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20th September
Goods and Services Tax
Goods and Services Tax The Goods and Services Tax (GST), the biggest reform in India’s indirect tax structure since the economy began to be opened up 25 years ago, at last, becomes a reality. The Working of GST The Manufacturing Stage: Step 1) Imagine a Producer of Shoe. He buys raw materials like leather, cloth,… Continue reading Goods and Services Tax
Tax Reforms in India
The Summary of India’s Tax Reforms Income Tax In 1973-74, there were 11 income tax slabs, ranging from 10 per cent to 85 per cent. With a sur charge of additional 15%, the implication of which is high earning individuals paying an effective tax of 97% of their incomes. The Wealth tax further makes a… Continue reading Tax Reforms in India
Concept Related to Taxation: Tax Incidence, Tax Evasion, Laffer Curve, CESS and Surcharge
Key Concepts Relating to Taxation Tax Incidence The key to imposing the tax is who bears its burden. If the person on whom the tax is imposed have the flexibility to transfer it on to the other person, then we say tax incidence has shifted. The shifting of tax form one person to the other… Continue reading Concept Related to Taxation: Tax Incidence, Tax Evasion, Laffer Curve, CESS and Surcharge
Special Category Status, Role of Finance Commission, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, National Counter Terrorism Centre, GST, Federalism and Foreign policy
Special Category Status to States Various Chief Ministers across the nation have been demanding special status for their respective states since last few years. This has led to fierce debates amongst the proponents and critiques of the special category status. The proponents argue that granting special status to these states will bring them at par… Continue reading Special Category Status, Role of Finance Commission, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, National Counter Terrorism Centre, GST, Federalism and Foreign policy
Financial Relations between Centre and State (Art. 268 to 293)
The Indian Constitution has elaborate provisions regarding the distribution of revenues between the Union and the States. Article 268 to 293 in Part XII deal with the financial relations. The financial relations between the Union and the States can be studied under the following heads: Taxes and duties levied by the Union, but collected and… Continue reading Financial Relations between Centre and State (Art. 268 to 293)
Administrative Relations between Centre and State (Art. 256 to 263)
The framers of Indian Constitution made detailed provisions in the Constitution in regard to administrative relations between the Centre and State to ensure minimization of conflict between the two. They have been elaborated below: a) Directives by the Union to the State governments: Article 256 mentions that the executive power of every state shall be… Continue reading Administrative Relations between Centre and State (Art. 256 to 263)
Issues and Challenges pertaining to the federal structure
The Role of the Governor (Discretionary Power and Appointment Issues), Reservation of Bills for Consideration of President Misuse of Article 356 The Maintenance of Law and Order in States Encroachment by the Centre on State List The Financial weakness of the State Taxation Powers Issue of Grants Role of Planning Commission Question of Autonomy Issue
Misuse of Article 356 by Central Government
Article 356 is the most contentious article of the Constitution.It offers for State emergency or President’s rule in State if the President, on receipt of It offers for State emergency or President’s rule in State if the President, on receipt of report from the Governor of a State or otherwise, is satisfied that a situation… Continue reading Misuse of Article 356 by Central Government
The Role of the Governor (Discretionary Power and Appointment Issues), Reservation of Bills for Consideration of President
Role of the Governor The Governor is appointed by the President of India for five years. But he remains in the office till the pleasure of the President. It means, he can be recalled any time and his continuation in the office depends at the will of the Centre. The Supreme Court has held that the… Continue reading The Role of the Governor (Discretionary Power and Appointment Issues), Reservation of Bills for Consideration of President
Functions & Responsibilities of the Union & the States
Concept of Federalism, Federalism in India Division of powers between Union and States Administrative Relations between Centre and State (Art. 256 to 263) Financial Relations between Centre and State (Art.268 to Art.293) Miscellaneous issues: Special Category Status, Role of Finance Commission, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, National Counter Terrorism Centre, GST, Federalism and Foreign policy
Division of powers between Union and States
With reference to Indian Federation, the administration is primarily furnished by the state agencies. Unlike other federations where both the federal and state government create their own agencies for the administration of their laws and the subjects allocated to them in the constitution, even the laws of the union are left to be administered by… Continue reading Division of powers between Union and States
Concept of Federalism, Federalism in India
Concept of federalism There are three ways in which power can be divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country: Federal Unitary Confederation Federalism: a system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government. In this system, the Central Government usually oversees the issues that… Continue reading Concept of Federalism, Federalism in India
Devolution of powers & finances up to local levels & challenges therein
Panchayati Raj Institution:Â Evolution, Features, Composition, Powers, Functions Rural Local Finance: Need, Mechanism Issues with PRIs Roadmap to Panchayati Raj: Finance, Empowerment Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996: Background, Important provisions, Associated problems Parastatals and associated problems Urban Local Government: Composition, Functions, Problems Urban Local Finance: Mechanism, Problems, Way Forward Urban Governance- Miscellaneous Issues: JNNURM,… Continue reading Devolution of powers & finances up to local levels & challenges therein
Urban Governance: JNNURM, District planning committees
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) JNNURM has been a path breaking scheme, which extended the scope of government sponsored development initiatives to urban areas in addition to rural areas. JNNURM can be termed as a direct outcome of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, which ensures urban sector reforms to strengthen municipal governance. The… Continue reading Urban Governance: JNNURM, District planning committees
Urban Local Finance: Mechanism, Problems, Way Forward
Municipal Corporations and Municipalities raise their own resources from a variety of sources, as provided for in the respective municipal laws. Their own revenue sources are income from (i) taxes, (ii) fees and fines, and; (iii) earning from municipal enterprises like land, tanks, markets, shops, etc. Besides these bodies receive grants from the State. Property… Continue reading Urban Local Finance: Mechanism, Problems, Way Forward
Urban Local Government: Composition, Functions, Problems
CLICK:-REGISTER & DISCUSS ETHICS CASE STUDIES & YOUR UPSC PREPARATION WITH 1-1 CD MENTORS FOR FREE Urban Local government implies the governance of an urban area by the people through their elected representatives. 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 provided constitutional status to local urban bodies. 74th Constitutional Amendment This act added a new part IX-A… Continue reading Urban Local Government: Composition, Functions, Problems
Parastatals (Autonomous/semi autonomous institutions) and associated problems
Parastatals are institutions/organizations, which are wholly or partially owned and managed by the government (either autonomous or quasi-governmental). They may be formed either under specific State enactments or under the Societies Registration Act. These bodies are generally formed for delivery of specific services, implementation of specific schemes or programmes sponsored by the State/Union Government/international donor… Continue reading Parastatals (Autonomous/semi autonomous institutions) and associated problems
Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996: Background, Important provisions, Associated problems
Background to PESA PESA is a law enacted by Government of India to cover the “Scheduled Areas”, which are not covered in the 73rd Constitutional amendment. This particular act extends the provisions of Part IX to the Scheduled Areas of the country. PESA brought powers further down to the Gram Sabha level. The Gram Sabha… Continue reading Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996: Background, Important provisions, Associated problems
Roadmap to Panchayati Raj: Finance, Empowerment
The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) was established on 27 May 2004 to specifically look after the implementation of the provisions of the CAA and speed up the process of devolution to PRIs. The Ministry has carried out various capacity-building programmes, conducted research and evaluations, and instituted reward schemes to promote devolution. It has… Continue reading Roadmap to Panchayati Raj: Finance, Empowerment
Issues with Panchayati Raj Institutions
Unscientific distribution of functions The Panchayati Raj scheme is defective in so far as the distribution of functions between the structures at different levels has not been made along scientific lines. The blending of development and local self-government functions has significantly curtailed the autonomy of the local self-government institutions. Again it has virtually converted them… Continue reading Issues with Panchayati Raj Institutions
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