Polity Set 82
π
π Centre-State Relations β’ Inter-State Council
Q.1) Which commission recommended the establishment of an Inter-State Council under Article 263?
Ans > Sarkaria Commission
- Background of the Commission: The Sarkaria Commission was appointed by the Union Government in 1983 to thoroughly examine the working of the existing arrangements between the Union and States. It was headed by Justice R.S. Sarkaria, a retired Supreme Court judge.
- Recommendation for a Permanent Body: While Article 263 of the Constitution always allowed for an Inter-State Council, the commission observed it was largely unutilized. It strongly recommended the establishment of a permanent Inter-State Council, suggesting it be named the “Inter-Governmental Council.”
- Scope and Federal Vision: The commission did not favor sweeping structural changes to the Constitution but heavily emphasized cooperative federalism. It recommended the Council focus on investigating and discussing subjects of common interest between the Union and the states to avoid friction.
- Implementation Success: Out of the 247 total recommendations made by the Sarkaria Commission, the Central government eventually implemented around 180. The most historically significant among them was the formal establishment of the Inter-State Council a few years later.
π Centre-State Relations β’ Inter-State Council
Q.2) Based on the Sarkaria Commission’s recommendation, the Inter-State Council was set up by a presidential order in which year?
Ans > 1990
- Political Catalyst for Establishment: The Inter-State Council was officially formed on May 28, 1990, during the tenure of Prime Minister V.P. Singh. His National Front government prioritized federal reforms, acting upon the Sarkaria Commission’s long-pending recommendations.
- Composition of the Council: The Prime Minister serves as the Chairman of the Council. Its membership is highly inclusive, comprising the Chief Ministers of all states and Union Territories having legislative assemblies, Administrators of UTs without assemblies, and six Central Cabinet Ministers.
- Core Constitutional Mandate: Formed under Article 263, the Council serves as a non-permanent constitutional body. Its primary duty is to investigate disputes between states, discuss policies where states have a shared interest, and ensure better coordination of policy implementation.
- Creation of the Secretariat: To assist the Council, the Inter-State Council Secretariat was set up in 1991. Later, in 2011, this secretariat was also designated to act as the official secretariat for the Zonal Councils, streamlining federal administrative duties under one roof.
π Administration β’ Commissions
Q.3) The First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966) was initially chaired by Morarji Desai. When he became the Deputy Prime Minister, who succeeded him as the chairman?
Ans > K. Hanumanthaiya
- Inception of the First ARC: The First Administrative Reforms Commission was established on January 5, 1966, by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Its mandate was to review the public administration system of India comprehensively and suggest reforms for efficiency and integrity.
- Leadership Transition: Morarji Desai led the commission capably until 1967. However, when he was inducted into Indira Gandhiβs cabinet as the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, he vacated the chair. K. Hanumanthaiya, a prominent leader and former Chief Minister of Mysore, took over.
- Monumental Output and Reports: Under this leadership, the commission worked extensively until 1970. It submitted a staggering 20 reports containing exactly 537 specific recommendations encompassing vast areas like state administration, financial administration, and citizen grievances.
- Legacy on Centre-State Relations: One of the First ARCβs most vital reports focused strictly on Centre-State relations. It was the first major national commission to suggest that Article 263 should be used to form an Inter-State Council, well before the Sarkaria Commission echoed the same sentiment.
π Centre-State Relations β’ State Autonomy
Q.4) The Rajamannar Committee (1969) to examine Centre-State relations was appointed by the government of which state?
Ans > Tamil Nadu
- Regional Political Motivations: In 1969, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu, led by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, became increasingly concerned about the centralization of power in New Delhi. They appointed this three-member committee to fight for state autonomy.
- High-Profile Composition: The committee was headed by Dr. P.V. Rajamannar, a highly respected former Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. He was assisted by two other eminent personalities: Dr. A.L. Mudaliar and P.C. Chandra Reddy, giving the committee significant legal and academic weight.
- Radical Federal Recommendations: The committee’s 1971 report was considered revolutionary. It recommended the immediate abolition of All India Services (like the IAS and IPS), the deletion of Article 356 (President’s Rule), and transferring several key subjects from the Union List to the State List.
- Rejection by the Union Government: Because the recommendations severely curtailed the powers of the Central Government and challenged the fundamental unitary bias of the Indian Constitution, the Union government completely ignored the report. However, it successfully sparked a nationwide debate on federalism.
π Centre-State Relations β’ Political Resolutions
Q.5) The Anandpur Sahib Resolution, which raised demands pertaining to Centre-State relations, was adopted in 1973 by which political party?
Ans > Akali Dal
- Origin of the Resolution: Formulated in 1973, the Anandpur Sahib Resolution was a pivotal political and religious document adopted by the Shiromani Akali Dal, the principal Sikh political party in Punjab. It aimed to redefine the relationship between the Centre and the state of Punjab.
- Demands for Extreme Autonomy: The resolution radically proposed that the Central Governmentβs jurisdiction be strictly confined to only four areas: Defence, Foreign Affairs, Communications, and Currency. It demanded that all residuary powers be immediately vested in the state governments.
- Religious and Cultural Undertones: Beyond mere administrative restructuring, the resolution sought the recognition of Sikhs as a distinct socio-religious entity. It demanded the inclusion of Chandigarh and other Punjabi-speaking areas of neighboring states into Punjab, blending federal demands with regional identity.
- Historical Repercussions: The Union government heavily criticized the resolution, viewing it as a secessionist threat rather than a federal plea. The political tensions surrounding these unresolved demands eventually contributed to the dark period of militancy in Punjab during the 1980s.
π Centre-State Relations β’ Political Resolutions
Q.6) The West Bengal Memorandum (1977), which suggested a radical restructuring of Centre-State relations, was published by the:
Ans > Left Front Government
- Ideological Origins of the Memorandum: In December 1977, shortly after coming to power, the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Front government in West Bengal published a comprehensive memorandum. It aimed to fundamentally alter the Indian Constitution to reflect true federalism.
- Demand to Rename the Republic: The memorandum notoriously demanded that the word “Union” in the Constitution be replaced with “Federal.” It argued that India should structurally function as a federation of autonomous states rather than a union with a strong centralizing bias.
- Financial and Administrative Restructuring: It heavily criticized the financial dependency of states on the Centre. It demanded that the Centre should share 75% of its total revenue directly with the states. Furthermore, it called for the complete abolition of the All India Services and Article 356.
- Fate of the Document: The memorandum was officially sent to the Central government, heavily debated in academic circles, and circulated among other state governments to build a consensus. Predictably, the Central government decisively rejected it, refusing to dilute its constitutional authority.
π Centre-State Relations β’ Commissions
Q.7) The Sarkaria Commission, appointed by the Central Government in 1983 to review Centre-State relations, submitted its final report in the year:
Ans > 1987 (officially published in 1988)
- Prolonged Tenure of the Commission: Although appointed in 1983 by Indira Gandhi to ease the rising friction between New Delhi and regional governments, the Commission’s task was so massive that its tenure had to be extended multiple times.
- Submission and Publication Timeline: After exhaustive research, consultations with state governments, and reviewing thousands of memorandums, the final report was submitted to Rajiv Gandhiβs government in late 1987. It was officially printed, distributed, and made public in January 1988.
- Stance on Article 356: One of the most famous takeaways from the 1987 report was its strict stance on Article 356 (President’s Rule). The commission vehemently stated that it should be used very sparingly, only as a measure of last resort when all other constitutional options have failed.
- Status of the Concurrent List: Unlike the regional committees (like Rajamannar), the Sarkaria Commission’s 1987 report firmly recommended retaining the Concurrent List in its existing form. It argued that a strong Centre was an absolute necessity to safeguard the national unity and integrity of India.
π Centre-State Relations β’ Commissions
Q.8) The Punchhi Commission on Centre-State Relations was set up by the Government of India in 2007. It submitted its report in:
Ans > 2010
- Need for a Modern Review: Two decades after the Sarkaria Commission, India’s political and economic landscape had drastically changed due to economic liberalization (1991), the rise of coalition politics, and the empowerment of Panchayati Raj institutions. The Punchhi Commission was formed in 2007 to address these modern complexities.
- Leadership and Expertise: The commission was chaired by Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi, a former Chief Justice of India. His team included prominent administrators, ensuring the report balanced strict constitutional law with practical modern governance requirements.
- Submission and Volume of Work: After three years of extensive research, the commission submitted its monumental report in April 2010. The report was famously exhaustive, divided into seven massive volumes containing over 312 specific recommendations regarding almost every facet of Centre-State interaction.
- Innovative Proposals on Governors: A standout recommendation from the 2010 report was regarding state Governors. It proposed the controversial idea of “localized emergency” (under Articles 355 and 356) to tackle trouble in specific districts rather than dismissing the entire state government, protecting state autonomy.
π Trade and Commerce β’ Part XIII
Q.9) Part XIII of the Constitution contains provisions relating to Freedom of Trade, Commerce and Intercourse. Article 301 declares that trade, commerce and intercourse throughout the territory of India shall be:
Ans > Free
- The Constitutional Vision of Economic Unity: The primary objective of drafting Part XIII, and specifically Article 301, was to ensure that the entire nation functions as a single, unified economic unit. The framers wanted to tear down regional economic barriers that existed during British rule.
- Scope of the Word “Free”: The freedom guaranteed under Article 301 is remarkably broad. It protects trade not only from direct physical or geographical barriers (like checkpoints between states) but also from discriminatory fiscal burdens (like targeted taxes) that might hinder the natural flow of goods.
- Exceptions to the Rule: While Article 301 guarantees economic freedom, it explicitly states this freedom is “subject to the other provisions of this Part.” This means Articles 302 to 305 contain specific, defined exceptions where the Centre or States can impose necessary restrictions.
- Comparison with Fundamental Rights: Although the freedom of trade and commerce is heavily protected, it is a Constitutional Right, not a Fundamental Right. Unlike Article 19(1)(g) which protects the individual’s right to practice a profession, Article 301 protects the physical movement and flow of trade across borders.
π Trade and Commerce β’ Restrictions
Q.10) Under Article 302, who has the power to impose restrictions on the freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse between one state and another in the public interest?
Ans > The Parliament
- Empowering the National Legislature: Article 302 explicitly grants the Parliament of India the supreme authority to restrict the freedom of trade, commerce, or intercourse guaranteed under Article 301, provided such restriction is deemed strictly necessary for the “public interest.”
- Definition of Public Interest: The term “public interest” is purposely broad, allowing the Parliament to act during emergencies. Examples include regulating the inter-state movement of essential commodities during famines, managing the transport of hazardous materials, or controlling trade during national security crises.
- The Non-Discrimination Clause: While Parliament has this power, Article 303 immediately applies a brake. It states that Parliament cannot make laws that give preference to one state over another or discriminate between states, ensuring that political favoritism does not ruin economic unity.
- Exception to Non-Discrimination: There is one major exception to the non-discrimination rule. Parliament can discriminate or give preference to a state if it is necessary to deal with a situation arising from an extreme scarcity of goods in any specific part of the Indian territory.
π Trade and Commerce β’ State Legislature
Q.11) A state legislature can impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of trade, commerce or intercourse with that state in the public interest. However, a bill for this purpose can be introduced in the state legislature only with the prior sanction of the:
Ans > President
- State Powers Under Article 304(b): The Constitution acknowledges that state governments might need to protect their local economies, public health, or regional interests. Article 304(b) allows state legislatures to impose “reasonable restrictions” on trade and commerce moving into their territory.
- The Presidential Sanction Check: To prevent states from abusing this power to create economic silos or engage in retaliatory trade wars with neighboring states, the Constitution mandates a strict safeguard: a bill of this nature cannot even be introduced in the state assembly without the prior recommendation of the President of India.
- Judicial Review of “Reasonableness”: Even if the President sanctions the bill and it becomes a law, the courts still hold the power to review it. The restriction imposed by the state must objectively satisfy the criteria of being “reasonable” and strictly in the “public interest.”
- Ensuring National Economic Supremacy: This mechanism beautifully balances state autonomy with national integrity. It allows states to address local crises (like banning the entry of infected livestock) while ensuring the Union government (via the President) prevents the balkanization of the Indian economy.
π Constitutional Bodies β’ Finance Commission
Q.12) The Finance Commission (Article 280) is constituted by the President every five years to make recommendations on the distribution of net proceeds of taxes. To whom does the Finance Commission submit its report?
Ans > The President
- Constitutional Mandate and Role: Established under Article 280, the Finance Commission is a quasi-judicial body whose core function is to define the financial relations between the Central government and the state governments. It acts as the supreme balancing wheel of fiscal federalism in India.
- Report Submission Process: The Commission conducts a massive, multi-year consultative process with all state governments and the Centre. Once its formula is finalized, it submits its comprehensive report directly to the President of India, who constituted the body in the first place.
- Laying the Report Before Parliament: After receiving the report, the President is constitutionally bound (under Article 281) to lay it before both Houses of Parliament. Along with the report, an explanatory memorandum detailing the executive actions taken on the recommendations must also be presented.
- Advisory Nature of Recommendations: While the Finance Commission is highly respected, its recommendations are technically advisory in nature and not legally binding on the government. However, by convention, the Union Government almost always accepts its recommendations regarding tax devolution to maintain federal harmony.
π Constitutional Bodies β’ GST Council
Q.13) The Goods and Services Tax Council (GST Council) was established under Article 279-A by the 101st Amendment Act (2016). In the GST Council, what is the voting weightage of all State Governments combined?
Ans > Two-thirds of the total votes cast
- Birth of the GST Council: The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act (2016) revolutionized India’s indirect tax structure. To manage this massive shift democratically, Article 279-A created the GST Council as a joint forum of the Centre and the States, acting as the ultimate decision-making body for GST.
- The Federal Voting Formula: The voting structure was meticulously designed to ensure neither the Centre nor the States could force a decision alone. The Central Government holds exactly one-third (33.3%) of the voting weight, while all State Governments combined hold two-thirds (66.6%) of the weight.
- The Three-Fourths Majority Rule: For any resolution or decision to be passed in the GST Council, it requires a supermajority of not less than three-fourths (75%) of the weighted votes of the members present and voting.
- Built-in Mutual Veto: This mathematical formula creates a brilliant constitutional mutual veto. Because the states only have 66.6%, they cannot pass a law without the Centre’s support. Because the Centre only has 33.3%, it cannot dictate terms without the support of a significant number of states.
π Constitutional Bodies β’ GST Council
Q.14) Who acts as the Vice-Chairperson of the GST Council?
Ans > One of the State Finance Ministers (chosen by the state members amongst themselves)
- Leadership Structure of the Council: The GST Council is fundamentally chaired by the Union Finance Minister. This ensures that the Central Government, which drives national macroeconomic policy, retains the primary leadership role in the administration of indirect taxes.
- Empowering the States via Vice-Chairmanship: To maintain a spirit of cooperative federalism, the Constitution dictates that the Vice-Chairperson must be a representative of the states. The members of the Council (who are state finance or revenue ministers) elect one amongst themselves to hold this position.
- Role and Responsibilities: The Vice-Chairperson plays a crucial role in representing the collective interests of the state governments. They often chair specific sub-committees, mediate disputes between regional blocks of states, and step in to lead discussions when state-specific grievances are being addressed.
- Term and Election: The exact tenure of the Vice-Chairperson is not permanently fixed by the Constitution but is decided by the GST Council itself. This ensures that the position can rotate among different states over time, allowing both large and small states to have a prominent voice.
π Constitutional Bodies β’ NCSC
Q.15) Article 338 provides for a National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC). The NCSC presents an annual report upon the working of the constitutional safeguards to the:
Ans > President
- Evolution of the NCSC: Originally, Article 338 only provided for a single “Special Officer” to safeguard the interests of SCs and STs. Recognizing the inadequacy of one officer, it was later evolved into a multi-member, fully empowered Constitutional body via the 65th Amendment Act of 1990.
- Reporting Mechanism: The Commission actively investigates and monitors all matters relating to the constitutional and legal safeguards provided to Scheduled Castes. After compiling its findings, it presents an annual reportβor reports at other times it deems necessaryβdirectly to the President of India.
- Parliamentary Scrutiny: Upon receiving the NCSC’s report, the President is obligated to lay it before both Houses of Parliament. Crucially, the government must append a memorandum explaining the actions taken on the recommendations, and if any were rejected, the exact reasons for non-acceptance.
- Routing to State Governments: If the report contains matters concerning specific State Governments, the President automatically forwards a copy to the respective State Governor. The Governor then lays it before the State Legislature with a similar explanatory memorandum regarding state-level actions.
π Constitutional Bodies β’ NCST
Q.16) The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was created as a separate constitutional body under Article 338A by which Amendment Act?
Ans > 89th Amendment Act (2003)
- The Need for Separation: Geographically and culturally, the issues faced by Scheduled Tribes are vastly different from those faced by Scheduled Castes. STs often deal with issues regarding forest rights, tribal land alienation, and geographical isolation, necessitating a specialized, dedicated constitutional body.
- The 89th Amendment Intervention: To address this, the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 bifurcated the combined National Commission for SCs and STs into two completely independent entities. It created a brand new Article 338A specifically for the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
- Establishment and Structure: Following the amendment, the NCST officially came into existence in 2004. Like its counterpart, it consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other full-time members, all appointed directly by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
- Civil Court Powers: While investigating matters or inquiring into specific complaints regarding the deprivation of tribal rights, the NCST is vested with the powers of a civil court. It can summon witnesses, demand public records, and receive evidence on affidavits from anywhere in India.
π Constitutional Bodies β’ NCBC
Q.17) The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) was conferred constitutional status and inserted into the Constitution under Article 338B by which Amendment Act?
Ans > 102nd Amendment Act (2018)
- Statutory Origins: The National Commission for Backward Classes was originally established in 1993 as a mere statutory body under an Act of Parliament, following the directions of the Supreme Court in the famous Mandal Case (Indra Sawhney judgment).
- The Push for Constitutional Parity: For decades, there was a political demand that the NCBC should possess the same constitutional autonomy, authority, and investigative powers as the commissions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- The 102nd Amendment Act: In 2018, Parliament passed the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act. This historic move inserted a new Article 338B into the Constitution, finally elevating the NCBC from a statutory body to a powerful constitutional body, independent of standard government bureaucracy.
- Expanded Mandate and Power: Prior to this amendment, the NCBC merely recommended inclusions or exclusions from the list of backward classes. With constitutional status, it gained the power to actively investigate grievances, protect rights, and summon officials with the authority of a civil court.
π Constitutional Bodies β’ Linguistic Minorities
Q.18) The provision for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities (Article 350B) was not in the original Constitution. It was inserted by which Amendment Act?
Ans > 7th Amendment Act (1956)
- The States Reorganisation Commission’s Warning: In 1953, the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) was tasked with redrawing India’s map based on linguistic lines. However, the SRC recognized that no state could be completely monolingual, and linguistic minorities would naturally exist in every new state.
- Inserting Article 350B: To protect these vulnerable linguistic minorities from cultural assimilation or discrimination, the SRC recommended a constitutional safeguard. Parliament accepted this, and the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 formally inserted Article 350B into the Constitution.
- Role and Appointment: Article 350B mandates the appointment of a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities by the President. The officer’s sole duty is to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for linguistic minorities under the Constitution.
- Designation and Reporting: The officer is officially designated as the “Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities.” The Commissioner prepares an annual report detailing the status of minority languages and educational facilities, which is submitted to the President and subsequently laid before Parliament.
π Constitutional Bodies β’ Linguistic Minorities
Q.19) At the Central level, the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities falls under the administrative control of the Ministry of:
Ans > Minority Affairs
- Historical Shift in Administration: For decades after its creation in 1957, the office of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities functioned under the administrative umbrella of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which handled a vast array of vulnerable communities.
- Creation of a Dedicated Ministry: Recognizing the unique socio-economic and cultural challenges faced by minority communities in India, the government carved out a dedicated Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2006.
- Realignment of Duties: Following the creation of the new ministry, the administrative control of the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities was logically transferred to the Ministry of Minority Affairs. This allowed for more focused policy-making and resource allocation for linguistic protections.
- Headquarters and Regional Reach: The Commissioner maintains their primary headquarters at Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh. To ensure effective nationwide monitoring, the office operates three regional headquarters located in Belagavi (Karnataka), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), and Kolkata (West Bengal).
π Constitutional Bodies β’ CAG
Q.20) The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is appointed by the President by a:
Ans > Warrant under his hand and seal
- Significance of the “Warrant”: In the Indian constitutional scheme, being appointed by a “warrant under the hand and seal of the President” is a mark of extreme prestige and high constitutional independence. It places the CAG on the same level as Supreme Court Judges and Governors.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Assessment: During the Constituent Assembly debates, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar famously described the CAG as the most important officer under the Constitution of India. He noted that the CAG is the ultimate guardian of the public purse, ensuring money is spent lawfully.
- Oath of Office: Before entering upon their office, the CAG must make and subscribe to an oath before the President. Uniquely, this oath is identical to the oath taken by a judge of the Supreme Court, highlighting the required impartiality and allegiance to the Constitution.
- Security of Tenure: To ensure the CAG can audit the government fearlessly, the Constitution provides strict security of tenure. The CAG can only be removed from office by the President on the same severe grounds, and through the same complex parliamentary impeachment process, as a Supreme Court judge.
π Constitutional Bodies β’ CAG Duties
Q.21) Does the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) automatically audit the accounts of local bodies (municipalities and panchayats)?
Ans > No, he audits them only when requested by the President/Governor or when required by a specific law
- Scope of the CAG’s Primary Duties: The Constitution (Article 149) and the CAG (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act of 1971 primarily mandate the CAG to audit the receipts and expenditures of the Union government and all State governments. Local bodies are not automatically included.
- Conditional Auditing of Local Bodies: The CAG is not prohibited from auditing Panchayats and Municipalities, but it is not a default duty. The CAG audits these local bodies only if a specific state law requires it, or if the Governor (or President) specifically requests an audit in the public interest.
- Technical Guidance and Support: Even when the CAG doesn’t conduct the primary audit of local bodies, many state governments entrust the CAG with providing “Technical Guidance and Supervision” (TGS) to the local fund auditors to ensure accounting standards are maintained at the grassroots level.
- Impact of the 73rd and 74th Amendments: The 1992 amendments constitutionalized Panchayats and Municipalities, making them the third tier of government receiving massive public funds. Consequently, the Finance Commissions frequently recommend that the CAG’s role in auditing local bodies be significantly expanded for better transparency.
π Constitutional Bodies β’ Attorney General
Q.22) Which constitutional authority has the right of audience in all courts in the territory of India?
Ans > The Attorney General of India
- The Highest Law Officer: Formally established under Article 76 of the Constitution, the Attorney General (AG) is the highest law officer in the country. Their primary duty is to give legal advice to the Government of India and perform other legal duties assigned by the President.
- The Unique Right of Audience: To effectively represent the Union Government in any corner of the country, the Constitution grants the AG an extraordinary privilege: the “right of audience.” This means the AG can walk into any court, tribunal, or judicial forum in India and demand to be heard on behalf of the government.
- Supreme Court Representation: While they can appear anywhere, the AG’s most critical duty is to appear on behalf of the Government of India in all high-stakes cases (including suits, appeals, and constitutional benches) in the Supreme Court of India.
- Presidential References: Under Article 143, the President has the power to consult the Supreme Court on vital questions of law or public importance. In these highly specialized advisory proceedings, it is the Attorney General who represents the Government of India before the judicial bench.
π Constitutional Bodies β’ Attorney General
Q.23) Which constitutional authority has the right to speak and to take part in the proceedings of both the Houses of Parliament or their joint sitting, but without a right to vote?
Ans > The Attorney General of India
- Parliamentary Privileges Under Article 88: Article 88 confers a highly unique parliamentary privilege upon the Attorney General. Despite not being an elected Member of Parliament (MP), the AG has the constitutional right to sit in, speak, and participate in the proceedings of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
- Purpose of Parliamentary Access: This provision exists so the government can utilize the AG’s supreme legal expertise during complex legislative debates. If a bill faces severe constitutional scrutiny or opposition in the House, the AG can step in to explain its legal validity and defend the government’s stance.
- The Voting Restriction: While the AG enjoys the freedom to debate and influence parliamentary proceedings, the Constitution firmly denies them the right to vote. Voting is strictly reserved for the democratically elected or formally nominated members of the legislative houses.
- Immunity and Privileges: Because the AG participates in parliamentary proceedings, they are granted all the immunities and privileges available to a standard Member of Parliament. This protects the AG from being sued or prosecuted for anything they say while advising the House on the floor.
π Constitutional Bodies β’ Advocate General
Q.24) The Advocate General of a state is the highest law officer in the state. He is appointed by the:
Ans > Governor
- State-Level Equivalent to the AG: The office of the Advocate General is created by Article 165 of the Constitution. Just as the Attorney General serves the Union government, the Advocate General serves as the highest legal advisor and representative for the State government.
- The Appointment Mechanism: The power to appoint the Advocate General lies squarely with the Governor of the respective state. However, in practice, the Governor does not act independently; the appointment is made entirely on the advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister.
- Strict Qualifications for the Role: The Constitution dictates that a person cannot be appointed as Advocate General unless they are legally qualified to be appointed as a judge of a High Court. This ensures that the stateβs chief legal counsel possesses formidable legal acumen and experience.
- Core Duties: The Advocate General is responsible for advising the state executive on legal matters, drafting complex state legislation, and defending the state government in lawsuits, particularly in the state’s High Court and the Supreme Court of India.
π Constitutional Bodies β’ Advocate General
Q.25) The Advocate General holds office during the pleasure of the:
Ans > Governor
- The Doctrine of Pleasure: The term of office for the Advocate General is not fixed by the Constitution. They hold office entirely “during the pleasure of the Governor.” This means they can be instantly removed by the Governor at any time, without any formal impeachment process or stated reason.
- Political Nature of the Post: Although appointed by the Governor, the decision to retain or fire the Advocate General rests practically with the ruling state government (the Chief Minister’s cabinet). The Advocate General is a political appointee expected to align with the ruling party’s legal ideology.
- Convention of Resignation: Because the position relies entirely on the political survival of the ruling cabinet, a strict convention has developed. Whenever the state government resigns (due to elections or losing a majority) or is replaced, the Advocate General universally submits their resignation as well.
- Remuneration Flexibility: Unlike Judges or the CAG, the Constitution does not fix the salary or retainer of the Advocate General. Their remuneration is entirely determined by the Governor (effectively the state cabinet) and can be altered depending on the lawyer’s stature and workload.
π Constitutional Amendments β’ Co-operative Societies
Q.26) The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act (2011) relating to co-operative societies amended which fundamental right to include the right to form co-operative societies?
Ans > Article 19(1)(c)
- Historical Context of the Amendment: Passed in 2011, the 97th Constitutional Amendment Act aimed to rescue the cooperative movement in India from mismanagement, political interference, and failing internal democracy, ensuring they function autonomously and professionally.
- Elevating Co-operatives to a Fundamental Right: Prior to this amendment, Article 19(1)(c) guaranteed all citizens the fundamental right to form “associations or unions.” The 2011 amendment specifically added the words “or co-operative societies,” effectively making the formation of a co-operative society a protected Fundamental Right.
- Protection Against State Interference: By making it a fundamental right, the Constitution heavily protected citizens from arbitrary state laws that might previously have hindered the creation of co-operatives. It empowered citizens to directly approach the courts if the government unlawfully prevented them from organizing economically.
- Supreme Court Scrutiny: In 2021, the Supreme Court struck down a portion of the 97th Amendment regarding state-level co-operatives (as they are a state subject), but it decisively upheld the portion that amended Article 19(1)(c), keeping the fundamental right to form them completely intact.
π DPSP β’ Co-operative Societies
Q.27) The 97th Amendment Act also added a new Directive Principle (Article 43B) requiring the state to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of:
Ans > Co-operative societies
- Guiding State Policy: While amending Article 19 gave citizens a fundamental right, the Parliament simultaneously wanted to mandate that state governments actively support this right. Thus, the 97th Amendment inserted a new Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) under Article 43B.
- The Four Pillars of Article 43B: The new article explicitly instructs the State to endeavor to promote four specific attributes in co-operative societies: voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control, and professional management. This was a direct response to the historic corruption and nepotism plaguing state co-operatives.
- Creating Part IXB: To implement the goals of Article 43B, the amendment also inserted an entirely new part into the Constitution: Part IXB (Articles 243ZH to 243ZT). This part laid down strict constitutional rules regarding the maximum number of directors, reservation of seats, and mandatory timely elections for co-operatives.
- Impact on the Rural Economy: Co-operative societies are the backbone of India’s rural agrarian economy (handling credit, dairy, and fertilizers). By embedding these protections into the DPSPs, the Constitution obligates future governments to nurture these grassroots economic engines rather than politicizing them.
π Parliament β’ Sessions
Q.28) Under the Constitution, what is the maximum permissible time gap between two sessions of the Parliament?
Ans > 6 months
- The Constitutional Mandate: Article 85 of the Indian Constitution explicitly states that the President shall summon each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as they think fit, but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session.
- Ensuring Executive Accountability: The primary logic behind the “six-month rule” is to ensure continuous democratic oversight. It prevents a tyrannical or unpopular government from avoiding parliamentary scrutiny, questioning, and no-confidence motions by simply refusing to convene the legislature for long periods.
- The Three-Session Convention: While the Constitution only strictly requires Parliament to meet twice a year (to satisfy the 6-month rule), standard Indian political convention dictates that Parliament meets for three distinct sessions annually: the Budget Session, the Monsoon Session, and the Winter Session.
- Impact of Emergencies: The six-month rule is so sacrosanct that even during severe national crisesβsuch as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020βthe government was legally forced to convene the Monsoon session (with severe restrictions) just to ensure the six-month constitutional deadline was not violated.
π Parliament β’ Sessions
Q.29) A ‘lame-duck session’ refers to the last session of the existing Lok Sabha, after a new Lok Sabha has been elected. Those members of the existing Lok Sabha who could not get re-elected to the new Lok Sabha are called:
Ans > Lame-ducks
- Understanding the Timeline: A lame-duck session occurs during a very specific transitional period: after the results of a general election have been declared and a new Lok Sabha has been constituted, but right before the newly elected Parliament officially convenes for its first meeting.
- The Definition of “Lame-Duck”: The term “lame-duck” originates from British and American political jargon, referring to a politician whose political power is severely diminished because their term is ending soon. In the Indian context, it refers specifically to the outgoing MPs who failed to win re-election.
- Purpose of the Session: These sessions are exceptionally rare in modern Indian politics. Historically, they were used to wrap up non-controversial, pending legislative business, pass farewell resolutions, and allow the outgoing parliamentarians to officially close out their terms.
- Current Relevance: In contemporary Indian parliamentary practice, the lame-duck session has essentially become obsolete. Once the general election results are declared, the incumbent Prime Minister resigns, the old Lok Sabha is immediately dissolved by the President, and the new Lok Sabha takes over without any transitional session.
π Parliament β’ Motions
Q.30) Which motion is moved by a member in the Parliament to cut short the debate on a matter, forcing it to be put to vote?
Ans > Closure Motion
- The Mechanics of the Motion: A Closure Motion is a procedural tool used on the floor of the Parliament. When a debate on a bill or a resolution drags on for an excessively long time, any member can move this motion. If the Speaker accepts and the House passes it, the debate halts immediately, and the matter is put to a direct vote.
- Types of Closure: Indian parliamentary rules recognize four types of closure: ‘Simple Closure’ (matter has been sufficiently discussed), ‘Closure by Compartments’ (lengthy bills grouped into parts for quick voting), ‘Kangaroo Closure’ (only important clauses debated, skipping minor ones), and ‘Guillotine Closure’.
- The Power of the Guillotine: ‘Guillotine Closure’ is the most extreme form. It is typically used during the Budget session when time is running out. The Speaker clubs all undiscussed demands for grants together and forces a single, immediate vote without any debate whatsoever.
- Speaker’s Discretion: The right to move a closure motion is not absolute. The Speaker or Chairman has the ultimate authority to accept or reject the motion. They will reject it if they feel it represents an “abuse of the rules” or unfairly infringes upon the opposition’s democratic right to reasonable debate.
π Quick Summary β Polity Set 82
- Inter-State Council: The Sarkaria Commission recommended the establishment of an Inter-State Council under Article 263.
- Council Formation: Based on the Sarkaria Commission’s recommendation, it was set up in 1990.
- First ARC: K. Hanumanthaiya succeeded Morarji Desai as the chairman of the First Administrative Reforms Commission.
- State Autonomy: The Rajamannar Committee (1969) was appointed by the Tamil Nadu government.
- Centre-State Relations: The Anandpur Sahib Resolution was adopted in 1973 by the Akali Dal.
- West Bengal Memorandum: The 1977 memorandum suggesting radical restructuring was published by the Left Front Government.
- Sarkaria Report: The Sarkaria Commission submitted its final report on Centre-State relations in 1987.
- Punchhi Commission: Set up in 2007, it submitted its comprehensive report in 2010.
- Article 301: Declares that trade, commerce and intercourse throughout India shall be free.
- Article 302: Grants Parliament the power to impose restrictions on trade in the public interest.
- State Trade Restrictions: A state bill imposing reasonable trade restrictions requires prior sanction from the President.
- Finance Commission: Submits its recommendations on the distribution of taxes directly to the President.
- GST Council Voting: All State Governments combined have a voting weightage of two-thirds of the total votes.
- GST Council Vice-Chair: Acts as Vice-Chairperson, chosen from amongst the State Finance Ministers.
- NCSC: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes presents its annual report to the President.
- NCST: Created as a separate constitutional body by the 89th Amendment Act (2003).
- NCBC: Conferred constitutional status under Article 338B by the 102nd Amendment Act (2018).
- Linguistic Minorities: The provision for a Special Officer (Article 350B) was inserted by the 7th Amendment Act (1956).
- Minority Affairs: The Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities falls under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
- CAG Appointment: The CAG is appointed by the President by a warrant under his hand and seal.
- Local Body Audits: The CAG audits local bodies only when requested or required by specific law.
- Right of Audience: The Attorney General of India has the right of audience in all courts in India.
- Parliamentary Privilege: The Attorney General can speak in Parliament proceedings without the right to vote.
- Advocate General: The highest law officer in the state is appointed by the Governor.
- Pleasure of Governor: The Advocate General holds office during the pleasure of the Governor.
- Co-operative Right: The 97th Amendment Act amended Article 19(1)(c) to include the right to form co-operatives.
- DPSP Article 43B: Added by the 97th Amendment requiring states to promote co-operative societies.
- Parliament Sessions: The maximum permissible time gap between two sessions is 6 months.
- Lame-duck Session: Members of the outgoing Lok Sabha who fail to win re-election are called lame-ducks.
- Closure Motion: Moved by a member to cut short debate and force an immediate vote.
Timer β³
15:00
Progress (0/30)
Click any card to flip and reveal the summarized answer!
Smart Review: Questions you got wrong appear here for focused study.