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GS Paper: GS2

  • Justice Rohini Panel on OBC Sub-Categorisation

    justice rohini
    Hon’ble Justice Rohini

    Central Idea

    • The Justice G. Rohini-headed Commission for the sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBC) caste groups on July 31 submitted its report on the issue to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
    • This is nearly 6 years after the Union government first assigned the task to it — a task that was initially meant to be finished in 12 weeks.

    Who are the OBCs?

    • The Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are a group of socially and educationally disadvantaged castes in India.
    • They constitute a significant portion of the population and have been granted 27% reservation in jobs and education under the central government.
    • To ensure equitable distribution of benefits among all OBC communities, the idea of sub-categorization within the OBCs was proposed.
    • The Rohini Commission, established in 2017, was tasked with examining this issue.

    Understanding Sub-Categorization

    • Concept: Sub-categorization aims to create sub-groups within the larger OBC community for the purpose of reservation, addressing the issue of some affluent communities securing a major share of the reservation benefits.
    • Legal Debate: The concept of sub-categorization has also been a subject of legal debate for other reservation categories, such as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs and STs).

    Establishment of Rohini Commission

    • Purpose: The Rohini Commission was constituted on October 2, 2017, to examine the extent of inequitable distribution of reservation benefits among different OBC castes or communities.
    • Terms of Reference: Its primary terms of reference included evaluating the need for sub-categorization, working out a scientific approach for it, and identifying any discrepancies or errors in the Central List of OBCs.

    Timeline and Progress

    • Timeframe: Initially given 12 weeks to submit its report, the Commission has since been granted 10 extensions.
    • Draft Report: The Commission was ready with a draft report on sub-categorization.
    • Data Challenges: One of the challenges faced was the lack of data for the population of various OBC communities, making it difficult to compare their representation in jobs and admissions.
    • Multiple Extensions: The Commission’s report was submitted on the last day of its functioning after it had received up to 14 extensions from the government in the last six years.
    • Reason for Delays: At first, the government said that the COVID-19 pandemic had slowed down its working. However, after the second wave, the government has been saying that the Commission has been working on finalising its report.

    Findings of the Commission

    • Categorisation of Caste Groups: According to sources, the Commission has suggested breaking the caste groups into broad categories, with the dominant castes (with the most access to benefits) getting the smallest share of the 27% reservation, and the historically crowded-out caste groups getting the largest share of the reservation pie.
    • Unequal Distribution: The Commission’s analysis of 1.3 lakh central jobs and OBC admissions to central higher education institutions over a few years revealed that 97% of all jobs and educational seats were concentrated among just 25% of sub-castes classified as OBCs.
    • Dominant Communities: A significant portion of these opportunities (95%) went to only 10 OBC communities.
    • Underrepresented Groups: Nearly 37% (983) of OBC communities had zero representation in jobs and educational institutions, while 994 OBC sub-castes had a total representation of only 2.68% in recruitment and admissions.

    Implications and Future Steps

    • Census Enumeration: The Commission proposed an all-India survey to estimate the caste-wise population of OBCs, but the government has been silent on this while OBC groups demand the enumeration of OBCs in the Census.
    • Pending Decision: The report’s recommendations and findings will require careful deliberation by the government before any implementation.

    Conclusion

    • Now that the Commission’s report is with the Social Justice Ministry, the government is expected to hold deliberations on the recommendations contained in it, before thinking about implementing any part of it.
    • The report has not been made public yet.

     

  • Cabinet approves ₹1.39 lakh crore for BharatNet project

    bharatnet

    Central Idea

    • The Cabinet has given its approval for an outlay of ₹1.39 lakh crore for the BharatNet project, aimed at providing last-mile connectivity to around 6.4 lakh villages across India.

    About BharatNet Project

    • Objectives: The project aims to connect 6.4 lakh villages, covering all gram panchayats in the country, with last-mile broadband connectivity through optical fiber.
    • Implementation: Bharat Broadband Network (BBNL), a special purpose vehicle under Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), is responsible for executing the project.
    • Tie-up with VLEs: BBNL will collaborate with village level entrepreneurs (VLEs) to provide connectivity, following a successful pilot project in four districts and later expanded to 60,000 villages.
    • Progress So Far: As of now, around 1.94 lakh villages have been connected, and the rest are expected to be covered in the next 2.5 years.

    Services details

    BharatNet is the world’s largest rural connectivity scheme with an Optical Fibre network.

    1. Gram Panchayat: The scheme aimed to provide 100 Mbps broadband to 2.5 lakh gram panchayats.
    2. Households: The main goal is affordable 2 Mbps to 20 Mbps broadband for all households, especially in rural areas.

    Key Achievements of the Project

    • Broadband Connections: The pilot project involved 3,800 entrepreneurs providing 3.51 lakh broadband connections to villages.
    • Data Consumption: Households in connected villages recorded an average data consumption of 175 gigabytes per month.
    • Pricing and Speed: The project is based on a 50% revenue share between BBNL and VLEs, offering monthly broadband plans priced from ₹399 to ₹799 with a minimum speed of 30mbps.
    • Optical Fiber Laid: Currently, there are 37 lakh route kilometers (rkm) of optical fiber cable (OFC) laid in India, with BBNL contributing 7.7 lakh rkm OFC to the network.

  • Lowering the Minimum Age for Contesting Elections

    Central Idea

    • A Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended lowering the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections to 18 years, aligning it with the minimum age for voting in India.
    • The Committee believes that young individuals can be responsible political participants, supported by global practices and increasing political consciousness among youth.

    Current Minimum Age Requirements

    • Lok Sabha and Assembly Polls: According to Article 84 of the Indian Constitution and Section 36 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a person must be at least 25 years old to contest elections to the Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly.
    • Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council: As per Article 80(4) of the Constitution and Section 43 of the RP Act, 1951, a person must be at least 30 years old to become a member of the Rajya Sabha or the State Legislative Council.

    Parliamentary Committee’s View

    • Evidence from Global Practices: The Committee cited examples from countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, where young individuals have proven to be reliable and responsible political participants.
    • Youth Representation: It supported lowering the minimum age for candidacy, citing global practices and the increasing political consciousness among young people. It believes that young individuals are more than capable of running for office in the 21st century due to increased education, globalization, and digitalization.
    • Age Disparity: The Committee expressed concern over the significant age gap between MPs and India’s median age, highlighting the need for greater youth representation.
    • Diverse Viewpoints: The Committee contends that reducing the minimum age would bring fresh perspectives to policy debates and address the underrepresentation of young voices in the political arena.

    Election Commission’s Perspective

    • Unrealistic Expectations: The EC disagrees with the proposal, stating that expecting 18-year-olds to possess the necessary experience and maturity for parliamentary responsibilities is unrealistic.
    • Current Age Requirements Appropriate: EC believes that the existing minimum age requirements for voting and contesting elections are appropriate.

    Recommended Actions

    • Delimitation Process: The Committee recommends that the EC collaborates with the legislative department to examine the effects of the delimitation process, especially in challenging terrains. Treating all regions in India as identical may pose risks, and tailored measures should be taken to address this reality.
    • Common Electoral Rolls: The Committee highlights the benefits of Common Electoral Rolls for State and Lok Sabha polls, which can be created through the collaborative participation of officials serving in both the ECI and State ECs.

    Conclusion

    • The debate on lowering the minimum age for contesting elections continues, with the Parliamentary Standing Committee favouring this move, considering global practices and youth representation.
    • Further discussions and careful consideration are needed to make an informed decision on this matter.

  • In news: Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

    fatf

    Central Idea

    • Pakistan’s Senate has approved a bill to establish a central authority to combat money laundering and terror financing by bringing all institutions related to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) under one command.

    What is FATF?

    • The FATF is an intergovernmental organization established in 1989 to combat money laundering and financial crimes.
    • Pakistan’s efforts to address money laundering and terror financing led to its inclusion in the FATF grey list in 2018.
    • However, through comprehensive reforms and strategic measures, Pakistan successfully managed to exit the grey list.
    • The country’s progress in enhancing laws related to money laundering and terrorism financing played a crucial role in achieving this milestone.

    Role of FATF

    • Global Financial Crimes Combat: FATF develops policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in response to the rise of the global economy and international trade.
    • Regulatory Recommendations: The organization makes recommendations to combat financial crime, reviews members’ policies and procedures, and promotes the acceptance of anti-money laundering regulations worldwide.
    • Continuous Updates: To stay ahead of evolving financial crime techniques, FATF updates its recommendations regularly.

    Key initiatives: Grey and Black Lists

    • Grey List: Countries considered safe havens for supporting terror funding and money laundering are placed in the FATF grey list. Inclusion in this list serves as a warning for potential entry into the more severe blacklist.
    • Black List (Call for Action): The “Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories” (NCCTs) list, commonly known as the black list, identifies countries that are non-compliant with FATF’s recommendations.

    Impact of Being on FATF Grey List

    • Economic Sanctions and Reduced Trade: Countries on the grey list may face economic sanctions and reduced international trade opportunities.
    • Difficulty in Obtaining Loans: Access to loans from international financial institutions like IMF, World Bank, and ADB may be limited.
    • International Boycott: The country may face international boycotts affecting its global reputation.

    What has Pakistan initiated now?

    • Establishing the Authority: The bill seeks to create a National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Authority, which will be led by a chairman appointed by the Prime Minister.
    • Coordination and Cooperation: The authority will act as a focal point for the FATF and related organizations.
    • Unified Response: The proposed authority will function as a focal institution, enabling Pakistan to provide a unified response to money laundering and terror financing.
    • Institutionalization of Entities: The bill seeks to institutionalize different entities, leading to improved efficiency and coordination in dealing with financial threats.

    Challenges Addressed

    • 3 Arenas of Difficulty: The bill addresses difficulties related to anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, and targeted financial sanctions faced by Pakistan when on the FATF grey list.
    • Global Financial System Threats: Money laundering and terror financing were identified as severe threats to the global financial system when Pakistan was placed on the FATF grey list in 2018.

    FATF Review and India’s Position

    • Multifaceted Review: The FATF review assesses 40 parameters related to law, justice, revenue, banking, and insurance, along with nine parameters related to terror financing.
    • Review Timeframe: The review began early this year and is expected to conclude by the end of 2024, with India being a rare country to have postponed its review due to COVID-19.

    Conclusion

    • The FATF plays a crucial role in combating financial crimes, including money laundering and terror financing.
    • By taking significant steps to address deficiencies, Pakistan can manage to sustain its goal of exiting the grey list.

  • Revised manufacturing rules for drug firms: what changes, and why

    What’s the news?

    • The Indian government recently directed all pharmaceutical companies in the country to implement the revised Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to bring their processes in line with global standards.

    Central Idea

    • The improved standards aim to address critical issues, including alleged contamination incidents in India-manufactured products, deficiencies in quality control measures, and a of adherence to global guidelines. By ensuring adherence to the revised GMP, India aims to enhance the quality of medicines available in both domestic and global markets.

    About Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

    • GMP is a set of guidelines and quality management principles that ensure pharmaceutical products, as well as other products in the food and healthcare industries, are consistently produced and controlled to meet quality standards appropriate for their intended use.
    • GMP covers all aspects of the manufacturing process, including the premises, equipment, personnel, materials, production, quality control, documentation, and storage of finished products.

    The Need for Improved Standards

    • Alignment with Global Standards: Implementing the new GMP norms will align the Indian pharmaceutical industry with global standards, ensuring that the country’s products meet the expectations of international regulators and consumers.
    • Contamination Incidents: Numerous incidents of contamination in India-manufactured syrups, eye-drops, and eye ointments have been reported in other countries, leading to tragic consequences. These incidents have emphasized the need for stricter quality control measures.
    • Identified Deficiencies: A risk-based inspection of manufacturing units revealed several deficiencies, such as the lack of testing incoming raw materials, inadequate product quality review, absence of quality failure investigation, infrastructure issues, and the absence of qualified professionals.

    Importance of Implementing Revised GMP

    • Standardized Processes: The improved standards will ensure that pharmaceutical companies follow standardized processes and quality control measures, thus enhancing the quality of medicines manufactured and sold both in India and globally.
    • Recommendations from Chitan Shivir: The implementation of the revised GMP was one of the suggested measures during a Chitan Shivir following the contamination incidents. The stakeholders also recommended the creation of a country-wide IT platform to promote uniformity in licensing and inspection processes across states.

    Benefits of the Revised GMP Implementation

    • Boosting Regulatory Confidence: Uniform quality standards across the industry will instill confidence in regulators from other countries, potentially reducing the need for repeated inspections.
    • Improving Domestic Market Quality: The implementation of revised GMP will enhance the quality of medicines supplied within India, benefitting consumers and public health.

    Major Changes in the Revised GMP Guidelines

    • Pharmaceutical Quality System: The new guidelines introduce a pharmaceutical quality system to ensure consistent product quality and a thorough investigation of deviations or defects.
    • Quality Risk Management: Companies will be required to conduct risk assessments and implement preventive actions to manage quality risks effectively.
    • Product Quality Review: Regular quality reviews of all products will be mandated to verify the consistency of quality and processes.
    • Validation of Equipment: Pharmaceutical companies will have to validate equipment to ensure the accuracy and reliability of production processes.
    • GMP-related Computerized Systems: The guidelines emphasize the use of computerized systems for GMP-related processes to prevent data tampering and unauthorized access.
    • Additional Product Requirements: The new schedule M lists requirements for biological products, agents with radioactive ingredients, plant-derived products, and investigational products for clinical trials.

    Way forward

    • Urgent Implementation: Pharmaceutical companies must immediately initiate the implementation of the revised Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines. Larger companies have six months, and smaller companies have a year to comply.
    • Investment in Upgradation: Prioritize investments in facility upgradation, modern equipment, and IT systems to meet the new GMP standards.
    • Employee Training and Awareness: Conduct extensive training programs for all employees to educate them about the revised GMP guidelines and their importance.
    • Quality Control Enhancement: Strengthen quality control processes and invest in advanced testing equipment and laboratories to ensure product integrity and safety.
    • Effective Documentation Systems: Implement robust documentation systems to maintain comprehensive records of manufacturing processes, quality checks, and deviations.
    • Continuous Monitoring and Auditing: Regularly monitor manufacturing processes and conduct internal audits to assess GMP compliance.

    Conclusion

    • The Indian government’s initiative to implement the revised GMP is a commendable step towards bringing the country’s pharmaceutical industry up to global standards. The successful implementation of these improved standards will undoubtedly elevate India’s status in the global pharmaceutical arena

  • Parliamentary Privilege and the Privileges Committee: A Closer Look

    Central Idea

    • During the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, there were differences between the ruling and opposition parties, leading to complaints against 2 MPs.
    • These complaints were referred to the Privileges Committee.

    What is Parliamentary Privilege?

    • Definition: Parliamentary privilege refers to the rights and immunities enjoyed by legislators during the course of their legislative duties.
    • Protection: MPs/MLAs are protected from civil or criminal liability for actions or statements made while discharging their legislative functions.
    • Constitutional Basis: The powers, privileges, and immunities of both Houses of the Indian Parliament and their members are enshrined in Article 105 whereas Article 194 deals with State Legislatures.

    Understanding Privilege Motion

    • Breaching Privilege: Any disregard of the rights and immunities constitutes a breach of privilege and is punishable under parliamentary law.
    • Motion: A notice in the form of a motion can be moved by any member of either House against those held guilty of a breach of privilege.
    • Contempt Actions: The Houses also have the right to punish actions that may not be a specific breach of privilege but are offenses against their authority and dignity.

    Instances of Privilege Notices

    • Indira Gandhi’s Expulsion (1978): Indira Gandhi was expelled from the Lok Sabha for obstructing government officials from collecting information for a question on Maruti.
    • Subramanian Swamy’s Expulsion (1976): Subramanian Swamy faced expulsion from the Rajya Sabha for engaging in interviews perceived as “anti-India propaganda.”
    • Cash for Query Scandal (2005): Eleven “tainted” MPs involved in the cash for query scandal were expelled from the Lok Sabha.

    Rules Governing Privilege

    • Lok Sabha: Rule No. 222 in Chapter 20 of the Lok Sabha Rule Book governs privilege.
    • Rajya Sabha: Correspondingly, Rule 187 in Chapter 16 of the Rajya Sabha rulebook deals with privilege.
    • Scope of Notice: The notice must relate to a recent incident requiring the intervention of the House.
    • Timing: Notices must be given before 10 am to the Speaker or the Chairperson.

    Role of the Speaker/Rajya Sabha Chair

    • Scrutiny: The Speaker/RS Chairperson is the first level of scrutiny for a privilege motion.
    • Decision Making: They can decide on the privilege motion themselves or refer it to the Privileges Committee.
    • Opportunity to Speak: If consent is given under Rule 222, the member involved is given an opportunity to make a brief statement.

    Referring to the Privileges Committee

    • Composition: In the Lok Sabha, the Speaker nominates a 15-member Committee of Privileges based on respective party strengths.
    • Report Presentation: The Committee presents a report to the House for consideration. A half-hour debate may be permitted while considering the report.
    • Final Orders: The Speaker may pass final orders or direct that the report be tabled before the House.
    • Resolution: A resolution relating to the breach of privilege must be unanimously passed.
    • Rajya Sabha: In the Rajya Sabha, the Deputy Chairperson heads the 10-member Committee of Privileges.

  • Criminal Defamation in India

    Central Idea

    • The Supreme Court’s recent decision to stay the conviction in a criminal defamation case has significant implications for the parliamentary representation of a prominent political leader.
    • The court highlighted the absence of valid reasons for awarding the maximum sentence and emphasized the need for mutual respect and caution in public speeches.

    Disqualification of Lawmakers

    • This is an important aspect of maintaining the integrity of the legislative bodies.
    • In India, disqualification can occur under constitutional provisions and the Representation of The People Act (RPA), 1951.
    • Additionally, the Tenth Schedule deals with defection-related disqualifications.

    Grounds for Disqualification

    • Constitutional Provisions: Disqualification under Articles 102(1) and 191(1) applies to members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies. Grounds include holding an office of profit, being of unsound mind, insolvent, or lacking valid citizenship.
    • Defection: The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution provides for disqualification on the grounds of defection.
    • RPA, 1951: This Act mandates disqualification for conviction in criminal cases.

    Disqualification under RPA, 1951

    • Section 8: Section 8 of the RPA deals with disqualification for conviction of offences.
    • Objective: The provision aims to prevent the criminalization of politics and bar ‘tainted’ lawmakers from contesting elections.
    • Disqualification Period: Section 8(3) specifies that a person convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for at least two years will be disqualified from the date of conviction and for an additional six years after release.

    Appeal and Stay of Disqualification

    • Reversal: Disqualification can be reversed if a higher court grants a stay on the conviction or decides the appeal in favor of the convicted lawmaker.
    • Lok Prahari v Union of India: In a 2018 decision, the Supreme Court clarified that the disqualification will not take effect if the appellate court stays the conviction.
    • Appeals Process: For example, if a convicted lawmaker appeals, it would first go to the Surat Sessions Court and then to the Gujarat High Court.

    Changes in the Law

    • Section 8(4) of RPA: Previously, Section 8(4) stated that disqualification takes effect after three months from the date of conviction.
    • Lily Thomas v Union of India: In the landmark 2013 ruling, the Supreme Court struck down Section 8(4) of the RPA as unconstitutional.
    • Significance: The verdict aimed to prevent convicted politicians from continuing to hold public office while their appeals were pending, contributing to the purification of Indian politics.

    Supreme Court’s recent observations

    • Lack of Reasoning: The court noted that the trial judge failed to provide any reasons for awarding the maximum sentence, considering the penal code allowed various options for punishment.
    • High Court’s Omission: The Supreme Court observed that the High Court, in its judgment, overlooked the crucial aspect of the lack of reasoning behind the severe punishment.
    • Impact on Representation: The court highlighted that disqualification from Parliament affects not only the individual but also the electorate represented by the person in question, raising concerns about unrepresented constituencies.
    • Exercise of Caution by Public Figures: While accepting the apology for his previous “thief” remarks during the general elections, the Court reminded him of the need for caution in public speeches due to his position in public life.

  • In news: Appointment of Election Commissioner

    Central Idea

    • The Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) challenging the appointment of an Election Commissioner.
    • The court cited a previous Constitution Bench ruling that had already addressed the issue and decided not to quash the appointment.

    About Election Commission of India (ECI)

    • The ECI is a constitutional body was established by the Constitution of India to conduct and regulate elections in the country.
    • Article 324 of the Constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections.
    • The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, State Legislative Councils and the offices of the President and Vice President of the country.
    • Thus, the Election Commission is an all-India body in the sense that it is common to both the Central government and the state governments.
    • The Election Commission operates under the authority of Constitution per Article 324 and subsequently enacted Representation of the People Act 1951.

    Composition of ECI

    • The ECI was established in 1950 and originally only had one Chief Election Commissioner.
    • Two additional Commissioners were appointed to the commission for the first time during the 1989 General Election, but they had a very short tenure, ending on 1 January 1990.
    • The Election Commissioners are assisted by Deputy Election Commissioners, who are generally IAS officers.
    • They are further assisted by Directors General, Principal Secretaries, and Secretaries and Under Secretaries.
    • At the state level, Election Commission is assisted by the Chief Electoral Officer of the State, who is an IAS officer of Principal Secretary rank.
    • At the district and constituency levels, the District Magistrates (in their capacity as District Election Officers), Electoral Registration Officers and Returning Officers perform election work.

    Tenure

    • The tenure of election commissioners is not prescribed by Indian Constitution.
    • However, the Election Commission conduct of service Act, 1991 prescribes the term of service.
    • Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner shall hold office for a term of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier, from the date on which he/she assumes his/her office.

    Removal from office

    • The Chief Election Commissioner of India can be represented removed from their office in a manner similar to the removal of a judge of the Supreme Court of India.
    • It requires a resolution passed by the Parliament of India a two-thirds majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on the grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
    • Other Election Commissioners can be removed by the President of India on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
    • A Chief Election Commissioner has never been impeached in India.

    Recent incidence of criticisms of ECI

    Ans. Partiality in Elections

    • Over the last couple of years, several actions and omissions of the commission have come in for criticism.
    • Nearly 66 former bureaucrats in a letter addressed to the President, expressed their concern over the working of the Election Commission.
    • They felt was suffering from a credibility crisis, citing various violations of the model code of conduct during the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections.

    Importance of ECI for India

    • Conduction of Election: The ECI has been successfully conducting national as well as state elections since 1952.
    • Electoral participation: In recent years, however, the Commission has started to play a more active role to ensure greater participation of people.
    • Discipline of political parties: It had gone to the extent of disciplining the political parties with a threat of derecognizing if the parties failed in maintaining inner-party democracy.
    • Upholds federalism: It upholds the values enshrined in the Constitution viz, equality,
      equity, impartiality, independence; and rule of law in superintendence, direction, and control over electoral governance.
    • Free and fair elections: It conducts elections with the highest standard of credibility, freeness, fairness, transparency, integrity, accountability, autonomy and professionalism.

    Issues with ECI

    • Flaws in the composition: The Constitution doesn’t prescribe qualifications for members of the EC. They are not debarred from future appointments after retiring or resigning.
    • No security of tenure: Election commissioners aren’t constitutionally protected with security of tenure.
    • Partisan role: The EC has come under the scanner like never before, with increasing incidents of breach of the Model Code of Conduct in the 2019 general elections.
    • Political favor: The opposition alleged that the ECI was favoring the ruling party by giving clean chit to the model code of conduct violations made by the PM.
    • Non-competence: Increased violence and electoral malpractices under influence of money have resulted in political criminalization, which ECI is unable to arrest.

  • Money Bills and Financial Bills: A Constitutional Perspective

    Central Idea

    • The debate surrounding the classification of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill as a Money Bill and its implications has sparked discussions on the nuances of Money Bills and Financial Bills in India’s parliamentary process.

    Money Bills vs. Financial Bills

    Money Bills Financial Bills
    Definition and Scope Article 110 – Deals with taxes, government borrowing, expenditure, receipt of money from the Consolidated Fund of India, among others. Broader scope beyond Article 110(1)
    Rajya Sabha’s Role Introduced only in Lok Sabha, no Rajya Sabha approval needed

    Lok Sabha has the discretion to accept or reject any recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha on a Money Bill.

    		 Can be introduced in either house, requires approval from both houses.
    Origin and President’s Recommendation Must be introduced only in Lok Sabha, and the President’s recommendation is required for its introduction. Can be introduced in either house, no President’s recommendation needed.
    Passage Procedure Passed by Lok Sabha, sent to Rajya Sabha for recommendations within 14 days.

    Rajya Sabha’s recommendations are not binding.

    If rejected by Lok Sabha, the Bill is considered passed without Rajya Sabha’s concurrence.

    		 Require agreement of both houses for passage, subject to Rajya Sabha amendments or rejections.

     

    Supreme Court’s Perspective

    • Striking Down Amendments: In Nov 2019, a five-judge Constitution Bench, headed by the then CJI Ranjan Gogoi, struck down amendments to the 2017 Finance Act, passed as a Money Bill. The court found the amendments altering the structure and functioning of various tribunals contrary to constitutional principles.
    • Referring the Matter: The court referred the issue of whether these amendments could have been passed as a Money Bill to a seven-judge bench for consideration, indicating the complexity of the matter.
    • Doubts Over Aadhaar Act: The same Constitution Bench expressed doubts about the correctness of the 2018 verdict upholding the 2016 Aadhaar Act, which was also passed as a Money Bill. This matter is yet to be conclusively settled, as petitions seeking a review of the Aadhaar Act ruling remain pending in the Supreme Court.

    Conclusion

    • The distinction between Money Bills and Financial Bills is crucial in India’s parliamentary process, as it determines the extent of Rajya Sabha’s role and the passage procedure.
    • While Money Bills have limited Rajya Sabha involvement and cannot be amended or rejected by it, other Financial Bills and ordinary Bills require the agreement of both houses for passage.
    • The Supreme Court’s perspective on the correct classification of certain Bills as Money Bills adds further complexity to the debate, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding of these constitutional provisions.

  • SC questions equating Article 370 to Basic Structure

    Central Idea

    • The Supreme Court is currently deliberating on the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
    • The court is exploring whether Article 370 can be equated with the Basic Structure of the Constitution, a principle that enshrines essential features beyond the Parliament’s amendment powers.

    What is Basic Structure Doctrine?
    Definition A constitutional principle that certain essential features or basic elements of the Indian Constitution cannot be amended by the Parliament.
    Purpose To preserve the core values and structure of the Constitution, protecting its democratic, secular, and federal character.
    Establishment Established by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala case in 1973.
    Essential Features Includes supremacy of the Constitution, democratic republic, judicial review, separation of powers, federal structure, rule of law, fundamental rights, and parliamentary system.
    Limitation on Amendment Restricts Parliament’s amending power under Article 368.
    Judicial Review The Supreme Court uses the doctrine to strike down amendments that violate the Basic Structure.

     

    Also read:

    Wow Wednesday : Evolution of Basic Structure Doctrine

    Debate over Article 370

    • Constitutional Process: It has been argued that the abrogation of Article 370 was a purely political act and that there was no constitutional process available to revoke it.
    • Equating with Basic Structure: The court questioned whether considering the abrogation of Article 370 as impossible amounts to equating it with the principles of the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
    • Article 370 as a “Compact”: It has been contended that Article 370 was not part of the Basic Structure but a “compact” between the princely State of J&K and the Government of India, engrafted into the Indian Constitution.
    • Government’s Actions: Concerns have been raised about the government’s insertion of Article 367(4)(d), which some argue circumvented the “residuary power” of the State and allowed the Parliament to act as the J&K Constituent Assembly.

    Challenges and Concerns Raised

    • Permanence of Article 370: The permanence of Article 370 after the Constituent Assembly’s dissolution in 1957 and the procedure followed by the NDA government during the abrogation have been debated.
    • Constitutional Machinery: Criticisms have been raised that the Parliament and President took over the powers of the State without considering the views of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
    • Breakdown of Constitutional Structure: Some argue that the events leading up to the abrogation constituted a “complete breakdown” of the constitutional structure, as the State’s powers were absorbed by the Centre, and the State was bifurcated without proper consent.

    Conclusion

    • The Supreme Court’s ongoing hearings on the abrogation of Article 370 continue to raise important questions about its status and the process involved.
    • The court’s decision will have significant implications for understanding the constitutional relationship between the Centre and the States and the sanctity of special provisions like Article 370.