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Tulu Language

Why in News The Tulu speakers, mainly in Karnataka and Kerala, have been requesting the governments to give it official language status and include...

15 Jun 2021 Indian Constitution
Public Service Commissions: Union and State

Introduction As per Article 312 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament is entitled to create one or more All India services (including an All...

09 Jun 2021 Indian Constitution
Time to Define Limits of Sedition: SC

Why in News Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) while protecting two Telugu (language) news channels from coercive action by the Andhra Pradesh...

01 Jun 2021 Indian Constitution
Centre Extends Powers Related to Citizenship Application

Why in News Recently, the Central Government issued a notification granting powers related to citizenship applications under existing rules to...

31 May 2021 Indian Constitution
Covid leaves Orphaned Children Vulnerable to Trafficking

Why in News As India battles a raging second wave, cases of children losing their parents to Covid-19 are also mounting. Further, the...

18 May 2021 Indian Constitution
Legislative Council

Why in News Recently, the West Bengal government has decided to set up a Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad). For setting up the Council, a...

18 May 2021 Indian Constitution
The Office of Speaker of Lok Sabha

Introduction About: The Office of the Speaker in India is a living and dynamic institution which deals with the actual needs and problems of...

17 May 2021 Indian Constitution
Overcrowding of Prison

Why in News The Supreme Court (SC) of India has ordered the interim release of eligible prisoners in view of the uncontrolled second surge in the...

15 May 2021 Indian Constitution
Article 311 of the Constitution

Why in News Recently, a police officer was dismissed from the service by Mumbai Police Commissioner under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution...

13 May 2021 Indian Constitution
Post Devolution Revenue Deficit

Why in News The Ministry of Finance has released the second monthly instalment of Post Devolution Revenue Deficit (PDRD) Grant of Rs. 9,871 crore...

10 May 2021 Indian Constitution
World Press Freedom Day 2021

Why in News The World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) is an annual celebration of press freedom, observed on 3rd May every year. The main celebration is...

05 May 2021 Indian Constitution
Challenges with National Security Act, 1980

Why in News In some cases it has been found that the National Security Act-1980 (NSA) was invoked to prevent the person from being released from...

06 Apr 2021 Indian Constitution
Acquittal by Benefit of Doubt

Why in News The Supreme Court has held that a public employer can reject a candidate as unsuitable if he/she had, in the past, been acquitted of a...

05 Apr 2021 Indian Constitution
Star Campaigners and Model Code of Conduct

Why in News Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) delisted Ex-Telecom Minister A. Raja from the list of star campaigners. He has also...

02 Apr 2021 Indian Constitution
Article 244(A) of the Constitution

Why in News The demand for an autonomous state within Assam has been raised by some of the sections of the society in Assam under the provisions of...

02 Apr 2021 Indian Constitution
Suez Canal Blockade

This article is based on “Suez crisis and the fragility of global trade” which was published in The Hindustan Times on 28/03/2021. It...

31 Mar 2021 Indian Constitution
Slumbering Parliamentary System

This article is based on ‘Dormant Parliament, fading business’ which was published in The Hindu on 27/03/2021. It talks about the...

30 Mar 2021 Indian Constitution
Parliamentary Committees

This article is based on “Restoring the broken oversight mechanisms of Parliament” which was published in The Hindustan Times on...

27 Mar 2021 Indian Constitution
Ad-hoc Judges in High Court

Why in News Recently, the Supreme Court pushed for the appointment of retired judges to battle the pendency of cases in High Courts. Key...

27 Mar 2021 Indian Constitution
N.V. Ramana: 48th Chief Justice of India

Why in News N.V. Ramana, the senior most judge of the Supreme Court, has been recommended as the next top judge by the present Chief Justice of...

26 Mar 2021 Indian Constitution

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		'title' => 'Tulu Language',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Tulu speakers,</strong> mainly in <strong>Karnataka and Kerala,</strong> have been <strong>requesting the governments to give it official language status</strong> and<strong> include it in the eighth schedule to the Constitution.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 2020, there was a demand to include Tulu in the new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Education Policy</strong></a> (NEP).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Official Language or Languages of a State</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Part XVII of the Indian Constitution</strong> deals with the official language in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/three-language-formula" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Articles 343 to 351.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Article 345</strong> of the Constitution says &ldquo;the Legislature of a State may by law adopt any one or more of the languages in use in the State or Hindi as the language or languages to be used for all or any of the official purposes of that State&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Eighth Schedule of the Constitution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Constitutional provisions</strong> relating to the Eighth Schedule <strong>occur in Article 344 (1) and 351 of the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>languages listed under Eighth Schedule</strong> are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>(1) Assamese, (2) Bengali, (3) Gujarati, (4) Hindi, (5) Kannada, (6) Kashmiri, (7) Konkani, (8) Malayalam, (9) Manipuri, (10) Marathi, (11) Nepali, (12) Oriya, (13) Punjabi, (14) Sanskrit, (15) Sindhi, (16) Tamil, (17) Telugu, (18) Urdu (19) Bodo, (20) Santhali, (21) Maithili and (22) Dogri.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Languages are added through <strong>Constitutional Amendments.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About 'Tulu' Language:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tulu is a <strong>Dravidian language</strong> spoken mainly in two coastal districts <strong>Dakshina Kannada and Udupi of Karnataka </strong>and<strong> Kasaragod district of Kerala.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This region is informally known as <strong>Tulu Nadu.</strong> There has been a demand for separate statehood for Tulu Nadu.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As per the <strong>2011 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/census-2021-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Census</a></strong> report, there are 18,46,427 Tulu-speaking people in India.</li>
<li>The <strong>oldest available inscriptions</strong> in Tulu are from the period<strong> between 14<sup>th</sup> to 15<sup>th</sup> century AD.</strong></li>
<li>Tulu was <strong>introduced as a language in school by the Karnataka Government</strong> a few years ago.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tulu Art and Culture:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tulu has a rich oral literature tradition with folk-song forms like <strong>paddana,</strong> and traditional folk theatre<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/yakshagana-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> yakshagana.</strong></a></li>
<li>Tulu also has an active tradition of cinema with around<strong> 5 to 7 Tulu language</strong> movies produced a year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Case for Recognition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 29 of the Constitution:</strong> It deals with the <strong>"Protection of interests of minorities".</strong> It states that any section of the citizens residing in any part of India having a distinct language, script or culture of its own, shall have the right to conserve the same.</li>
<li><strong>Yuelu Proclamation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Yuelu Proclamation was <strong>adopted at the first international conference on language resources protection</strong> in Changsha, Central China's Hunan province<strong> in 2018 by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNESCO</a> (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).</strong></li>
<li>It calls upon the international community, states, governments and non-governmental organizations, among others, to reach a consensus on the <strong>protection and promotion of linguistic diversity</strong> in the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages of Recognition under Eighth Schedule:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recognition from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sahitya-akademi-awards-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sahitya Akademi.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sahitya Akademi is also called India&rsquo;s<strong> National Academy of Letters,</strong> which preserves and promotes literature contained in different Indian languages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Translation of Tulu literary works into other languages.</li>
<li>Members of Parliament (MP) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) could speak Tulu in Parliament and State Assemblies, respectively.</li>
<li>Option to take competitive exams in Tulu including all-India competitive examinations like the Civil Services exam.</li>
<li><strong>Special funds</strong> from the Central government.</li>
<li>Teaching of Tulu in primary and high school.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/tulu-language-protest-history-7358953/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8563,
		'category_id' => (int) 63,
		'title' => 'Public Service Commissions: Union and State',
		'description' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As per <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chief-secretary-transfer-issue#:~:text=Constitutional%20Provisions%3A%20Accordingly%2C%20a%20provision,to%20the%20Union%20and%20State.&amp;text=After%20the%20promulgation%20of%20the,Service%2C%20was%20created%20in%201966." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 312</strong></a> of the Indian Constitution, the <strong>Parliament is entitled to create one or more All India services</strong> (including an <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-accessible-and-affordable-judicial-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>All India Judicial Service</strong></a>) common to the Union and the States. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The recruitment to all these services is made by the <strong>Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).</strong></li>
<li>For administrative services at the state level, the recruitment is made by the <strong>State Public Service Commission (SPSC).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the <strong>central recruiting agency</strong> in India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an <strong>independent constitutional body.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The provisions regarding the composition of UPSC, appointment and removal of its members and the powers and functions of UPSC are provided in <strong>Part XIV</strong> of the Indian Constitution under<strong> Article 315 to Article 323.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Parallel to the UPSC at the Centre, there is a <strong>State Public Service Commission (SPSC)</strong> in the state.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The provisions regarding the composition of SPSC, appointment and removal of its members and the powers and functions of SPSC are provided in Part XIV of the Indian Constitution under<strong> Article 315 to Article 323.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Constitutional Provisions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Article 315:</strong> Constitution of Public Service Commissions (PSC) for the Union and for the States of India.</li>
<li><strong>Article 316:</strong> Appointment and term of office of members of UPSC as well as SPSC.</li>
<li><strong>Article 317:</strong> Removal and suspension of a member of both the UPSC or SPSC.</li>
<li><strong>Article 318:</strong> Power to make regulations for the conditions of service of members and staff of the Commission.</li>
<li><strong>Article 319:</strong> Prohibition of holding the office by members of Commission upon ceasing to be such members.</li>
<li><strong>Article 320:</strong> States the functions of Public Service Commissions.</li>
<li><strong>Article 322:</strong> Expenses of Public Service Commissions.</li>
<li><strong>Article 323:</strong> Reports of Public Service Commissions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Union Public Service Commission</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Appointment of Members:</strong> The Chairman and other members of the UPSC are appointed by the<strong> President of India. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Term of Office:</strong> Any member of the UPSC shall hold office for a<strong> term of six years</strong> or till the age of <strong>65 years,</strong> whichever is earlier.</li>
<li><strong>Reappointment:</strong> Any person who has once held the office as a member of a Public Service Commission is <strong>ineligible for reappointment to that office.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Resignation:</strong> A member of the Union Public Service Commission may resign from his/her office by submitting the written resignation to the <strong>President of India. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Removal/Suspension of Members:</strong> The Chairman or any other member of UPSC shall <strong>only be removed from his/her office by order of the President of India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The President can suspend the Chairman or any other member from his/her office in respect of whom a reference has been made to the Supreme Court.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conditions for Removal:</strong> The Chairman or any other member of UPSC may be removed if he/she:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>is adjudged an insolvent.</li>
<li>engages during his/her term of office in any paid employment outside the duties of his/her office.</li>
<li>is, in the opinion of the President, unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or body.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulating the Conditions of Service:</strong> In the case of the UPSC, the President of India shall:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Determine the number of members of the Commission and their conditions of service.</li>
<li>Make provisions with respect to the number of members of the staff of the Commission and their conditions of service.</li>
<li><strong>Restriction of Power:</strong> The conditions of service of a member of UPSC <strong>shall not be amended after his/her appointment</strong> that may lead to his/her disadvantage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expenses of UPSC:</strong> The expenses of the UPSC including salaries, allowances and pensions of the members or staff of the Commission are charged on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-appropriation-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consolidated Fund of India.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Submission of Reports:</strong> The UPSC shall<strong> present an annual report to the President</strong> of India containing the work done by the Commission. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The President shall provide a memorandum explaining the cases where the advice of the Commission was not accepted. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The reasons for such non-acceptance are presented before<strong> each House of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/parliament-sessions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Parliament</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>State Public Service Commission</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Appointment of Members:</strong> The Chairman and other members of the SPSC are appointed by the <strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/governor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Governor of the State</a>. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Term of Office:</strong> A member of the SPSC shall hold office for a term of<strong> six years</strong> or till the age of<strong> 62 years,</strong> whichever is earlier:</li>
<li><strong>Reappointment:</strong> Any person who has once held the office as a member of a Public Service Commission is <strong>ineligible for reappointment to that office.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Resignation:</strong> A member of a State Public Service Commission may resign from his/her office by submitting the written resignation to the <strong>Governor of the State. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Removal/Suspension of Members:</strong> The Chairman or any other member of SPSC shall <strong>only be removed from his/her office by order of the President of India.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Governor of the state shall suspend the Chairman or any other member from his/her office in respect of whom a reference has been made to the Supreme Court.</li>
<li>The conditions for removal of members are the same as those of the UPSC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulating the Conditions of Service:</strong> In the case of the SPSC, the Governor of the State performs the same duties that are performed by the President of India in case of UPSC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Restriction of Power:</strong> The conditions of service of a member of SPSC <strong>shall not be amended after his/her appointment</strong> that may lead to his/her disadvantage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expenses of SPSC:</strong> The expenses of the SPSC are charged on the <strong>Consolidated Fund of the State.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Submission of Reports:</strong> The SPSC shall present the annual report of its work to the&nbsp;<strong>Governor of the State.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Governor shall also provide a memorandum explaining the cases where the advice of the Commission was not accepted. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The reasons for non-acceptance are presented <strong>before the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/legislative-council-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Legislature of the State.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Eligible Appointments After End of Term of Service</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Chairman (UPSC):</strong> The Chairman of the UPSC shall be <strong>ineligible for any further employment</strong> either under the Government of India or under the Government of a State.</li>
<li><strong>Chairman (SPSC):</strong> The Chairman of a SPSC shall be <strong>eligible for appointment as the Chairman or any other member</strong> of the UPSC or SPSC, but not for any other employment either under the Government of India or under the Government of a State.</li>
<li><strong>Other Members (UPSC):</strong> A member of UPSC (other than the Chairman) shall be <strong>eligible for appointment as the Chairman of UPSC or a SPSC</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He/She is not eligible for any other employment either under the Government of India or under the Government of a State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Members (SPSC):</strong> A member of the SPSC (other than the Chairman) shall be <strong>eligible for appointment as the Chairman or any other member of the UPSC or the SPSC.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He/She is not eligible for any other employment either under the Government of India or under the Government of a State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Functions of UPSC and SPSC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Conducting Exams:</strong> It shall be the duty of the Union and the State Public Service Commissions to conduct examinations for appointments to the services of the Union and the services of the State respectively.</li>
<li><strong>Assistance to SPSC:</strong> It shall be the duty of the UPSC to assist the States upon their request in framing and operating schemes of joint recruitment for any services for which candidates possessing special qualifications are required.</li>
<li><strong>Consultations with the PSCs:</strong> The UPSC and SPSC shall be consulted: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On all matters relating to methods of recruitment to civil services and for civil posts.</li>
<li>In making appointments to civil services and posts and in promotions and transfers from one service to another depending upon the suitability of candidates.</li>
<li>On all disciplinary matters affecting a person serving under the Government of India or the Government of a State.</li>
<li>It shall be the duty of a Public Service Commission to advise on any matter referred to them by the President of India or the Governor of the State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Joint State Commission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitution:</strong> As per Article 315 of the Indian Constitution, two or more States may agree that there shall be one Public Service Commission for that group of States. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The resolution to such an agreement shall be<strong> passed by each House of the Legislature of each of the States.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Only then, the <strong>Parliament may by law provide for the appointment </strong>of a <strong>Joint State Public Service Commission (JSPSC).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Appointment of Officers:</strong> The Article 316 of the Indian Constitution states that the <strong>Chairman and other members of JSPSC shall be appointed by the President of India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A member of Joint Commission shall hold the office for a term of<strong> six years</strong> or till the age of <strong>62 years,</strong> whichever is earlier</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Resignation:</strong> Under Article 317, a member of a JSPSC may <strong>submit a written resignation to the President</strong> of India to resign his/her office. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>President is empowered to suspend</strong> the Chairman or any other member of the Commission from his/her office after a reference about the same has been made to the Supreme Court.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Powers:</strong> As per the Article 318 the President of India is empowered to:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Determine the number of members of the Commission and their conditions of service</li>
<li>Make provision with respect to the number of members and their conditions of service:</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reports:</strong> As per Article 323, it shall be the duty of the JSPSC to<strong> present the annual report to the Governor of each of the States</strong> which have together formed the Commission. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Governor of each of the states is responsible for providing a memorandum explaining the cases the advice of the Commission was not accepted</li>
<li>The reasons for nonacceptance are laid before the <strong>Legislature of each of the States.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
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		'article_id' => (int) 8496,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Time to Define Limits of Sedition: SC',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Supreme Court (SC)</strong> </a>while protecting two Telugu (language) news channels from coercive action by the Andhra Pradesh government noted that <strong>it is time to define the limits of sedition.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Presently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/committee-on-criminal-law-reform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Committee for Reforms in Criminal Laws</strong></a> constituted by the Union Home Ministry to suggest reforms to the British-era <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-379" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Penal Code (IPC)</strong></a>, is <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/defining-hate-speech" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>attempting for the first time to define Hate speech.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Case:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Channels blamed the state government for <strong>suppressing the right to freedom of speech</strong> by <strong>obstructing the media</strong> coverage and reportage of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> in the State.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/fundamental-rights-part-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 19</strong> </a>guarantees freedom of expressing one&rsquo;s own views, opinions, beliefs and convictions freely by word of mouth, writing, printing, picturing or in any other manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Channels urged the SC to <strong>initiate<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/contempt-of-court-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> contempt</a> proceedings against the senior officials of the State government</strong> for violating its previous order.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The previous order of SC directed the<strong> state government to immediately cease any direct and indirect threats</strong> of prosecution and arrest to citizens, who air their grievances.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SC&rsquo;s Ruling:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indiscriminate Use of Sedition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>SC flagged <strong>indiscriminate use of the sedition law against critics,</strong> journalists, social media users, activists and citizens for airing their<strong> grievances about the government's Covid-19 management.</strong></li>
<li>Even for seeking help to gain medical access, equipment, drugs and oxygen cylinders, especially during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reasons-for-rising-covid-19-infections-second-wave" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>second wave</strong></a> of the pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Interpretation of &lsquo;Sedition&rsquo;:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The ambit and parameters of the provisions of <strong>Sections 124A</strong> (sedition), <strong>153A</strong> and <strong>505</strong> of the<strong> IPC</strong> would require interpretation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>IPC Section 153 A:</strong> Punishes<strong> acts promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race,</strong> <strong>place of birth, residence, language, etc,</strong> and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.</li>
<li><strong>IPC Section 505:</strong> Makes the<strong> publication and circulation of content</strong> which may cause ill-will or hatred between different groups an offence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Particularly in the <strong>context of the right of the electronic and print media to communicate news,</strong> information and the rights, even those that may be critical of the <strong>prevailing regime in any part of the nation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rights of Media:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Acknowledged the argument that the<strong> media was well within its rights to air critical programmes</strong> about a prevailing regime without attracting sedition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sedition (Section 124A of IPC)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sedition-law-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sedition</strong> </a>is a <strong>crime under Section 124A, IPC.</strong></li>
<li>Section 124A, IPC <strong>defines sedition </strong>as<strong> an offence</strong> committed when "any person by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite <strong>disaffection towards the government established by law in India".</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Disaffection<strong> includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity.</strong> However, comments without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, will not constitute an offence under this section.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Punishment for the Offence of Sedition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sedition is a <strong>non-bailable offence.</strong> Punishment under the Section 124A ranges from <strong>imprisonment up to three years to a life term, to which fine may be added.</strong></li>
<li>A <strong>person charged</strong> under this law is<strong> barred from a government job.</strong></li>
<li>They have to <strong>live without their passport and must produce themselves in the court at all times as and when required.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Section 124A of the IPC has its <strong>utility in combating anti-national, secessionist and terrorist elements.</strong> However, <strong>Dissent and criticism of the government are essential ingredients of robust public debate in a vibrant democracy.</strong> They should not be constructed as sedition.</li>
<li>The higher judiciary should <strong>use its supervisory powers to sensitize the magistracy and police to the constitutional provisions protecting free speech.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>definition of sedition should be narrowed down,</strong> to include only the issues pertaining to the territorial integrity of India as well as the sovereignty of the country.</li>
<li>Civil society must take the lead to<strong> raise awareness about the arbitrary use of Sedition law.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/its-time-to-define-limits-of-sedition-says-sc/article34688053.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8488,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Centre Extends Powers Related to Citizenship Application',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Central Government issued a notification<strong> granting powers related to citizenship applications</strong> under existing rules to<strong> authorities of five states.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The order has been <strong>issued under the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/citizenship-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Citizenship Act, 1955</a> and the Citizenship Rules, 2009</strong> and not under the <strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/citizenship-amendment-act-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019</a> since its rules have not yet been framed.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Notification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In accordance with <strong>section 16 of the Citizenship Act, 1955</strong> the central government directed that powers exercisable by it <strong>for registration as a citizen of India,</strong> or<strong> for grant of certificate of naturalisation</strong> shall also be exercisable by the collector (District Magistrate), within whose jurisdiction the applicant is ordinarily resident.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Section 16 of the Citizenship Act 1955: The Central Government may, by order, direct that any power</strong> which is conferred on it can<strong> be exercisable also by such officer or authority as may be so specified.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Exceptions:</strong> However powers mentioned in <strong>section 10</strong> (certificate of registration to be granted to persons registered) and <strong>section 18</strong> (form of certificate of naturalisation) can be <strong>exercised by the central government only.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It also granted <strong>similar powers to the Home Secretaries of Haryana and Punjab, except for Faridabad and Jalandhar.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>States and Districts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Powers were extended to <strong>13 districts office states which are:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Gujarat-</strong> Morbi, Rajkot, Patan and Vadodara.</li>
<li><strong>Chhattisgarh-</strong> Durg and Balodabazar.</li>
<li><strong>Rajasthan-</strong> Jalore, Udaipur, Pali, Barmer and Sirohi.</li>
<li><strong>Haryana-</strong> Faridabad.</li>
<li><strong>Punjab-</strong> Jalandhar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extended Powers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It includes power to <strong>accept, verify and approve citizenship applications</strong> from members of <strong>minority communities hailing from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.</strong></li>
<li>It lists <strong>Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians as the communities that will be covered.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In <strong>2018, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/govt-notifies-rules-on-citizenship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Government had granted similar powers</a></strong> to Collectors and Home Secretaries of states such as <strong>Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi</strong> with regard to certain districts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Citizenship</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Citizenship signifies the <strong>relationship between individual and state.</strong></li>
<li>Like any other modern state, India has two kinds of people&mdash;<strong>citizens and aliens. </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Citizens are full members of the Indian State</strong> and owe allegiance to it. They enjoy all civil and political rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Citizenship is an<strong> idea of exclusion as it excludes non-citizens.</strong></li>
<li>There are two well-known principles for the grant of citizenship:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While<strong> &lsquo;jus soli&rsquo;</strong> confers citizenship on the <strong>basis of place of birth,</strong> &lsquo;jus sanguinis&rsquo; gives recognition to blood ties.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>From the time of the <strong>Motilal Nehru Committee (1928), the Indian leadership was in favour of the enlightened concept of jus soli.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> racial idea </strong>of<strong> jus sanguinis </strong>was also<strong> rejected by the Constituent Assembly as it was against the Indian ethos.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Citizenship is <strong>listed in the Union List</strong> under the Constitution and thus is under the exclusive jurisdiction of Parliament.</li>
<li>The Constitution does not define the term &lsquo;citizen&rsquo; but <strong>details of various categories of persons who are entitled to citizenship</strong> are given in <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/citizenship-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Part 2 (Articles 5 to 11).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Unlike other provisions of the Constitution, which came into being on 26<sup>th</sup> January, 1950, <strong>these articles were enforced on 26<sup>th</sup> November, 1949</strong> itself, when the Constitution was adopted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Major Provisions)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Citizenship on the basis of religion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill amends the Act to provide that the <strong>Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians</strong> from <strong>Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan,</strong> who entered India on or before <strong>31<sup>st</sup> December, 2014,</strong> will not be treated as illegal migrants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exclusion:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The&nbsp;<strong>migrants, who identify themselves with any group or community other than Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians</strong>, from the above mentioned countries <strong>won't be eligible for citizenship.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exceptions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The provisions on citizenship for illegal migrants will not apply to two categories - states protected by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nagaland-extends-ilp-in-dimapur" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Inner Line&rsquo;</strong></a>, and areas covered under the <strong>Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Inner Line Permit (ILP):</strong> This is a <strong>special permit that citizens from other parts of India require to enter a state</strong> protected by the ILP regime. Without an ILP granted by the state government, an Indian from another state cannot visit a state that is under the ILP regime.</li>
<li><strong>Sixth Schedule:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sixth-schedule-areas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sixth Schedule</strong></a> relates to special provisions in administration of certain Northeastern states<strong> (Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Tripura).</strong> It provides<strong> special powers for Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in these states.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Citizenship by Naturalization:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under The Citizenship Act, 1955, one of the requirements for citizenship by naturalisation is that the<strong> applicant must have resided in India during the last 12 months, as well as for 11 of the previous 14 years.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>amendment relaxes the second requirement from 11 years to 5 years as a specific condition for applicants belonging to the specified six religions,</strong> and the above-mentioned three countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cancellation of registration of OCIs:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act provides that the central government may cancel the registration of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rights-of-overseas-citizens-of-india#:~:text=Overseas%20Citizen%20of%20India,person%2C%20among%20other%20eligibility%20criteria." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs)</strong></a> on certain grounds which are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If the OCI has <strong>registered through fraud.</strong></li>
<li>If, within five years of registration, the <strong>OCI has been sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more.</strong></li>
<li>If it becomes necessary <strong>in the interest of sovereignty and security of India.</strong></li>
<li>If the OCI has <strong>violated the provisions of the Act</strong> or of any other law as notified by the central government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However the orders for cancellation of <strong>OCI should not be passed till the OCI cardholder is given an opportunity to be heard.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/caa-citizenship-act-non-muslim-immigrants-7334955/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8393,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Covid leaves Orphaned Children Vulnerable to Trafficking',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>As India battles a raging <strong>second wave</strong>, cases of children losing their parents to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>are also mounting.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Further, the apprehension of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-war-against-human-trafficking#:~:text=Section%20370%20and%20370A%20of,the%20forced%20removal%20of%20organs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>child trafficking</strong> </a>in the garb of adoption has increased.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Various social media posts are getting circulated with details of children who have lost either both their parents or the only living parent to the disease and pleading for them to be adopted.</li>
<li>Sharing such posts are <strong>illegal under Section 80 and 81 of the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/22-02-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, 2015</a></strong>, which prohibit offering or receiving children outside the processes laid down under the Act as well as their sale and purchase.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Such acts are punishable with three to five years in jail or Rs. 1 lakh in fine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-child-marriages-in-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Child Marriages</strong></a> have also increased in the Covid-19 induced lockdown.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Provisions for Protection of Orphan Children:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is <strong>a process as per the JJ Act</strong> which needs to be followed with children who have been orphaned.</li>
<li>If someone has information about a child in need of care, then they must contact one of the four agencies: <strong>Childline 1098, or the district Child Welfare Committee (CWC), District Child Protection Officer (DCPO)</strong> or the helpline of the <strong>State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.</strong></li>
<li>Following this, the<strong> CWC will assess the child</strong> and place him or her <strong>in the immediate care of a Specialised Adoption Agency.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The State thus takes care of all such children who are in need of care and protection, till they turn 18 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Once a child is declared legally free for adoption by the CWC, <strong>adoption can be done either by Indian prospective adoptive parents or non-resident Indians or foreigners</strong>, in that order.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has <strong>ratified <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-cell-to-resolve-child-custody-disputes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hague Convention</a> on Intercountry Adoptions, 1993.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5th-annual-day-of-cara" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)</strong></a>, a <strong>statutory body of the</strong> Ministry of Women and Child Development, is the nodal agency for adoption.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It regulates the adoption of orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children through its associated or recognised agencies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Initiative (SAMVEDNA):</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>With an objective of providing psychological and emotional support to children affected during Covid-19 Pandemic, <strong>National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)</strong> is providing Tele-Counselling to children through <strong>SAMVEDNA (Sensitizing Action on Mental Health Vulnerability through Emotional Development and Necessary Acceptance).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Child Trafficking in India:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Data Analysis:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/crime-in-india-ncrb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)</strong></a> 2018 report highlights that 51% of all trafficking victims were children, of which more than 80% were girls.</li>
<li>The <strong>most affected state presently is West Bengal</strong> followed by Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Assam.</li>
<li>The trafficking of children for forced labour, for all kinds of domestic work and trafficking of women for sexual exploitation is the heaviest in these areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constitutional Protection:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Article 21:</strong> The Supreme Court has held that the right to live is not merely a physical right but includes within its ambit the right to live with human dignity.</li>
<li><strong>Article 23:</strong> Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour.</li>
<li><strong>Article 24:</strong> No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment.</li>
<li><strong>Article 39:</strong> It provides certain principles of policy to be followed by the State towards securing:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>(e) that the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the <strong>tender age of children are not abused</strong> and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength;</li>
<li>(f) that <strong>children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner</strong> and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 45:</strong> Duty of state to provide early childhood care, 0-6 age group</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legal Protection:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1986 (ITPA).</li>
<li>Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976, Child Labour (Prohibition and Abolition) Act 1986, and Juvenile Justice Act.</li>
<li>Sections 366 (A) and 372 of the Indian Penal Code.</li>
<li>The Factories Act, 1948.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives Taken:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has ratified the <strong>United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime (UNCTOC)</strong> which among others has a Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children <strong>(Palermo protocols).</strong></li>
<li>India has ratified the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)</strong></a> <strong>Convention</strong> on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-on-ncpcr-s-repatriation-request" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)</strong> </a>was set up in 2007 under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has ratified the <strong><a href="/printpdf/new-cell-to-resolve-child-custody-disputes#:~:text=National%20Commission%20for%20Protection%20of%20Child%20Rights,-The%20National%20Commission&amp;text=The%20Commission's%20Mandate%20is%20to,of%20the%20Child%20(UNCRC)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Children are an important national asset, and the well-being of the nation, and its future, depend on how its children grow and develop. The primary purpose of giving a child in adoption is his welfare and restoring his or her right to family.</li>
<li>Article 39 of the Constitution prohibits the tender age of the children from being abused. Therefore, orphaned children who have lost both their parents or abandoned or surrendered due to the Covid-19 pandemic must not be neglected and left to face an uncertain future. They must be taken care of by the authorities entrusted with responsibilities under the JJ Act.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/adoption-issues-to-the-fore-as-covid-19-throws-up-many-orphans/article34570191.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 5 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8391,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Legislative Council',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>West Bengal</strong> government has decided to set up a<strong> Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>For setting up</strong> the Council,<strong> a Bill has</strong> to be introduced in the<strong> Assembly</strong> and then<strong> a nod from the Governor</strong> is required. The Legislative Council in the State was abolished in 1969.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Basis of Formation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has a<strong> bicameral system</strong> of legislature.</li>
<li><strong>Just as Parliament</strong> has two Houses, <strong>the states can also</strong> have <strong>a Legislative Council</strong> in addition to the <strong>Legislative Assembly</strong> through <strong>Article 169 of the Constitution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Six States having a Legislative Council:</strong> Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>2020, Andhra Pradesh</strong> Legislative Assembly passed the <strong>resolution for abolition</strong> of the Legislative Council. This resolution is <strong>yet to be cleared by the Parliament of India</strong> to finally abolish the council.</li>
<li>In<strong> 2019,</strong> the <strong>Jammu &amp; Kashmir Legislative Council</strong> was <strong>abolished</strong> through the J&amp;K Reorganisation Bill, 2019, which reduced the State of J&amp;K to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uts-j-k-and-ladakh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Union Territories of J&amp;K and Ladakh.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 169 (Creation and Abolition):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Parliament</strong> can <strong>abolish</strong> a Legislative Council (where it already exists) or <strong>create</strong> it (where it does not exist) <strong>by a simple majority,</strong> that is, a majority of the members of each House present and voting, <strong>if the legislative assembly of the concerned state, by a special majority, passes a resolution</strong> to that effect.</li>
<li><strong>Special majority</strong> implies<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A majority of the total membership of the assembly and</li>
<li>A majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the assembly present and voting.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Composition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under <strong>Article 171</strong> of the Constitution, the Legislative Council of a state <strong>shall not have more than one-third of the total strength of the State Assembly,</strong> and<strong> not less than 40 members.</strong></li>
<li>Like the Rajya Sabha, the legislative council is <strong>a continuing chamber,</strong> that is, it is a permanent body and is <strong>not subject to dissolution.</strong> The <strong>tenure of a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) is six years,</strong> with one-third of the members retiring every two years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Manner of Election:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One-third of the MLCs are elected by the state&rsquo;s MLAs,</li>
<li>Another 1/3<sup>rd</sup> by a special electorate comprising sitting members of local governments such as municipalities and district boards,</li>
<li>1/12<sup>th</sup> by an electorate of teachers and another 1/12<sup>th</sup> by registered graduates.</li>
<li>The remaining members are appointed by the Governor for distinguished services in various fields namely, literature, science, art, cooperative movement and social service.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>LC vis-&agrave;-vis Rajya Sabha:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> legislative power of the Councils are limited.</strong> Unlike Rajya Sabha which has substantial powers to shape non-financial legislation, Legislative Councils lack a constitutional mandate to do so.</li>
<li>Assemblies can override suggestions/amendments made to legislation by the Council.</li>
<li>Again, unlike Rajya Sabha MPs, <strong>MLCs cannot vote in elections for the President and Vice President.</strong> The Vice President is the Rajya Sabha Chairperson while a member from the Council itself is chosen as the Council Chairperson.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of Legislative Council:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can <strong>ensure individuals</strong> who might not be cut out for the elections are able to contribute to the legislative process (like artists, scientists, etc).</li>
<li>It can<strong> keep an eye on hasty decisions</strong> taken by the Legislative Assembly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arguments Against Legislative Council:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can delay legislation, also it is considered a burden on the state budget.</li>
<li>It can also be used to park leaders who have not been able to win an election.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-government-to-set-up-a-legislative-council/article34581812.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8386,
		'category_id' => (int) 27,
		'title' => 'The Office of Speaker of Lok Sabha',
		'description' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Office of the Speaker in India is a living and dynamic institution which deals with the actual needs and problems of Parliament in the performance of its functions.</li>
<li><strong>Article 93 of the Constitution</strong> provides for the election of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.</li>
<li>The Speaker is the <strong>constitutional and ceremonial head of the House.</strong></li>
<li>Each House of Parliament has its own presiding officer. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is a <strong>Speaker and a Deputy Speaker for the Lok Sabha</strong> and a <strong>Chairman and a Deputy Chairman for the Rajya Sabha.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The institutions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker <strong>originated in India in 1921</strong> under the provisions of the <strong>Government of India Act of 1919 (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms).</strong></li>
<li>At that time, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were called the President and Deputy President respectively and the same nomenclature continued till 1947.</li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/printpdf/important-sources-of-the-indian-constitution#:~:text=Government%20of%20India%20Act%201935&amp;text=This%20act%20abolished%20the%20system,most%20of%20the%20princely%20states." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Government of India Act of 1935</a> changed the nomenclatures</strong> of President and Deputy President to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Office of the Speaker: Lok Sabha</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Lok Sabha, which is the highest legislative body in the country, chooses its Speaker who presides over the day to day functioning of the House.</li>
<li>Electing the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is one of the first acts of every newly constituted House.</li>
<li><strong>Election of Office of the Speaker:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Criteria:</strong> The Constitution of India requires the <strong>Speaker should be a member of the House.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Although there are <strong>no specific qualifications prescribed</strong> for being elected the Speaker, an <strong>understanding of the Constitution and the laws of the country is considered a major asset</strong> for the holder of the Office of the Speaker.</li>
<li>Usually, a member belonging to the ruling party is elected Speaker. The process has evolved over the years where the ruling party nominates its candidate after informal consultations with leaders of other parties and groups in the House.</li>
<li>This convention ensures that once elected, the<strong> Speaker enjoys the respect of all sections of the House.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Voting:</strong> The Speaker (along with the Deputy Speaker) is elected from among the Lok Sabha members <strong>by a simple majority of members present and voting</strong> in the House.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Once a decision on the candidate is taken, his/her name is normally proposed by the Prime Minister or the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Term of Office of the Speaker:</strong> The Speaker holds Office from the date of his/her election till immediately before the first meeting of the next Lok Sabha (for <strong>5 years</strong>). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>speaker once elected is eligible for re-election.</strong></li>
<li>Whenever the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the <strong>Speaker does not vacate his office and continues till the newly-elected Lok Sabha meets.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role and Powers of Speaker:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Interpretation:</strong> He/She is the <strong>final interpreter</strong> of the provisions of the <strong>Constitution of India</strong>, the <strong>Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha</strong> and the <strong>parliamentary precedents</strong>, within the House. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In matters regarding interpretation of these provisions, he/she often gives <strong>rulings which are respected by members and are binding in nature.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Sitting of Both Houses:</strong> He/She presides over a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/president-addresses-joint-sitting-of-parliament" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>joint sitting</strong></a> of the two Houses of Parliament. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Such a sitting is summoned by the President to settle a deadlock between the two Houses on a bill.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Adjournment of Sitting:</strong> He/She <strong>can adjourn the House or suspend the meeting</strong> in absence one-tenth of the total strength of the House (called the <strong>quorum</strong>).</li>
<li><strong>Casting Vote:</strong> The speaker <strong>does not vote in the first instance but in the case of a tie;</strong> when the House is divided equally on any question, the Speaker is entitled to vote. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Such a vote is called a <strong>Casting Vote</strong>, and its purpose is to resolve a deadlock.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Money Bill:</strong> He/She <strong>decides whether a bill is a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/misuse-of-money-bills-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">money bill</a> or not</strong> and his/her decision on this question is final.</li>
<li><strong>Disqualifying Members:</strong> It is the speaker who <strong>decides the questions of disqualification of a member</strong> of the Lok Sabha, arising on the ground of defection under the provisions of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/time-to-review-tenth-schedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tenth Schedule</a>.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/challenge-to-anti-defection-law#:~:text=The%20Anti%2DDefection%20Law%20was,the%20evil%20of%20political%20defections%E2%80%9D.&amp;text=He%20voluntarily%20gives%20up%20his%20membership%20of%20such%20political%20party%3B%20or" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>52<sup>nd</sup> amendment</strong></a> to the Indian Constitution vests this power in the Speaker.</li>
<li>In 1992, the Supreme Court ruled that the decision of the Speaker in this regard is subject to <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/judicial-review-1#:~:text=Article%20372%20(1)%20establishes%20the,Fundamental%20Rights%20shall%20be%20void." target="_blank" rel="noopener">judicial review</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chairing the IPG:</strong> He/She acts as the <strong>ex-officio chairman of the Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG)</strong> which is a link between the Parliament of India and the various parliaments of the world. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He also acts as the ex-officio chairman of the conference of presiding officers of legislative bodies in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constitution of Committees:</strong> The <strong>Committees of the House are constituted by the speaker</strong> and function under the speaker&rsquo;s overall direction. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Chairmen of all Parliamentary Committees are nominated by him/her.</li>
<li>Committees like the <strong>Business Advisory Committee, the General Purposes Committee and the Rules Committee work directly under his Chairmanship.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Privileges of the House:</strong> The Speaker is the <strong>guardian of the rights and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/privilege-motion-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">privileges of the House</a></strong>, its Committees and members.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It depends solely on the Speaker to refer any question of privilege to the Committee of Privileges for examination, investigation and report.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Removal of Speaker:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exceptions:</strong> Usually, the <strong>Speaker remains in office during the life of the Lok Sabha.</strong> However, under following conditions, the speaker, may have to vacate the office earlier: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha.</li>
<li>If he resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker</li>
<li>If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the members of the Lok Sabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Notification:</strong> Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days&rsquo; advance notice. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When a resolution for the removal of the Speaker is under consideration of the House, <strong>he/she may be present at the sitting but not preside.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Election:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Deputy Speaker is also <strong>elected by the Lok Sabha</strong> from amongst its members <strong>right after the election of the Speaker has taken place.</strong></li>
<li>The date of election of the Deputy Speaker is fixed by the Speaker (date of election of the Speaker is fixed by the President).</li>
<li>Upto the 10<sup>th</sup> Lok Sabha, both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were usually elected from the ruling party. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since the 11<sup>th</sup> Lok Sabha, there has been a consensus that the <strong>Speaker comes from the ruling party/alliance and the post of Deputy Speaker goes to the main</strong> <strong>opposition party.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Term of Office and Removal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker remains in office usually during the life of the Lok Sabha (<strong>5 years</strong>).</li>
<li>The Deputy Speaker may vacate his/her office earlier in any of the following three cases:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha</li>
<li>If he resigns by writing to the Speaker</li>
<li>If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days&rsquo; advance notice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Responsibilities and Powers:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Deputy Speaker <strong>performs the duties of the Speaker&rsquo;s office when it is vacant.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He/She also <strong>acts as the Speaker when the latter is absent</strong> from the sitting of the House.</li>
<li>In both the cases, he/she assumes all the powers of the Speaker.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He/She also <strong>presides over the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament</strong>, in case the Speaker is absent from such a sitting.</li>
<li>The Deputy Speaker, like the Speaker, has the <strong>privilege of the Casting Vote</strong> in case of tie.</li>
<li>The Deputy Speaker has one special privilege, that is, <strong>whenever he/she is appointed as a member of a parliamentary committee, he/she automatically becomes its chairman.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><em><strong>Note:</strong></em> The Deputy Speaker is not subordinate to the Speaker. He is directly responsible to the House.</p>
<p><strong>Speaker <em>Pro Tem</em>:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>When the Speaker of the last Lok Sabha vacates his office immediately before the first meeting of the newly-elected Lok Sabha, the <strong>President appoints a member of the Lok Sabha as the</strong> <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pro-tem-speaker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaker <em>Pro Tem</em></a>.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Usually, the senior most member is selected for this.</li>
<li>The President himself administers oath to the Speaker Pro Tem.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He/She <strong>presides over the first sitting of the newly-elected Lok Sabha</strong> and has all the powers of the Speaker.</li>
<li>The <strong>main responsibility is to administer oaths to the new members</strong> and to enable the House to elect the new Speaker.</li>
<li>When the new Speaker is elected by the House, the office of the Speaker <em>Pro Tem</em> ceases to exist.</li>
</ul>
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8374,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Overcrowding of Prison',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court (SC)</strong> </a>of India has ordered the <strong>interim release of eligible prisoners</strong> in view of the uncontrolled second surge in the raging Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Court&rsquo;s order aims to decongest jails and a measure that <strong>protects the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/fundamental-rights-part-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">right to life</a> and health of the prisoners.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Important Points of Supreme Court Order:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Emphasised the need to adhere to the norms it had laid down in <em><strong>Arnesh Kumar vs State of Bihar (2014) </strong></em><strong>case.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under this case, the police were asked not to effect unnecessary arrests, especially in cases that involve jail terms <strong>less than seven years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Authorities in all districts in the country to give effect to <strong>Section 436A of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/re-imagining-cognizable-offences" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C).</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under the Section 436A of the Cr.P.C, the undertrials who have <strong>completed half of the maximum prison term</strong> prescribed for the offence may be released on <strong>personal bond.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Suggested the legislature to consider the idea of <strong>placing convicts under house arrest</strong> to avoid overcrowding of prisons.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>occupancy rate in prisons</strong> climbed to 118.5% in 2019. Moreover, a <strong>very large sum of the budget</strong> is used for the maintenance of prisons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ordered all States to <strong>take preventive steps</strong> as well as <strong>constitute high-powered committees</strong> to determine the class of prisoners who could be released on bail or parole for a specified period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Status of Indian Prisons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian prisons face<strong> three long-standing structural constraints:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Overcrowding,</li>
<li>Understaffing and underfunding and</li>
<li>Violent clashes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Prison Statistics India 2016,</strong> published by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/prison-reforms-and-way-forward" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)</strong></a> in 2019 highlights the plight of prisoners in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Under-trial Population:</strong> India&rsquo;s under-trial population remains among the highest in the world and more than half of all undertrials were detained for less than six months in 2016.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The report highlights that at the end of 2016, there were 4,33,033 people in prison, of whom<strong> 68% were undertrials.</strong></li>
<li>This suggests that the high proportion of undertrials in the overall prison population may be the result of<strong> unnecessary arrests</strong> and<strong> ineffective legal aid</strong> during remand hearings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>People Held Under Preventive Detention:</strong> There is the rise in the number of people held under<strong> administrative (or &lsquo;prevention&rsquo;) detention laws</strong> in Jammu and Kashmir.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A 300% increase, with 431 detainees in 2016, compared to 90 in 2015.</li>
<li>Administrative, or &lsquo;preventive&rsquo;, detention is used by authorities to detain persons without charge or trial and circumvent regular criminal justice procedures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unawareness about Section 436A of C.R.P.C.:</strong> There is a gap between the number of prisoners eligible to be released and actually released, under Section 436A of the Code of Criminal Procedure.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2016, out of 1,557 undertrials found eligible for release under Section 436A, only 929 were released.</li>
<li>Also, research by Amnesty India has found that prison officials are frequently unaware of this section and unwilling to apply it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unnatural Deaths in Prison:</strong> The number of &ldquo;unnatural&rdquo; deaths in prisons has doubled between 2015 and 2016, from 115 to 231.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The rate of suicide among prisoners also increased by 28%, from 77 suicides in 2015 to 102 in 2016.</li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-human-rights-commission-nhrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)</strong></a> in 2014 had stated that on average, a person is one-and-a-half times more likely to commit suicide in prison than outside. This is a possible indicator of the magnitude of <strong>mental health concerns</strong> within Indian prisons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Mental Health Professional:</strong> There was only one mental health professional for every 21,650 prisoners in 2016, with only six States and one Union Territory having psychologists /psychiatrists.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Also, the NCRB had said that about 6,013 individuals with mental illness were in jail in 2016.</li>
<li>As per the Prison Act, 1894 and Prisoner Act, 1900, there should be a <strong>welfare officer and a law officer</strong> in each jail but recruitment of these officers is still pending. This state explains the low political and budgetary priority which prisons have received during the preceding century.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recommendation for Prison Reforms</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Supreme Court appointed <strong>Justice Amitava Roy (retd.) Committee</strong> has given the following recommendations to <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-prison-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>reform prisons.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For Overcrowding:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Speedy Trial:</strong> Speedy trial remains one of the best ways to remedy the unwarranted phenomenon of overcrowding.</li>
<li><strong>Lawyer to Prisoner Ratio:</strong> There should be at least <strong>one lawyer for every 30 prisoners,</strong> which is not the case at present.</li>
<li><strong>Special Courts:</strong> Special fast-track courts should be set up to deal exclusively with petty offences which have been pending for more than five years.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, accused persons who are charged with petty offences and those granted bail, but who are unable to arrange surety should be released on a <strong>Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Avoid Adjournment:</strong> An adjournment should not be granted in cases where witnesses are present and the concept of plea bargaining, in which the accused admits guilt for a lesser sentence, should be promoted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>For Prisoners:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Accommodative Transition:</strong> Every new prisoner should be allowed a free phone call a day to his family members to see him through his first week in jail.</li>
<li><strong>Legal Aid:</strong> Providing effective legal aid to prisoners and taking steps to provide vocational skills and education to prisoners.</li>
<li><strong>Use of ICT:</strong> Use of video-conferencing for trial.</li>
<li><strong>Alternatives:</strong> The courts may be asked to use their "discretionary powers" and award sentences like "fine and admonition" if possible instead of sending the offenders to jails.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, courts may be encouraged to release offenders on probation at pre-trial stage or after trial in deserving cases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Filling Vacancies:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Supreme Court should pass directions asking authorities to start the recruitment process against permanent vacancies within three months and the process should be completed in a year.</li>
<li>For Food: Modern cooking facilities and canteens to buy essential items.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2017, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/law-commission-of-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Law Commission of India</strong></a> had recommended that undertrials who have completed a third of their maximum sentence for offences attracting up to seven years of imprisonment be released on bail.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Constitutional Provisions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>State Subject:</strong> 'Prisons/persons detained therein' is a <strong>State subject</strong> under <strong>Entry 4 of List II</strong> of the<strong> Seventh Schedule</strong> to the Constitution of India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Administration and management of prisons is the responsibility of respective State Governments.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs</strong> provides regular guidance and advice to States and UTs on various issues concerning prisons and prison inmates.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 39A:</strong>&nbsp;Article 39A of the Constitution directs the State to ensure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity and shall, in particular, <strong>provide free legal aid by suitable legislation or schemes or in any other way,</strong> to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Right to free legal aid or free legal service</strong> is an essential fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution.</li>
<li>It forms the basis of reasonable, fair and just liberty under <strong>Article 21</strong> of the Constitution of India, which says,<strong> &ldquo;No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Terms</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Undertrials:</strong> These are the people who are yet to be found guilty of the crimes they have been accused of.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-and-k-public-safety-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Preventive Detention</a>:</strong> The imprisonment of a person with the aim of preventing them from committing further offences or of maintaining public order.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 22 (3) (b)</strong> of the Constitution allows for preventive detention and restriction on personal liberty for reasons of state security and public order.</li>
<li>Further, <strong>Article 22 (4)</strong> states that no law providing for preventive detention shall authorise the detention of a person for a longer period than three months unless:</li>
<li>An Advisory Board reports sufficient cause for extended detention.</li>
<li>Such a person is detained in accordance with the provisions of any law made by the Parliament.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond:</strong> It is also known as Own Recognizance (OR) bond, and sometimes referred to as &ldquo;no cost bail&rdquo;. With this type of bond, a person is released from custody and is not required to post bail.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They are, however, responsible for showing up on their specified court date, and must sign a release form stating this promise in writing.</li>
<li>The person is then released from custody based on their promise to appear in court and abide by any conditions of release set by the court.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/protecting-prisoners-the-hindu-editorial-on-overcrowding-of-prisons/article34545382.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8367,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Article 311 of the Constitution',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>a police officer was dismissed</strong> from the service <strong>by Mumbai Police Commissioner under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution</strong> without a departmental enquiry.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Article 311:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 311 (1)</strong> says that <strong>no government employee</strong> either of <strong>an all India service</strong> or <strong>a state government</strong> shall be dismissed or <strong>removed by an authority subordinate to the own</strong> that appointed him/her.</li>
<li><strong>Article 311 (2)</strong> says that <strong>no civil servant shall be dismissed or removed or reduced in rank except after an inquiry</strong> in which s/he has been informed of the charges and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of those charges.</li>
<li><strong>People Protected under Article 311: The members of</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Civil service of the Union,</li>
<li>All India Service, and</li>
<li>Civil service of any State,</li>
<li>People who hold a civil post under the Union or any State.</li>
<li>The protective safeguards given under Article 311 are <strong>applicable only to civil servants, i.e. public officers. </strong>They are<strong> not available </strong>to<strong> defence personnel.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exceptions to Article 311 (2):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>2 (a)</strong> - Where a person is dismissed or removed or reduced in rank on <strong>the ground of conduct which has led to his conviction on a criminal charge; </strong>or</li>
<li><strong>2 (b)</strong> - Where the <strong>authority empowered</strong> to dismiss or remove a person or to reduce him in rank <strong>is satisfied</strong> that for some reason, to be recorded by that authority in writing, it is <strong>not reasonably practicable to hold such inquiry;</strong> or</li>
<li><strong>2 (c)</strong> - Where the President or the Governor, as the case may be, is satisfied that <strong>in the interest of the security of the State</strong>, it is not expedient to hold such inquiry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Recent Case Related to Use of Article 311(2) Subsections:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, the <strong>Jammu &amp; Kashmir</strong> administration set up a <strong>Special Task Force (STF)</strong> to <strong>scrutinise cases of employees suspected of activities requiring action under Article 311(2)(c).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Three government employees</strong>, including <strong>two teachers</strong>, were fired using the Article.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Options to Dismissed Employee:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government employee dismissed under these provisions can approach either tribunals like the <strong>state administrative tribunal</strong> or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-administrative-tribunal-cat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)</strong></a> or the <strong>courts.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Related Constitutional Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Part XIV</strong> of the Constitution of India deals with Services under The Union and The State.</li>
<li><strong>Article 309</strong> empowers the Parliament and the State legislature to <strong>regulate the recruitment, and conditions of service of persons appointed</strong>, to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of any State respectively.</li>
<li>According to <strong>Article 310</strong>, except for the provisions provided by the Constitution, a civil servant of the Union works at the pleasure of the President and a civil servant under a State works at the pleasure of the Governor of that State <strong>(English doctrine of Pleasure).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>But this <strong>power of the Government is not absolute.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 311</strong> puts <strong>certain restrictions</strong> on the absolute power of the President or Governor for dismissal, removal or reduction in rank of an officer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-article-311-2-under-which-sachin-waze-was-dismissed-without-an-enquiry-7312322/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8335,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Post Devolution Revenue Deficit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> Ministry of Finance</strong> has released the <strong>second monthly instalment of Post Devolution Revenue Deficit (PDRD) Grant</strong> of Rs. 9,871 crore for the year 2021-22 <strong>to 17 States.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit (PDRD):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Centre provides the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant to the States under <strong>Article 275 of the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>The grants are released as per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/15th-finance-commission-recommendations-resource-allocation#:~:text=Revenue%20Deficit%20is%20defined%20as,five%2Dyear%20period%20ending%20FY26." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>recommendations of the Finance Commission</strong></a> in<strong> monthly installments to meet the gap in Revenue Accounts</strong> of the States post-devolution (of the divisible tax pool of the Centre).</li>
<li>The <strong>15<sup>th</sup> Finance Commission</strong> has recommended <strong>post devolution revenue deficit grants amounting to about Rs. 3 trillion over the five-year period ending FY26.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>number of states qualifying</strong> for the revenue deficit grants <strong>decreases from 17 in FY22,</strong> the first year of the award period <strong>to 6 in FY26,</strong> the last year.</li>
<li>The eligibility of States to receive this grant and the quantum of grant was decided by the Commission <strong>based on the gap between assessment of revenue and expenditure of the State.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>States Recommended for PDRD Grants:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Over the five-year period, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal are recommended to be provided with the deficit grants. The Ministry of Finance has accepted the recommendation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 275 of the Constitution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>provides for the payment of such sums</strong> as Parliament may by law provide as grants-in aid <strong>to such States</strong> as Parliament may determine to be in need of assistance.</li>
<li>The grants are <strong>paid out of the Consolidated Fund of India</strong> in each year, and <strong>different sums may be fixed for different States.</strong></li>
<li>These grants are to be of the<strong> nature of capital and recurring sums</strong> as may be necessary.</li>
<li>These aim to enable that <strong>State to meet the costs of such schemes of development</strong> as may be undertaken by it with the approval of the Government of India for the purpose of <strong>promoting the welfare of the Scheduled Tribes in that State </strong>or <strong>raising the level of administration of the Scheduled Areas</strong> there in to that of the administration of the rest of the areas of that State.</li>
<li>Grants are primarily <strong>intended to correct Inter-State disparities</strong> in financial resources and to coordinate the maintenance and expansion of the welfare schemes of the State Governments on a uniform national level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Revenue Account and Capital Account</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>revenue account</strong> includes all the revenue receipts also known as current receipts of the government. These receipts include tax revenues and other revenues of the government.</li>
<li>A <strong>capital account</strong> is an account that includes the capital receipts and the payments. It basically includes assets as well as liabilities of the government. Capital receipts comprise the loans or capital that are raised by governments by different means.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Centre State Financial Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian Constitution has made elaborate provisions, relating to the<strong> distribution of the taxes as well as non-tax revenues</strong> and the<strong> power of borrowing,</strong> supplemented by <strong>provisions for grants-in-aid</strong> by the Union to the States.</li>
<li><strong>Article 268 to 293 in Part XII</strong> deals with the provisions of financial relations between Centre and States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Taxing Powers:</strong> The Constitution divides the taxing powers between the Centre and the states as follows:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Parliament has exclusive power to levy taxes on subjects enumerated in the Union List, the state legislature has exclusive power to levy taxes on subjects enumerated in the State List.</li>
<li>Both can levy taxes on the subjects enumerated in Concurrent List whereas residuary power of taxation lies with Parliament only.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Distribution of the Tax Revenue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Duties Levied by the Union but Collected and Appropriated by the States (Article 268):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Includes stamp duties on bills of exchange, cheques, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Taxes Levied as well as Collected by the Union, but Assigned to the States (Article 269):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These include taxes on the sale and purchase of goods (other than newspapers) in the course of inter-state trade or commerce or the taxes on the consignment of goods in the course of inter-state trade or commerce.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Levy and Collection of Goods and Services Tax in Course of Inter-State Trade or Commerce (Article 269-A):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Goods and Services Tax (GST) on supplies in the course of inter-state trade or commerce are levied and collected by the Centre.</li>
<li>But, this tax is divided between the Centre and the States in the manner provided by Parliament on the recommendations of the GST Council.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Taxes Levied and Collected by the Union but Distributed between the Union and the States (Article 270):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This category includes all taxes and duties referred to in the Union List except the following:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Duties and taxes referred to in Articles 268, 269 and 269-A.</li>
<li>Surcharge on taxes and duties referred to in Article 271 (this goes to the Centre exclusively).</li>
<li>Any cess levied for specific purposes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Grants-in-Aid:</strong> Besides sharing of taxes between the Centre and the States, the Constitution provides for Grants-in-aid to the States from the Central resources. There are two types of grants:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Statutory Grants (Article 275):</strong> These grants are given by the Parliament out of the Consolidated Fund of India to such States which are in need of assistance. Different States may be granted different sums. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Specific grants are also given to promote the welfare of scheduled tribes in a state or to raise the level of administration of the Scheduled areas therein.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Discretionary Grants (Article 282):</strong> It empowers both the Centre and the states to make any grants for any public purpose, even if it is not within their respective legislative competence. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under this provision, the Centre makes grants to the states. These grants are known as discretionary grants, the reason being that the Centre is under no obligation to give these grants and the matter lies within its discretion.</li>
<li>These grants have a two-fold purpose: to help the state financially to fulfil plan targets; and to give some leverage to the Centre to influence and coordinate state action to effectuate the national plan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/finance-ministry-releases-9871-crore-as-revenue-deficit-grant-to-17-states/article34498784.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8302,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'World Press Freedom Day 2021 ',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>World Press Freedom Day (WPFD)</strong> is an annual celebration of press freedom, observed on <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> May</strong> every year.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The main celebration is organized by the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.drishtiias.com/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1620204411209000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0aaEiDu7LA2r44L8JnxyWY" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).</strong></a></li>
<li>The <strong>theme for WPFD 2021</strong> is <strong>&ldquo;Information as a Public Good".</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The day was proclaimed by the <strong>UN General Assembly</strong> in 1993, following the recommendation of <strong>UNESCO&rsquo;s General Conference</strong> in 1991.</li>
<li>The day also <strong>marks the 1991 Windhoek Declaration</strong> (adopted by UNESCO).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It aimed towards the &lsquo;development of a free, independent and pluralistic press&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Three Key Highlights of WPFD 2021:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Steps to ensure the <strong>economic viability of news media.</strong></li>
<li>Mechanisms for ensuring <strong>transparency of Internet companies.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Enhanced Media and Information Literacy (MIL) capacities</strong> that enable people to recognize and value, as well as defend and demand, journalism as a vital part of information as a public good.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>World Press Conference 2021:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 2021 Global Conference was <strong>hosted by UNESCO</strong> and the Government of <strong>Namibia.</strong></li>
<li>It called for <strong>urgent attention to the threat of extinction faced by local news media</strong> around the world, a crisis worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
<li>It <strong>put forward ideas</strong> to tackle the challenges of our online media environment, push for more transparency of internet companies, strengthen safety of journalists, and improve their working conditions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Freedom of Press in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Freedom of press is <strong>not expressly protected by Indian legal system</strong> but it is <strong>impliedly protected under article 19(1) (a) of the constitution</strong>, which states - "All citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression".</li>
<li>In <strong>1950</strong>, the Supreme Court in <em><strong>Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras</strong></em> observed that freedom of the press lay at the foundation of all democratic organisations.</li>
<li>However, <strong>Freedom of press is also not absolute.</strong> It faces <strong>certain restrictions under Article 19(2)</strong>, which are as follows-<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Matters related to interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Rankings/Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has been <strong>ranked 142<sup>nd</sup> out of 180 nations</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-press-freedom-index-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Press Freedom Index, 2021</strong></a>, published by Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) or Reporters Without Borders.</li>
<li>Reports such as &lsquo;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/freedom-in-the-world-2021-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Freedom in the World 2021</strong></a> (Freedom House, US)&rsquo;, &lsquo;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/human-rights-report-2020-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2020 Human Rights Report</strong></a> (US State Department)&rsquo;, &lsquo;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/autocratisation-goes-viral-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Autocratisation Goes Viral</strong></a> (V-Dem Institute, Sweden)&rsquo; have all highlighted <strong>intimidation of journalists in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/africa/as-press-freedom-continues-to-struggle-in-kenya-alternatives-keep-hope-alive-76770" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8088,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Challenges with National Security Act, 1980',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>In some cases it has been found that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-security-act-1980" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Security Act-1980 (NSA)</strong></a> was invoked to prevent the person from being released from judicial custody even if the accused had got bail.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NSA empowers the state to detain a person without a formal charge and without trial.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the National Security Act, 1980:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The NSA is a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-and-k-public-safety-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>preventive detention law.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Preventive Detention involves the <strong>detainment of a person in order to keep him/her from committing future crimes</strong> and/or from escaping future prosecution.</li>
<li><strong>Article 22 (3) (b) of the Constitution</strong> allows for preventive detention and restriction on personal liberty for reasons of state security and public order.</li>
<li>Further,<strong> Article 22 (4)</strong> states that no law providing for preventive detention shall authorise the detention of a person for a longer period than three months unless:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An Advisory Board reports sufficient cause for extended detention.</li>
<li>Such a person is detained in accordance with the provisions of any law made by the Parliament.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gives Power to the Government:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The NSA <strong>empowers the Centre or a State government</strong> to detain a person to prevent him from acting in any manner prejudicial to national security.</li>
<li>The government can also detain a person to prevent him from disrupting public order or for maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Period of Confinement:</strong> The maximum period for which one may be detained is <strong>12 months.</strong> But the term can be extended if the government finds fresh evidence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues with the Act:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an <strong>administrative</strong> order passed either by the Divisional Commissioner or the District Magistrate (DM) and <strong>not detention ordered by police</strong> based on specific allegations or for a specific violation of the law.</li>
<li><strong>Conditions when NSA can be evoked:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Even if a <strong>person is in police custody,</strong> the DM can invoke NSA against him.</li>
<li>If a person has been <strong>granted bail by a trial court,</strong> he can be immediately detained under the NSA.</li>
<li>If the person has been <strong>acquitted by the court,</strong> the same person can be detained under the NSA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Against the Constitutional Right:</strong> The law also takes away an individual&rsquo;s <strong>constitutional right (Article 22 of Indian Constitution)</strong> to be produced before the magistrate within 24 hours as is the case when the accused is in police custody. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The detained person also <strong>does not have the right to move a bail application before a criminal court.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Immunity for Passing and Carrying Out Order:</strong> The DM who passed the detention order is protected under the Act, no prosecution or any legal proceeding can be initiated against the official who carried out the orders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supreme Court Observation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Court has held that the preventive detention under NSA has to be strictly maintained with the <strong>delicate balance between social security and citizen freedom.</strong></li>
<li>It also held that to prevent <strong>&ldquo;misuse of this potentially dangerous power, the law of preventive detention has to be strictly construed&rdquo;</strong> and <strong>&ldquo;meticulous compliance with the procedural safeguards&rdquo;</strong> has to be ensured.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Safeguard Against the Act:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Procedural safeguard under the NSA is granted under<strong> Article 22 (5),</strong> where all the detained persons have the <strong>right to make an effective representation before an independent advisory board.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This advisory board consists of three members and the board is chaired by a member who is a judge of a High Court.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The writ of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/habeas-corpus-cases-in-jammu-kashmir" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Habeas Corpus</a> is also the protection</strong> guaranteed under the Constitution against the unchecked state power of taking people into custody under the NSA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/detention-despite-bail-why-district-magistrates-love-the-nsa-7260430/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8079,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Acquittal by Benefit of Doubt',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> has held that a <strong>public employer can reject a candidate</strong> as unsuitable if he/she had, in the past, been <strong>acquitted of a serious crime merely on the benefit of doubt.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Benefit of doubt is granted to the accused when there is total absence of evidence</strong> or in the criminal jurisprudence requiring the case to be proved beyond reasonable doubt.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Petitioner in the Supreme Court cleared the recruitment for the post of constable in Rajasthan Police Service.</li>
<li>However, he was not appointed in view of being tried in a criminal case. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was found that, though he was acquitted, the charges against him were not of a trivial nature but were serious offences and the candidate was acquitted on the &ldquo;Benefit of Doubt&rdquo;.</li>
<li>He was not honourably acquitted by the Court.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supreme Court Observations:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The mere fact of an acquittal would not suffice but rather it would depend on <strong>whether it is a clean acquittal.</strong></li>
<li>Employers would be well within their rights to consider the antecedent and suitability of the candidate. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In this context, the employer is entitled to take into account the <strong>job profile for which the selection is undertaken</strong>, and</li>
<li>the <strong>severity of the charge levelled</strong> against the candidate and</li>
<li>whether the acquittal in question was an <strong>honourable acquittal or was merely on the ground of benefit of doubt.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An acquittal on the benefit of doubt is quite different from an honourable acquittal.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A person <strong>should be honourably acquitted of a heinous crime to be considered eligible for public employment.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The court, however, reminded employers that the <strong>rejection should not be mechanical</strong> since employment opportunity is a scarce commodity in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Honourable Acquittal And Acquittal by Extending the &ldquo;Benefit of Doubt&rdquo;</strong></p>
<p>The trial court after giving due consideration to the evidence placed on record and examining the witness may do any of the following:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Convict the person.</li>
<li><strong>Acquit the person unconditionally.</strong> In other words, it is <strong>Honourable acquittal.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The term &ldquo;Honorable acquittal&rdquo; is nowhere defined under Indian laws and it is the <strong>invention of Indian judiciary.</strong></li>
<li>An accused who is acquitted after full consideration of the prosecution evidence and prosecution has miserably failed to prove the charges levelled against the accused.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Acquitting the person by extending the &ldquo;benefit of doubt&rdquo;</strong> or due to the failure on the prosecution's side to prove the guilt &ldquo;beyond reasonable doubt&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/employer-can-reject-candidate-acquitted-of-serious-crime-sc/article34240985.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8062,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Star Campaigners and Model Code of Conduct',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Election Commission of India (ECI)</strong></a> delisted Ex-Telecom Minister A. Raja from the list of<strong> star campaigners.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>He has also been reprimanded for violation of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/model-code-of-conduct-ec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Model Code of Conduct (MCC)</strong> </a>for making certain remarks during election times.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Star Campaigners:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A star campaigner is a <strong>celebrity vote seeker in an election</strong> for a party. This person can be anyone, a politician or even a film star. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is <strong>no law governing who can or cannot be made a star campaigner.</strong></li>
<li>They are <strong>nominated by the concerned political parties</strong> specifying their constituencies and duration of the status.</li>
<li>The <strong>ECI issues guidelines under the Model Code of Conduct regulating poll campaigns.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Numbers of Star Campaigners:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-party-status-by-election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;recognised&rsquo; National or State party</strong></a> declared as such by the ECI can nominate a <strong>maximum of 40 star campaigners.</strong></li>
<li>An<strong> unrecognised political party</strong> can nominate a maximum of <strong>20 star campaigners.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need For Star Campaigners:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>ECI keeps a tab on expenditure incurred by individual candidates</strong> during campaign - Rs. 70 lakh for most states in one constituency by each candidate.</li>
<li><strong>Expenditure incurred on electioneering by the star campaigner is not added </strong>to a<strong> candidate&rsquo;s poll expenditure</strong> giving him/her more scope for expenditure. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, for an individual candidate to get relief from campaign expenditure, the star campaigner has to limit oneself to general campaigning for the party.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the <strong>Representation of People&rsquo;s Act,</strong> these <strong>expenses will be borne by the political parties.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prime Minister as Star Campaigner:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The MCC guidelines say when a prime minister or a former prime minister is star campaigner, the<strong> expenditure incurred on security</strong> including on the bullet-proof vehicles will be <strong>borne by the government</strong> and will not be added to the election expenses of the party or the individual candidate.</li>
<li>However, <strong>if another campaigner travels with the prime minister,</strong> the individual candidate will have to bear 50% of the expenditure incurred on the security arrangements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenge of Delisting from Star Campaigner List:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951,</strong> which relates to a <strong>candidate&rsquo;s election expenditure,</strong> leaves it to the political party itself to decide who its &ldquo;leaders&rdquo; are and allows every party to submit a list of such &lsquo;star campaigners&rsquo; to the election authorities.</li>
<li>As the expenditure on the star campaigners is not included in the expenditure of the candidate concerned, an order of the ECI revoking the star status is actually a <strong>withdrawal of the right to campaign</strong> without incurring electoral expenditure on the candidates&rsquo; account.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Model Code of Conduct (MCC):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The MCC is a <strong>set of guidelines</strong> issued by the ECI to <strong>regulate political parties and candidates</strong> prior to elections.</li>
<li>It helps ECI in keeping with the mandate it has been given under <strong>Article 324</strong> of the Constitution, which gives it the <strong>power to supervise and conduct free and fair elections</strong> to the Parliament and State Legislatures.</li>
<li><strong>Duration of Enforcement:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The MCC is <strong>operational from the date on which the election schedule</strong> is announced <strong>until the date of result</strong> announcement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legal Status:</strong> MCC is <strong>not statutory</strong> but Political Parties, Candidates and Polling Agents are expected to observe the norms, on matters ranging from the content of election manifestos, speeches and processions, to general conduct etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Certain provisions of the MCC may be enforced through invoking corresponding provisions in other statutes such as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-road-map-for-criminal-justice-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Penal Code 1860</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/re-imagining-cognizable-offences" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Code of Criminal Procedure 1973</strong></a>, and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/the-representation-of-the-people-act-part-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Representation of the People Act 1951.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recommendations Related to MCC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2013, the <strong>Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice,</strong> recommended making the <strong>MCC legally binding,</strong> i.e. MCC shall be made a part of the RPA 1951.</li>
<li>In 2015, <strong>Law Commission of India (LCI) Report 255</strong> observed that since the MCC comes into operation only from the date on which the ECI announces elections, the government can release advertisements prior to the announcement of elections. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The report recommended that a restriction should be imposed on government-sponsored advertisements for up to <strong>six months prior to the date of expiry</strong> of the House/Assembly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/elections/tamil-nadu-assembly/election-commission-bars-dmks-a-raja-from-campaigning-for-48-hours/article34213233.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8057,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Article 244(A) of the Constitution',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>demand for an autonomous state within Assam</strong> has been raised by some of the sections of the society in Assam under the provisions of<strong> Article 244A of the Constitution.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <strong>1950s, a demand for a separate hill state</strong> arose around certain sections of the <strong>tribal population of undivided Assam.</strong></li>
<li>After prolonged agitations, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/statehood-day-of-manipur-meghalaya-and-tripura#:~:text=On%20the%20Statehood%20Day%20of,(Reorganisation)%20Act%2C%201971." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Meghalaya gained statehood in 1972.</strong></a></li>
<li>The leaders of the <strong>Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills</strong> were also part of this movement. They were given the <strong>option to stay in Assam or join Meghalaya.</strong></li>
<li>They <strong>stayed back</strong> as the centre promised them more powers, including<strong> Article 244 (A).</strong></li>
<li>In the 1980s, the demand for more power/autonomy took the form of a movement with a number of Karbi groups resorting to violence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It soon became<strong> an armed separatist insurgency</strong> demanding full statehood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 244A:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 244(A) allows for creation of an &lsquo;autonomous state&rsquo;</strong> within Assam in certain tribal areas.</li>
<li>It also envisages<strong> creation of a local legislature or Council of Ministers or both</strong> to carry out local administration.</li>
<li>It was Inserted into the Constitution by the <strong>Twenty-second Constitution Amendment Act, 1969. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 244(A)</strong> accounts for <strong>more autonomous powers to tribal areas than the Sixth Schedule.</strong> Among these the most important power is the control over law and order.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In Autonomous Councils under the Sixth Schedule, they do not have jurisdiction of law and order.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sixth Schedule</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the<strong> administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram</strong> to safeguard the rights of the tribal population in these states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This special provision is provided under<strong> Article 244 (2) and Article 275 (1) of the Constitution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In<strong> Assam,</strong> the hill districts of <strong>Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi and the Bodo Territorial Region are under this provision.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Governor is empowered to increase or decrease the areas</strong> or change the names<strong> of the autonomous districts.</strong> While <strong>executive powers of the Union extend in Scheduled areas</strong> with respect to their administration in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reservation-issue-in-ap" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fifth schedule</strong></a>, the <strong>sixth schedule areas remain within executive authority of the state.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Fifth Schedule</strong> of the Constitution deals with the<strong> administration and control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes</strong> in any state <strong>except the four states</strong> of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The whole of the normal administrative machinery operating in a state do not extend to the scheduled areas.</li>
<li>At present,<strong> 10 States</strong> namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana have Fifth Schedule Area.</li>
<li>Tribal habitations in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu &amp; Kashmir have not been brought under the Fifth or Sixth Schedule.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>acts of Parliament or the state legislature do not apply</strong> to autonomous districts and autonomous regions or apply with specified modifications and exceptions.</li>
<li>The Councils have also been endowed with wide <strong>civil and criminal judicial powers,</strong> for example establishing village courts etc. However, the jurisdiction of these councils is subject to the jurisdiction of the concerned High Court.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/article-244-a-its-relevance-for-assam-hill-tribes-and-the-politics-7252324/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8048,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Suez Canal Blockade',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/suez-crisis-and-the-fragility-of-global-trade-101616939623003.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Suez crisis and the fragility of global trade&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 28/03/2021. It talks about the issues emanating out of the blockade of Suez canal.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/suez-canal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Suez Canal</strong></a>, one of the world&rsquo;s most critical transit routes, got blocked due to a large container vessel, the MV Ever Given. This has caused enormous disruption to global shipping.</p>
<p>This temporary closure has been very expensive for global trade, as it is estimated that the loss per hour is almost $400 million. The negative impact on the intricate and delicately balanced global supply-chain and oil prices will impose additional costs on the customer globally.</p>
<p>Suez canal closure leads to a cascading downstream disruption of trade and economic consequences. This aspect points to the fragility of global trade and needs to strengthen them.</p>
<h3>Suez Canal: Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The origins of the Suez Canal go back to the ancient period and the first waterway was dug during the reign of Senusret III Pharaoh of Egypt (1874 BC). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this rudimentary canal was abandoned due to silting and reopened several times in the intervening centuries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The modern Suez was built in the mid-19th century through efforts by the French and opened for navigation on November 17, 1869.</li>
<li>In 1858, the Universal Suez Ship Canal Company was tasked to construct and operate the canal for 99 years, after which rights would be handed to the Egyptian government.</li>
<li>Located in Egypt, the artificial sea-level waterway was built between 1859 and 1869 linking the<strong> Mediterranean Sea</strong> and the <strong>Red Sea.</strong></li>
<li>The Suez Canal is pivotal in connecting Europe and Asia, as it negates the need to navigate around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa and thus cutting distances by up to 7,000 km.</li>
<li>The Suez Canal put Egypt at a strategic junction between Asia and Europe. In the wave of assertion by colonies and quasi-colonies, Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the canal in 1956. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to protect the corporate interests that hinged on the Canal, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt. This war was termed the Suez<strong> Crisis 1956.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of the Suez Canal</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enabler for Colonisation:</strong> The construction of the Suez Canal was a<strong> tectonic development</strong> for global maritime connectivity and impacted colonial history in a definitive manner. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The rise of the British Empire was enabled considerably by this canal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Life-line of Global Trade:</strong> The canal continues to be the lifeline for all trade between the West and East as 10% of the global trade passes through it every year. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The value of goods shipped through the canal is estimated to be $9.5 billion daily and the canal generates a major share of the revenue for the Egyptian government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>One of Global Choke Points:</strong> The Suez along, with the <strong>Panama canal</strong> (that links the Pacific and Atlantic oceans), are the two most critical canals in the global maritime domain along with the Volga-Don and the Grand Canal (China).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact of Suez Closure</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Suez situation could compound issues for a supply chain already under pressure from the pandemic and a surge in buying.</li>
<li>The closure could affect shipments of oil and natural gas from the Mideast to Europe.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>It turns out, that while much has changed from 1869 and 1956 -<strong> &ldquo;data is the new oil&rdquo;</strong>, after all a large part of the global economy still runs on the very real grooves left by history.</p>
<p>Given the scale of the consequences of both fiscal and supply-chain disruption &mdash; the need to objectively review existing procedures and protocols specific to the Suez merits the highest priority.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1617193092_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1617193092_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fefffa;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Suez canal closure points to the fragility of global trade and needs to strengthen the supply chain. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8040,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Slumbering Parliamentary System',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/dormant-parliament-fading-business/article34173052.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Dormant Parliament, fading business&rsquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 27/03/2021. It talks about the deteriorating efficiency of the Parliament and related issues.</p>
</div>
<p>The Parliament of a country is central to the very idea of democracy assigned with the pivotal roles of framing legislation, ensuring accountability of governments and holding debates and discussion on various concerns.</p>
<p>In this context, the Parliament of India, even after so many years, has neither evolved nor matured as it could, might or should have.</p>
<p>Shorter Parliamentary sessions and leniency in the scrutiny of the Bills have diminished the stature and efficiency of the Parliament.</p>
<p>To preserve the very idea of India as a democratic country, the Parliament needs to function more actively in terms of framing bills, its scrutiny and holding sessions.</p>
<h3>Dormancy in Parliament and Related Issues</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Shorter Parliamentary Sessions, a Trend:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/budget-2021-highlights-physical-and-financial-capital" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Budget</strong></a> Session of Parliament for 2021 ended two weeks before the planned time due to involvement of political leaders in campaigning for the state assembly elections. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Budget session of 2020 was also curtailed due to<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> nationwide lockdown</strong></a> imposed due to the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pandemic.</a></strong></li>
<li>The 18 days Monsoon session in 2020 also lasted for only 10 days while the winter session was cancelled.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Weakened Legislature Scrutiny:</strong> 13 Bills were introduced in the budget session out of which 8 were passed within the session and none of the 13 bills was referred to any parliamentary committee for examination.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The introduction and passing of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-of-nct-of-delhi-amendment-bill-2021#:~:text=Recently%2C%20the%20central%20government%20introduced,Territory%20of%20Delhi%20Act%2C%201991." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021</strong> </a>by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha was merely a 10 day process.</li>
<li>The <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-mines-minerals-amendment-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2021</strong></a> was also passed by both Houses within a week.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-bank-for-financing-infrastructure-and-development-bill-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) Bill, 2021</strong></a> was passed within three days of introduction.</li>
<li>The <strong>Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2021,</strong> aimed at increasing the limit of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/revised-fdi-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> FDI</strong></a> in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/insurance-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>insurance</strong> </a>companies from 49% to 74% also took just a week between introduction and passing by both Houses.</li>
<li>This quick work should be read as a sign of<strong> abdication by Parliament of its duty</strong> to scrutinise Bills, rather than as a sign of efficiency.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gradual Marginalisation of Parliamentary Committees:</strong> According to data by PRS Legislative Research, the percentage of Bills referred to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/extension-of-tenure-of-standing-committees" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)</strong></a> declined from 71% in the 15<sup>th</sup> Lok Sabha (2009-14) to 27% in the 16<sup>th</sup> Lok Sabha and just 11% in the 17<sup>th</sup> Lok Sabha (2019-present). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Apart from the DRSCs, there are negligible bills referred to Select Committees of the Houses or Joint Parliamentary Committees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Discussion for Union Budget:</strong> The Constitution of India requires the Lok Sabha to approve the expenditure Budget of each department and Ministry. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Lok Sabha had listed the budget of just five Ministries for detailed discussion and discussed only three of these.</li>
<li>Moreover, 76% of the total Budget was approved without any discussion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Absence of the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha:</strong> Article 93 of the Constitution provides for the Lok Sabha to select two of its members as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The current Lok Sabha is in the absence of the Deputy Speaker, which is elected within a couple of months of the formation of a new Lok Sabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Parliamentary Scrutiny:</strong> Parliament must ensure sufficient scrutiny over the proposals and actions of the government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This may include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Creating a system of research support to Members of Parliament.</li>
<li>Providing sufficient time for MPs to examine issues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Moreover, to compensate for the issue of parliamentary sessions being shortened due to pandemic, remote working and technology related solutions is the way forward.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transparency in Legislative Procedures:</strong> Ensuring that Bills and budgets are examined by committees and public feedback is taken. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will help citizens know where we went wrong and how it can be corrected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legislative Impact Assessment:</strong> A detailed framework for pre and post Legislative Impact Assessment (LIA) is needed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Every legislative proposal must incorporate a detailed account of social, economic, environmental and administrative impact for wider awareness and subsequent legal assessment.</li>
<li>Besides, a new <strong>Legislation Committee of Parliament</strong> should be constituted to coordinate legislative planning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Parliamentary Committee Reforms:</strong> Measures for the effective functioning of Department Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) like longer tenure, promoting specialization, etc are needed. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In countries such as Sweden, Finland and Australia, it is mandated to send either all or at least some specific bill to the parliamentary committees.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India should also mandate a similar requirement to avail the benefits of the committee system that have been taken for granted so far.</li>
<li>Circumventing the Parliamentary committees in the passing of significant legislation is a sign of weakening democracy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening the Role of the Opposition:</strong> In order to strengthen the role of the opposition, the institution of <strong>&lsquo;Shadow Cabinet&rsquo;</strong> can be formed in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Shadow cabinet is a unique institution of the British cabinet system formed by the opposition party to balance the ruling cabinet.</li>
<li>In such a system each action of Cabinet Minister must be countersigned by the minister in the shadow cabinet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parliament has the central role in our democracy as the representative body that checks the work of the government. In order to fulfil its constitutional mandate, it is imperative that Parliament functions effectively.</li>
<li>Also, proper scrutiny of the bills is an essential requirement of a quality legislation. Circumventing the parliamentary committees while passing legislations undermines the very spirit of the democracy.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1617108662_pm2.PNG" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1617108662_pm2.PNG" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffefa;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;The dormancy of the Parliament makes democracy in India as good as dead. The deterioration in Parliament&rsquo;s functioning needs to be stopped to make it fulfil its constitutional mandate&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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		'article_id' => (int) 8032,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Parliamentary Committees',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/restoring-the-broken-oversight-mechanisms-of-parliament-101616761470187.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Restoring the broken oversight mechanisms of Parliament&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 26/03/2021. It talks about the significance of the parliamentary committees.</p>
</div>
<p>India&rsquo;s Parliament recently passed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/union-vs-delhi-government#:~:text=Delhi%20Government,-22%20Mar%202021&amp;text=This%20article%20is%20based%20on,(Amendment)%20Bill%2C%202021." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021,</strong></a> which significantly alters the way the government in New Delhi functions. Despite the nature of the sweeping changes this bill proposed, it was not sent to a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/parliamentary-committee-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>parliamentary committee.</strong></a></p>
<p>In a parliamentary democracy, the bills of such significance are sent to parliamentary committees for closer scrutiny. However, 71% of the bills went to parliamentary committees between 2009 and 2014, and this dipped to only 25% between 2014 and 2019.</p>
<p>Sidelining parliamentary committees is increasingly becoming the norm in India. But, given the significance of the parliamentary committee system in democracy, it needs to be strengthened rather than rendered defunct.</p>
<h3>Significance of the Parliamentary Committees</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Provides Legislative Expertise:</strong> Most MPs are not subject matter experts on the topics being discussed &mdash; they are generalists who understand the pulse of the people but rely on advice from experts and stakeholders before making decisions. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Parliamentary committees are meant to help MPs seek expertise and give them time to think about issues in detail.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Acting as a Mini-Parliament:</strong> These committees act as a mini-parliament, as they have MPs representing different parties are elected into them through a system of the single transferable vote, in roughly the same proportion as their strength in Parliament.</li>
<li><strong>Instrument for Detailed Scrutiny:</strong> When bills are referred to these committees, they are examined closely and inputs are sought from various external stakeholders, including the public.</li>
<li><strong>Provides a Check on the Government:</strong> Although committee recommendations are not binding on the government, their reports create a public record of the consultations that took place and put pressure on the government to reconsider its stand on debatable provisions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By virtue of being closed-door and away from the public eye, discussions in committee meetings are also more collaborative, with MPs feeling less pressured to posture for media galleries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sidelining of Parliamentary Committee: Issues</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Weakening of Parliamentary System Government:</strong> A parliamentary democracy works on the doctrine of fusion of powers between parliament and the executive, but the Parliament is supposed to maintain oversight of the government and keep its power in check. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, by circumventing the Parliamentary committees in the passing of significant legislation, there is a risk of weakening democracy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enforcing Brute Majority:</strong> In the Indian system, it is not mandatory for bills to be sent to committees. It&rsquo;s left to the discretion of the Chair &mdash; the Speaker in the Lok Sabha and Chairperson in the Rajya Sabha. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By giving discretionary power to the Chair, the system has been specially rendered weak in a Lok Sabha where the ruling party has a brute majority.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Making Discussion Mandatory:</strong> In countries such as Sweden and Finland, all bills are sent to committees. In Australia, a selection of bills committee, which includes members from the Opposition, is tasked with identifying the bills that should go to committees.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is perhaps time for India to mandate a similar requirement to avail the benefits of the committee system that have been taken for granted so far.</li>
<li>This would require amending the rules of procedure in both Lok Sabha and Rajya sabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Periodic Review:</strong> According to the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC), DRSCs should be periodically reviewed so that the committees which have outlived their utility can be replaced with new ones. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Standing Committee on National Economy to provide analysis of the national economy with resources for advisory expertise, data gathering, and research facilities.</li>
<li>Standing Constitution Committee to scrutinize Constitutional Amendment Bills before they are introduced in Parliament.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Mandating scrutiny for the significant bills passed is by no means a hurdle to the legislative process, rather it is necessary to uphold the quality of legislation, and by extension, the quality of governance. Thus, a strong parliamentary committee system is required to ensure Parliament&rsquo;s sanctity in the law-making process.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fdfffa;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Sidelining parliamentary committees erodes the sanctity of parliament as a law-making body.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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		'article_id' => (int) 8030,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Ad-hoc Judges in High Court',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Supreme Court pushed for the appointment of retired judges to battle the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/judicial-pendency-justice-delayed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pendency of cases</strong> </a>in High Courts.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1616840152_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1616840152_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Supreme Court Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Guidelines for Appointment of an Ad-hoc Judge:</strong> The court orally<strong> outlined prospective guidelines</strong> for the appointment and functioning of an ad-hoc judge.</li>
<li><strong>Pendency Beyond a Certain Limit:</strong> If in a particular jurisdiction, the <strong>pendency goes beyond a certain limit, say eight or 10 years,</strong> the <strong>Chief Justice may appoint a certain [retired] judge</strong> with expertise in those fields of laws as an ad hoc judge. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> term of such a judge could be extendable.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Position:</strong> The appointment of ad-hoc judges would not be a threat to the services of other judges as the <strong>Ad-hoc judges will be treated as the junior most.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Selection:</strong> The retired judges would be chosen <strong>on the basis of their expertise in a particular field of dispute</strong> and allowed to retire once the pendency in that zone of law was over.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arguments for Appointing Retired Judges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The retired judges who had handled certain disputes and fields of law for over 15 years<strong> could deal with them faster</strong> if brought back into harness as ad-hoc judges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Constitutional Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The appointment of retired judges was provided for in the<strong> Constitution under Article 224A (appointment of retired judges at sittings of High Courts).</strong></li>
<li>Under the Article, the Chief Justice of a High Court for any State may at any time, with the <strong>previous consent of the President, request any person</strong> who has held the office of judge of that court or of any other High Court to sit and act as a judge of the High Court for that State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons For Pendency:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The Government is the Biggest Litigant:</strong> According to the <strong>Economic Survey 2018-19</strong> poorly drafted orders have resulted in contested tax revenues equal to 4.7% of the GDP and it is rising.</li>
<li><strong>Less Budgetary Allocation:</strong> The budget allocated to the judiciary is between 0.08 and 0.09% of the GDP. Only four countries &mdash; Japan, Norway, Australia and Iceland &mdash; have a lesser budget allocation and they do not have problems of pendency like India.</li>
<li><strong>Practice of Seeking Adjournments:</strong> Usually the lower courts seek adjournment ad infinitum.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Assessment:</strong> When a new legislation is formed, there is no judicial impact assessment done by the government on how much burden is going to be casted on the judiciary.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The probabilities of generating more litigations or requirement of more judges is not taken into account.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Delay in Judicial Appointment: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/collegium-system-for-the-appointment-of-judges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Collegium</a></strong> recommendations have been<strong> pending with the government</strong> for over seven months to a year to get approval in order to fill vacancies in High Courts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The total sanctioned judicial strength in the <strong>25 High Courts is 1,080.</strong> However, <strong>the present working strength is 661 with 419 vacancies</strong> as of March 2021.</li>
<li>The government has countered that it's the fault of the Collegium and the High Court for delaying the process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Streamlining the Appointment System:</strong> The vacancies must be filled without any unnecessary delay.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A proper time frame for the appointment of judges must be laid down and the recommendations must be given in advance.</li>
<li>The Constitution of the<strong> All India Judicial Services</strong> is also an important factor which can definitely help India establish a better judicial system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of Technologies:</strong> People are becoming more and more aware of their rights and which is why the number of cases filed in court are also increasing.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To deal with that judicial officers need to be trained, vacancies for the judges must be filled up expeditiously and in addition the use of technology particularly <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>artificial intelligence</strong> </a>must be encouraged.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Out of Court Settlement:</strong> Resolving every case within the court premises is not mandatory; other possible systems must also be accessed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is also a need to promote the alternate dispute resolution mechanism for which the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/arbitration-and-conciliation-amendment-bill-2021#:~:text=Objective%3A%20The%20Arbitration%20and%20Conciliation,other%20alternative%20dispute%20redressal%20mechanisms." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>arbitration and conciliation</strong></a> act has been amended three times to ensure that people go for commercial litigation mode and sort it out either by mediation, conciliation or arbitration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-for-posting-retired-judges-to-clear-backlog-in-hcs/article34163270.ece#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20on%20Thursday,of%20cases%20in%20High%20Courts.&amp;text=there%20are%20all%20kinds%20of,Prahari%2C%20on%20the%20mounting%20backlog." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8016,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'N.V. Ramana: 48th Chief Justice of India',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>N.V. Ramana,</strong> the senior most judge of the Supreme Court, has been recommended as the next top judge by the present Chief Justice of India (S A Bobde).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Justice Ramana will take over as the <strong>48<sup>th</sup> Chief Justice of India (CJI)</strong> from <strong>24<sup>th</sup> April 2021.</strong> He would be the CJI till <strong>26<sup>th</sup> August, 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Appointment of the CJI:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Chief Justice of India and the Judges of the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Supreme Court</a> (SC)</strong> are appointed by the President under<strong> clause (2)</strong> of <strong>Article 124</strong> of the Constitution.</li>
<li>As far as the CJI is concerned, the <strong>outgoing CJI recommends his successor.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Union Law Minister forwards the recommendation to the Prime Minister who, in turn, advises the President.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>SC in the<strong> Second Judges Case (1993),</strong> ruled that the senior most judge of the Supreme Court should alone be appointed to the office of the CJI.</li>
<li>The<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/collegium-system-for-the-appointment-of-judges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Supreme Court collegium</a> is headed by the Chief Justice of India</strong> and comprises four other senior most judges of the court.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The collegium system is the<strong> system of appointment and transfer of judges</strong> that has evolved through judgments of the Supreme Court (Judges Cases), and not by an Act of Parliament or by a provision of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Administrative Powers of CJI (Master of Roster):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is common to refer to the office as primus inter pares &ndash; <strong>first amongst equals.</strong></li>
<li>Besides his <strong>adjudicatory role,</strong> the CJI also plays the role of the<strong> administrative head of the Court.</strong></li>
<li>In his administrative capacity, the Chief Justice <strong>exercises the prerogative of allocating cases to particular benches.</strong></li>
<li>The Chief Justice<strong> also decides the number of judges that will hear a case.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Thus, he can influence the result by simply choosing judges that he thinks may favour a particular outcome.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Such administrative powers <strong>can be exercised without collegial consensus,</strong> and without any stated reasons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Development:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019, the SC ruled that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cji-under-the-rti-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>office of Chief Justice of India (CJI) comes under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cji-bobde-recommends-justice-ramana-as-successor/article34148064.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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