeals pertaining to offices, public sector undertakings, financial institutions etc., under the government and the Union territories.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It acts upon complaints from those individuals who have not been able to submit information requests to a Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Powers</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The commission can order inquiry into any matter if there are reasonable grounds.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The commission has the power to secure compliance of its decisions from the public authority.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The commission may recommend steps which ought to be taken for promoting such conformity, if public authority does not conform to the provisions of this act.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is the duty of the commission to receive and inquire into a complaint from any person:</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <ul style="margin-left:40px"> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Who has not received response to his information request within the specified time limits;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Who thinks information given is incomplete, misleading or false and any other matter relating to obtaining information.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Who has not been able to submit an information request because of non-appointment of a Public Information Officer;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Who thinks the fees charged are unreasonable;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Who has refused information that was requested.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During the inquiry of a complaint, the commission may examine any record which is under the control of the public authority and no such record may be withheld from it on any grounds. In other words, all public records must be given to the commission during inquiry for examination.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong> </strong>While inquiring, the commission has the powers of a civil court</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> The commission submits an annual report to the central government on the implementation of the provisions of this act. The central government places this report before each house of Parliament</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'central-information-commission', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cf25/rwhcuuwshcrj99h6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cf25/rwhcuuwshcrj99h6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Central Information commission', 'metakeyword' => 'Central Information commission', 'metadescription' => 'The Central Information Commission was not consulted regarding the Right to Information Amendment Act, 2019', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/n1y2kdvuq83p5t6/Central_Information_commission.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 34 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2918, 'title' => 'Government extends tenure of Finance commission', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Union cabinet extended the tenure of the 15th Finance Commission by a year to October 30, 2020. The term of the commission was originally set to end in October, but was first extended by a month to November 30.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The extension was given on the grounds of the change in the stature of Jammu & Kashmir. Besides, there were delays on account of the model code of conduct of the elections.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The commission is headed by former expenditure secretary and Planning Commission member N.K. Singh.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The cabinet decision means the Commission will recommend its award to six fiscal years, instead of the usual five.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Making a five-year coverage available for the commission beyond April 2021, will help both state and central governments design schemes with medium- to long-term financial perspective and provide adequate time for mid-course evaluation and correction.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Finance Commission</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 280</strong> of the Constitution states that the President shall constitute a Finance Commission at the expiration of every fifth year or at such earlier time as the President considers necessary. It is a constitutional body.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Functions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Distribution of net proceeds of taxes between Center and the States, to be divided as per their respective contributions to the taxes.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Determine factors governing Grants-in-Aid to the states and the magnitude of the same.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To make recommendations to the president as to the measures needed to augment the Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the panchayats and municipalities in the state on the basis of the recommendations made by the finance commission of the state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Any other matter related to it by the president in the interest of sound finance.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Membership and criteria</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the Constitution, the Commission is appointed every five years and consists of a chairman and four other members.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Chairman of a finance commission is selected from people with experience of public affairs. The other four members are selected from people who:</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <ul style="margin-left:40px"> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Are, or have been, or are qualified, as judges of a high court,</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Have knowledge of government finances or accounts, or</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Have had experience in administration and financial expertise; or</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Have special knowledge of economics</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Powers</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Has all powers of a civil court as per the Civil Procedure Code, 1908.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Can summon and enforce the attendance of any witness or ask any person to deliver information or produce a document, which it deems relevant.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Can ask for the production of any public record or document from any court or office.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Shall be deemed to be a civil court for purposes of Sections 480 and 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Disqualification of members</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He is mentally unsound;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He is an undischarged insolvent;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He has been convicted of an immoral offence;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">His financial and other interests are such that it hinders the smooth functioning of the commission.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'govt-extends-tenure-of-finance-commission', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c5e6/7zv9mpnghlga8xm6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c5e6/7zv9mpnghlga8xm6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Government extends tenure of Finance commission', 'metakeyword' => 'Government extends tenure of Finance commission', 'metadescription' => 'The Union cabinet extended the tenure of the 15th Finance Commission by a year to October 30, 2020. The term of the commission was originally set', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/nwozl2og9h19c62/Government_extends_tenure_of_Finance_commission.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 35 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2954, 'title' => 'Fundamental duties', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Addressing a Joint Session of Parliament last on the occasion of constitution day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stressed the importance of constitutional duties. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu called for fundamental duties to be included in the school curriculum and the list of the duties to be displayed at educational institutions and at other public places.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Fundamental Duties are described in the Constitution, an Emergency-era provision that was introduced by the Indira Gandhi government.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Fundamental Duties were incorporated in <strong>Part IV-A</strong> of the Constitution by the Constitution <strong>42nd Amendment Act, 1976</strong>, based on a report by <strong>Swaran Singh committee</strong>, by Indira Gandhi’s government. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There are 11 Fundamental Duties described under <strong>Article 51-A,</strong> of which 10 were introduced by the 42nd Amendment and the 11th was added by the 86th Amendment in 2002, during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Apart from adding the Fundamental Duties, the 42nd Amendment also changed the Preamble to the Constitution to include the words ‘Socialist and Secular’ to describe India, in addition to its being ‘Sovereign Democratic Republic’.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These are <strong>statutory duties,</strong> <strong>not enforceable by law</strong>, but a court <strong>may take them into account while adjudicating on a matter</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The idea behind their incorporation was to emphasise the obligation of the citizen in exchange for the Fundamental Rights that he or she enjoys. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The concept of Fundamental Duties is taken from the <strong>Constitution of Russia</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Fundamental Duties </strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To abide by the constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life and to have compassion for living creatures.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'fundamental-duties', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/79d2/7ivdbio8evv18zf6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/79d2/7ivdbio8evv18zf6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Fundamental duties | The importance of constitutional', 'metakeyword' => 'Fundamental duties, the importance of constitutional', 'metadescription' => 'Addressing a Joint Session of Parliament last on the occasion of constitution day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stressed the importance of constitutional ', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/0wn349d8fi3oj44/Fundamental_duties.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 36 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 2965, 'title' => 'Fundamental Rights', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has told the visiting Swedish Foreign Minister that the right to life is the most basic and fundamental human right.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Some members of the European Union community and US had raised the issue of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian position will be that cross-border terrorism would lead to loss of life, a violation of the right to life which is the most basic human right.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Fundamental Rights</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Part III and article 12 to 35 of the constitution guarantees certain basic rights to the citizens of India known as the Fundamental Rights, which are justifiable.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Fundamental Rights has been classified under the six categories- Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational rights and Right to constitutional remedies.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>1. Right to Equality (Art. 14-18)</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>(Article 14):</strong> represents the idea of equality, which states that the state shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>(Article 15): Non-discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth </strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Article 15 states that the state shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, caste, sex, place of birth, or any of them and would not be subject to any disability, liability, restriction, or condition.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>(Article 16): Equality of opportunity in public employment </strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 16 states that no citizen shall on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence, or any of them, be ineligible for, or discriminated against in respect of any employment or office under the state.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>(Article 17): Abolition of Untouchability </strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 17 abolishes Untouchability and forbids its practice in any form.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>(Article 18): Abolition of Titles</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 18 abolishes all titles and prohibits the state to confer titles on anybody whether a citizen or a non-citizen. However, military and academic distinctions are exempted from the prohibition.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <ol start="2"> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Right to Freedom ( Art. 19-22)</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ol> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>(Article 19): Right to Freedom </strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Right to Freedom guarantees to the citizens of India six Fundamental Freedoms: 1) Freedom of Speech and Expression, 2) Freedom of Assembly, 3) Freedom to form associations, 4) Freedom of Movement, 5) Freedom to reside and to settle, and 6) Freedom of profession, occupation, trade, or business.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>(Article 20): Protection in respect of Conviction for Offences </strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 20 provides protection against arbitrary and excessive punishment to any person who commits an offence.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>(Article 21): Protection of Life and Personal Liberty </strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 21 states no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>(Article 22): Safeguards against Arbitrary Arrest and Detention</strong> <br /> Firstly, Article 22 guarantees the right of every person who is arrested to be informed of the cause of his arrest; secondly, his right to consult, and to be defended by a lawyer of his choice. Thirdly, every person arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before the nearest Magistrate within a period of twenty-four hours and shall be kept in continued custody only with his authority.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <ol start="3"> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Right against Exploitation (Art. 23 and 24)</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ol> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 23</strong> prohibits traffic in human beings, women, children, beggars or other forced labour militate against human dignity. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 24</strong> prohibits employing children below the age of 14 years in any hazardous profession. This right followed the human rights concepts and United Nations norms.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <ol start="4"> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Right to Freedom of Religon( Art. 25-28)</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ol> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 25</strong> offers freedom of Conscience and Free Profession, Practice and Propagation of Religion.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 26</strong> helps to manage religious affairs, which is subject to public order, morality and health, every religious denomination or any section.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 27</strong> provides freedom not to pay taxes for religious expenses on promotion or maintenance of any particular religion. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 28</strong> prohibits religious instructions in educational institutions wholly maintained by the state.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <ol start="5"> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Cultural and Educational Rights (Art. 29 and 30)</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ol> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 29</strong> provides protection of interests of minorities. A minority community can effectively conserve its language, script, or culture by and through educational institution. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 30</strong> states rights of minorities whether based on religion or language to establish and administer educational institutions.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <ol start="6"> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Right to Constitutional Remedies (Art. 32- 35)</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ol> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> <strong>Article 32</strong> guarantees the right to move Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights and deals with Supreme Court’s power to issue order or writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 33</strong> empowers Parliament to modify the application of Fundamental Rights to the armed forces or forces charged with maintenance of public order. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 34</strong> puts restriction on this part while martial law is in force in any area.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Part, Parliament may by law indemnify any person in the service of the Union or of a State or any person in respect of any act done by him in connection with the maintenance or restoration or order in any area within the territory of India where martial law was in force. </span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 35</strong> lays down that the power to make laws to give effect to certain specified Fundamental Rights shall vests only with the Parliament and not with State Legislatures.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'fundamental-rights', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/4641/q8j269xs9pgrq6f6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/4641/q8j269xs9pgrq6f6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Fundamental Rights | fundamental human right', 'metakeyword' => 'Fundamental Rights, fundamental human right', 'metadescription' => 'External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has told the visiting Swedish Foreign Minister that the right to life is the most basic and fundamental human right.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/spmy9wattpu8diw/Fundamental_Rights.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 37 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3067, 'title' => 'CAG blames Coal India for violating environmental laws', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) report on the environmental impact due to mining activities and mitigation measures at Coal India Limited (CIL) and its subsidiaries, has found several discrepancies.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Central government had formulated the national environmental policy in September 2006, but the CIL formulated a comprehensive policy only in March 2012, followed by a revised one in December 2018.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although guidelines containing the responsibility and delegation at different levels in environment discipline were formulated by CIL, the same were not dovetailed in their operating manual by the subsidiaries.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Shortcomings were noticed in the implementation of prescribed CIL guidelines in 17 of the 28 operating mines selected for scrutiny.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Comptroller and Auditor General</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is an authority, established by <strong>Article 148</strong> of the Constitution of India, which audits all receipts and expenditure of the Government of India and the state governments, including those of bodies and authorities substantially financed by the government. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The CAG is also the external auditor of Government-owned corporations and conducts supplementary audit of government companies, i.e., any non-banking/ non-insurance company in which Union Government has an equity share of at least 51 per cent or subsidiary companies of existing government companies. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The reports of the CAG are taken into consideration by the Public Accounts Committees (PACs) and Committees on Public Undertakings (COPUs), which are special committees in the Parliament of India and the state legislatures.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">His salary is same as that of judge of the Supreme court of India. Neither his salary nor rights in respect of leave of absence, pension or age of retirement can be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The CAG is not eligible for further office either under the Government of India or under the Government of any State after he has ceased to hold his office.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Appointment and Removal</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CAG is appointed by the <strong>President</strong> by warrant under his hand and seal.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The CAG can be removed only on an address from both houses of parliament on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The CAG vacates the office on attaining the age of 65 years even without completing the 6 years term by impeachment also.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Functions </strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The duties of the CAG include the audit of:</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Receipts and expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India and of the State and Union Territory having legislative assembly.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Trading, manufacturing, profit and loss accounts and balance sheets, and other subsidiary accounts kept in any Government department; Accounts of stores and stock kept in Government offices or departments.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Government companies as per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Corporations established by or under laws made by Parliament in accordance with the provisions of the respective legislation.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Authorities and bodies substantially financed from the Consolidated Funds of the Union and State Governments. Anybody or authority even though not substantially financed from the Consolidated Fund, the audit of which may be entrusted to the C&AG.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Grants and loans given by Government to bodies and authorities for specific purposes.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Entrusted audits e.g. those of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies under Technical Guidance & Support (TGS).</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'cag-blames-coal-india-for-violating-environment-laws', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5a88/q9u670oo16khm5z6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5a88/q9u670oo16khm5z6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'CAG blames Coal India for violating environmental laws', 'metakeyword' => 'CAG blames Coal India for violating environmental laws', 'metadescription' => 'The Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) report on the environmental impact due to mining activities and mitigation measures at Coal India Limited (CIL', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/79jlggmsqr72zzo/CAG_blames_Coal_India_for_violating_environmental_laws.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 38 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3074, 'title' => 'Supreme court issues notice to Election commission on election discrepancies', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court has asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to respond to a petition filed by two NGOs seeking a probe into alleged discrepancies between voter turnout and the number of votes counted in 347 constituencies in the 2019 Lok<strong> </strong>Sabha<strong> </strong>election.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The petition said a study was done by them on the discrepancy patterns found in the ECI website and the ‘My Voters Turnout App’. The petition said, there were six seats where the discrepancy in votes was higher than the winning margin. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The ECI has a statutory duty to collate and publish accurate data relating to the elections held by it. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It has statutory duty to explain satisfactorily the resolution process, along with the methodology adopted for resolution of the discrepancies recorded during the course of election based on actual figures recorded in the statutory forms at each polling stations.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Election Commision of India</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India at national, state and district level. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state Legislative Assemblies, state legislative Councils, and the offices of the President and Vice President of the country.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Election Commission operates under the authority of Constitution per <strong>Article 324</strong>, and subsequently enacted Representation of the People Act. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Being a constitutional authority, Election Commission is amongst the few institutions which function with both autonomy and freedom.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Appointment and Removal</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The President has the power to select Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They have tenure of <strong>six years</strong>, or up to the age of <strong>65 years</strong>, whichever is earlier.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Chief Election Commissioner of India can be removed from office as can be a judge of the Supreme Court of India: a two-thirds majority resolution passed by the Parliament of India (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) outlining the grounds of misbehavior or incapacity. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Other Election Commissioners can be removed by the President of India on the advice of the Chief Election Commissioner.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Functions</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Key functions of the Election Commission of India are as under:</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Election Commission of India is considered the guardian of free and reasonable elections.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It issues the Model Code of Conduct in every election for political parties and candidates so that the decorum of democracy is maintained.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It regulates political parties and registers them for being eligible to contest elections.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It publishes the allowed limits of campaign expenditure per candidate to all the political parties, and also monitors the same.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The political parties must submit their annual reports to the ECI for getting tax benefit on contributions.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It guarantees that all the political parties regularly submit their audited financial reports.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Commission can repress the results of opinion polls if it deems such an action fit for the cause of democracy.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Commission can recommend for disqualification of members after the elections if it thinks they have violated certain guidelines.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In case, a candidate is found guilty of dishonest practices during the elections, the Supreme Court and High Courts consult the Commission.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Commission can postpone candidates who fail to submit their election expense accounts timely.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'sc-issues-notice-to-election-commission', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7bcd/b3b9g8y9jdrovm96g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7bcd/b3b9g8y9jdrovm96g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Supreme court issues notice to Election commission on election', 'metakeyword' => 'Supreme court issues notice to Election commission on election discrepancies', 'metadescription' => 'The Supreme Court has asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to respond to a petition filed by two NGOs seeking a probe into alleged discrepancies', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/r433icp4biy5vhq/Supreme_court_issues_notice_to_Election_commission.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 39 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3105, 'title' => 'Donald Trump set to be impeached', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Republican Donald Trump is likely this week to become the third U.S. president to be impeached when the Democratic-led House of Representatives votes on charges of indulging in political conspiracy against his potential Presidential rival, Joe Biden.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In congressional hearings, Democrats have accused Trump of endangering the U.S. Constitution, jeopardizing national security and undermining the integrity of next year’s U.S. presidential election by asking Ukrainian President to investigate Biden and his son Hunter Biden, who was on the board of a Ukrainian gas company.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Republicans hold 53 of the 100 seats in the Senate, which would require a two-thirds majority of those present to remove President from office.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">No U.S. president has been removed as a direct result of impeachment. Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before he could be removed, while Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were impeached by the House, respectively in 1868 and 1998, but not convicted by the Senate.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mr. Trump has alleged the Bidens were involved in corruption in Ukraine and should be investigated there, but has offered no evidence. Mr. Biden, a former U.S. vice president, has denied wrongdoing.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Presidential impeachment in India</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Supreme court shall inquire and decide regarding all doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with the election of a president per Article 71(1) of the constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Supreme court can remove the president for the electoral malpractices or upon being not eligible to be Lok Sabha member under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The president may also be removed before the expiry of the term through impeachment for violating the Constitution of India by the Parliament of India. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The process may start in either of the two houses of the parliament. The house initiates the process by levelling the charges against the president. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The charges are contained in a notice that has to be signed by at least one-quarter of the total members of that house. The notice is sent up to the president and 14 days later, it is taken up for consideration.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A resolution to impeach the president has to be passed by a two-thirds majority of the total number of members of the originating house. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is then sent to the other house. The other house investigates the charges that have been made. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During this process, the president has the right to defend oneself through an authorised counsel. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If the second house also approves the charges made by special majority again, the president stands impeached and is deemed to have vacated their office from the date when such a resolution stands passed. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">No president has faced impeachment proceedings so the above provisions have never been used.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Though the president cannot be prosecuted and imprisoned during his term of office, he can be prosecuted after he/she steps down from the post for the guilty committed during the term of presidency as declared earlier by the courts.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'donald-trump-set-to-be-impeached', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/4ca9/coh07rdjkv1xy8p6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/4ca9/coh07rdjkv1xy8p6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Donald Trump set to be impeached', 'metakeyword' => 'Donald Trump set to be impeached', 'metadescription' => 'Republican Donald Trump is likely this week to become the third U.S. president to be impeached when the Democratic-led House of Representatives votes', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/jg8njgtgeu9efjy/Donald_Trump_set_to_be_impeached.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 40 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3133, 'title' => 'India’s citizenship rules', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As protests have been escalating due to amendment of citizenship rules, it is imperative to look at the existing citizenship provisions in our constitution.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Citizenship constitutes the indispensable foundational principle of democratic polity. Citizenship provides rights such as right to vote, and are also subjected to duties or obligation, such as paying taxes. Citizenship is covered in Part II of the constitution, within articles 5-11.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Provisions</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 5-8 conferred citizenship on each person who met the criteria below at the commencement of the Constitution :</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Domiciled in India and born in India</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">domiciled not born in India but either of whose parents was born in India</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">domiciled, not born in India but ordinarily resident for more than five years</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">resident in India but migrated to Pakistan after 1 March 1947 and later returned to India on resettlement permit</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">resident in Pakistan but who migrated to India after 19 July 1948 or who came after that date but had resided for more than six months and got registered in prescribed manner</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">resident outside India but who or either of whose parents or grand parents were born in India</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Indian Citizenship Act, 1955</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Citizenship Act, 1955 that came into force with effect from 30th December 1955 deals with matters relating to the acquisition, determination and termination of Indian citizenship.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It provides for the acquisition of Indian citizenship by birth, by descent, by registration and by naturalization . </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The act has been amended by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 1986, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 1992, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2003, and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Original Act provided :</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">a person born in India after 26 January 1950 would, subject to certain exceptions be a citizen of India by Birth</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">anyone born outside India after 26 January 1950, subject to certain requirements, would be a citizen of India if his/her father was an Indian citizen at the time of his/her birth</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">under certain conditions, certain category of persons could acquire Indian citizenship by registration in prescribed manner</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">foreigners could acquire Indian citizenship on application for naturalization on certain conditions</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">if any territory became part of India, the Government of India could by order specify the persons who would become citizens of India as a result thereof</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">citizenship could be lost by termination, renunciation or deprivation on certain grounds</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">a citizen of commonwealth country would have the status of commonwealth citizen of India. Government could make suitable provisions on the basis of reciprocity.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'india-citizenship-rules', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/47e5/qyo008p549ln8d46g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/47e5/qyo008p549ln8d46g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'India’s citizenship rules | citizenship rules | NRC | CAA', 'metakeyword' => 'India’s citizenship rules, citizenship rules, nrc, caa', 'metadescription' => 'As protests have been escalating due to amendment of citizenship rules, it is imperative to look at the existing citizenship provisions in our constitution.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/dtysod71x4hbzf9/India%C6s_citizenship_rules.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 41 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3178, 'title' => 'Andhra Pradesh government plans to abolish Legislative', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The State government is contemplating abolishing the Legislative Council and the proposal is likely to come up for discussion at the Cabinet meeting.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The TDP, which has a mojority in upper house, stalled two important Bills by incorporating certain amendments and sending them back to the Assembly. This has made the government think about abolishing council.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Legislative Council is the upper house in those states of India that have a bicameral legislature; the lower house being the State Legislative Assembly. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Its establishment is defined in Article 169 of the Constitution of India. At present, <strong>Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra </strong>and<strong> Karnataka</strong> have a legislative council.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Each Member of the State Legislative Council (MLC) serves for a six-year term, with terms staggered so that the terms of one third of a State Legislative Council's membership expire every two years.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This arrangement parallels that for the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">MLC must be a citizen of India, at least 30 years old, mentally sound, not an insolvent, and must be enrolled on the voters' list of the state for which he or she is contesting an election. He or she may not be a Member of Parliament at the same time.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The size of the State Legislative Council cannot be more than one third of the membership of the State Legislative Assembly. However, its size cannot be less than 40 members.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Membership of Legislative councils</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One third are elected by the members of local bodies such as municipalities, Gram panchayats, Panchayat samitis and district councils.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One third are elected by the members of Legislative Assembly of the State from among the persons who are not members of the State Legislative Assembly.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One sixth are nominated by the governor from persons having knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, arts, the co-operative movement and social service.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One twelfth are elected by persons who are graduates of three years' standing residing in that state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One twelfth are elected by persons engaged for at least three years in teaching in educational institutions within the state not lower than secondary schools, including colleges and universities.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'andhra-pradesh-govt-plans-to-abolish-legislative-council', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c6d5/fvjln1a03b8b35r6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c6d5/fvjln1a03b8b35r6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Andhra Pradesh government plans to abolish Legislative', 'metakeyword' => 'Andhra Pradesh government plans to abolish Legislative Council', 'metadescription' => 'The State government is contemplating abolishing the Legislative Council and the proposal is likely to come up for discussion at the Cabinet meeting.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/7ah9u6ciktr1zw6/Andhra_Pradesh_government_plans_to_abolish_Legislative_Council.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 42 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3230, 'title' => 'The preamble of Indian constitution', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, many of the programmes have been marked by a reading of the Preamble, which is reflective of the essence of the Constitution of India. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A preamble is an introductory and expressionary statement in a document that explains the document's purpose and underlying philosophy.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The original Preamble, adopted by the Constituent Assembly in <strong>1949</strong>, declared India a “Sovereign Democratic Republic”. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">By the <strong>42nd Amendment of 1976</strong>, enacted during the Emergency, the words “<strong>Socialist</strong>” and “<strong>Secular</strong>” were inserted and the Preamble now reads “Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic”.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Preamble is based on the Objective Resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly on December 13, 1946. The Resolution was adopted on January 22, 1947. It was the <strong>last part</strong> that was added into the constitution by the constituent assembly.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It secures justice, liberty, equality to all citizens of India and promotes fraternity amongst the people. It has been widely regarded as <strong>soul</strong> <strong>of the</strong> <strong>constitution</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The idea of the following things can be given by the Preamble which are:<br /> 1. Source of the Constitution<br /> 2. Nature of Indian State<br /> 3. A statement of its objectives<br /> 4. Date of its adoption</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>The Preamble of Indian Constitution</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em>WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:<br /> JUSTICE, social, economic and political;<br /> LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;<br /> EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;<br /> and to promote among them all<br /> FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.</em></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issues regarding preamble</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Berubari Union case</strong><br /> In this case, it was held by the Supreme Court that the Preamble is <strong>not the part</strong> of the Constitution. However, it recognised that the Preamble could be used as a guiding principle if a term in any article of the Constitution is ambiguous or has more than one meaning.<br /> <br /> <strong>Kesvananda Bharti v. State of Kerala</strong><br /> In this case, The Supreme Court overturned its earlier decision and held that the <strong>Preamble</strong> is a <strong>part of the Constitution</strong> and can be amended under <strong>Article</strong> <strong>368</strong> of the Constitution. Again, in <strong>LIC of India case</strong>, the Supreme Court held that the <strong>Preamble is a part of the Constitution</strong>.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'the-preamble-of-indian-constitution', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/76e3/2hpfy1t27djv69e6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/76e3/2hpfy1t27djv69e6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'The preamble of Indian constitution', 'metakeyword' => 'The preamble of Indian constitution', 'metadescription' => 'In the nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, many of the programmes have been marked by a reading of the Preamble,', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/qhhosczisc783tv/The_preamble_of_Indian_constitution.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 43 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3290, 'title' => 'Powers of Lt Governor', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Puduchery Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy has issued an order declaring as “illegal” and “null and void” an order of Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi annulling the appointment of State Election Commissioner T.M. Balakrishnan.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The appointment of State Election Commissioner of Puducherry is an executive action but his removal can only be through a legislative action as referred in Article 243 K, 243 L & 243- ZB of the Constitution of India.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The powers a Lt Governor has in the state they administer is equivalent to that of the President. They can appoint Chief Ministers, Ministers, the State Election Commissioner and judges of the District Courts. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Lt Governor can also dissolve the state Assembly if they see the need, and if the Assembly is not in session, they can promulgate ordinances. Based on the recommendation of the Election Commission, the Governor can also disqualify a legislator.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Only three Union Territories, Andaman and Nicobar, Delhi and Puducherry, have Lt. Governors.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court had said that the Lt. Governor of Delhi has more powers that the Governor of a State and he does not have to listen to the advice of the Council of Ministers.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the case of Delhi, since portfolios like land, police and public order fall under the domain of the Centre, of which the Lt. Governor is a representative, he holds more powers than a Governor.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Lt Governor and his powers</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The LG, like the Governor, acts a titular head of the Union Territory. But, the powers of an LG are wider than that of a Governor. This is because, a Governor of a state has to act solely on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, whereas, the LG does not need the approval of the Council of Ministers on every matter. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the Articles 239 and 239AA of the Constitution of India, the functions, powers and duties of the Lt. Governor are defined clearly. He is a representative of the President and acts on the aid and recommendation of the council of ministers.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under President’s Rule, the Lt. Governor becomes full-fledged executive head of the government and has the power to appoint a group of advisors who act as council of ministers. The duration of President’s rule is also subject to discretion of the Lt. Governor.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'powers-of-lt-governor', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cb28/lahwc2aru230jo06g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cb28/lahwc2aru230jo06g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Powers of Lt Governor', 'metakeyword' => 'Powers of Lt Governor', 'metadescription' => 'Puduchery Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy has issued an order declaring as “illegal” and “null and void” an order of Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi annulling', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/uogo6tauj93nvgd/Powers_of_Lt_Governor.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 44 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3297, 'title' => 'Demand to include Tulu language in 8th schedule', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A petition has been floated to include Tulu language in the 8th schedule of the constitution, which will give it constitutional protection.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Tulu is a Dravidian language whose speakers are concentrated in two coastal districts of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district of Kerala. Tulu is also termed one of the most highly developed languages of the Dravidian family.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Among the legion of languages in India, the Constitution has 22 blue-eyed languages. They are protected in <strong>Schedule VIII</strong> of the Constitution.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Benefits</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">At present, Tulu is not an official language in India or any other country. Efforts are being made to include Tulu in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If included in the Eighth Schedule, Tulu would get recognition from the Sahitya Akademi. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Tulu books would be translated into other recognised Indian languages. Members of Parliament and MLAs could speak in Tulu in Parliament and State Assemblies, respectively. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Candidates could write all-India competitive examinations like the Civil Services exam in Tulu.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Way Ahead</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Placing of all the deserving languages on equal footing will promote social inclusion and national solidarity. It will reduce the inequalities within the country to a great extent.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Constitutional provision</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 29</strong> of the Constitution provides that a section of citizens having a distinct language, script or culture have the right to conserve the same.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>8th Schedule</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India lists the official languages of the Republic of India. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Government of India is now under an obligation to take measures for the development of these languages.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The languages in this schedule include <strong>Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu </strong>and<strong> Urdu.</strong></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Of these languages, 14 were initially included in the Constitution. Subsequently, <strong>Sindhi</strong> was added in <strong>1967</strong> by <strong>21st constitutional amendment act</strong>; <strong>Konkani</strong>, <strong>Manipuri</strong> and <strong>Nepali</strong> were added in <strong>1992 by 71st Constitutional Amendment Act</strong>; and <strong>Bodo, Dogri, Maithili</strong> and <strong>Santali</strong> were added in <strong>2003 by 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'demand-to-include-tulu-language-in-8th-schedule', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9d49/yonzu8a75kzacmc6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9d49/yonzu8a75kzacmc6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Demand to include Tulu language in 8th schedule', 'metakeyword' => 'Demand to include Tulu language in 8th schedule', 'metadescription' => 'A petition has been floated to include Tulu language in the 8th schedule of the constitution, which will give it constitutional protection.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/t8p8a756w2ptpwf/Demand_to_include_Tulu_language_in_8th_schedule.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 45 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3300, 'title' => 'States can regulate minority institutions', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court held that the state is well within its rights to introduce a regulatory regime in the “national interest” for taking some measures in governing minority institutions.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The judgment came on a challenge to the validity of the West Bengal Madrasah Service Commission Act of 2008. The State Act mandated that the process of appointment of teachers in aided madrasahs, recognised as minority institutions, would be done by a Commission, whose decision would be binding.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme court said that the state had the right to provide minority educational institutions with well-qualified teachers in order for them to “achieve excellence in education.”</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It also said that the managements of minority institutions cannot ignore such a legal regime by saying that it is their fundamental right under <strong>Article 30</strong> of the Constitution to establish and administer their educational institutions according to their choice.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The judgement said the regulatory law should however balance the dual objectives of ensuring standard of excellence as well as preserving the right of the minorities to establish and administer their educational institutions. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It said that <strong>Article 30(1)</strong> (right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice) was <strong>neither absolute nor above the law</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It allowed an objection to be raised if an unfavourable treatment is meted out to an educational institution established and administered by minority.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Level of freedom based on education</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The court broadly divides education into two categories, secular education and education “directly aimed at or dealing with preservation and protection of the heritage, culture, script and special characteristics of a religious or a linguistic minority.”</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When it comes to the latter, the court advocated “<strong>maximum latitude</strong>” to be given to the management to appoint teachers. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The court reasons that only teachers who believe in the religious ideology or in the special characteristics of the concerned minority would alone be able to imbibe in the students admitted in such educational institutions, what the minorities would like to preserve, profess and propagate.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, minority institutions where the curriculum was “<strong>purely secular</strong>”, the intent must be to impart education availing the best possible teachers.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Cultural and Educational Rights (Article 29 and Article 30 under Fundamental Rights)</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 29: Protection of interests of minorities</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/421731/">(1)</a> Any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct <strong>language, script </strong>or<strong> culture</strong> of its own shall have the right to conserve the same.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/762902/">(2)</a> No citizen shall be denied admission into any educational institution maintained by the <strong>State </strong>or <strong>receiving aid</strong> out of State funds on grounds only of religion, race, caste, language or any of them.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 30: Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1687408/">(1)</a> All minorities, whether based on <strong>religion </strong>or<strong> language </strong>, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/181548/">(1A)</a> In making any law providing for the compulsory acquisition of any property of an educational institution established and administered by a minority, referred to in clause ( 1 ), the State shall ensure that the amount fixed by or determined under such law for the acquisition of such property is such as would not restrict or abrogate the right guaranteed under that clause.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1329698/">(2)</a> The state shall not, in granting aid to educational institutions, discriminate against any educational institution on the ground that it is under the management of a minority, whether based on religion or language.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>T.M.A Pai case</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka it was held that “the right to establish and maintain educational institutions may also be sourced to <strong>Article 26 (a)</strong>, which grants, in positive terms, the right to every religious denomination or any section thereof to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes, subject to public order, morality and health.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'states-can-regulate-minority-institutions', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/782e/n7shd47h60alkd96g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/782e/n7shd47h60alkd96g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'States can regulate minority institutions', 'metakeyword' => 'States can regulate minority institutions', 'metadescription' => 'The Supreme Court held that the state is well within its rights to introduce a regulatory regime in the “national interest” for taking some measures in governing', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/lira5x1kykn3h2y/States_can_regulate_minority_institutions.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 46 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3316, 'title' => 'Federal and unitary features of constitution', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Indian constitution is a quasi-federal form of constitution where powers are unequally distributed between centre and state. The constitution of India itself is quasi-federal in characteristics.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Federal features</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Distribution of Powers</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">An essential feature of a federal Constitution is the distribution of powers between the central government and the governments of the several units (provincial governments) forming the federation. Federation means the distribution of the power of the State among a number of co-ordinate bodies, each originating from and controlled by the Constitution.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Supremacy of the Constitution</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This means that the Constitution should be binding on the federal and state governments. Neither of the two governments should be in a position to override the provisions of the Constitution relating to the powers and status which each is to enjoy. </span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Written Constitution</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Constitution must necessarily be a written document. It will be practically impossible to maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, unless the terms of the Constitution have been reduced into writing.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Rigidity</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It means that the power of amending the provisions of the Constitution which regulates the status and powers of the federal and state government should not be confined exclusively either to the federal or state governments, but must be a joint act of both.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Unitary features</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Union of States</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 1 of the Constitution describes India as a “Union of States”, which implies two things: firstly, it is not the result of an agreement among the States, as it is there in federations and secondly, the States have no freedom to secede or separate from the Union. The Indian federation is a union because it is indestructible and helps to maintain the unity of the country.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Power to form new States and to change existing boundaries</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the USA, it is not possible for the federal government to unilaterally change the territorial extent of a State but in India, the Parliament can do so even without the consent of the State concerned. Under Art 3, Centre can change the boundaries of existing States and can carve out new States.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Unequal Representation in the Legislature</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The equality of units in a federation is best guaranteed by their equal representation in the Upper House of the federal legislature (Parliament).In a true federation such as that of United States of America every State irrespective of their size in terms of area or population, sends two representatives to the Upper House i.e. Senate.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Single Constitution</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There is a single Constitution for both Union and the States. There is no provision for separate Constitutions for the States. In the USA and Australia, the States have their own Constitutions which are equally powerful as the federal Constitution. </span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Single citizenship</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India follows the principle of uniform and single citizenship, but in the USA and Australia, double citizenship is followed. This means that people are citizens of both the federal State and their own State which has its own Constitution.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Power to make laws on the subjects in State list</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Parliament has the exclusive authority to make laws on the 100 subjects of the Union list, but the States do not have such exclusive rights over the State list. Under certain circumstances, the Parliament can legislate on subjects of State list.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Emergency provisions</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The President of India an declare three different types of emergency rules under Articles 352, 356 and 360 for an act of foreign aggression or internal armed rebellion, failure of constitutional machinery in a State and financial emergency respectively.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Unified Judiciary</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The federal principle envisages a dual system of Courts. But, in India there is a single integrated judicial system for whole of the country. We have unified Judiciary with the Supreme Court at the apex. The High Courts work under its supervision.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>All India Services</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under Article 312, the All India Services officials IAS, IPS and IFS (Forest) are appointed by the Centre, but are paid and controlled by the State. However, in case of any irregularities or misconduct committed by the officer, the States cannot initiate any disciplinary action except suspending him/her.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'federal-and-unitary-features-of-constitution', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/526d/srf1yoii7kbkm3n6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/526d/srf1yoii7kbkm3n6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Federal and unitary features of constitution', 'metakeyword' => 'Federal and unitary features of constitution', 'metadescription' => 'ndian constitution is a quasi-federal form of constitution where powers are unequally distributed between centre and state. The constitution of India itself', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/954hzivaxx0rbqz/Federal_and_unitary_features_of_constitution.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 47 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3318, 'title' => 'Ordinance for FDI in coal mining', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Union Cabinet approved an ordinance to amend two laws to ease mining<strong> </strong>rules, enabling foreign direct investment in coal mining.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Government sources said the historic decision would boost the ease of doing business and increase the growth avenues.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It also said that “end-use restrictions” had been done away with allowing anyone to participate in the auction of coal blocks. The ordinance would strengthen the auction process of those mines whose leases were expiring on March 31, 2020.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They also said the steel industry would get cheaper inputs, leading to an increase in ‘competitiveness’.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Ordinance and ordinance making powers</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Ordinance</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 123</strong> of the Constitution grants the President certain law making powers to promulgate Ordinances when either of the two Houses of Parliament is not in session and hence it is not possible to enact laws in the Parliament.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">An Ordinance may relate to any subject that the Parliament has the power to legislate on. Conversely, it has the same limitations as the Parliament to legislate, given the distribution of powers between the Union, State and Concurrent Lists.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Powers</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If at any time, except when both Houses of Parliament are in session, the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action, he may promulgate such Ordinances as the circumstances appear to him to require.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">An Ordinance promulgated under this article shall have the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament, but every such Ordinance:</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:80px; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">(a) shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament and shall cease to operate at the expiration of <strong>six weeks</strong> from the reassembly of Parliament, or, of before the expiration of that period resolutions disapproving it are passed by both Houses, upon the passing of the second of those resolutions<br /> (b) may be withdrawn at any time by the President.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If and so far as an Ordinance under this article makes any provision which Parliament would not under this Constitution be competent to enact, it shall be void.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'ordinance-for-fdi-in-coal-mining', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/90c8/69zag9akl16j8dj6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/90c8/69zag9akl16j8dj6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Ordinance for FDI in coal mining', 'metakeyword' => 'Ordinance for FDI in coal mining', 'metadescription' => 'The Union Cabinet approved an ordinance to amend two laws to ease mining rules, enabling foreign direct investment in coal mining.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/cok3t3x49luxzs6/Ordinance_for_FDI_in_coal_mining.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 48 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3387, 'title' => 'Centre-States dispute under Article 131', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Kerala became the first state to challenge the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) before the Supreme Court. The Kerala government has moved the apex court<strong> </strong>under Article 131 of the Constitution.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 131 has the provision under which the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction to deal with any dispute between the Centre and a state; the Centre and a state on the one side and another state on the other side; and two or more states.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Original jurisdiction (Article 131)</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court has three kinds of jurisdictions: original, appellate and advisory.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under its <strong>advisory jurisdiction</strong>, the President has the power to seek an opinion from the apex court under Article 143 of the Constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under its <strong>appellate jurisdiction</strong>, the Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In its extraordinary <strong>original jurisdiction</strong>, the Supreme Court has exclusive power to adjudicate upon disputes involving elections of the President and the Vice President, those that involve states and the Centre, and cases involving the violation of fundamental rights.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">For a dispute to qualify as a dispute under Article 131, it has to necessarily be between states and the Centre, and must involve a question of law or fact on which the existence of a legal right of the state or the Centre depends.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 131 cannot be used to settle political differences between state and central governments headed by different parties.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Centre has other powers to ensure that its laws are implemented. The Centre can issue directions to a state to implement the laws made by Parliament.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If states do not comply with the directions, the Centre can move the court seeking a permanent injunction against the states to force them to comply with the law. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Non-compliance of court orders can result in contempt of court, and the court usually hauls up the chief secretaries of the states responsible for implementing laws<span style="color:#3e3e3e">.</span></span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'centre-states-dispute-under-article-131', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1875/8zb92g56dbtu7i86g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1875/8zb92g56dbtu7i86g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Centre-States dispute under Article 131', 'metakeyword' => 'Centre-States dispute under Article 131', 'metadescription' => 'Kerala became the first state to challenge the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) before the Supreme Court. The Kerala government has moved the apex ', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/tthicf6xukgam1q/Centre-States_dispute_under_Article_131.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 49 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3420, 'title' => 'States challenging validity of central law', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Multiple states such as Kerala, Punjab and Chhattisgarh have moved the Supreme Court under Article 131, challenging central laws such as CAA and NIA (Amendment) act 2019. It is therefore necessary to check for the validity of this move.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Kerala’s suit asks for a declaration that the CAA, 2019, is violative of the Constitution, and against the principle of secularism that is a basic feature of the Constitution.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 131 confers exclusive jurisdiction on the Supreme Court in disputes involving States, or the Centre on the one hand and one or more States on the other. This means no other court can entertain such a dispute. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is well-known that both High Courts and the Supreme Court have the power to adjudicate cases against the State and Central governments.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In particular, the validity of any executive or legislative action is normally challenged by way of writ petitions, under Article 226 of the Constitution in respect of High Courts, and, in respect to fundamental rights violations, under Article 32 in the Supreme Court. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">State governments cannot complain of fundamental rights being violated. Therefore, the Constitution provides that whenever a State feels that its legal rights are under threat or have been violated, it can take the dispute to the Supreme Court under Article 131.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Are the suits valid?</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There are two conflicting opinions of the Supreme Court on this point. In 2011, in <em>State of Madhya Pradesh v. Union of India and Another</em>, the court said: “...when the Central laws can be challenged in the State High Courts as well and also before this Court under Article 32, normally, no recourse can be permitted to challenge the validity of a Central law under the exclusive original jurisdiction of this Court provided under Article 131.”</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, in <em>State of Jharkhand vs. State of Bihar and Another </em>(2014), another Bench said it was unable to accept the view that the constitutionality of a law cannot be raised in a suit under Article 131.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong> Kerala’s argument</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Kerala’s suit points out that under Article 256 of the Constitution, the State would be compelled to comply with the CAA and rules and orders passed by the Centre. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As it believes that these laws<strong> </strong>and rules are arbitrary, unreasonable, and violative of fundamental rights, a dispute involving law and fact has indeed arisen between Kerala and the Centre. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This dispute involves both the legal rights of the State and the fundamental rights and other legal rights of its inhabitants.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Way ahead</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Given the reference by a two-judge Bench, the Supreme Court may have to constitute a larger Bench to decide the question whether the suits challenging central laws are maintainable.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'states-challenging-validity-of-central-law', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/b1a4/0jp7v069mavv7rk6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/b1a4/0jp7v069mavv7rk6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'States challenging validity of central law', 'metakeyword' => 'States challenging validity of central law', 'metadescription' => 'Multiple states such as Kerala, Punjab and Chhattisgarh have moved the Supreme Court under Article 131, challenging central laws such as CAA and NIA', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/unuquj6emm45neb/States_challenging_validity_of_central_law.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 50 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3466, 'title' => 'Andhra Pradesh planning to scrap Legislative Council', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Andhra Pradesh<strong> </strong>government is contemplating abolishing the Legislative Council after CM Jagan Mohan Reddy complained about stalled bills in the council by the opposition.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The CM observed that the Council was working with a political agenda, which was evident from the rejection of two Bills on the formation of separate SC and ST Commissions and the introduction of English medium in government schools.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Legislative Council or Vidhan Parishad is the upper house in bicameral legislatures in some states of India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Only six States in India had Councils and in A.P., the expenditure on it came to ?60 crore per year.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Abolishing Legislative council</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em>Notwithstanding anything in <strong>Article 168</strong>, Parliament may by law provide for the abolition of the Legislative Council of a State having such a Council or for the creation of such a Council in a State having no such Council, if the Legislative Assembly of the State passes a resolution to that effect by a <strong>majority of the total membership</strong> of the Assembly and by a <strong>majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Assembly present and voting.</strong></em></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em>No such law as aforesaid shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Constitution for the purposes of Article 368.</em></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Election of Legislative Council</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Total Number of the Legislative Council should not exceed the 1/3rd of the total number of members of the Legislative assembly, but it should not be less than 40.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The legislative council is permanent body but 1/3rd of its member retire every 2 years.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In legislative Council, there are 5 different categories of representation. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">1/3rd of the total membership is elected by the electorates consisting of the members of the self Governing bodies in the state such as Municipalities, District Boards etc.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">1/3rd members are elected by the members of the Legislative assembly of the State.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">1/12th members are elected by an electorate of University Graduates.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">1/12th members are elected by the electorate consisting of the secondary school teachers (3 year experience).</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">1/6th members nominated by the Governor on the basis of their special knowledge / practical experience in literature, art, science, cooperative movement or social service.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Eligibility</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To be eligible for membership of the Legislative council, a person Must be citizen of India Must have completed the age of 30 years Must possess such other qualifications as prescribed by the parliament by law. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The member should not hold the office of the profit. Should not be of unsound mind and should not be an undischarged insolvent.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'ap-planning-to-scrap-legislative-council', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/303a/2fwy64mql6oecir6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/303a/2fwy64mql6oecir6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Andhra Pradesh planning to scrap Legislative Council', 'metakeyword' => 'Andhra Pradesh planning to scrap Legislative Council', 'metadescription' => 'The Andhra Pradesh government is contemplating abolishing the Legislative Council after CM Jagan Mohan Reddy complained about stalled bills in the council ', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/a48a8rpb2i1uh3m/Andhra_Pradesh_planning_to_scrap_Legislative_Council.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 51 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3511, 'title' => 'Mercy petition', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court reserved its verdict on a petition by December 16, 2012 gangrape-murder convict Mukesh Kumar Singh, who had challenged the dismissal of his mercy plea by President Ram Nath Kovind.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The case dates back to December 16, 2012, when a 23-year-old woman was gangraped and assaulted inside a moving bus in South Delhi by six persons, before being thrown out on the road. She died on December 29, 2012, at a hospital in Singapore.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>President’s Clemency powers</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under the Constitution of India (<strong>Article 72</strong>), the President of India can grant a pardon or reduce the sentence of a convicted person, particularly in cases involving capital punishment. A similar and parallel power vests in the governors of each state under <strong>Article 161</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The pardoning power of the president is not absolute. It is governed by the advice of the Council of Ministers. This has <strong>not been discussed by the constitution</strong> but is the practical truth.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Both the President and Governor are <strong>bound by the advice of their respective Councils of Ministers</strong> and hence the exercise of this power is of an executive character. It is therefore <strong>subject to Judicial Review</strong> as held by the Supreme Court of India in the case of <strong>Maru Ram v. Union of India (1980)</strong>. It was subsequently confirmed by <strong>Kehar Singh v. Union of India</strong> <strong>[1988].</strong></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the case of <strong>Epuru Sudhakar & Anr vs Govt. Of A.P. & Ors [2006]</strong> , Supreme Court, it was held that clemency is subject to judicial review and that it cannot be dispensed as a privilege or act of grace. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There are five different types of pardoning which are mandated by law.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pardon: means completely absolving the person of the crime and letting him go free. The pardoned criminal will be like a normal citizen.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Commutation: means changing the type of punishment given to the guilty into a less harsh one, for example, a death penalty commuted to a life sentence.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Reprieve: means a delay allowed in the execution of a sentence, usually a death sentence, for a guilty person to allow him some time to apply for Presidential Pardon or some other legal remedy to prove his innocence or successful rehabilitation.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Respite: means reducing the quantum or degree of the punishment to a criminal in view of some special circumstances, like pregnancy, mental condition etc.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Remission: means changing the quantum of the punishment without changing its nature, for example reducing twenty year rigorous imprisonment to ten years.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These powers are applicable:</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">in all cases where the punishment or sentence is by a court martial;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">in all cases where the punishment or sentence is for an offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">in all cases where the sentence is a sentence of death.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'mercy-petition', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1434/njpntxq89hqstlc6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1434/njpntxq89hqstlc6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Mercy petition | Convict Mukesh Kumar Singh', 'metakeyword' => 'Mercy petition, gangrape-murder convict Mukesh Kumar Singh', 'metadescription' => 'The Supreme Court reserved its verdict on a petition by December 16, 2012 gangrape-murder convict Mukesh Kumar Singh, who had challenged the dismissal ', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/3awsunwa5184wk1/Mercy_petition.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 52 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3554, 'title' => 'Finance commission', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The report of the Fifteenth Finance Commission, along with an Action Taken Report, was tabled in Parliament. The Commission, headed by <strong>N K Singh</strong>, had submitted its Report to the President in December 2019.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 280</strong> of the Constitution requires that a Finance Commission be constituted to recommend the distribution of the net proceeds of taxes between the Centre and states, and among the states.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Parliament may by law determine the requisite qualifications for appointment as members of the commission and the procedure of selection.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Every member will be in office for the time period as specified in the order of the President, but is eligible for reappointment provided he has, by means of a letter addressed to the president, resigned his office.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Functions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes which are to be, or may be, divided between them and the allocation between the States of the respective shares of such proceeds;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the States out of the Consolidated Fund of India;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Any other matter referred to the Commission by the President in the interests of sound finance.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Appointment criteria</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the provisions contained in the Finance Commission [Miscellaneous Provisions] Act, 1951 and The Finance Commission (Salaries & Allowances) Rules, 1951, the Chairman of the Commission is selected from among persons who have had experience in public affairs, and the four other members are selected from among persons who:</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">are, or have been, or are qualified to be appointed as Judges of a High Court; or</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">have special knowledge of the finances and accounts of Government; or</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">have had wide experience in financial matters and in administration; or</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">have special knowledge of economics.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Powers</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Have all powers of a civil court as per the Civil Procedure Code, 1908.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Can summon and enforce the attendance of any witness or ask any person to deliver information or produce a document, which it deems relevant.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Can ask for the production of any public record or document from any court or office.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Shall be deemed to be a civil court for purposes of Sections 480 and 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Removal</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A member may be disqualified if:</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He is mentally unsound; </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He is an undischarged insolvent;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He has been convicted of an immoral offence;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">His financial and other interests are such that it hinders the smooth functioning of the commission.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'finance-commission', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9a23/3y3mtvj8x3ci1nl6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9a23/3y3mtvj8x3ci1nl6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Finance commission', 'metakeyword' => 'Finance commission', 'metadescription' => 'The report of the Fifteenth Finance Commission, along with an Action Taken Report, was tabled in Parliament. The Commission, headed by N K Singh,', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/piy8idgsd0zc9c0/Finance_commission.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 53 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3571, 'title' => 'Finance commission recommendations', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Fifteenth Finance Commission (FC) has considered the 2011 population along with forest cover, tax effort, area of the state and demographic performance to arrive at the states’ share in the divisible pool of taxes.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Finance Commission is a constitutionally mandated body that decides, among other things, the sharing of taxes between the Centre and the states.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 280 (1)</strong> requires the President to constitute an FC which shall consist of a Chairman and four other members.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Commission determines a formula for tax-sharing between the states, which is a weighted sum of the states’ population, area, forest cover, tax capacity, tax effort and demographic performance, with the weights expressed in percentages.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Commission report</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Commission has reduced the vertical devolution, the share of tax revenues that the Centre shares with the states, from 42% to 41%. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The 1 per cent decrease in the vertical devolution is roughly equal to the share of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, which would have been 0.85% as per the formula described by the Commission.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Commission intends to set up an expert group to initiate a non-lapsable fund for defence expenditure. The terms of reference of the Commission included considering the Centre’s demand for funds for defence and national security.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The previous FC used both the 1971 and the 2011 populations to calculate the states’ shares, giving greater weight to the 1971 population (17.5%) as compared to the 2011 population (10%). </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The use of 2011 population figures has resulted in states with larger populations like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar getting larger shares, while smaller states with lower fertility have lost out.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The combined population of the Hindi-speaking northern states (Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jharkhand) is 47.8 crore. This is over 39.48% of India’s total population, and is spread over 32.4% of the country’s area, as per the 2011 Census. They also get a slightly more than the proportional share of the divisible pool of taxes (45.17%).</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On the other hand, the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and undivided Andhra Pradesh are home to only 20.75% of the population living in 19.34% of the area, with a 13.89% share of the taxes.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In order to reward population control efforts by states, the Commission developed a criterion for demographic effort , which is essentially the ratio of the state’s population in 1971 to its fertility rate in 2011, with a weight of 12.5%.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The effect of the demographic effort in increasing states’ devolution is not clear. Shares of states like Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, along with Tamil Nadu, all of which have fertility rates below the replacement level, have increased slightly. On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and West Bengal’s shares have fallen, even though their fertility rates are also low. The weight assigned to state area was unchanged at 15%, and that of forest cover was increased from 7.5% to 10%.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The total area of states, area under forest cover, and “income distance” were also used by the FC to arrive at the tax-sharing formula.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Income distance is calculated as the difference between the per capita gross state domestic product (GSDP) of the state from that of the state with the highest per capita GSDP, with states with less income getting a higher share in order to allow them to provide services comparable to those provided by the richer ones.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'finance-commission-recommendations', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/24dc/t1cy2zhfa2cjbyw6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/24dc/t1cy2zhfa2cjbyw6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Finance commission recommendations', 'metakeyword' => 'Finance commission recommendations', 'metadescription' => 'The Fifteenth Finance Commission (FC) has considered the 2011 population along with forest cover, tax effort, area of the state and demographic performance', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/pfnc6dtum0chrbr/Finance_commission_recommendations.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 54 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3609, 'title' => 'Special powers related to Union Territory of Delhi', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Delhi Assembly is facing elections and various political parties have demanded full statehood. In this regard it is imperative to look at the provisions pertaining to Delhi in the constitution.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Administration of the Union Territories comes under <strong>Article 239 </strong>which puts them under President through an administrator. However, power to decide the “structure” of administration in UT is vested in Parliament{<strong>Article 239A</strong>}.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Legislative</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In <strong>Article 239AA</strong> {inserted by <strong>69th amendment act, 1991</strong>} there are special provisions regarding Delhi. This article designates the Union Territory of Delhi as National Capital Territory of Delhi and provides for a legislative assembly for Delhi.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, the legislative assembly of Delhi was empowered to make laws on all subjects of state list or concurrent list except four subjects viz. <strong>Public order</strong>, <strong>Police</strong>, <strong>Land and Offenses against the laws</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Executiuve</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There shall be a Council of Ministers consisting of not more than <strong>ten</strong> per cent. of the total number of members in the Legislative Assembly, with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Lieutenant Governor in the exercise of his functions in relation to matters with respect to which the Legislative Assembly has power to make laws.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Chief Minister shall be <strong>appointed</strong> by the <strong>President</strong> and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Chief Minister and the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the President.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the <strong>case of difference of opinion</strong> between the Lieutenant Governor and his Ministers on any matter, the Lieutenant Governor <strong>shall refer it to the President</strong> for decision and act according to the decision given thereon by the President.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'special-powers-related-to-union-territory-of-delhi', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1ece/b0991xbes0i5xbt6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1ece/b0991xbes0i5xbt6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Special powers related to Union Territory of Delhi', 'metakeyword' => 'Special powers related to Union Territory of Delhi', 'metadescription' => 'Delhi Assembly is facing elections and various political parties have demanded full statehood. In this regard it is imperative to look at the provisions pertaining ', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/68en2eta7ilm9od/Special_powers_related_to_Union_Territory_of_Delhi.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 55 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3633, 'title' => 'Debate around Uniform Civil Code (UCC)', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Recently the Supreme Court described Goa as a “shining example”<strong> </strong>with a Uniform Civil Code and observed that the founders of the Constitution had hoped and expected a Uniform Civil Code for India but there has been no attempt at framing one.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Article 44 of the Constitution lays down that the state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A Uniform Civil Code is one that would provide for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 44</strong> is one of the directive principles. These are not justiciable (not enforceable by any court) but the principles laid down therein are fundamental in governance.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 43</strong> mentions “state shall endeavour by suitable legislation” while the phrase “by suitable legislation” is absent in Article 44. All this implies that the duty of the state is greater in other directive principles than in Article 44.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Fundamental Rights or DPSP?</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court held in Minerva Mills (1980): “Indian Constitution is founded on the bed-rock of the balance between Parts III (Fundamental Rights) and IV (Directive Principles). To give absolute primacy to one over the other is to disturb the harmony of the Constitution”.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 31C</strong> inserted by the <strong>42nd Amendment in 1976</strong>, however, lays down that if a law is made to implement any directive principle, it cannot be challenged on the ground of being violative of the fundamental rights under <strong>Articles 14</strong> and <strong>19</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Current Civil Code</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Indian laws do follow a uniform code in most civil matters, Indian Contract Act, Civil Procedure Code, Sale of Goods Act, Transfer of Property Act, Partnership Act, Evidence Act etc. States, however, have made hundreds of amendments and therefore in certain matters, there is diversity even under these secular civil laws.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All Hindus of the country are not governed by one law, nor are all Muslims or all Christians. Not only British legal traditions, even those of the Portuguese and the French remain operative in some parts.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the Northeast, there are more than 200 tribes with their own varied customary laws. The Constitution itself protects local customs in Nagaland. Similar protections are enjoyed by Meghalaya and Mizoram. Even reformed Hindu law, in spite of codification, protects customary practices.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'debate-around-uniform-civil-code', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/117e/til6ckzlbi911446g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/117e/til6ckzlbi911446g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Debate around Uniform Civil Code (UCC)', 'metakeyword' => 'Debate around Uniform Civil Code (UCC)', 'metadescription' => 'Recently the Supreme Court described Goa as a “shining example” with a Uniform Civil Code and observed that the founders of the Constitution', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/dcb1f3e7jm8zcp3/Debate_around_Uniform_Civil_Code_%2528UCC%2529.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 56 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3642, 'title' => 'Supreme court Writs', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court has ruled that reservation in the matter of promotions in public posts is not a fundamental right and it cannot issue Mandamus writ for implementing.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mandamus is among the “prerogative writs” in English common law, meaning the extraordinary writs or orders granted by the Sovereign when ordinary legal remedies are inadequate.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In India, the Supreme Court can issue prerogative writs under <strong>Article 32</strong> of the Constitution, and the High Courts under <strong>Article 226</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The writ cannot be issued unless the legal duty is of public nature, and to whose performance the applicant of the writ has a legal right.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Mandamus writ</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mandamus literally means ‘we command’. When issued to a person or body, the writ of mandamus demands some activity on their part. It orders the person or body to perform a public or quasi-public duty, which they have refused to perform, and where no other adequate legal remedy exists to enforce the performance of that duty.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When a public officer or government does an act that violates the fundamental right of a person, the court would issue a writ of mandamus against such authorities so that the person’s rights are not infringed.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under <strong>Article 361</strong>, mandamus <strong>cannot be granted</strong> against the <strong>President</strong> or <strong>Governor</strong> of a State, “for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his office or for any act done or purporting to be done by him in the exercise and performance of those powers and duties”.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The writ also cannot be issued against a private individual or body, except where the State is in collusion with the private party for contravening a provision of the Constitution or a statute.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Other writs </strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Habeas Corpus</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">By this writ the court directs the person or authority who has detained another person to bring the body of the prisoner before the court so as to enable the court to decide the validity , jurisdiction or justification for such detention.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Quo</strong> <strong>Warranto</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The term quo warranto means what is your authority . The writ of quo warranto is used to judicially control executive action in the matter of making appointments to public offices under relevant statutory provisions . The writ is also used to protect a citizen from the holder of a public office to which he has no right . The writ calls upon the holder of a public office to show to the court under what authority he is holding the office in question.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Prohibition</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A writ of prohibition is normally issued when inferior court or tribunal (a) proceeds to act without jurisdiction or in excess of jurisdiction (b) proceeds to act in violation of rules of natural justice or (c) proceeds to act under a law which is itself ultra vires or unconstitutional or (d) proceeds to act in contravention of fundamental rights.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Certiorari</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A writ of certiorari or a writ in the nature of certiorari can only be issued by the Supreme court under Art. 32 and a High court under Art. 226 to direct , inferior courts , tribunals or authorities to transmit to the court the record of proceedings disposed of or pending therein for scrutiny , and , if necessary , for quashing the same.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'supreme-court-writs', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/8f0f/jkaszht5quz3mnx6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/8f0f/jkaszht5quz3mnx6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Supreme court Writs', 'metakeyword' => 'Supreme court Writs', 'metadescription' => 'The Supreme Court has ruled that reservation in the matter of promotions in public posts is not a fundamental right and it cannot issue Mandamus writ', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/bggl0yw8wp0v8ca/Supreme_court_Writs.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 57 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3648, 'title' => 'Private member Bill', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A BJP member in Rajya Sabha appeared to abandon his plan of introducing a private member’s Bill on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a code that would be applicable to all religious communities in personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A private member’s Bill is different from a government Bill and is piloted by an MP who is not a minister. Individual MPs may introduce private member’s Bill to draw the government’s attention to what they might see as issues requiring legislative intervention.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">An MP who is not a minister is a private member and while both private members and ministers take part in the lawmaking process, Bills introduced by private members are referred to as private member’s Bills and those introduced by ministers are called government Bills.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Government Bills are backed by the government and also reflect its legislative agenda. The admissibility of a private Bill is decided by the Chairman in the case of the Rajya Sabha and the Speaker in the case of the Lok Sabha.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Before the Bill can be listed for introduction, the Member must give at least a month’s notice, for the House Secretariat to examine it for compliance with constitutional provisions and rules on legislation. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While a government Bill can be introduced and discussed on any day, a private member’s bill can only be introduced and discussed on Fridays.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per PRS Legislative, no private member’s Bill has been passed by Parliament since 1970. To date, Parliament has passed 14 such Bills, six of them in 1956.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the 14th Lok Sabha, of the over 300 private member’s Bills introduced, roughly four per cent were discussed, the remaining 96 per cent lapsed without a single dialogue.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'private-member-bill', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/f3f6/8bt5229773wzcli6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/f3f6/8bt5229773wzcli6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Private member Bill | Uniform Civil Code ', 'metakeyword' => 'Private member Bill, Uniform Civil Code ', 'metadescription' => 'A BJP member in Rajya Sabha appeared to abandon his plan of introducing a private member’s Bill on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a code that would', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/7kcicbz2lyt17sd/Private_member_Bill.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 58 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3662, 'title' => 'Ninth schedule of the constitution', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">LJP leader Chirag Paswan said that reservation should be put under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This comments came days after the Supreme Court ruled that reservation in the matter of promotions in public posts was not a fundamental right, and that a state cannot be compelled to offer quota if it chooses not to.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Ninth Schedule contains a list of central and state laws which cannot be challenged in courts. Currently, <strong>284</strong> such laws are shielded from judicial review.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Schedule became a part of the Constitution in <strong>1951</strong>, when the document was amended for the first time.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> It was created by the new <strong>Article 31B</strong>, which along with 31A was brought in by the government to protect laws related to agrarian reform and for abolishing the Zamindari system. While A. 31A extends protection to ‘classes’ of laws, A. 31B shields specific laws or enactments.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The First Amendment added 13 laws to the Schedule. Subsequent amendments in 1955, 1964, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1984, 1990, 1994, and 1999 have taken the number of protected laws to 284.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 31B also has <strong>retrospective operation</strong>: meaning if laws are inserted in the Ninth Schedule after they are declared unconstitutional, they are considered to have been in the Schedule since their commencement, and thus valid.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although Article 31B excludes judicial review, the apex court has said in the past that even laws under the Ninth Schedule <strong>would be open to scrutiny</strong> if they <strong>violated fundamental rights or the basic structure of the Constitution.</strong></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While most of the laws protected under the Schedule concern agriculture/land issues, the list includes other subjects, such as reservation. A Tamil Nadu law that provides 69 per cent reservation in the state is part of the Schedule.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'ninth-schedule-of-the-constitution', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7ee4/vy48mlsbfbvhru46g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7ee4/vy48mlsbfbvhru46g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Ninth schedule of the constitution', 'metakeyword' => 'Ninth schedule of the constitution', 'metadescription' => 'LJP leader Chirag Paswan said that reservation should be put under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/ch7u4pg5lgwg95y/Ninth_schedule_of_the_constitution.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 59 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3689, 'title' => 'Election commission working on remote voting system', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The model of an Aadhaar-linked electronic voting system that would enable electors to cast their votes from any part of the country, irrespective of where they are registered to vote or even abroad, is being prepared for the Election Commission of India by the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M).</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If the project is given the go-ahead by the ECI, changes to the election laws would be required for which the Law Ministry needs to be approached.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To start with, the proposal would be to enable voting at designated centres in different cities, but the second phase of the project, if approved, could be used to enable overseas electors to cast their votes.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The system would allow, for example, a Delhi-registered elector who happens to be in Hyderabad to cast his or her vote in elections in the Capital electronically.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">With the proposed linking of the Aadhaar biometrics with voter IDs at an advanced stage,the two-way electronic voting system would be possible only when the linking is complete.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The ECI had used a one-way electronic system for service electors for the first time in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The postal ballots were transmitted electronically to the service electors, which led to an increased turnout or 60.14%.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Election Commission of India</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Election Commission of India is an autonomous <strong>constitutional</strong> authority responsible for administering election processes in India at national, state and district level. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The body administers elections to the <strong>Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state Legislative Assemblies, state legislative Councils, </strong>and<strong> </strong>the<strong> </strong>offices of the<strong> President </strong>and<strong> Vice President </strong>of the country. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Election Commission operates under the authority of Constitution per <strong>Article 324</strong>, and subsequently enacted Representation of the People Act.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Functions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The commission has the power to designate political party insignia and is prohibited from allowing the same insignia by two different parties regardless of differing locations. It set limits on poll expenses. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The commission is responsible for maintenance of the electoral rolls and establishing the schedules of elections.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Removal</strong> </span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Chief Election Commissioner of India can be removed from office as can be a judge of the Supreme Court of India: a two-thirds majority resolution passed by the Parliament of India (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) outlining the grounds of misbehavior or incapacity.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Other Election Commissioners can be removed by the President of India on the advice of the Chief Election Commissioner.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'election-commission-working', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ea16/cy59z3iq2oeqp8o6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ea16/cy59z3iq2oeqp8o6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Election commission working on remote voting system', 'metakeyword' => 'Election commission working on remote voting system', 'metadescription' => 'The model of an Aadhaar-linked electronic voting system that would enable electors to cast their votes from any part of the country, irrespective of where they', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/3gniiquonxc6u9l/Election_commission_working_on_remote_voting_system.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 60 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3898, 'title' => 'Haryana’s quota within quota', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Haryana Assembly last week <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/haryana-bill-passed-for-bifurcation-of-quota-for-scs-6300488/" target="_blank">passed a Bill to split the 20% quota for Scheduled Castes</a><strong> </strong>(SCs) in the state’s higher educational institutions into two, creating a quota within the quota for a new group of “Deprived Scheduled Castes”.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Act says that the representation of the Scheduled Castes now categorised as “Deprived Scheduled Castes” is only 4.7%, 4.14% and 6.27% in Group A, Group B and Group C services respectively, even though their population is about 11% of the total State population.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Deprived Scheduled Castes category has 36 communities including Valmiki, Bazigar, Sansi, Deha, Dhanak, and Sapera.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Section 3(1) of The Haryana Scheduled Castes (Reservation in Admission in Government Educational Institutions) Act, 2020 lays down that “twenty per cent seats shall be reserved for the members of the Scheduled Castes while making admission.”</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Thereafter, Section 3(2) says: “Fifty per cent of the 20 per cent seats reserved for Scheduled Castes for admission in any Government educational institution shall be set aside for candidates belonging to deprived Scheduled Castes as enumerated in the Annexure”. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Section 4 says that “Where a seat set aside for candidate from deprived Scheduled Castes is not filled up in any academic year due to non-availability of candidate of deprived Scheduled Castes possessing the requisite qualifications, the same shall be made available to candidate of Scheduled Castes.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Facing opposition, the government argues that Article 15(5) of the Constitution authorises the State to make special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for SCs/STs for admission to educational institutions.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 15</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">(1) The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">(2) No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them, be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to—</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> (a) access to shops, public restaurants, hotels and places of public entertainment; or</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> (b) the use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads and places of public resort maintained wholly or partly out of State funds or dedicated to the use of the general public.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">(3) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for women and children.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">(4) Nothing in this article or in clause (2) of article 29 shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">(5) Nothing in this article or in sub-clause (g) of clause (1) of article 19 shall prevent the State from making any special provision, by law, for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes in so far as such special provisions relate to their admission to educational institutions including private educational institutions, whether aided or unaided by the State, other than the minority educational institutions referred to in clause (1) of article 30.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'haryana-quota-within-quota', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a92d/iwojio2fp1fictd6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a92d/iwojio2fp1fictd6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Haryana’s quota within quota', 'metakeyword' => 'Haryana’s quota within quota', 'metadescription' => 'The Haryana Assembly last week passed a Bill to split the 20% quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs) in the state’s higher educational institutions into two, creating a quota within the quota', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/ehzy6damq14c2so/Haryana%C6s_quota_within_quota.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 61 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 3961, 'title' => 'Lok sabha passes appropriation bill', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Lok Sabha passed the Appropriation Bill 2020-21, authorising the government to draw funds from the <strong>Consolidated Fund of India</strong> for its working as well as implementation of its programmes and schemes.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The house passed the bill after the Speaker applied 'guillotine' on demands of grants for various ministries.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">With parliament having very limited time for scrutinising the expenditure demands of all the ministries, after a pre-decided period of discussions over spending envisaged in the budget for some ministries is over, a guillotine is applied.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Once the speaker applies the guillotine, all the outstanding demands for grants, whether discussed or not, are put to vote at once. After this, appropriation bill is taken into consideration.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Government accounts</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Consolidated Fund of India</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This is the chief account of the Government of India. The inflow to this fund is by way of taxes like Income Tax, Central Excise, Customs and also non-tax revenues which arise to the government in connection with the conduct of its business. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Loans raised by issue of treasury bills are also received in this fund. The government meets all its expenditure including loan repayments from this fund. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">No amount can be withdrawn from the fund without the authorisation from the Parliament. This fund is formed under the provision of <strong>Aricle 266 (1)</strong> of the Indian Constitution.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Contigency Fund of India</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Contingency Fund of India is set up in the nature of an imprest account under Article 267 (1) of the Constitution of India. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The corpus of this fund is Rs. 500 crores. Advances from the fund are made for the purposes of meeting unforeseen expenditure by the President of India. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs holds the fund on behalf of the President of India.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Public Account</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Public Account is constituted under Article 266 (2) of the Constitution. All other public moneys (other than those covered under Consolidated Fund of India) received by or on behalf of the Government of India are credited to the public account of India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The receipts under Public Account do not constitute normal receipts of Government. Parliamentary authorization for payments from the Public Account is therefore not required.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'lok-sabha-passes-appropriation-bill', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e202/boq8ubftmhr2zcg6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e202/boq8ubftmhr2zcg6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Lok sabha passes appropriation bill', 'metakeyword' => 'Lok sabha passes appropriation bill', 'metadescription' => 'The Lok Sabha passed the Appropriation Bill 2020-21, authorising the government to draw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India for its working as well as implementation', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/rptbz21xc5zyns8/3.Lok_sabha_passes_appropriation_bill.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 62 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 4020, 'title' => 'SC invokes special powers to remove minister', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In a rare move, the Supreme Court invoked its plenary powers and ordered forthwith removal of BJP lawmaker and Manipur Forest Cabinet Minister TH Shyamkumar, restraining him from entering the Assembly till further orders.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The top court rarely invokes its plenary power under Article 142 of the Constitution to remove a cabinet minister from any government.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Plenary powers</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 142</strong> of Constitution of India empowers the Supreme Court of India to pass any decree or order necessary for doing “complete justice” in any matter pending before it.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">That on perusal of judgment passed by Supreme Court invoking Article 142(1) reveals that this power has been employed by the Supreme Court for two purposes namely (1) to give a go-by to the procedural requirement (2) to rectify substantive error by bringing finality to a cause or matter by invoking Article 142 at the time of passing a decree or making an order.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 142(1) <strong>does not confer a fresh source of power</strong> to the Supreme Court for creating new law nor does it create an independent basis of jurisdiction but it act supplementary to Articles 32 and 136 of the Constitution of India.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Jurisdictions of SC</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Original jurisdiction</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under <strong>Article 131</strong>, Supreme Court has original Jurisdiction in matters related any dispute between: </span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Government of India and one or more states </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Government of India and States on one side and State(s) in other side </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">State(s) and State(s)</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The dispute should involve a question whether of law or fact on which depends existence of a legal right which the court is called upon to determine.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Appellate jurisdiction</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Supreme Court is the Highest Court of appeal and the writs and decrees of Supreme Court run throughout the country. The cases come to the Supreme Court in the form of appeals against the judgments of the lower courts and this is called appellate jurisdiction.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> An appeal can be made in the Supreme Court against any judgment, decree or final order of the High Court in the territory of India, whether in a civil criminal or other proceedings, if the High Court Certified that the case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Advisory Jurisdiction </strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 143</strong> (Power of President to consult Supreme Court) discusses the advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. </span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">If the president feels that a question of law or fact has arisen or is likely to arise and the question is of such a nature and of such public important that it is expedient to obtain the opinion of the Supreme Court upon it, he can refer the same to Supreme Court for its advisory Opinion. Such an opinion is not binding on the president.</span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'sc-invokes-special-powers-to-remove-minister', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0d0c/37u9t9knm6p8usv6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0d0c/37u9t9knm6p8usv6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'SC invokes special powers to remove minister', 'metakeyword' => 'SC invokes special powers to remove minister', 'metadescription' => 'In a rare move, the Supreme Court invoked its plenary powers and ordered forthwith removal of BJP lawmaker and Manipur Forest Cabinet Minister', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/b1xuh3mmxr0zn95/2.SC_invokes_special_powers_to_remove_minister.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 63 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 4021, 'title' => 'State Finance Commission', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Tamil Nadu government has constituted the Sixth State Finance Commission.The commission will be headed by retired IAS officer Mohan Pyare.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The State Finance Commission (SFC) is an institution created by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (CAs) to rationalize and systematize State/sub-State-level fiscal relations in India.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 243(I)</strong> of the Constitution mandated the State Governor to constitute a Finance Commission every five years.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 243Y</strong> of the Constitution states that the Finance Commission constituted under <strong>Article 243(I)</strong> shall also review the financial position of the Municipalities and make recommendations to the Governor.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under <strong>Article 243-I</strong> of the Constitution of India, the governor of a state is required to constitute a Finance Commission every five years.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The governor of a state ensures the laying of a State Finance Commission’s recommendations to the table of the state legislature. It also includes a memorandum of action taken by the government on the Commission’s report.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Functions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A State Finance Commission has functions similar to that of the Central Finance Commission. It allocates resources of a state to its Panchayati Raj institutions at all three levels in terms of taxes, duties and levies to be collected by the state and the local bodies.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A State Finance Commission reviews the financial position of the panchayats in a state and makes recommendations to the Governor about the principles that should govern the distribution of tax proceeds – taxes, duties, levies, toll fee collected by the state between the state and its Panchayati Raj Institutions at all three levels – village level, block level and district level.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It also recommends the following:</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Taxes, levies and fees levied or appropriated by Panchayats themselves.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Grants-in-aid to Panchayati Raj Institutions from the consolidated fund of a state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Ways to improve the financial position of the Panchayati Raj Institutions.</span></span></p> </li> <li><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Measures for the overall improvement of Panchayat’s finances.</span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'state-finance-commission', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/388e/k6c1r0gl5glrz2v6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/388e/k6c1r0gl5glrz2v6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'State Finance Commission', 'metakeyword' => 'State Finance Commission', 'metadescription' => 'The Tamil Nadu government has constituted the Sixth State Finance Commission.The commission will be headed by retired IAS officer Mohan Pyare', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/0g7cb6en0brvfcp/3.State_Finance_Commission.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 64 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 4364, 'title' => 'Basic structure of constitution', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Exactly 47 years ago, the Supreme Court passed its landmark judgment in <strong>Kesavananda</strong> <strong>Bharati vs State of Kerala</strong>, saying ‘Basic structure ‘of constitution is inviolable. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is considered among the most significant constitutional cases in India’s judicial history. By a 7-6 verdict, a 13-judge Constitution Bench ruled that the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution could not be amended by Parliament. The basic structure doctrine has since been regarded as a tenet of Indian constitutional law.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Constitution of a country is the fundamental law of the land. It is based on this document that all other laws are made and enforced. Under some Constitutions, certain parts are immune from amendments, and are given a special status compared to other provisions.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the early years of Independence, the Supreme Court conceded absolute power to Parliament in amending the Constitution, as was seen in the verdicts in <strong>Shankari</strong> <strong>Prasad</strong> (1951) and <strong>Sajjan Singh</strong> (1965).</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The reason for this is believed to be that in those initial years, the apex court had reposed faith in the wisdom of the then political leadership, when leading freedom fighters were serving as Members of Parliament.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In subsequent years, as the Constitution kept being amended at will to suit the interests of the ruling dispensation, the Supreme Court in <strong>Golaknath</strong> (1967) held that Parliament’s amending power could not touch Fundamental Rights, and this power would be only with a Constituent Assembly.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the Kesavananda Bharati case, relief was sought by the religious figure Swami Kesavananda Bharati against the Kerala government vis-à-vis two state land reform laws.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The court held that under Article 368, which provides Parliament amending powers, something must remain of the original Constitution that the new amendment would change.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The court did not define the ‘basic structure’, and only listed a few principles — federalism, secularism, democracy — as being its part. Since then, the court has been adding new features to this concept.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The ‘basic structure’ doctrine has since been interpreted to include the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law, Independence of the judiciary, doctrine of separation of powers, federalism, secularism, sovereign democratic republic, the parliamentary system of government, the principle of free and fair elections, welfare state, etc.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The basic structure doctrine applies only to the constitutionality of amendments and not to ordinary Acts of Parliament, which must conform to the entirety of the Constitution and not just to its basic structure.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Critics of the doctrine have called it undemocratic, since unelected judges can strike down a constitutional amendment. At the same time, its proponents have hailed the concept as a safety valve against majoritarianism and authoritarianism.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'basic-structure-of-constitution', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a99a/zhus4idekgt5bvt6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a99a/zhus4idekgt5bvt6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Basic structure of constitution', 'metakeyword' => 'Basic structure of constitution', 'metadescription' => 'Exactly 47 years ago, the Supreme Court passed its landmark judgment in Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala, saying ‘Basic structure ‘of constitution is inviolable.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/oya7z6s1f0yx0e3/2.Basic_structure_of_constitution.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 65 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 4356, 'title' => 'Issues in nomination to council', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On April 9, after a meeting presided over by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the Maharashtra Cabinet recommended to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray should be nominated to one of the seats reserved for the Governor’s nominee in the state Legislative Council.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The governor is yet to act on the Cabinet’s recommendation, even as the Chief Minister’s current term in office approaches its end. A constitutional crisis looms.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Thackeray took oath on November 28, 2019 — and in accordance with Article 164(4), a Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of the Legislature of the State shall at the expiration of that period cease to be a Minister.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It follows that the Chief Minister must become part of the Maharashtra legislature before May 27; however, with the pandemic raging, a by-election cannot be held. The only way to fulfil the requirement, therefore, is for Thackeray to be nominated to the Upper House by the Governor.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In S R Chaudhuri vs State of Punjab and Ors (2001), the Supreme Court had ruled that “it would be subverting the Constitution to permit an individual, who is not a member of the Legislature, to be appointed a Minister repeatedly for a term of ‘six consecutive months’, without him getting himself elected in the meanwhile. The practice would be clearly derogatory to the constitutional scheme, improper, undemocratic and invalid”.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under Article 171(5), the Governor can nominate “persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of literature, science, art, co-operative movement and social service”.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the Allahabad High Court in Har Sharan Varma vs Chandra Bhan Gupta and Ors (February 15, 1961), even politics can be seen as ‘social service’.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In Biman Chandra Bose vs Dr H C Mukherjee (1952) the Calcutta High Court rejected the plea that none of the nine nominated members to the legislature fulfilled the required criteria, and held that the Governor cannot use his discretion in nominating members to the Council. He has to go by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">India is currently battling a health emergency of the kind not seen in the history of the republic. Political uncertainty is the last thing that Maharashtra, which has the highest coronavirus case load and death toll by far in the country, needs at this moment.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'issues-in-nomination-to-council', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/390b/71g248vvic1wh7m6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/390b/71g248vvic1wh7m6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Issues in nomination to council', 'metakeyword' => 'Issues in nomination to council', 'metadescription' => 'On April 9, after a meeting presided over by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the Maharashtra Cabinet recommended to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari that Chief Minister', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/pl8t0linh147v1s/4.Issues_in_nomination_to_council.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 66 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 4218, 'title' => 'State Election Commission', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Andhra Pradesh government has appointed retired judge of Madras High Court, V. Kanagaraj as State Election Commissioner through an ordinance.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The State government had earlier reduced the tenure of the former SEC, N. Ramesh Kumar, from five years to three, resulting in his automatic termination.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>State Election Commission</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">State Election Commission has been entrusted with the function of conducting free, fair and impartial elections to the local bodies in the state. The commissioner is appointed by the governor.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Part-IX and Part-IXA were incorporated through the amendment no.73 and no.74 in the constitution of India covering provisions regarding the Panchayats and Municipalities respectively. These parts cover constitutions of Panchayats and Municipality including their elections by the State Election Commission.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Functions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">State election commission carries out activities related to preparation of wards / election division as per local bodies rules, decision of boundaries and distribution of seats along with preparation of voters list for the local bodies organizations like Gram Panchayat, Taluka and District Panchayat / Municipality and Municipal Corporation of the state and conducting general / mid-term / bye-elections and supervising them.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Constitution of India vests in the State Election Commission, consisting of a State Election Commissioner, the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of all elections to the Panchayats and the Municipalities, under <strong>Articles 243K, 243ZA.</strong></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Legislature of a State may, by law, make provision with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, elections to the Panchayats.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Subject to the provisions of any law made by the Legislature of a State the conditions of service and tenure of office of the State Election Commissioner shall be such as the Governor may by rule determine: Provided that the State Election Commissioner shall not be removed from his office except in like manner and on the like ground as a Judge of a High Court and the conditions of service of the State Election Commissioner shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The provisions of <strong>Article 243K</strong> of the Constitution, which provides for setting up of SECs, are almost identical to those of <strong>Article 324</strong> related to the EC. In other words, the SECs enjoy the same status as the EC.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'state-election-commission', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/637c/4o40br5t976qynw6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/637c/4o40br5t976qynw6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'State Election Commission', 'metakeyword' => 'State Election Commission', 'metadescription' => 'Andhra Pradesh government has appointed retired judge of Madras High Court, V. Kanagaraj as State Election Commissioner through an ordinance.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/xbkg9jra0xeuli1/State_Election_Commission.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 67 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 4786, 'title' => 'Rajya Sabha elections', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Elections to 18 Rajya Sabha seats, which were postponed after the global Covid-19 outbreak, will be held on June 19. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of India. It currently has a maximum membership of 245, of which 233 are elected by the legislatures of the states and union territories using single transferable votes through Open Ballot.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The President can appoint 12 members for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social services, through nomination.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by the people, that is, by the MLAs. How many Rajya Sabha members a state can send depends on its population. Hence, the number of elected seats too changes as states are merged, bifurcated or new ones are created.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Members of a state's Legislative Assembly vote in the Rajya Sabha elections in what is called <strong>proportional</strong> <strong>representation</strong> with the single <strong>transferable vote (STV) system</strong>. Each MLA’s vote is counted only once.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In this system, MLAs don’t vote for each seat. Instead, the MLAs are given a paper with the names of all candidates. They have to give their order of preference for each candidate, marking 1,2,3 against their names. If 10 or more members choose a candidate as their first choice, he/she gets elected.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The political party that has a majority in the state Assembly normally gets to send the maximum number of MPs to the Rajya Sabha. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">EX: Let’s take a hypothetical example of a state which has <strong>three</strong> Rajya Sabha vacancies.</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Let’s say Party A with 100 seats and Party B with 40 seats populate the 140-seat Assembly. Both parties can field three candidates each for the three Rajya Sabha seats.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Now, to make it through, a candidate should get a certain number of votes. In this case, the total number of MLAs (140) is multiplied by 100. This number is divided by the number of vacancies (3) plus 1. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">That brings us to 3,500. This total number is added to 1. Since each MLA has 100 votes, a candidate would, in this case, need 3,501 votes or the backing of 36 MLAs to win.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Every candidate in the race requires one-fourth of the total number of votes plus one to get elected. Each voter ranks his preferences and if the candidate who is the first choice has enough votes already or no chance of being elected, the vote is transferred to the second choice and so on.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Qualifications</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Be a citizen of India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Make and subscribe before some person authorized in that behalf by the Election Commission an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule to the Constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Be at least 30 years old.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Be elected by the Legislative Assembly of States and Union territories by means of single transferable vote through proportional representation. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Not be a proclaimed criminal.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Not be a subject of insolvent, i.e. he/she should not be in debt that he/she is not capable of repaying in a current manner and should have the ability to meet his/her financial expenses.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Not hold any other office of profit under the Government of India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Not be of unsound mind.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed in that behalf by or under any law made by Parliament.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'rajya-sabha-elections', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/8254/ixpj16pllxjuyoa6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/8254/ixpj16pllxjuyoa6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Rajya Sabha elections', 'metakeyword' => 'Rajya Sabha elections', 'metadescription' => 'Elections to 18 Rajya Sabha seats, which were postponed after the global Covid-19 outbreak, will be held on June 19.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/s6gb62am4pdhh6x/4.Rajya_Sabha_elections.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 68 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 5144, 'title' => 'Delimitation in Northeast', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Election Commission’s (EC) former expert, has red-flagged the Union government’s order setting up a Delimitation Commission for Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam, and Nagaland, calling it “unconstitutional” and “illegal”.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Delimitation is the act of redrawing boundaries of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats to represent changes in population. In this process, the number of seats allocated to a state may also change. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the last delimitation exercise, completed in 2008, Arunachal, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland were kept out due to apprehensions overuse of the 2001 Census. The Centre’s move to club the four with J&K comes in the backdrop of unrest in the region over CAA.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The objective of delimitation is to provide equal representation for equal population segments and a fair division of geographical areas so that no political party has an advantage. The Delimitation Commission’s orders cannot be questioned before any court.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Delimitation is done on the basis of the preceding Census. Following the Delimitation Commission Act in 1952, all such exercises have been conducted by Delimitation Commissions set up in 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There was no delimitation after the 1981 and 1991 Censuses. This was a fallout of the provision that the ratio between the number of Lok Sabha seats in a state and the population of the state is, as far as practicable, the same for all states. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although unintended, this meant that states that took little interest in population control could end up with more seats in Parliament, while the southern states that promoted family planning could end up with fewer seats. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">So, the last delimitation exercise between July 2002 and March 31, 2008, based on the 2001 Census, only readjusted boundaries of existing Lok Sabha and Assembly seats and reworked the number of reserved seats.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Delimitation will only redraw the boundaries of seats in each state and can rework the number of reserved seats for SCs and STs. However, because of exceptional past circumstances, Jammu & Kashmir’s Assembly seats will now increase from 107 to 114, which is expected to increase Jammu region’s representation.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'delimitation-in-northeast', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/996a/waeasdni7uiz28b6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/996a/waeasdni7uiz28b6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Delimitation in Northeast', 'metakeyword' => 'Delimitation in Northeast', 'metadescription' => 'The Election Commission’s (EC) former expert, has red-flagged the Union government’s order setting up a Delimitation Commission for Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur,', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/8qvgpzr63gr21dm/4.Delimitation_in_Northeast.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 69 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 5244, 'title' => 'Governor’s discretion', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Rajasthan Governor has returned the fresh proposal by the state Cabinet to convene a session of the Assembly on 31 July. This has raised fresh legal questions on the powers of the Governor.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This is the<strong> </strong>second time that the Governor has put off the request, which would allow the Chief Minister to prove his strength on the floor of the House.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article</strong> <strong>174</strong> of the Constitution gives the Governor the power to summon from time to time the House or each House of the Legislature of the State to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 163</strong> of the Constitution says that the Governor acts on the aid and advice of the cabinet. Article 163(1) essentially limits any discretionary power of the Governor only to cases where the Constitution expressly specifies that the Governor must act on his own and apply an independent mind.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is settled law that the Governor cannot refuse the request of the Cabinet to call for a sitting of the House for legislative purposes or for the chief minister to prove his majority.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In fact, on numerous occasions, including in the 2016 Uttarakhand case, the court has clarified that when the majority of the ruling party is in question, a floor test must be conducted at the earliest available opportunity.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In 2016, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in Nabam Rebia and Bamang Felix vs Deputy Speaker, the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly case, expressly said that the power to summon the House is not solely vested in the Governor.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When the chief minister has lost the support of the House and his strength is debatable, then the Governor need not wait for the advice of the council of ministers to hold a floor test.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Generally, when doubts are cast on the chief minister that he has lost the majority, the opposition and the Governor would rally for a floor test and the ruling party would attempt to stall the process to buy time and keep its flock together.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Constitutional Discretion of Governor</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When they have to reserve the bill for the consideration of the President of India, Governors can decide on their own without the advice of the Council of Ministers.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When he has to recommend for the President’s rule in the state, he can act at his own discretion.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When he is given an additional charge as the administrator of the Union Territory, he can take actions at his own discretion.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When he has to determine the amount payable by the Government of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram to an autonomous Tribal District Council as royalty accruing from licenses for mineral exploration.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When he calls upon the Chief Minister to seek information regarding administrative and legislative affairs.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Situational Discretion of the Governor</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When he has to appoint a Chief Minister after no party has a clear majority in the election or when the incumbent dies in the office.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When he dismisses the council of ministers on an inability to prove confidence in the state legislative assembly.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">When he dissolves the state legislative assembly on time when it loses its majority.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'governors-discretion', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5e31/hcwp5fipgjrphii6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5e31/hcwp5fipgjrphii6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Governor’s discretion', 'metakeyword' => 'Governor’s discretion', 'metadescription' => 'Rajasthan Governor has returned the fresh proposal by the state Cabinet to convene a session of the Assembly on 31 July. This has raised fresh legal questions', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/i4acynl8slou78b/4.Governor’s+discretion.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 70 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 5226, 'title' => 'Presidential system and Parliamentary system', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has said that the parliamentary system we borrowed from the British has not worked in Indian conditions and it was time to demand a change.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Problems associated</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The parliamentary system has created a unique breed of the legislator, largely unqualified to legislate, who has sought election only in order to wield executive power. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It has produced governments dependent on a fickle legislative majority, who are therefore obliged to focus more on politics than on policy or performance. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It has distorted the voting preferences of an electorate that knows which individuals it wants to vote for but not necessarily which parties. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It has spawned parties that are shifting alliances of selfish individual interests, not vehicles of coherent sets of ideas. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It has forced governments to concentrate less on governing than on staying in office and obliged them to cater to the lowest common denominator of their coalitions.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Advantages of Presidential form</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A directly elected chief executive in New Delhi and in each state, instead of being vulnerable to the shifting sands of coalition support politics, would have the stability of tenure free from legislative whim, be able to appoint a cabinet of talents, and above all, be able to devote his or her energies to governance, and not just to government.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Indian voter will be able to vote directly for the individual he or she wants to be ruled by, and the president will truly be able to claim to speak for a majority of Indians rather than a majority of MPs. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">At the end of a fixed period of time, the public would be able to judge the individual on performance in improving the lives of Indians, rather than on political skill at keeping a government in office.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Presidential form of government</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A presidential system is a democratic and republican government in which a head of government leads an executive branch that is separate from the legislative branch. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In presidential countries, the executive is elected and is not responsible to the legislature, which cannot in normal circumstances dismiss it. Such dismissal is possible, however, in uncommon cases, often through impeachment.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The president has a fixed term of office. Elections are held at regular times and cannot be triggered by a vote of confidence or other parliamentary procedures, although in some countries there is an exception which provides for the removal of a president who is found to have broken a law.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The executive branch is unipersonal. Members of the cabinet serve at the pleasure of the president and must carry out the policies of the executive and legislative branches. Cabinet ministers or executive departmental chiefs are not members of the legislature. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A president generally can direct members of the cabinet, military, or any officer or employee of the executive branch, but cannot direct or dismiss judges.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Parliamentary form of government</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A parliamentary system is a democratic form of government in which the party (or a coalition of parties) with the greatest representation in the parliament (legislature) forms the government, its leader becoming prime minister or chancellor.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Executive functions are exercised by members of the parliament appointed by the prime minister to the cabinet. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The parties in the minority serve in opposition to the majority and have the duty to challenge it regularly. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prime ministers may be removed from power whenever they lose the confidence of a majority of the ruling party or of the parliament.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The head of state appoints a prime minister who will likely have majority support in parliament. He is usually the leader of the party with majority.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The members of the cabinet or ministers should also be members of the legislature. This is unlike the presidential form.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'presidential-system-and-parliamentary-system', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/2ef7/6ad8hvjv4g5jwht6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/2ef7/6ad8hvjv4g5jwht6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Presidential system and Parliamentary system', 'metakeyword' => 'Presidential system and Parliamentary system', 'metadescription' => 'Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has said that the parliamentary system we borrowed from the British has not worked in Indian conditions and it was time to demand', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/s7privekribc91e/1.Presidential+system+and+Parliamentary+system.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 71 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 5341, 'title' => 'Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">August 5 marked the first anniversary of the abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and conversion of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Union government has tried to ensure that everyone living in the two Union Territories would get a sense of the egalitarian principles that are firmly embedded in India’s Constitution.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These developments extend to a wide range of issues like social and political equality, education, jobs, reservations, and other rights enjoyed by the underprivileged in the rest of the country.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">For the first time after seven decades, the Indian Constitution and all the 890 Central laws are fully applicable to J&K. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This has meant the application of 170 more Central laws to J&K, including progressive laws such as the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1954, the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In addition, the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forests Rights) Act, 2007, the National Commission for Minorities Act and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 will be applicable.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The follow-up after the constitution of the two Union Territories has been swift. Simple rules have been formulated for issuing domicile certificates and this will create a much-needed level-playing field for all residents.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The J&K government has also initiated a massive recruitment drive to fill up 10,000 vacancies in the local government; another drive to fill up 25,000 posts is in the pipeline. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Also on the anvil are revised rules to enable the hitherto disadvantaged groups like Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, and economically weaker sections to get employment.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Other measures which have ensured mainstreaming of the region are the enforcement of the Right to Information Act, 2005, direct supervision of the Central Vigilance Commission with regard to anti-corruption cases and the setting up of the 18th Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for the UTs of J&K and Ladakh.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'abrogation-of-article-370-and-35a', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7742/2xb8hh3nvgaeevt6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7742/2xb8hh3nvgaeevt6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A', 'metakeyword' => 'Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A', 'metadescription' => 'August 5 marked the first anniversary of the abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and conversion of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/c4uns2928vzyy3p/1.Abrogation+of+Article+370+and+35A.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 72 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 5620, 'title' => 'Kesavananda Bharati case and Basic structure of constitution', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Kesavananda Bharati, the seer behind the iconic case of Fundamental Rights, passed away at Kerala’s Edneer Mutt in Kasargod district.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The ruling is considered among the most consequential decisions by the Supreme Court as it set out the “basic structure” of the Constitution that Parliament cannot amend.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He left his signature in one of the significant rulings of the Supreme Court when he challenged the Kerala land reforms legislation in 1970.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A 13-judge Bench was set up by the Supreme Court, the biggest so far, and the case was heard over 68 working days spread over six months. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Bench gave 11 separate judgments that agreed and disagreed on many issues but a majority judgment of seven judges was stitched together by then Chief Justice of India S M Sikri on the eve of his retirement.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The case was primarily about the extent of Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution. First, the court was reviewing a 1967 decision in Golaknath v State of Punjab which, reversing earlier verdicts, had ruled that Parliament cannot amend fundamental rights.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Second, the court was deciding the constitutional validity of several other amendments. Notably, the right to property had been removed as a fundamental right, and Parliament had also given itself the power to amend any part of the Constitution and passed a law that it cannot be reviewed by the courts.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The executive vs judiciary manoeuvres displayed in the amendments ended with the Kesavananda Bharati case, in which the court had to settle these issues conclusively.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While the court said that Parliament had vast powers to amend the Constitution, it drew the line by observing that certain parts are so inherent and intrinsic to the Constitution that even Parliament cannot touch it.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Despite the ruling that Parliament cannot breach fundamental rights, the court upheld the amendment that removed the fundamental right to property.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Basic structure</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The origins of the basic structure doctrine are found in the German Constitution which, after the Nazi regime, was amended to protect some basic laws.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In India, the basic structure doctrine has formed the bedrock of judicial review of all laws passed by Parliament. No law can impinge on the basic structure.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The proponents of Basic structure have hailed the concept as a safety valve against majoritarianism and authoritarianism.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The ‘basic structure’ doctrine has since been interpreted to include</span></span><br /> </p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">the supremacy of the Constitution,</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">the rule of law,</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Independence of the judiciary,</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">doctrine of separation of powers,</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">sovereign democratic republic,</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">the parliamentary system of government,</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">the principle of free and fair elections,</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">welfare state, etc.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'kesavananda-bharati-case-and-basic-structure-of-constitution', 'image' => '', 'fbimage' => '', 'metatitle' => 'Kesavananda Bharati case and Basic structure of constitution', 'metakeyword' => 'Kesavananda Bharati case and Basic structure of constitution', 'metadescription' => 'The ruling is considered among the most consequential decisions by the Supreme Court as it set out the “basic structure” of the Constitution that Parliament', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => '', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 73 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 5414, 'title' => 'Anti-defection law', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The political crises in Manipur and Rajasthan, shows that the constitutional provisions related to the anti-defection law have been reduced to a joke.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The anti-defection law is supposed to deter MLAs from defecting from their political parties. They can lose their seats in the legislature for defying their party. And if declared a defector, they cannot become a minister in a government for six months.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The anti-defection law sought to prevent political defections which may be due to reward of office or other similar considerations.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The <strong>10th</strong> <strong>Schedule</strong> of the Indian Constitution popularly referred to as the ‘Anti-Defection Law’ was inserted by the <strong>52nd Amendment</strong> (<strong>1985</strong>) to the Constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It lays down the process by which legislators may be disqualified on grounds of defection by the Presiding Officer of a legislature based on a petition by any other member of the House. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Grounds for disqualification</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If an elected member gives up his membership of a political party voluntarily. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If he votes or abstains from voting in the House, contrary to any direction issued by his political party. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If any member who is independently elected joins any party. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If any nominated member joins any political party after the end of 6 months.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The decision on disqualification questions on the ground of defection is referred to the Speaker or the Chairman of the House, and his/her decision is final. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Exceptions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the situation where two-thirds of the legislators of a political party decide to merge into another party, neither the members who decide to merge, nor the ones who stay with the original party will face disqualification. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Any person elected as chairman or speaker can resign from his party, and rejoin the party if he demits that post. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Originally, the Act provided that the presiding officer’s decision was final and could not be questioned in any court of law. But, in <strong>Kihoto Hollohan</strong> case (1993), the Supreme Court declared this provision as unconstitutional on the ground that it seeks to take away the jurisdiction of the SC and the high courts. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">There is no time limit as per the law within which the Presiding Officers should decide on a plea for disqualification. The courts also can intervene only after the Officer has made a decision.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'anti-defection-law', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/2299/pdovszy97bal3k56g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/2299/pdovszy97bal3k56g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Anti-defection law', 'metakeyword' => 'Anti-defection law', 'metadescription' => 'The political crises in Manipur and Rajasthan, shows that the constitutional provisions related to the anti-defection law have been reduced to a joke.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/ipa8fenhij51217/5.Anti-defection+law.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 74 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6222, 'title' => 'Finance commission', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The 15th Finance Commission, headed by N.K.Singh has submitted its report to the President of India. The report will be valid for a period between 2021-2026.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Finance Commission is a constitutional body, under <strong>Article 280</strong> of the Indian Constitution, for the purpose of allocation of certain revenue resources between the Union and the State Governments.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Appointment</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President after two years of the commencement of Indian Constitution and thereafter every 5 years, has to constitute a Finance Commission of India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Parliament may by law determine the requisite qualifications for appointment as members of the commission and the procedure of selection.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Qualifications of the members</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Chairman of a finance commission is selected from people with experience of public affairs. The other four members are selected from people who:</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Are, or have been, or are qualified, as judges of a high court,</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Have knowledge of government finances or accounts, or</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Have had experience in administration and financial expertise; or</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Have special knowledge of economics</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Functions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Distribution of 'net proceeds' of taxes between Center and the States, to be divided as per their respective contributions to the taxes.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Determine factors governing Grants-in-Aid to the states and the magnitude of the same.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To make recommendations to the president as to the measures needed to augment the Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the panchayats and municipalities in the state on the basis of the recommendations made by the finance commission of the state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Any other matter related to it by the president in the interest of sound finance.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Highlights of 15th Finance commission</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The share of states in the centre’s taxes is recommended to be decreased from 42% during the 2015-20 period to 41% for 2020-21. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The 1% decrease is to provide for the newly formed union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh from the resources of the central government.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'finance-commission', 'image' => '', 'fbimage' => '', 'metatitle' => 'Finance commission | report of the 15th finance commission', 'metakeyword' => 'Finance commission | report of the 15th finance commission', 'metadescription' => 'The 15th Finance Commission, headed by N.K.Singh has submitted its report to the President of India. The report will be valid for a period between 2021-2026.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => '', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 75 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6265, 'title' => 'Presidential pardon', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">With Donald Trump’s presidency entering its final weeks, he is expected to make full use of the outgoing presidential tradition of granting pardons. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Some fear that the US President will wield his expansive power to pardon some of his closest aides, family members, and maybe even himself.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The US President has the power to pardon individuals for nearly any crime committed in the country. He is not answerable for his pardons, and does not even have to provide a reason for issuing one.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All modern presidents of the United States have the constitutional right to pardon or commute the sentence of people who have broken federal laws. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Pardon in India</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under the Constitution of India (Article 72), the President of India can grant a pardon or reduce the sentence of a convicted person, particularly in cases involving capital punishment.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The governor of states also has pardoning powers but they cannot pardon capital sentence. They do not have powers in case of court martial.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Types of Pardon</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Pardon</strong><br /> It removes all type of conviction or charges on an individual. All the criminal charges will be removed and he will be considered non-guilty.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Commute</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Replace an existing punishment with an alternative less severe form. This award is usually given for converting capital punishment to life imprisonment.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Remission</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Reducing the period of the sentence without changing its nature. For example, instead of 10 years of imprisonment awarding 5 years of imprisonment.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Respite</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Awarding a lesser sentence to replace the original one due to reasons of compassion. Ex: Awarding lesser sentence to pregnant convict.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Reprieve</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Staying the execution of a sentence (especially that of death) for a temporary period. It will give time for convict to approach higher authority.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'presidential-pardon', 'image' => '', 'fbimage' => '', 'metatitle' => 'Presidential pardon', 'metakeyword' => 'Presidential pardon', 'metadescription' => 'With Donald Trump’s presidency entering its final weeks, he is expected to make full use of the outgoing presidential tradition of granting pardons.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => '', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 76 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6283, 'title' => 'Office of Chief Minister', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nitish Kumar of NDA was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the 4th consecutive time. The NDA has managed to be in power from the past 15 years.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Chief Minister is the head of the government. He is assisted by his council of ministers who are a part of state executive along with Governor.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Appointment</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The governor appoints the leader of the largest party of the house or leader chosen by the largest coalition to become the chief minister. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The governor may exercise situational discretion if no party has clear majority. He may ask a leader to become chief minister and then prove his majority on floor of the house.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In case the chief minister dies and no successor is present then the governor may appoint one at his discretion but if the ruling party has a nominee then the governor has no choice but to appoint that person.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chief Minister must become member of either house within 6 months or else he ceases to hold his office. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">His term of office is for five years, but remains in office till they enjoy the support of the majority in the Assembly.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Powers and functions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He communicates to the governor all matters related to administration of the state and proposed legislations. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He furnishes information required by the governor relating to administration of the union or proposed legislations. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He submits to the consideration of the council of ministers any matter on which decision has been taken by an individual minister but the Council of Ministers has not considered it.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He can advice governor to summon or prorogue the house sessions. He can advice dissolution of legislative assembly to the governor anytime. He announces government policies on the floor of the house.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He is advisor of governor regarding appointments to various regulators and constitutional bodies of the union.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He recommends people to be appointed as ministers to the governor. He allocates and reshuffles portfolios amongst them. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He can ask the minister to resign or tell the governor to dismiss him. He supervises activities of all ministers. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">His resignation or death leads to dissolution of the council of ministers.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'office-of-chief-minister', 'image' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a206/c4a5ouf65js9axd6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a206/c4a5ouf65js9axd6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Office of Chief Minister | Chief Minister Office Bihar', 'metakeyword' => 'Office of Chief Minister | Chief Minister Office Bihar', 'metadescription' => 'Nitish Kumar of NDA was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the 4th consecutive time. The NDA has managed to be in power from the past 15 years.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/23alw01k4q9b7gl/1.Office_of_Chief_Minister.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 77 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6304, 'title' => 'Interpretation of Article 32', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice of India observed that it is “trying to discourage” individuals from filing petitions under Article 32 of the Constitution. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The observation came during the hearing of a petition seeking the release of journalist, who was arrested with three others while on their way to Hathras, Uttar Pradesh.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 32 deals with the ‘<strong>Right to Constitutional Remedies’</strong>, or affirms the right to move the Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings for the enforcement of the rights conferred in Part III of the Constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It states that the Supreme Court “shall have power to issue directions or orders or writs, including writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, and certiorari, whichever may be appropriate, for the enforcement of any of the rights conferred by this Part”.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The right guaranteed by this Article “shall not be suspended except as otherwise provided for by this Constitution”. It is a fundamental right.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Article is included in <strong>Part III</strong> of the Constitution with other fundamental rights including to Equality, Freedom of Speech and Expression, Life and Personal Liberty, and Freedom of Religion. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Only if any of these fundamental rights is violated can a person can approach the Supreme Court directly under Article 32. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Article cannot be suspended except during the period of Emergency</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Writs under Article 32</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Habeas corpus</strong>: Related to personal liberty in cases of illegal detentions and wrongful arrests</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Mandamus</strong>: Directing public officials, governments, courts to perform a statutory duty;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Quo</strong> <strong>warranto</strong>: To show by what warrant is a person holding public office;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Prohibition</strong>: Directing judicial or quasi-judicial authorities to stop proceedings which it has no jurisdiction for; </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Certiorari</strong>: Re-examination of an order given by judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative authorities.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Various observations</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In Romesh Thappar vs State of Madras (1950), the Supreme Court observed that Article 32 provides a “guaranteed” remedy for the enforcement of fundamental rights. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During the Emergency, in Additional District Magistrate, Jabalpur vs S S Shukla (1976), the Supreme Court had said that the citizen loses his right to approach the court under Article 32.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Constitutional experts say that it is eventually at the discretion of the Supreme Court and each individual judge to decide whether an intervention is warranted in a case, which could also be heard by the High Court first.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'interpretation-of-article-32', 'image' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d402/asg890opq5lufy86g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d402/asg890opq5lufy86g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Interpretation of Article 32 | Article 32 and remedy of compensation', 'metakeyword' => 'Interpretation of Article 32 | Article 32 and remedy of compensation', 'metadescription' => 'A Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice of India observed that it is “trying to discourage” individuals from filing petitions under Article 32', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/brcou62vl7niehr/2.Interpretation_of_Article_32.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 78 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6233, 'title' => 'Election Commission of India', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The results of assembly and by-poll elections for Bihar and other states were declared by the Election Commission.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India at national and state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Election Commission operates under the authority of Constitution per <strong>Article 324.</strong></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state Legislative Assemblies, state legislative Councils, and the offices of the President and Vice President of the country.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The chief and the two other election commissioners have the same powers and emoluments including salaries, which are the same as a Supreme Court judge.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In case of difference of opinion amongst the Chief Election Commissioner and/or two other election commissioners, <strong>the matter is decided by the Commission by a majority</strong>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Constitution has <strong>not prescribed the qualifications</strong> (legal, educational, administrative or judicial) of the members of the Election Commission.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Constitution <strong>has not debarred</strong> the retiring election commissioners from any further appointment by the government.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The chief election commissioner is provided with <strong>security of tenure</strong>. He cannot be removed from his office except in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He does not hold his office until the pleasure of the president, though he is appointed by him. The service conditions of the chief election commissioner cannot be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Appointment</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The office is held by them for a term of <strong>6 years or until they attain 65 years</strong>, whichever happens first. They can also be removed or can resign at any time before the expiry of their term.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Removal</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Chief Election Commissioner of India can be removed from their office similar to the removal of a judge of the Supreme Court of India which requires a resolution passed by the Parliament of India a two-thirds majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on the grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Other Election Commissioners can be removed by the President of India on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner. A Chief Election Commissioner has never been impeached in India.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Functions and Power</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Determines the Electoral Constituencies’ territorial areas throughout the country on the basis of the Delimitation Commission Act of Parliament.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Preparation and periodically revising electoral rolls and registering all eligible voters.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Notifying the schedules and dates of elections and scrutinising nomination papers.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Grants recognition to the various political parties and allocating them election symbols.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It acts as a court to settle disputes concerning the granting of recognition to political parties and allocating election symbols to the parties.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It provides the status of national or state parties to the political parties on the basis of their performance in the elections.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It ensures that the model code of conduct is followed by all the political parties and all the candidates.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It advises the president on matters relating to the disqualification of the members of the parliament.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It advises the governor of the state on matters relating to the disqualification of the members of the state legislature.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It requests the president or the governor for the necessary staff required for conducting elections.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> It supervises election machinery and the conduct of elections to ensure free and fair elections.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> It cancels polls in the event of irregularities and wrongdoings during an election.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> It advises the president whether the elections can be held in a state under president’s rule.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'election-commission-of-india', 'image' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5682/38ni4927929xenm6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5682/38ni4927929xenm6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Election Commission of India | Bihar Election Commission results', 'metakeyword' => 'Election Commission of India | Bihar Election Commission results', 'metadescription' => 'The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India at national and state.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/x9kpkeq25tz5z4e/1.Election_Commission_of_India.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 79 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6388, 'title' => 'Constitution day', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Constitution Day or Samvidhan Diwas is celebrated annually in India on 26 November. The day is also known as National Law Day. The day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution in India.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the Constitution of India that came into force on 26 January 1950.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Constituent Assembly met for 166 days for two years, 11 months, and 18 days before the Constitution was finally adopted.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The members of the Constituent Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document on 24 January 1950 and two days later, it became the law of the land.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Constitution Day is celebrated as a mark of tribute to India's first Law Minister BR Ambedkar, who played a pivotal role in drafting the Indian Constitution.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Salient features of constitution</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Single Constitution for both Union and State</strong>s: India has a single Constitution for Union and all the States. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Sources of the Constitution</strong>: The Indian Constitution has borrowed provisions from various countries and modified them to the suit the requirements of the country.</span></span></p> </li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>United Kingdom</strong>: Parliamentary government, post of Prime Minister, Single citizenship, bicameral legislature, privileges for parliamentary members, rule of law.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>USA</strong>: Fundamental Rights, separation of judiciary, judicial review, post of vice-president, removal of President, removal of Supreme Court judges, preamble.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Canada: </strong>Quasi-federal, appointment of governors, distribution of powers between centre and state, residuary powers in centre.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Ireland</strong>: Concept of Directive Principles of States Policy, method of election of President, nomination of members in the Rajya Sabha by the President.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>USSR</strong>: Fundamental duties, Justice (Social, Economic, and Political).</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Weimar</strong> (<strong>German</strong>): Suspension of Fundamental Rights during emergency.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>South Africa</strong>: Elections to Rajya Sabha, joint sitting of the Parliament.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Australia</strong>: Concurrent list.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>France</strong>: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Japan</strong>: Procedure established by the law.</span></span></li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Rigidity and Flexibility</strong>: The Constitution of India is neither rigid nor flexible. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Secular State</strong>: The term secular state means that all the religions present in India get equal protection and support from the state. There is no state sponsored religion.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Federalism</strong>: The Constitution of India provides for the division of power between the Union and the State governments.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Single Citizenship</strong>: Constitution of India provides for single citizenship to every individual in the country.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Integrated and Independent Judiciary</strong>: The Constitution of India provides for an integrated and independent judicial system.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Universal Adult Franchise</strong>: In India, every citizen who is above the age of 18 years has the right to vote without any discrimination on the ground of caste, race, religion, sex, literacy etc.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Emergency Provisions</strong>: The President is empowered to take certain steps to tackle any extraordinary situation to maintain the sovereignty, security, unity, and integrity of the nation.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Directive Principles of State Policy</strong>: Part IV (Articles 36 to 50) of the Constitution mentions the Directive Principles of State Policy. These are non-justifiable in nature and are broadly classified into Socialistic, Gandhian, and Liberal-intellectual. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Fundamental Duties</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">: These were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1976).</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'constitution-day', 'image' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1acd/sq03q5x3t8vp5yj6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1acd/sq03q5x3t8vp5yj6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Constitution day | Why is Nov 26 observed as India's constitution day', 'metakeyword' => 'Constitution day | Why is Nov 26 observed as India's constitution day', 'metadescription' => 'Constitution Day or Samvidhan Diwas is celebrated annually in India on 26 November. The day is also known as National Law Day. The day commemorates the adoption', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/mhqoc73466oahre/1.Constitution_day_%25282%2529.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 80 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6587, 'title' => 'Plea against Emergency in Supreme Court', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court has agreed to look into whether it should examine the constitutionality of the proclamation of national Emergency in 1975 by the then Indira Gandhi-led government.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The issue came up before the court as an individual is seeking compensation for the loss she suffered due to the proclamation of emergency.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On June 12, 1975, the Allahabad High Court had declared the election of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as null and void. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Following the court decision, Gandhi moved the Supreme Court and a vacation bench stayed the high court’s decision allowing Gandhi to remain as PM while limiting her right to vote in the parliament till the appeal was decided. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Following an opposition rally for the resignation of Indira Gandhi, she made a decision to impose a national Emergency which would give the central government sweeping powers.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On June 25, 1975 then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed relying on <strong>Article 352 </strong>of the Constitution declared a national Emergency in the country. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Emergency is considered as a dark period in India’s democracy as it initiated media censorship, suspension of civil liberties and attempts to fundamentally change the Constitution to suit the government.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Amendments during Emergency</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Through the <strong>38th Constitutional Amendment</strong>, Mrs Gandhi sought to expand the power of the President and barred judicial review of the proclamation of Emergency by the President or any ordinance issued by the President even if it infringed upon the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The <strong>39th amendment</strong> was intended to nullify the effect of the Allahabad High Court ruling that declared Gandhi’s election as null and void. The amendment placed any dispute to the election to the office of the Prime Minister, President beyond the scope of judicial review.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The <strong>40th amendment</strong> placed crucial land reforms in the Ninth schedule, beyond the scope of judicial review.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The <strong>41st Amendment</strong> said no criminal proceedings “whatsoever” could lie against a President, Prime Minister, or Governor for acts before or during their terms of office.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the<strong> 42nd amendment</strong>, the Parliament expanded its powers to amend the Constitution, even its ‘basic structure’ and curtail any fundamental rights.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Through the <strong>43rd </strong>and<strong> 44th amendments</strong>, many of the amendments made during the Emergency were withdrawn and the provisions relating to Emergency itself was strengthened to prevent misuse by the executive.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Emergency provisions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">National emergency could be declared on the basis of "external aggression or war" and "internal disturbance" in the whole of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" title="India">India</a> or a part of its territory under Article 352. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">But after 44th amendment act 1978, National Emergency can only be declared on grounds of "<strong>External aggression </strong>or <strong>war</strong>", also called as External Emergency & on the ground of "<strong>armed rebellion</strong>", also called as Internal Emergency. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The President can declare such an emergency only on the basis of a <strong>written request</strong> by the <strong>Cabinet</strong> headed by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_India" title="Prime Minister of India">Prime Minister</a>. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Such a proclamation must be laid before both houses of Parliament and the state of emergency expires after<strong> one </strong>month unless approved within that time by both houses sitting and voting separately through a special majority.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During a national emergency, many <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_Rights_of_Indian_citizens" title="Fundamental Rights of Indian citizens">Fundamental Rights of Indian citizens</a> can be suspended. The six freedoms under <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_Rights,_Directive_Principles_and_Fundamental_Duties_of_India#Right_to_Freedom" title="Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties of India">Right to Freedom</a> (<strong>Article 19</strong>) are automatically suspended. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'plea-against-emergency-in-supreme-court', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/3e53/wu861egcko8no776g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/3e53/wu861egcko8no776g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Plea against Emergency in Supreme Court', 'metakeyword' => 'Plea against Emergency in Supreme Court', 'metadescription' => 'The Supreme Court has agreed to look into whether it should examine the constitutionality of the proclamation of national Emergency in 1975 by the then Indira Gandhi-led government.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/1paw4xv2reqmfcx/5.Plea_against_Emergency_in.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 81 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6701, 'title' => 'Governor’s role in calling Assembly session', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> The Kerala Governor has turned down a request<strong> </strong>to summon a special sitting of the Assembly to debate the new three central farm laws.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The issue raises questions on the role of a Governor and the powers he or she has under the Constitution.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 174</strong> of the Constitution says that “The Governor shall from time to time summon the House or each House of the Legislature of the State to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit”.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The provision also puts on the Governor the responsibility of ensuring that the House is summoned at least once every six months.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to <strong>Article 163</strong>, the Governor is required to act on the “aid and advice” of the Cabinet regarding the decision to summon the house.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There are a few instances where the Governor can summon the House despite the refusal of the Chief Minister who heads the Cabinet. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When the Chief Minister appears to have lost the majority and the legislative members of the House propose a no-confidence motion against the Chief Minister, then the Governor can decide on his or her own on summoning the House.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A number of rulings by the Supreme Court have settled the position that the Governor cannot refuse the request of a Cabinet that enjoys majority in the House unless it is patently unconstitutional. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since the Governor’s powers are limited with regard to summoning the House, there can be no legal ground to deny a request for summoning the session.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Discretionary powers of governor</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When no party gets a clear majority, the governor has discretion to choose a candidate for chief minister who will put together a majority coalition as soon as possible.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He can impose president's rule.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He submits reports on his own to the president or on the direction of the president regarding the affairs of the state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He can withhold his assent to a bill and send it to the president for his approval.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During emergency rule per Article 353, he can override the advice of the council of ministers if specifically permitted by the president.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'governor-role-calling-assembly-session', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e184/yhtyglgydmck8k46g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e184/yhtyglgydmck8k46g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Governor’s role in calling Assembly session', 'metakeyword' => 'Governor’s role in calling Assembly session', 'metadescription' => 'The Kerala Governor has turned down a request to summon a special sitting of the Assembly to debate the new three central farm laws.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/x5elalh8z604tyz/5.Governor’s+role+in+calling+Assembly+session.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 82 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6908, 'title' => 'Pardoning powers', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Outgoing US President Donald Trump has used his pardoning powers to pardon his ex-strategist Steve Bannon.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bannon was indicted and arrested by federal prosecutors in Manhattan on charges related to the money.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The pardon of Bannon was particularly remarkable because he had been charged with a crime but had yet to stand trial. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">An overwhelming majority of pardons and commutations granted by presidents have been for those who were convicted and sentenced.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Pardoning powers in India</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A pardon is a government decision to allow a person to be relieved of some or all of the legal consequences resulting from a criminal conviction.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A pardon may be granted before or after conviction for the crime, depending on the laws of the jurisdiction.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under the Constitution of India (<strong>Article 72</strong>), the President of India can grant a pardon or reduce the sentence of a convicted person.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A similar and parallel power vests in the governors of each state under Article 161. However they do not have pardoning powers.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The pardoning powers of the Indian President are elucidated in Article 72 of the Indian Constitution. </span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Pardon</strong>: Completely absolving the person of the crime and letting him go free. The pardoned criminal will be like a normal citizen.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Commutation</strong>: Changing the type of punishment given to the guilty into a less harsh one, for example, a death penalty commuted to a life sentence.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Reprieve</strong>: A delay allowed in the execution of a sentence in order to allow guilty some time to apply for Presidential Pardon or some other legal remedy.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Respite</strong>: Reducing the quantum or degree of the punishment in view of some special circumstances, like pregnancy, mental condition etc.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Remission</strong>: Changing the quantum of the punishment without changing its nature.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'pardoning-powers', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a807/9uxhi1s4s52vncb6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a807/9uxhi1s4s52vncb6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Pardoning powers | Pardoning powers in USA', 'metakeyword' => 'Pardoning powers, Pardoning powers in India, Pardoning powers in USA, Pardoning powers USA', 'metadescription' => 'Outgoing US President Donald Trump has used his pardoning powers to pardon his ex-strategist Steve Bannon. Get the complete story about the Pardoning powers in this articles ', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/x2omubzc0ie0l59/5.Pardoning+powers.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 83 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6909, 'title' => 'Powers and functions of Vice-President', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Kamala Harris has become the first Woman Vice-President of USA. She also becomes the first Asian to hold federal office.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The US vice president is also an officer in the legislative branch, as president of the Senate. In this capacity, the vice president is empowered to preside over Senate deliberations, but may not vote except to cast a tie-breaking vote. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vice president is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indirect_election" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" title="Indirect election">indirectly elected</a> together with the president to a four-year term of office by the people of the United States through the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_College_(United_States)" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" title="Electoral College (United States)">Electoral College</a>. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vice president takes over the "powers and duties" of the presidency in the event of a president's removal, death, resignation, or inability. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Indian Vice-President</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Vice President of India is the second-highest constitutional office in India after the President. <strong>Article 63</strong> of Indian Constitution states that "There shall be a Vice President of India." </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Vice President acts temporarily as President in the absence of the president due to death, resignation, impeachment, or other situations.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Vice President of India is also ex officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. When a bill is introduced in Rajya Sabha, the vice president decides whether it is a financial bill or not.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> If he is of the opinion, a bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha is a money bill, he would refer the case to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha for deciding it.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Vice President may resign his office by submitting his resignation to the President. The resignation becomes effective from the day it is accepted.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All disputes arising in connection with the election of the Vice President are petitioned to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_India" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" title="Supreme Court of India">Supreme Court of India</a>.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Election</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Vice President is elected indirectly by members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of Proportional Representation by means of the Single transferable vote.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The election of the Vice President is slightly different from the election of the President as the members of state legislatures are not part of the electoral college but the nominated members of both the houses are part of electoral college for the vice presidential election.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Qualification</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Be a citizen of India</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Have completed more than 35 years of age</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Not hold any office of profit</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Removal</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_India" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" title="Constitution of India">Constitution</a> states that the Vice President can be removed by a resolution of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajya_Sabha" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" title="Rajya Sabha">Rajya Sabha</a> passed by an effective majority (i.e., majority of all the then member of the house ) and agreed by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lok_Sabha" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" title="Lok Sabha">Lok Sabha</a> with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majority" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" title="Majority">simple majority</a>.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">But no such resolution may be moved unless at least 14 days' advance notice has been given. Notably, the Constitution does not list grounds for removal.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'powers-and-function-of-vice-president', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/38a7/xtk1bf5cmfz7apz6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/38a7/xtk1bf5cmfz7apz6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Powers and functions of Vice-President', 'metakeyword' => 'Powers and functions of Vice-President', 'metadescription' => 'Kamala Harris has become the first Woman Vice-President of USA. She also becomes the first Asian to hold federal office.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/l66odnkkjmr5txh/1.Powers+and+functions+of+Vice-President.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 84 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6976, 'title' => 'President’s address', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The first Parliament session of 2021 will began with President Ram Nath Kovind addressing members of both Houses of Parliament.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While his address will mark the beginning of the session, it will not constitute a joint sitting of the two Houses.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In India, the practice of the President addressing Parliament can be traced back to the Government of India Act of 1919. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This law gave the Governor-General the right of addressing the Legislative Assembly and the Council of State. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The law did not have a provision for a joint address but the Governor-General did address the Assembly and the Council together on multiple occasions. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">And after the Constitution came into force, President Rajendra Prasad addressed members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for the first time on January 31, 1950.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Powers of address</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Constitution gives the President the power to address either House or a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament. Article 87 provides two special occasions on which the President addresses a joint sitting. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The first is to address the opening session of a new legislature after a general election. The second is to address the first sitting of Parliament each year. A session of a new or continuing legislature cannot begin without fulfilling this requirement. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When the Constitution came into force, the President was required to address each session of Parliament. The First Amendment to the Constitution in 1951 changed this position and made the President’s address once a year.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>President’s speech</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There is no set format for the President’s speech. The speech that the President reads is the viewpoint of the government and is written by it.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All the information from various ministries is aggregated and shaped into a speech, which is then sent to the President. The government uses the President’s address to make policy and legislative announcements.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Motion of thanks</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the days following the President’s address, a motion is moved in the two Houses thanking the President for his address. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Prime Minister replies to the motion of thanks in both Houses, and responds to the issues raised by MPs. The motion is then put to vote and MPs can express their disagreement by moving amendments to the motion. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In case the motion fails to be passed in the Lok Sabha, it is considered a failure of ruling government and they will have to resign.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Joint sitting</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Parliament of India is bicameral. There may be situation where a deadlock may occur regarding consensus on a bill.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Constitution of India provides for Joint sittings of both the Houses to break the deadlock. The joint sitting of the Parliament is called by the President (Article 108).</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The sitting is presided over by the Speaker or, in their absence, by the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha or in their absence, the Deputy-Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Exceptions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Money Bill</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under the Constitution of India, money bills require the approval of the Lok Sabha only. Rajya Sabha can make recommendations to Lok Sabha, which it is not required to accept. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Constitution Amendment Bill</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Article 368 of Indian constitution require that constitution of India can be amended by both houses of parliament by 2/3 majority (special majority). There is no provision to summon a joint session of parliament.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'presidents-address', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/50e8/rloxc7d2n05f4p56g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/50e8/rloxc7d2n05f4p56g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'History & President’s address in Parliament', 'metakeyword' => 'President’s address | History & precedent of President’s address in Parliament | My government has shown that if intentions are clear, intentions are high, then change can be brought,' says President', 'metadescription' => 'The law did not have a provision for a joint address but the Governor-General did address the Assembly and the Council together on multiple occasions.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/zdq0ed5igrfoglh/2._President%25E2%2580%2599s_address.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 85 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6868, 'title' => 'Trump heading for second impeachment', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">US Congressional Democrats are planning to introduce misconduct charges that could lead to a second impeachment of President Donald Trump.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The charges are planned after Trump supporters laid a siege on the US Capitol following a series of inflammatory speech made by him.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A misconception about impeachment is that it refers to the removal of a president from office. Impeachment refers only to bringing charges that a president engaged in a “high crime or misdemeanor” – similar to an indictment in a criminal case.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If a simple majority of the House’s 435 members approves bringing charges, known as “articles of impeachment,” the process moves to the Senate, the upper chamber, which has a trial.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate to convict and remove a president. This has never occurred in the history of US.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Disqualification</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Two historical precedents make clear that only a simple majority of the Senate is needed to disqualify Trump from holding future office.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, under Senate precedent, a vote on disqualification is only held after a vote on whether to convict and remove from office.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There is no clarity regarding the disqualification effect after Trump vacates office. There is a possibility that disqualification from future office could be a penalty.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong> Impeachment of President in India</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The president may be removed before the expiry of the term through impeachment for violating the Constitution of India by the Parliament of India. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The process may start in either of the two houses of the parliament. The house initiates the process by levelling the charges against the president. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The charges are contained in a notice that has to be signed by at least one-quarter of the total members of that house. The notice is sent up to the president and 14 days later, it is taken up for consideration.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A resolution to impeach the president has to be passed by a two-thirds majority of the total number of members of the originating house. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is then sent to the other house. The other house investigates the charges that have been made. During this process, the president has the right to defend oneself through an authorised counsel.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">If the second house also approves the charges made by special majority again, the president stands impeached and is deemed to have vacated their office from the date when such a resolution stands passed.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'trump-heading-for-second-impeachment', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/710d/7hxkjci39vbh97e6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/710d/7hxkjci39vbh97e6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Trump heading for second impeachment', 'metakeyword' => 'Trump heading for second impeachment', 'metadescription' => 'US Congressional Democrats are planning to introduce misconduct charges that could lead to a second impeachment of President Donald Trump.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/nqcytq7sx2cnhi2/3._Trump_heading_for_second_impeachment.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 86 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6435, 'title' => 'Legislative council', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Former actress and nominated member of Maharashtra Legislative Council Urmila Matondkar has joined Shiv Sena.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The State Legislative Council is the upper house in those states of India that have a bicameral state legislature; the lower house being the State Legislative Assembly. Its establishment is defined in <strong>Article 169</strong> of the Constitution of India.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Qualification</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">MLC must be a citizen of India, at least 30 years old, mentally sound, not an insolvent, and must be enrolled on the voters' list of the state for which he or she is contesting an election. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He or she may not be a Member of Parliament and Member of the State Legislative Assembly at the same time.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The tenure of the MLCs is <strong>six years</strong>. One-third of the members of Legislative Council retire after every two years. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This arrangement parallels that for the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The size of the State Legislative Council cannot be more than <strong>one third</strong> of the membership of the State Legislative Assembly. However, its size cannot be less than 40 members.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Legislative Council can neither make nor break a state government. The Legislative Council also have no role in the passing of Finance Bills. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">But some of the powers it has is that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the State Legislative Council enjoy the same status of Cabinet Ministers in the state. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Composition of Legislative council</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One third members are elected by the members of local bodies such as municipalities, Gram panchayats, Panchayat samitis and district councils.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One third members are elected by the members of Legislative Assembly of the State from among the persons who are not members of the State Legislative Assembly.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One sixth members are nominated by the Governor from persons having knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, arts, the co-operative movement, and social services.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One twelfth members are elected by persons who are graduates of three years' standing residing in that state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One twelfth members are elected by teachers who had spent at least three years in teaching in educational institutions within the state not lower than secondary schools, including colleges and universities.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Abolition and creation of MLC</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the <strong>Article 169</strong> of the Indian constitution, the Indian Parliament can create or abolish the State Legislative Council of a state if that State's Legislative passes a resolution for that with a special majority.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The Legislative Councils are criticised for being unnecessary. It is considered a burden on the state budget and cause delays in passing legislations.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'legislative-council', 'image' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5e39/gewklsd6ckt2u2i6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/5e39/gewklsd6ckt2u2i6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Legislative council in state | What is Legislative Council', 'metakeyword' => 'Legislative council in state | What is Legislative Council', 'metadescription' => 'The State Legislative Council is the upper house in those states of India that have a bicameral state legislature; the lower house being the State Legislative Assembly', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/zcnbx14el1mz9gg/4.Legislative_council.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 87 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 6442, 'title' => 'Supreme court of India', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Former judge of Calcutta High Court, C S Karnan has been arrested for his offensive remarks against Supreme Court judges.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In 2017, ex-Justice Karnan became the first sitting high court judge to have been sentenced to jail. He was sentenced to six months for contempt of court.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court of India is the supreme judicial body of the government of India and the highest court of India under the constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is the most senior constitutional court, and has the power of judicial review. The Chief Justice of India is the head and chief judge of the supreme court and the court consists of a maximum of 34 judges and it has extensive powers in the form of original, appellate and advisory jurisdictions. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A Person who has retired as a judge of the Supreme Court is debarred from practicing in any court of law or before any other authority in India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> However, Supreme Court and high court judges are appointed to various posts in tribunals and commissions, after their retirement.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under <strong>Articles 129 </strong>and<strong> 142</strong> of the constitution the Supreme Court has been vested with power to punish anyone for <strong>contempt</strong> of any court in India including itself.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Eligibility</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A citizen of India not exceeding 65 years age per <strong>Article 124</strong> of the Constitution who has been:</span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">a judge of one high court or more (continuously), for at least five years,</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">an advocate there, for at least ten years,</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">a distinguished jurist, in the opinion of the president, power conferred by clause 2 of article 124 of the Constitution of India</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Appointment</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Judges of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his/her hand and seal after consultation with such of the Judges of the Supreme Court and President for the purpose and shall hold office until he attains the age of 65 years.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Removal</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 124(4) of the constitution, President can remove a judge on proved misbehaviour or incapacity when parliament approves with a majority of the total membership of each house in favour of impeachment and not less than two thirds of the members of each house present. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">For initiating impeachment proceedings against a judge, at least 50 members of Rajya Sabha or 100 members of Lok Sabha shall issue the notice per Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'supreme-court-of-india', 'image' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/3e6e/xe50ts0h7krall06g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/3e6e/xe50ts0h7krall06g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Supreme court of India', 'metakeyword' => 'Supreme court of India', 'metadescription' => 'In 2017, ex-Justice Karnan became the first sitting high court judge to have been sentenced to jail. He was sentenced to six months for contempt of court.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/qd2f9jqssgfebui/1.Supreme_court_of_India.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 88 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 7132, 'title' => 'Separation of powers', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Certain judicial decisions by the courts have been considered a violation of separation of powers doctrine.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The separation of powers is the division of a state's government into branches, each with separate, independent powers and responsibilities, so that the powers of one branch are not in conflict with those of the other branches. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The typical division is into three branches: a legislature, an executive, and a judiciary, which is the trias politica model. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It can be contrasted with the fusion of powers in parliamentary and semi-presidential systems, where the executive and legislative branches overlap.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The intention behind a system of separated powers is to prevent the concentration of power by providing for checks and balances. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Branches of power structure</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Executive</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The role of the executive or administrative function is that to formulate and implement government policy across all governmental activities. It comprises all official and public authorities. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Legislature</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The legislative function is the making of a new Law and the existing Law alternative or repeal. It involves the enactment of general rules determine the structure and powers of public and authority and regulation the conduct of citizens and private organisation.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Judiciary</strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The judicial function includes disputed questions of particular cases and Law according to the Law lied down by Parliament and expanded by the Courts. It is the branch that adjudicates upon conflicts between State Institution, between individuals, and between state and individuals.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Benefits of separation of power</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The separation of powers in a democracy is to prevent abuse of power and to safeguard freedom for all.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It prevents tyranny between the functions, and provides the ability for each branch to check and balance on each other to prevent one from becoming supreme.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Drawbacks</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The power is centralised in the executive arm of government. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Executive function exercises unwarranted influence over Parliament.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'separation-of-powers', 'image' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/815e/gfrxrfmaucfbzdz6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/815e/gfrxrfmaucfbzdz6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Separation of powers', 'metakeyword' => 'Separation of powers | separation of powers | Definition & Facts', 'metadescription' => 'The separation of powers is the division of a state's government into branches, each with separate, independent powers and responsibilities, so that the powers', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/pdmystn7bqcnosq/2._Separation_of_powers.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 89 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 7133, 'title' => 'Leader of opposition', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Senior Karnataka Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has been appointed as the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Leader of opposition position fell vacant after Ghulam Nabi Azad’s term in Rajya Sabha expired.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) is the politician who leads the official opposition in either House of the Parliament of India. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Leader of the opposition is the parliamentary chairperson of the party with the most seats after the government party.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Leader of opposition received statutory recognition through the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The act defines the term "Leader of the Opposition" as that <em>member of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha who, for the time being, is the Leader of that House of the Party in Opposition to the Government having the greatest numerical strength and recognised, as such, by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha or the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. </em></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977 by which the post has got official and statutory status, the majority required is decided by the heads of the houses, that is speaker and chairman.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, provides for the leader of the largest opposition party to be inducted as a member of the selection committee in a scenario where the lower house of parliament does not have a recognised leader of the opposition. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Powers and functions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Opposition's main role is to question the government of the day and hold them accountable to the public. This also helps to fix the mistakes of the Ruling Party. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The Opposition is equally responsible in upholding the best interests of the people of the country.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'leader-of-opposition', 'image' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/6f59/qkgcnrx70qxqy036g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/6f59/qkgcnrx70qxqy036g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Leader of opposition', 'metakeyword' => 'Leader of opposition', 'metadescription' => 'The act defines the term "Leader of the Opposition" as that member of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha who, for the time being, is the Leader of that House', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/lffi3fvy4tob1rg/3._Leader_of_opposition.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 90 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 7136, 'title' => 'Mercy petition', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Death row convict Shabnam has filed a mercy petition with the President of India. She could be the first woman to be hanged after Independence.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The development takes place at a time when Mathura Jail is reportedly preparing to execute Shabnam. It is the only jail in the country where women can be hanged to death.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the Constitutional framework in India, mercy petition to the President is the last constitutional resort a convict can take when he is sentenced by the court of law. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A convict can present a mercy petition to the President of India under <strong>Article 72</strong> of the Constitution of India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, the power to grant pardon is conferred upon the Governors of States under <strong>Article 161</strong> of the Constitution of India.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Process of mercy petition</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After extinguishing all the reliefs in the court of law, either the convict in person or his relative on his behalf may submit a written petition to the President. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The petitions are received by the President’s secretariat on behalf of the President, which is then forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for their comments and recommendations.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A convict under the sentence of death is allowed to make the petition within a period of seven days after the date on which the Superintendent of jail informs him about the dismissal of the appeal or special leave to appeal by the Supreme Court.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Home Ministry in consultation with the concerned State Government discusses the merits of the petition. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After the consultation, recommendations are made by the Home Minister and then, the petition is sent back to the President for his decision.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Even though the President and Governor are the executive heads, but they cannot exercise their discretion with regard to their powers under Articles 72 and 161.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The President can either accept or reject the mercy plea as per the advice by the council of ministers. However, the Constitution doesn’t provide for a specified time limit to accept/reject the mercy petition. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'mercy-petition', 'image' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d684/26i3b2pexjvc7ac6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d684/26i3b2pexjvc7ac6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Mercy petition', 'metakeyword' => 'Mercy petition', 'metadescription' => 'The development takes place at a time when Mathura Jail is reportedly preparing to execute Shabnam. It is the only jail in the country where women can be hanged', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/8gwxbuldryv4c7m/3._Mercy_petition.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 91 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 7227, 'title' => 'Legislative council', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has promised to constitute Legislative Council if her party comes back to power in the state.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Legislative Council is the upper house of state legislatures and is widely dubbed as a retirement house for political discardees.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Legislative council has been defined under <strong>Article 168</strong> of the Constitution of India. The process of constituting Legislative Council is defined in the same article.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The size of the State Legislative Council should not exceed one third of the membership of the State Legislative Assembly. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The tenure of the MLCs is six years. One-third of the members of Council retire after every two years. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Criteria</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To be eligible as a member of State Legislative Council (MLC), a person must be a citizen of India, at least 30 years old, mentally sound, not an insolvent, and must be enrolled on the voters' list of the state for which he or she is contesting. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Membership of council</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One third members are elected by the members of local bodies such as municipalities, Gram panchayats, Panchayat samitis etc.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One third are elected by the members of Legislative Assembly of the State.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One sixth are nominated by the Governor from individuals having knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, arts, the co-operative movement and social services.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One twelfth are elected by persons who are graduates of three years' standing residing in that state.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One twelfth are elected by teachers who had spent at least three years in teaching in educational institutions within the state not lower than secondary schools, including colleges and universities.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Powers and functions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The State Legislative Council cannot form or dissolve a state government. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Legislative Council does not play any role in the passing of money bills.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the State Legislative Council enjoy the same status of Cabinet Ministers in the state. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>States with legislative council</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">At present, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Karnataka have a legislative council.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'legislative-council', 'image' => '', 'fbimage' => '', 'metatitle' => 'Legislative council | What-is-legislative-council', 'metakeyword' => 'Legislative council | What-is-legislative-council', 'metadescription' => 'Legislative council has been defined under Article 168 of the Constitution of India. The process of constituting Legislative Council is defined in the same article.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => '', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 92 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 7242, 'title' => 'National Emergency', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi has said that the Emergency imposed in 1975 by then PM Indira Gandhi was a mistake.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Many Congress leaders have refused to comment on the issue but several others including Pranab Mukherjee have spoken on the issue.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Emergency is a condition in which the federal nature of constitution becomes unilateral. The President of India takes administration into his own hands to address a precarious situation.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under Article 352, National Emergency can only be declared on two grounds: External Emergency (External aggression or war) & Internal Emergency (armed rebellion).</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Emergency provisions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The President can declare emergency only on the basis of a written request by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It should be approved by both the houses of the Parliament within one month with a special majority.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If Lok Sabha has been dissolved during that period, approval time extends upto 30 days from constitution of new Lok Sabha.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The emergency can be extended indefinitely but has to be approved every six months by the Parliament.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The term of Lok Sabha can be extended indefinitely one year at a time until emergency exists.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Withdrawing emergency</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The President can withdraw emergency at any time if he considers situation as appropriate.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The President has to withdraw emergency if Lok Sabha passes a resolution for its withdrawal with a simple majority.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Emergency and Fundamental rights</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Fundamental rights under the constitution, except Article 21 and 22 can be suspended during internal emergency.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 358 comes into action once external emergency is imposed. Under Article 358, six fundamental rights under Article 19 get automatically suspended.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Article 359 is triggered when internal emergency is imposed by the President. Except Article 21 and Article 22, all other fundamental rights can be suspended.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'national-emergency', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1c11/6yvtbizeiklhqv56g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1c11/6yvtbizeiklhqv56g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'National Emergency | And How to Declare a National Emergency', 'metakeyword' => 'National Emergency | And How to Declare a National Emergency | Does the Constitution Allow Modi to Declare a National Emergency Over COVID-19', 'metadescription' => 'Emergency is a condition in which the federal nature of constitution becomes unilateral. The President of India takes administration into his own hands to address', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/y4to44f39t8iam0/1._National_Emergency.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 93 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 7285, 'title' => 'Office of Chief-Minister', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Tirath Singh Rawat has taken oath as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. He will replace Trivendra Singh Rawat.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The chief Minister is the de facto head of executive of a state. He is the leader with majority support in the state’s legislature.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 164 says that he chief Minister will be appointed by the governor. There are no particular conditions for appointment except that he should command a majority.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The chief Minister holds office till the pleasure of the governor.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Eligibility</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He should be a citizen of India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He should be of the age of 25 years or more.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He should be member of the state legislature. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A non-member can be appointed a chief Minister but he has to get elected within six months.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Vote of confidence</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After being appointed the chief minister, the chief minister has to seek vote of confidence from lower house of state assembly.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Resignation</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Chief Minister can resign from his position by writing to the governor. The council of ministers is automatically dissolved in case the chief minister resigns from office.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The chief minister has to resign if he loses confidence of the lower house of the state legislature.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Power and functions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He can advise governor on appointing any member as a minister.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He can ask a minister to resign in case of differences.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He has to communicate with the governors all decisions of the council of ministers.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The chief minister advises governor regarding appointment of important posts such as Attorney General of State, State Public Service Commissioner, State Election Commissioner etc.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">He can advise governor on dissolution of state assembly. He also advises on summoning and prorogation of assembly session from time to time.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'office-of-chief-minister', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/6d02/l7ul0bnm61j5kut6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/6d02/l7ul0bnm61j5kut6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Office of Chief-Minister', 'metakeyword' => 'Office of Chief-Minister', 'metadescription' => 'Article 164 says that he chief Minister will be appointed by the governor. There are no particular conditions for appointment except that he should command a majority.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/gmoe2izbdgmbih8/4._Office_of_Chief-Minister.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 94 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 7321, 'title' => 'Anti-defection law for nominated members', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nominated member of Rajya Sabha, Swapan Dasgupta has resigned from the position to contest assembly elections from Bengal.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The MP was compelled to resign after it was pointed that nominated member joining a political party will be punishable under anti-defection law.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nominated membership for Rajya Sabha was created for individuals who might not win elections but can bring knowledge and expertise to discussions in the Upper House. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Presently, the President can nominate 12 members to the upper house from different fields such as literature, science, art, and social service.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nominated members have the same rights and privileges as elected members. However, they have one exemption that they cannot vote in the election of the President.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Anti-defection law</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The anti-defection law was brought in 1985 under the Tenth Schedule of the constitution to bring stability to elected government by preventing elected members from switching parties.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The punishment for shifting political party is the loss of house membership and a bar on becoming a minister.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Conditions for anti-defection law</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When a member elected on a political party ticket “voluntarily” gives up membership of the party.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If an elected member of a political party votes contrary to the directions of the party or violates its whip.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A member who won the seat as an independent candidate but joins a political party after the elections.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In case of nominated members, they can be disqualified if they join a political party after six months of getting nominated.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Case of Dasgupta</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Dasgupta was nominated to Rajya Sabha in 2016 but he did not join any political party within six months. If he joins a political party, which he should, for contesting elections then he can be disqualified.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'anti-defection-law-nominated-members', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e118/q5wlkync5c18vy26g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e118/q5wlkync5c18vy26g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Anti-defection law for nominated members', 'metakeyword' => 'Anti-defection law for nominated members | When a nominated MP loses Rajya Sabha membership', 'metadescription' => 'The MP was compelled to resign after it was pointed that nominated member joining a political party will be punishable under anti-defection law.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/bvpawbgd4p9qn2f/1._Anti-defection_law.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 95 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 7410, 'title' => 'Uniform Civil Code', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde has praised Goa Civil Code and desired for implementation of Uniform Civil Code across India.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The idea of Uniform Civil Code is present in our constitution under Article 44. It is however non judicial when it comes to implementation.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Uniform Civil Code is a set of common laws controlling personal matters such as marriage, adoption, inheritance, divorce and succession for all citizens of the country, irrespective of religion.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The code will simplify the laws that are currently seperated on the basis of religious beliefs like the Hindu code bill, Shariat law, and others.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Benefits</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">UCC will help in national integration by avoiding conflicting ideology.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It will remove the discrimination against vulnerable groups and will create harmony among diverse cultural groups across the country. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The code will convert complex laws into simple forms around marriage ceremonies, inheritance, succession, adoptions making them one for all.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Drawbacks</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There will be serious issues on Freedom of Religion given under Fundamental Rights.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">It would remove the diversity that is a major feature of India.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'uniform-civil-code', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/89f5/auxagonshmqxeun6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/89f5/auxagonshmqxeun6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'What is Uniform Civil Code', 'metakeyword' => 'Uniform Civil Code | What is Uniform Civil Code, Article 44 Importance | After CJI Bobde’s remarks on Uniform Civil Code', 'metadescription' => 'Uniform Civil Code is a set of common laws controlling personal matters such as marriage, adoption, inheritance, divorce and succession for all citizens of the country', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/77gqn5xnblgct9o/1._Uniform_Civil_Code.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 96 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 7441, 'title' => 'Article 244 (A)', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has promised to implement Article 244 (A) in hill districts of Assam to protect their interests.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Tribal majority districts of Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao etc have special feature that allows Indian constitution to safeguard their interests.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 244 (A) allows creation of an autonomous state within the state of Assam in tribal areas. This article was inserted in 1969 and also allows setting up of a Legislature and a Council of Ministers.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>The Sixth schedule</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Articles 244(2) and 275(1) in the sixth schedule provide special provision that allows greater political autonomy and decentralised governance in north-east tribal areas through autonomous councils.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi and the Bodo Territorial Region are the areas that have such a provision.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Article 244 (A)</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This article provides more power to tribal areas, including control over law and order. Autonomous councils do not have jurisdiction of law and order.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>The start of demand</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A demand for separate state for hill areas arose in 1950s. After a long struggle, Meghalaya was created. Leaders from Assam hill districts were also part of the movement.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The leaders of the Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills were given the option to stay in Assam or join Meghalaya.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They agreed to stay back in Assam as the then government promised to give more powers, including Article 244 (A).</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The demand turned into a separatist movement that took a form of violent armed struggle. Recently, large numbers of militant groups of Karbi Anglong district have surrendered.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'article-244-a', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/fd21/uu3s9v267l00abm6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/fd21/uu3s9v267l00abm6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'How will Assam benefitis with Article 244 (A)', 'metakeyword' => 'Article 244 (A) | its relevance for Assam hill tribes, and the politics | hat is Article 244 (A), how will Assam benefit', 'metadescription' => 'Article 244 (A) allows creation of an autonomous state within the state of Assam in tribal areas. This article was inserted in 1969 and also allows setting up of a Legislature', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/qcji9nwii33ikq7/3._Article_244_%2528A%2529.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 97 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 7855, 'title' => 'Upper house for West Bengal', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Trinamool congress government in West Bengal has approved setting up of Legislative Council or upper house in the state.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The setting up of the council was an election promise made by the Chief Minister during her campaign to accommodate seniors in the party.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The West Bengal had a Legislative Council but was abolished by the Left front coalition about 50 years ago.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Currently, six Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have a Legislative council.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The power to set up councils does not entirely lie with the state, but the centre too should pilot a bill to set up council.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>History of Legislative council</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The idea of two chambers for legislature was first provided by the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms of 1919, but only at national level.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Setting up bicameral legislatures in states was given under the Government of India Act, 1935. The council in Bengal started functioning under this law in 1937.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Arguments in favour of council</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Supporters argue that the council acts as a check on hasty legislation and ensures diverse voices are represented in the legislatures.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Arguments against</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It will be a burden on state exchequer due to salaries and allowances. There was also argument that the chamber will help party leaders to widen their patronage.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Process of creation</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under <strong>Article 168</strong>, the state assemblies of respective states have to pass a resolution with two-thirds majority supporting setting up of the council. The bill has to be endorsed by the Parliament to give effect to the law.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Other states</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Bills for setting up councils in Assam and Rajasthan are still pending in the Parliament since 2010. The bill for abolishing council in Andhra Pradesh is yet to be introduced.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'upper-house-west-bengal', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/nfoylk9ykxqns7c/3_%25288%2529.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/nfoylk9ykxqns7c/3_%25288%2529.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Upper house for West Bengal', 'metakeyword' => 'Upper house for West Bengal | West Bengal push to re-introduce Legislative Council | Bengal wants Upper House back', 'metadescription' => 'The setting up of the council was an election promise made by the Chief Minister during her campaign to accommodate seniors in the party.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/yykcaz91h0lcvm5/3._Upper_house_for_West_Bengal.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 98 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 8219, 'title' => 'Demand for change in Ladakh’s current status', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Delegation of leaders from Kargil district of the Union territory of Ladakh has met Prime Minister with their demands.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated and the Union Territory of Ladakh was formed. The meeting follows a similar outreach that took place with Jammu and Kashmir leaders.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The demands from Leh and Kargil districts have been different. The government has now started paying them attention separately.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To address the issue raised by Ladakh, a committee under Minister of State for Home, G Kishan Reddy, will be formed.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>The demands</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">People of Kargil had opposed their addition to Ladakh and demanded unification with Jammu and Kashmir along with restoration of special rights.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The district of Leh has separate demands. It wants the Union Territory status to stay. They believe that their interests were marginalized earlier but now will get an opportunity to prosper.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, Ladakh still wants restoration of legislature. They now have a single representative in form of a Member of Parliament.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The bifurcation has made UT of Ladakh without a legislature and powers are given to bureaucracy. They fear of loss of identity if their interests are not upheld.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Hill Development councils</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Kargil and Leh have Autonomous Hill Development Councils. These Hill Councils do not have legislative powers. They have executive powers over lands and power to collect local taxes.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Several leaders from Leh have demanded the central government to grant Sixth Schedule Status under Article 224(a) to the UT. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Sixth schedule is applicable to the states of Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram. The Hill Councils here have legislative powers.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The leaders of Kargil do not want Sixth schedule status but rather a full statehood with restoration of special rights under Article 370 and Article 35.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Way ahead</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">A common committee to be set up consisting of leaders from Leh and Kargil for arriving at a common agenda, which will benefit the welfare of the people.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'demand-for-change-ladakhs-current-status', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/63lvhdzk3d43zz0/2_%25281%2529.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/63lvhdzk3d43zz0/2_%25281%2529.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Demand for change in Ladakh’s current status', 'metakeyword' => 'Demand for change in Ladakh’s current status | Hill Development councils', 'metadescription' => 'The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated and the Union Territory of Ladakh was formed. The meeting follows a similar outreach that took place', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/kpvdkfhp7spcqug/2._Demand_for_change_in_Ladakh%25E2%2580%2599s_current_status.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 99 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 8349, 'title' => 'Conjugal rights', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case on application of Conjugal rights under Hindu personal laws.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The restitution of conjugal rights is mentioned under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Rights that are created by institution of marriage is called as conjugate rights. These rights give wife or husband right over society of other spouse.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These rights deal with personal laws involving marriage, divorce and also payment of maintenance and alimony to spouse.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A spouse can move to the court for conjugate rights under the Hindu personal law. There are similar provisions under Divorce Act, 1869 for Christians and Muslim personal laws.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Filing a case under section 9</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A spouse can approach the family court for cohabitation with partner. The partner’s property can be attached if directions of court are not followed.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These cases are filed when a spouse files for unilateral divorce. The conjugate rights are a way of conciliation between the couples.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Grounds for challenge</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The law is challenged on the ground of right to privacy, which has been considered a fundamental right.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The conjugate rights are seen as a violation of sexual and personal choices exercised by an individual due to interference of court.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is also believed that women are called back to husband’s home under these laws forcefully against their wishes and made to participate in forceful physical relations.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The court had previously upheld the conjugate rights but the decision on right to privacy has given new grounds for challenging the provisions.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'conjugal-rights', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/t6ggli042g51gko/4.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/t6ggli042g51gko/4.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Conjugal rights & Grounds for challenge', 'metakeyword' => 'Conjugal rights & Grounds for challenge | Filing a case under section 9', 'metadescription' => 'Rights that are created by institution of marriage is called as conjugate rights. These rights give wife or husband right over society of other spouse.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/clqgfwondbdbhod/4._Conjugal_rights.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 100 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 8728, 'title' => 'Appointment of Supreme Court judges', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The largest ever number of nine judges took oath as Supreme Court judge. The list also involves three women judges.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This is the first time that court will have four women judges serving at a same time. Till now only eleven women judges have served in Supreme Court.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Appointment of judges to Supreme Court and High Courts are governed by Articles 124(2) and 217 of the Constitution respectively.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The President appoints the judges after consultations with the judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Courts as necessary.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since the independence, the appointment of judges was done by executive. The Chief Justice was appointed based on seniority as a convention.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The situation changed in 80’s when a series of cases changed the nature of appointment. The judiciary gave itself the powers to appoint the judges.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>The cases</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In 1973, three senior judges were superseded to appoint Justice A N Ray as the CJI. This started a tussle between judiciary and executive.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The three “Judges case” were the basis of change in nature. The first judge case of 1981, second judge case of 1993 and third judge case of 1998 were recorded.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The group of judges helmed by the CJI would recommend the names to the President, who would approve it after due considerations.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>First judge case</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The concurrence of the CJI is not needed for the President in appointment of judges. It was highlighted in S P Gupta v Union of India (1981). The ruling was overruled in second judge case.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Second judge case</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A Supreme Court bench ruled that it was required to maintain the independence of the judiciary from the executive and protect its integrity.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The case was Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association v Union of India (1993). The bench also formulated the ‘collegium system’ for appointment and transfer of judges in the higher judiciary.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Third judge case</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The third judge case was based on a reference made by President KR Narayanan regarding the meaning of the term “consultation” while appointing judges.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> The doubt was regarding whether the term ‘consultation’ meant the sole opinion of the CJI or the collegium.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The ruling said that a quorum and majority vote in the collegium was required to make recommendations to the President.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Process of collegiums</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The collegium system is multi-step process that has limited accountability even regarding the timeline of appointing new judges.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The process is started by the HC collegium and the file then moves to the state government, the central government and then to the SC collegium after intelligence reports are available on the candidates recommended</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'appointment-supreme-court-judges', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/yyny83o49im1ilk/1_%25281%2529.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/yyny83o49im1ilk/1_%25281%2529.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Appointment of Supreme Court judges', 'metakeyword' => 'Appointment of Supreme Court judges | The list also involves three women judges', 'metadescription' => 'This is the first time that court will have four women judges serving at a same time. Till now only eleven women judges have served in Supreme Court.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/4dqv533xmtldjpk/1._Appointment_of_Supreme_Court_judges.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 101 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 8919, 'title' => 'Anti-defection law for independent legislators', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Issue</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Independent MLA and dalit activist from Gujarat, Jignesh Mevani could not officially join congress party due to the anti-defection law.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Background</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The 52nd constitutional amendment act of 1985 had inserted the tenth schedule to prevent defections from one party to another.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Details</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Changing of political parties by legislators is not allowed by anti-defection law under certain circumstances. It also applies to independent legislators.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Conditions for anti-defection law</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">There are three conditions or scenarios governing anti-defection law. It applies to both MLAs as well as MPs.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The first is when a member of legislation elected on the ticket of a certain political party “voluntarily gives up” membership of the party or votes in the House against the directions of the party. </span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The second condition is when a legislator who has won the seat as an independent candidate joins a political party after the election.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">In both the circumstances, the legislator loses his/her seat on changing the political party.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">In case of nominated MPs, they will be given a time of six months to join a political party after nomination. If they join a party after six months, they lose their seat.</span></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Independent defection</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">A committee chaired by YB Chavan observed that many independent legislators joined the political parties after their election.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Any effort to bring a law on independent members was opposed. Independent and nominated members were allowed to join a party once.</span></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Disqualification</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The presiding officer of the legislature has the power to decide on the defection case under the anti-defection law. The time frame has not been mentioned for the decision.</span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">It has been observed that speakers have taken years together to decide on the defection case. The Supreme Court had directed speakers to make decisions within three months.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'anti-defection-law-independent-legislators', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/do7t5wu99gjzrlh/1.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/do7t5wu99gjzrlh/1.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Anti-defection law for independent legislators', 'metakeyword' => 'Anti-defection law for independent legislators | Conditions for anti-defection law', 'metadescription' => 'Independent MLA and dalit activist from Gujarat, Jignesh Mevani could not officially join congress party due to the anti-defection law.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/00n9mpe5ianqbe9/1._Anti-defection_law_for_independent_legislators.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 102 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 9085, 'title' => 'Election of Deputy Speaker', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Rebel Samajwadi Party MLA, Nitin Agrawal was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The office of deputy speaker is a constitutional position and it is usually reserved for the largest opposition in the assembly.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 93 of the Indian constitution says that two members of the House be chosen as speaker and deputy speaker. If the office of speaker or deputy speaker becomes empty, another member has to be elected.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Article 178 applies for the corresponding position for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a state.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Elections for the post</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The constitution does not give the time period for election of speaker or deputy speaker. It only says that elections should be held ‘soon’.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In general, the speaker is elected in the first session of the assembly. The deputy speaker is elected in the second session. There will not be delay without genuine reasons.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Position and resignation</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The deputy speaker holds office until the dissolution of the assembly. He/she can resign by writing to the speaker. They can also be removed through a majority resolution.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Powers</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The deputy speaker is not secondary to speaker. He/she has the same powers when sitting in the position.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Exceptions</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The speaker or deputy speaker cannot be removed from office if they voluntarily give up the membership of the party immediately before the election.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The same exception applies to Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman, Chairman/ Deputy Chairman of a state Legislative Council, and Speaker/ Deputy Speaker of a state Legislative Assembly as well.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Powers of court</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The court does not have the power to direct assemblies or parliament to conduct elections to position of speaker or deputy speaker.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Article 122 (1) says that “The validity of any proceedings in Parliament shall not be called in question on the ground of any alleged irregularity of procedure.”</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'election-deputy-speaker', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/a5np7q39u9l8lqr/3_%25282%2529.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/a5np7q39u9l8lqr/3_%25282%2529.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Election of Deputy Speaker and Elections for the post', 'metakeyword' => 'Election of Deputy Speaker and Elections for the post', 'metadescription' => 'Article 93 of the Indian constitution says that two members of the House be chosen as speaker and deputy speaker. If the office of speaker or deputy speaker', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/p45r3ekt1u0d7hi/3._Election_of_Deputy_Speaker.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 103 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 9150, 'title' => 'Political party registration in India', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Former Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh will be launching his own political party in the state ahead of the state assembly elections.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After getting the required approval from the Election Commission of India, the party’s name and symbol will be announced.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The election commission has been given power under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to recognize new parties.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A political party has to apply to the Election Commission within a period of 30 days following the date of its formation.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Political party registration is governed under the provisions of Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>The process</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The applicant has to publish the name of the political party in two national and two local daily newspapers. Any objection regarding the name has to be raised within 30 days of publication.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The application for registration has to be sent by either registered post or presented personally to the Secretary to the Election Commission within 30 days of the party formation in the prescribed format.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A demand draft of Rs 10,000 should be included along with a copy of the memorandum, rules and regulations or constitution of the Party.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There should be information about organizational elections at different levels and the terms of office of the office-bearers of the party.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A proof has to be attached to show that at least 100 members of the party are registered voters. An affidavit has to be provided that they are not part of other political party registered with the Commission.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Need for registration</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There is no need to compulsorily register with Election Commission. The party registered with Election will receive benefits under Representation of the People Act, 1951, (relating to registration of political parties).</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Benefits include preference in the matter of allotment of free symbols. They can get recognition as a ‘state party’ or a ‘national party’ based on fulfillment of criteria.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Recognised parties need only one proposer for filing the nomination and are entitled for two sets of electoral rolls free of cost.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'political-party-registration-india', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/j1vfg3e4bsre4xm/3.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/j1vfg3e4bsre4xm/3.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Political party registration in India & Need for registration', 'metakeyword' => 'Political party registration in India & Need for registration', 'metadescription' => 'Former Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh will be launching his own political party in the state ahead of the state assembly elections.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/j2ccxkt2oj6ilxc/3._Political_party_registration_in_India.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 104 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 9169, 'title' => 'All India Judicial Service', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The union government is trying to get consensus from states regarding the proposed All India Judicial Service.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The All India Judicial Service was one of the major reforms initiated by the incumbent government when it assumed office. However it was stuck down by Supreme Court.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The union government is set to host a meeting between the law ministers from all states and union territories to discuss issues related to the service.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The government feels that it is necessary to properly frame an All India Judicial Service for strengthening overall justice delivery system.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Some issues that have cropped up during discussion include issue of language. There is proposal for making judge learn the language when they are assigned cadres.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>All India Judicial services</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The government has aimed to develop a national-level recruitment process for district judges based on the format of Union Public Services Commission.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Currently the states conduct their own exams based on vacancies. The constitution gives power to the states to make appointments to the lower judiciary.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Concerns expressed </strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The states have fear that the move will dilute federal structure by centralizing appointments in the hands of union.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It has been unable to address structural issues in the lower judiciary, including low pay and fewer chances of being promoted to the higher judiciary.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>National Judicial Service Commission (NJSC)</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It was a proposed body that would handle recruitment, appointment and transfer of judicial officials under Government of India and in all state government of India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The constitution of India was amended through the ninety-ninth constitution amendment Act, 2014 for setting up the commission.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Amended powers</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The collegiums system of appointments would have been replaced by the NJAC. The act was ratified by 16 of the state legislatures in India.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>The scrapping</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A constitutional bench of the Supreme Court held that the law violated the ‘basic structure’ of the constitution and stuck down via 4:1 judgment.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Basic structure</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It is judicial innovation brought out to prevent misuse of amendment powers by the union legislature.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The doctrine emerged out of the Kesavanada Bharati judgment when the Supreme Court propagated balance between fundamental rights and DPSP.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'all-india-judicial-service', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/4br3tgouhkyz22i/4.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/4br3tgouhkyz22i/4.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'All India Judicial Service & National Judicial Service Commission', 'metakeyword' => 'All India Judicial Service & National Judicial Service Commission', 'metadescription' => 'The All India Judicial Service was one of the major reforms initiated by the incumbent government when it assumed office. However it was stuck down', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/9dyi42c7qadkzol/4._All_India_Judicial_Service.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 105 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 9337, 'title' => 'Constitution Day', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The constitution Day of India was celebrated on November 26. It was on this date that Constitution of India was adopted.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950 after being adopted on 26th November 1949.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Ministry of Social justice proposed in 2015 to celebrate this date with an aim to promote constitutional values among citizens.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>History of Indian constitution</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The duty of drafting a constitution for India was given to the Constituent Assembly. Dr BR Ambedkar was appointed as the chairman of drafting committee.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The drafting committee studied constitution of more than 60 countries before formulating. Sir BN Rau was the advisor to the committee.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">January 26 was chosen for adoption because it was on this day in 1930 that the Purna Swaraj resolution was adopted at the Lahore Session of the Congress.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Influence of constitution of different countries</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">UK: Rule of law, Parliamentary form of governance, single citizenship, bicameralism, cabinet system, prerogative writs.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">US: Fundamental Rights, judicial review, independence of judiciary, office of vice-President, removal of President.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Canada: Appointment of governors, residuary powers in centre, federal character, advisory jurisdiction of Supreme Court.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Australia: Freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse, concurrent list, joint sitting of Parliament.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Ireland: Method of election of president, DPSP, nomination of Rajya Sabha members.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">South Africa: Amendment of constitution procedure, election of members to Rajya Sabha.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Soviet Union: Ideals of justice (social, economic and political), Fundamental duties.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">France: Liberty, equality and fraternity, idea of republic.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Germany: Suspension of Fundamental Rights during emergency.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Japan: Procedure established by law.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Criticism of Indian constitution</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It is argued that Constituent Assembly was not elected by people and it was not representative of all sections.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Constituent Assembly was completely dominated by Congress party. There was no scope for varied opinions.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">It was said that Constituent Assembly was completely dominated by lawyers and politicians. There was no representation for people of different professions.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'constitution-day', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/2hgif620hzz2dz7/3.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/2hgif620hzz2dz7/3.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Constitution Day and Criticism of Indian constitution', 'metakeyword' => 'Constitution Day and Criticism of Indian constitution', 'metadescription' => 'The constitution Day of India was celebrated on November 26. It was on this date that Constitution of India was adopted.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/53kv9rhhuhkiig3/3._Constitution_Day.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 106 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 9560, 'title' => 'Right to be forgotten', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The centre has responded to the Delhi High Court and said that “right to be forgotten” is part of the fundamental right to privacy and has said it has no role in this matter.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There have been demands from various quarters to implement “right to be forgotten” as a fundamental right. Currently, it is not backed by any statute.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The right to be forgotten is a provision that allows a person to seek deletion of private information from the Internet. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The provision has found some traction after European Union recognised the right and made laws to implement them.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">India does not have any law that supports right to be forgotten but courts have ruled that it is an intrinsic part of the right to privacy.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Countries with such law</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Article 17 of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of EU gives right to erasure of certain categories of personal data.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Data that qualify under this category includes those no longer necessary, that for which consent has been withdrawn, personal data unlawfully processed, and data where there is a legal obligation for erasure.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A law in Russia allows forcing a search engine to remove links to personal information on grounds of irrelevancy, inaccuracy and violation of law.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The law has been recognised up to certain extent in Turkey and Siberia. Courts in England and Spain have ruled on this subject.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>India’s position</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Personal Data Protection Bill contains provisions to the doctrine of the ‘right to be forgotten’.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">K S Puttaswamy judgment (2017) that says right to privacy is a fundamental right has allowed the ‘right to be forgotten’ to evolve in India.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Concerns</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Without statutory backing, the right to forget is likely to clash with the public’s right to know and the functioning of platforms such as Google and Twitter.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Right to privacy</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Supreme Court has ruled that Right to Privacy is a part of the Right to Life and Liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">It is a right against the State under Article 12 of the Constitution, and not against private citizens. However, there are no comprehensive laws on privacy.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'right-forgotten', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/qezeo3p024n1u5j/3_%25282%2529.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/qezeo3p024n1u5j/3_%25282%2529.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Right to be forgotten and Countries with such law', 'metakeyword' => 'Right to be forgotten and Countries with such law', 'metadescription' => 'There have been demands from various quarters to implement “right to be forgotten” as a fundamental right. Currently, it is not backed by any statute.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/jugvpqt5a8y454c/3._Right_to_be_forgotten.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 107 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 9897, 'title' => 'Court rulings on hijab', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Petitions challenging government order banning the hijab in government educational institutions have been heard in the Karnataka High Court.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The issue started after several students wore saffron garment as a sign of protests against wearing of hijabs in classrooms.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The High Court has instructed that no religious attire be allowed on campus until the court reaches a verdict. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Petitioners argue that earlier judgments cannot be applied to Karnataka case as circumstances and conditions are different.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>The order of government</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Using its powers under Section 133(2) of the Karnataka Education Act, 1983, the Karnataka government passed an order to make uniforms compulsory for education institutions.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The directive specifies that a headscarf is not part of the uniform and students are not allowed to sport it in educational institutions.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The order states that wearing headscarves is not an essential religious practice for Muslims and need not be protected under the Constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Three different High Court judgments are cited that says banning headscarf does not violate fundamental rights, particularly freedom of religion.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Grounds for challenge</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Wearing a hijab is an expression of religion and protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">These can be restricted only on the grounds of sovereignty and integrity of India, friendly relations with foreign states, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of courts and public order.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Petitioners further argue that wearing a hijab/headscarf and attending class cannot be said as a practice that disturbs “public order”.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The ban on hijab violates fundamental rights to equality since other religious markers are not explicitly prohibited. </span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Religious freedom</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion is granted under Article 25(1) of the constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">However, the state has powers to restrict the right on grounds of public order, decency, morality, health and other state interests.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'court-rulings-hijab', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/8a0df8nzhde5iuj/3_%25285%2529.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/8a0df8nzhde5iuj/3_%25285%2529.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Court rulings on hijab and Grounds for challenge', 'metakeyword' => 'Court rulings on hijab and Grounds for challenge', 'metadescription' => 'Petitions challenging government order banning the hijab in government educational institutions have been heard in the Karnataka High Court.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/xp8rxa93gy1r2zl/3._Court_rulings_on_hijab.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 108 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Constitution', 'keyword' => 'constitution', 'id' => (int) 9986, 'title' => 'Fundamental duties', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A notice has been issued by the Supreme Court to centre and states for implementing fundamental duties of citizens.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The court was ruling on a writ petition that had asked why fundamental duties were not being implemented even after its presence in constitution.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The petition says that implementing fundamental duties contribute to its growth and betterment, and failure to do so has a direct bearing on the fundamental rights.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There have been instances where fundamental duties have been flouted that have resulted in violation of Fundamental rights of other citizens.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Fundamental duties in constitution</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Fundamental duties were added as Part IV-A of the Constitution by The Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976 during the tenure of Indira Gandhi.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They were inspired from constitution of Soviet Union. The recommendations for fundamental duties were made by a committee chaired by Swaran Singh.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The committee made recommendations to add eight fundamental duties but the government added ten duties to the constitution.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">An eleventh fundamental duty was added by the 86th Amendment in 2002, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Prime Minister.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Fundamental duties are not enforceable by law and their addition was made to realize obligation of citizens.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>Fundamental duties</strong></span></span></p> <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha"> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;</span></span></p> </li> <li> &l