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  • What are G-Sec Yields?

    Government Securities (G-Secs) yields are at an all-time high.

    What are G-Secs?

    • These are debt instruments issued by the government to borrow money.
    • The two key categories are:
    1. Treasury bills (T-Bills) – short-term instruments which mature in 91 days, 182 days, or 364 days, and
    2. Dated securities – long-term instruments, which mature anywhere between 5 years and 40 years

    Note: T-Bills are issued only by the central government, and the interest on them is determined by market forces.

    Why G-Secs?

    • Like bank fixed deposits, g-secs are not tax-free.
    • They are generally considered the safest form of investment because they are backed by the government. So, the risk of default is almost nil.
    • However, they are not completely risk-free, since they are subject to fluctuations in interest rates.
    • Bank fixed deposits, on the other hand, are guaranteed only to the extent of Rs 5 lakh by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

    How are G-sec yields calculated?

    • G-sec yields change over time; often several times during a single day.
    • This happens because of the manner in which G-secs are structured.
    • Every G-sec has a face value, a coupon payment and price.
    • The price of the bond may or may not be equal to the face value of the bond.
    • Here’s an example: Suppose the government floats a 10-year G-sec with a face value of Rs 100 and a coupon payment of Rs 5.
    • If one were to buy this single G-sec from the government, it would mean that one will give Rs 100 to the government today and the government will promises to 1) return the sum of Rs 100 at the end of tenure (10 years), and 2) pay Rs 5 each year until the end of this tenure.
    • At this point, the face value of this G-sec is equal to its price, and its yield (or the effective interest rate) is 5%.

    How do G-sec yields go up and down?

    • Imagine a scenario in which the government floats just one G-sec, and two people want to buy it.
    • Competitive bidding will ensue, and the price of the bond may rise from Rs 100 (its face value) to Rs 105.
    • Now imagine another lender in the picture, which pushes the price further up to Rs 110.

    What do G-sec yields show?

    • If G-sec yields (say for a 10-year bond) are going up, it would imply that lenders are demanding even more from private sector firms or individuals; that’s because anyone else is riskier when compared to the government.
    • It is also known that when it comes to lending, interest rates rise with the rise in risk profile.
    • As such, if G-sec yields start going up, it means lending to the government is becoming riskier.
    • If you read that the G-sec yields are going up, it suggests that the bond prices are falling. But the prices are falling because fewer people want to lend to the government.
    • And that in turn happens when people are worried about the government’s finances (or its ability to pay back).
    • The government’s finances may be in trouble because the economy is faltering and it is unlikely that the government will meet its expenses.
    • By the reverse logic, if a government’s finances are sorted, more and more people want to lend money to such a G-sec.
    • This in turn, leads to bond prices going up and yields coming down.

    Try this PYQ:

    Consider the following statements:

    1. The Reserve Bank of India manages and services the Government of India Securities but not any State Government Securities.
    2. Treasury bills are issued by the Government of India and there are no treasury bills issued by the State Governments.
    3. Treasury bills offer are issued at a discount from the par value.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 3 Only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”044lnrh2wu” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

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  • GST revenues surpass ₹1.44 lakh crore

    India recorded its second-highest monthly gross GST revenues in June at ₹1,44,616 crore, 56% more than a year earlier when the second COVID wave had hit economic activity.

    What is GST?

    • GST is an indirect tax that has replaced many indirect taxes in India such as excise duty, VAT, services tax, etc.
    • The Goods and Service Tax Act was passed in Parliament on 29th March 2017 and came into effect on 1st July 2017. It is a single domestic indirect tax law for the entire country.
    • It is a comprehensive, multi-stage, destination-based tax that is levied on every value addition.
    • Under the GST regime, the tax is levied at every point of sale. In the case of intra-state sales, Central GST and State GST are charged. All the inter-state sales are chargeable to the Integrated GST.

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.All revenues received by the Union. Government by way of taxes and other receipts for the conduct of Government business are credited to the (CSP 2015):

    (a) Contingency Fund of India

    (b) Public Account

    (c) Consolidated Fund of India

    (d) Deposits and Advances Fund

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”jkgx8spg2w” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

    What are the components of GST?

    There are three taxes applicable under this system:

    1. CGST: It is the tax collected by the Central Government on an intra-state sale (e.g., a transaction happening within Maharashtra)
    2. SGST: It is the tax collected by the state government on an intra-state sale (e.g., a transaction happening within Maharashtra)
    3. IGST: It is a tax collected by the Central Government for an inter-state sale (e.g., Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu)

    Advantages Of GST

    • GST has mainly removed the cascading effect on the sale of goods and services.
    • Removal of the cascading effect has impacted the cost of goods.
    • Since the GST regime eliminates the tax on tax, the cost of goods decreases.
    • Also, GST is mainly technologically driven.
    • All the activities like registration, return filing, application for refund and response to notice needs to be done online on the GST portal, which accelerates the processes.

    Issues with GST

    • High operational cost
    • GST has given rise to complexity for many business owners across the nation.
    • GST has received criticism for being called a ‘Disability Tax’ as it now taxes articles such as braille paper, wheelchairs, hearing aid etc.
    • Petrol is not under GST, which goes against the ideals of the unification of commodities.

    Take a look at the share of GST in government earnings for the previous fiscal:

    UPSC can ask about the majority component of the Revenue Receipts of the govt. See how Corporate tax is nearing the GST revenues.

    Do you think it will surpass GST revenue when the economy is fully recovered?

     

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  • DRDO tests Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator

    The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out the maiden test flight of a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), an autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga, Karnataka.

    About the Indigenous Drone

    • The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is powered by a small turbofan engine.
    • It is developed under unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) programme.
    • It is designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru, a premier research laboratory of DRDO.
    • The engine is Russian TRDD-50MT originally designed for cruise missiles.
    • A small turbo fan engine is being developed indigenously for meeting the requirement.

    Various initiatives by DRDO

    • DRDO is in the process of developing UAVs of different classes to met the requirements of the armed forces.
    • Rustom-2, the indigenous Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV under development, had crossed a milestone by reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet and an endurance of 10 hours.
    • It is now being designed to reach an altitude of 30,000 feet and 18 hours endurance.
    • An Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle is also on the drawing board.

    Significance of the development

    • Operating in a fully autonomous mode, the aircraft exhibited a perfect flight, including take-off, way point navigation and a smooth touchdown.
    • This flight marks a major milestone in terms of proving critical technologies towards the development of future unmanned aircraft.
    • This is a significant step towards self-reliance in strategic defence technologies.

     

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  • [pib] Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

    The Union Cabinet has approved the categorization of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as an ‘International Organization’.

    What is the news?

    • The cabinet also signed as the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) with CDRI for granting it the exemptions, immunities and privileges as contemplated under the United Nations (Privileges & Immunities) Act, 1947.
    • This will provide CDRI an independent and international legal persona so that it can efficiently and effectively carry out its functions internationally.

    What is CDRI?

    • The CDRI is an international coalition of countries, UN agencies, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and academic institutions that aim to promote disaster-resilient infrastructure.
    • Its objective is to promote research and knowledge sharing in the fields of infrastructure risk management, standards, financing, and recovery mechanisms.
    • It was launched by the Indian PM Narendra Modi at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019.
    • CDRI’s initial focus is on developing disaster-resilience in ecological, social, and economic infrastructure.
    • It aims to achieve substantial changes in member countries’ policy frameworks and future infrastructure investments, along with a major decrease in the economic losses suffered due to disasters.

    Its inception

    • PM Modi’s experience in dealing with the aftermath of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake” as the chief minister led him to the idea.
    • The CDRI was later conceptualized in the first and second edition of the International Workshop on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (IWDRI) in 2018-19.
    • It was organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in partnership with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the UN Development Programme, the World Bank, and the Global Commission on Adaptation.

    Its diplomatic significance

    • The CDRI is the second major coalition launched by India outside of the UN, the first being the International Solar Alliance.
    • Both of them are seen as India’s attempts to obtain a global leadership role in climate change matters and were termed as part of India’s stronger branding.
    • India can use the CDRI to provide a safer alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as well.

    Why designated as International Organization?

    • Deputing experts to other countries
    • Deploying funds globally and receive contributions from member countries
    • Making available technical expertise to assist countries
    • Imparting assistance to countries in adopting appropriate risk governance arrangements and strategies for resilient infrastructure
    • Aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
    • Leveraging international engagement to foster disaster-resilient infrastructure at home; and,
    • Providing Indian scientific and technical institution as well as infrastructure developers an opportunity to interact with global experts.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.Consider the following statements:

    1. Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants is a unique initiative of G20 group of countries
    2. The CCAC focuses on methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”g1rfo9e6dp” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

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  • Festivals in news: Puri Rath Yatra

    Lakhs of devotees thronged the coastal town of Puri town to witness the annual Rath Yatra with three decorated chariots of sibling deities Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra towed in front of the 12th century Shree Jagannath Temple.

    About Jagannath Rath Yatra

    • Ratha Jatra, the Festival of Chariots of Lord Jagannatha is celebrated every year at Puri, the temple town in Orissa, on the east coast of India.
    • It involves a public procession with a chariot with deities Jagannath (Vishnu avatar), BalaBhadra (his brother), Subhadra (his sister) and Sudarshana Chakra (his weapon) on a ratha, a wooden deula-shaped chariot.
    • The huge, colourfully decorated chariots, are drawn by hundreds and thousands of devotees on the bada danda, the grand avenue to the Gundicha temple, some two miles away to the North.
    • It attracts over a million Hindu pilgrims who join the procession each year.

    Back2Basics: Puri Temple Architecture

    • Jagannath Temple is a very big temple and covers an area of 37000m2. The height of the outer wall is 6.1m.
    • It is surrounded by a high fortified wall 6.1 m high is known as Meghanada Pacheri.
    • The main portion of the temple is also surrounded by a wall known as Kurma Bheda.
    • The temple is built in Rekha Deula style and has four distinct sectional structures, namely –
    1. Deula, Vimana or Garba griha (Sanctum sanctorum) where the triad deities are lodged on the ratnavedi (Throne of Pearls)
    2. Mukhashala (Frontal porch)
    3. Nata mandir/Natamandapa, which is also known as the Jagamohan (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall), and
    4. Bhoga Mandapa (Offerings Hall)

    Try this question from CSP 2019:

    Q.Building ‘Kalyaana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of-

    (a) Chalukya (b) Chandela (c) Rashtrakuta (d) Vijayanagara

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”pdpfj71jer” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

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  • AIR-12, Yasharth is LIVE now: join him (*Zoom link inside) 1-1 LIVE session with CD’s (UPSC-2021) Topper | Register free for their notes, resources, and Civilsdaily special Prelims package

    AIR-12, Yasharth is LIVE now: join him (*Zoom link inside) 1-1 LIVE session with CD’s (UPSC-2021) Topper | Register free for their notes, resources, and Civilsdaily special Prelims package

    Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88925600359?pwd=Wk5HUm1iQ2dpdm1zVjNEZVpoVytVUT09

    Meeting ID: 889 2560 0359. Passcode: 771275

    Aspirants, this is huge. Mega sessions (1-1 talk), back to back with UPSC IAS Rankers. Register for FREE and get their notes + CivilsDaily’s special Prelims Packages

    👉And UPSC Mains Special 1-1 QnA Session with Sukanya Ma’am, Mains Head:- Details of strategy for the next 6 months…making schedules…how to plan Gs….making notes…how to write mains answer…basic structure.

    Timing: 5 P.M (2nd July, Saturday)

    click:- register for Special 1-1 QnA Session with Sukanya Ma’am | How to plan gs by makig notes | Details of strategy for the next 6 months

    Contact Email: sukanya@civilsdaily.com

    We are bringing our ‘Hall of Fame’ toppers who have taken multiple attempts, faced failures, changed strategies, applied, and executed to perfection. To achieve this feat there is a lot of hard work, perseverance, and turmoil which goes behind the making of these toppers and achievers. Due to their accomplishments, these toppers are a goldmine of UPSC prep wisdom.

    This is going to be a Mega session in which you will be talking 1-1 with these toppers. Asking them questions and doubts, getting them resolved. Moreover, these toppers will be sharing their notes, resources, and strategy with you.

    CivilsDaily has also made a special Prelims Package for you aspirants. On registration, you will be getting access to the package.

    Click and register for FREE | Talk and disuss 1-1 with toppers | get their notes, resources and CD special prelims package

    AIR 12, UPSC 2021, Yasharth Shekhar will be coming to CivilsDaily’s Delhi Center – 2nd July 2022, 12 noon

    *You can participate via Zoom (online) as well in this session.

    AIR 06, UPSC 2021, Yaksh Choudhary will be Online for 1-1 session – on 1st July 2022

    Click and register for FREE | Talk and disuss 1-1 with AIR 06, Yaksh Choudhary | get his notes, resources and CD special prelims package

    Register for the Offline attendance, entry will be on the basis of first-come, first served.

    Click and register for FREE | Talk and disuss 1-1 with AIR 12, Yasharth Shekhar | get his notes, resources and CD special prelims package

    Address: 1 LGF, Apsara Arcade, Pusa Rd, Near Gate No.7 Karol Bagh, Metro station, Karol Bagh, New Delhi| Call or Whatsapp: 888291473

    About our Toppers

    Yaksh Choudhary, AIR 06, UPSC 2021

    Yaksh hails from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh and belongs to a family involved in agriculture. He is an IIT Guwahati alumnus and has been working as an assistant commandant in CRPF. This was Yaksh’s third attempt in UPSC CSE. His optional was Sociology and he had been a college level athlete. He believes trust in the process, studying with interest, understanding, and conceptual clarity are the keys to preparation.


    Yasharth Shekhar, AIR 12, UPSC 2021

    Yasharth Shekhar hails from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh and becoming an IAS officer is his childhood dream. He is a St. Stephens graduate in Economics. This was his third attempt and his optional was Geography. Yasharth was not able to clear Prelims in his first attempt but he believes there is no shortcut to success and his hard work and dedication got him AIR 12.

    Click and register for FREE | Talk and disuss 1-1 with toppers | get their notes, resources and CD special prelims package

    CivilsDaily has also made a special Prelims Package for you aspirants. On registration, you will be getting access to the package.

  • How to become an IAS officer

    Your presence over her echos your dream of an IAS officer. To become an IAS officer, Indian youths have to fulfill only 3 conditions:

    • Get a graduate degree
    • Clear the UPSC-CSE exam
    • Complete training successfully

    Passing the UPSC exam is not simple, many obstacles may be suffered during the process of the assessment. Even a serious aspirant without a hand-holding strategy, uncompromising attitude, and proper guidance may fail. 

    As we all know, the IAS examination is one of the toughest and most challenging tests among the other assessments. A UPSC student needs to be directed and determined towards their goal.  A prosperous competitor is not just a well-prepared one but also the one who can nourish their courage levels throughout the procedure.

    Important Links:

    UPSC IAS Exam Syllabus

    IAS Exam pattern

    Qualification

    Despite being one of the toughest exams in the country, the UPSC Civil Service IAS exam can sit with the simplest educational background. And the good news is that you can appear even before completing the minimum qualification. Okay, let’s see in detail:

    EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
    • All candidates must have as a minimum one of the following educational qualifications:
    • A degree from a Central, State, or a Deemed university.
    • A degree received through correspondence or distance education.
    • A degree from an open university.
    • A qualification recognized by the Government of India as being equivalent to one of the above

    The following candidates are also eligible, but must submit proof of their eligibility from a competent authority at their institute/university at the time of the main examination, failing which they will not be allowed to attend the exam:

    • Candidates who have appeared in an examination, the passing of which would render them educationally qualified enough to satisfy one of the above points.
    • Candidates who have passed the final exam of the MBBS degree but have not yet completed an internship.
    • Candidates who have passed the final exam of ICAI, ICSI, and ICWAI.
    • A degree from a private university.
    • A degree from any foreign university recognized by the Association of Indian Universities

    AGE LIMIT

    • The candidate must be between the age of 21-32 years (for the General category candidate) on August 1 of the year of examination. However, age relaxations die to exist for SC, ST, OBC, and Physically Handicapped candidates.
    • For Other Backward Castes (OBC) the upper age limit is 35.
    • For Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), the limit is 37 years.
    • The upper age limit is relaxed for certain candidates who are backward with respect to other factors and physically handicapped (PH) people.

    Personalized Education

    After knowing the syllabus of the exam, what is needed is your personalized education. For the most personalized learning, coaching is the only temple for both beginners and veterans. If you aren’t comfortable, at least get a personalized mentor for a seamless journey. To become an IAS, your preparation must be free from doubts. 

    Administrative attitude

    Besides smart preparation, an administrative attitude should be built up in you. The power of observing the social glitch, and finding the immediate solution is also virtual eligibility. So, pursue in such a way that education breeds morale. Morale breeds hope. Hope breeds calmness.

    Creation of smart content

    The focus ought to be on making yourself understand the requirement of the UPSC Mains Question, its elements, using information, and imparting answer writing skills for that.

    Self-confidence, healthy mind, clear-sightedness.

    Self-reliance maintains time management. Managing your time judiciously breeds a healthy mind. When you evolve ‘hardworking’, ‘enthusiast’, ‘social acumen, you will fall in love with the IAS career. Get power-packed living confidence, Become an IAS.

    click:- fill up samanvay form and get your personalized mentor
  • Free Entry: Limited Seats | Registrations open for Mega Seminar at Kale Auditorium, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune | UPSC + MPSC Preparation Strategy | Aspirants from Maharashtra are Invited | Meet our Toppers from Maharashtra | Register Now

    Free Entry: Limited Seats | Registrations open for Mega Seminar at Kale Auditorium, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune | UPSC + MPSC Preparation Strategy | Aspirants from Maharashtra are Invited | Meet our Toppers from Maharashtra | Register Now

    Click and Register for a 1-1 meet and discussion with Rankers and Sajal sir

    UPSC 2021 results were released a few days back and it was a major validation of CivilsDaily’s student-centric approach, personalized mentorship, and commitment to your goal – cracking the UPSC IAS exam.

    ..amazing observation was the overwhelming number of rankers from Maharashtra.

    This was evident from 200+ rankers, including 30+ in the top 50 in the UPSC 2021 exam. Another amazing observation was the overwhelming number of rankers from Maharashtra. 

    Moreover, we have thousands of CivilsDaily students from the state.

    On the insistence of CivilsDaily’s alumni (ex-rankers) and our students from the state, we will be opening our first center in Maharashtra very soon, in Pune.

    How is Pune center going to help UPSC and Civil Services Aspirants from Maharashtra?

    Saves you from the trauma of relocation

    Aspirants have to leave their home state to Delhi, Karol Bagh for UPSC prep. It seriously dismantles their mental peace and continuity in preparation.

    Now you no longer have to leave your state and come to Delhi for UPSC preparation.

    Financially

    Financially, by saving huge expenditure incurred in Karol Bagh on renting and tuition fees.

    Now prepare for both: UPSC and MPSC

    Recently the notification for MPSC was released and since the pattern is similar to UPSC now, we will be helping you prepare for MPSC as well.

    Live lectures, Offline 1:1 Mentorship, Testing centre in Pune

    We will be providing the best classroom lectures; UPSC-relevant tests and study material; experienced mentors and dedicated faculty. 

    CivilsDaily will always remain committed to a personalized and student-centric approach and will live for its vision of making UPSC and government service exam preparation simpler, effective, result-oriented, and affordable to every aspiring student.

    Meet up in Pune Offline center: Sajal sir and UPSC Rankers from Maharashtra

    Get a golden chance to meet and discuss 1-1 with Rankers and Sajal sir at Pune center.

    Click and Register for a 1-1 meet and discussion with Rankers and Sajal sir

    Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, the alma mater of Sajal sir and some of the UPSC rankers from CivilsDaily has acknowledged the good work and has requested us to be hosted by the esteemed institute.

    You can meet Sajal sir and rankers.

    Venue:

    Kale Auditorium

    Gokhale Institute, Pune

    Date: 5th July
    Time: 3pm and 6pm

    Feel free to call/whatsapp for any clarification or details: +91 8668582260.

    We are all the more motivated now to churn out more and more rankers from Maharashtra.

  • Crack Prelims in 1st Attempt

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    • Targeting an accuracy rate of 90% and attempting maximum questions.
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    • Learn Art of Question-solving: Using Logical approach + Elimination techniques
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    • Specifically made Current affairs notes + Live classes by core faculty for the entire two years for prelims.
    • Comprehensive and exhaustive notes covering everything that is important.

    What CivilsDaily’s Smash Prelims students have to say?

    Santosh sir’s guidance, a crucial part of the first prelims success for Rahul

    A miracle for Debarpita, Smash Prelims 2022 student

    Talk 1-1 with Santosh sir for FREE & avail 25% discount

    Other messages showering gratitude for Santosh sir and Smash Prelims team

  • Do not weaken the anti-defection law

    Context

    The political developments in Maharashtra throw up troubling questions about how the political class is weakening the anti-defection law.

    Background of the anti-defection law

    •  It was enacted as the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India, in 1985, under Rajiv Gandhi’s premiership.
    • The law as it was enacted provided for the disqualification of a legislator belonging to a political party if he voluntarily gave up his membership of his party or if he defied the whip of his party by voting contrary to its directions in the legislative house.
    • Two exceptions: Initially, there were two exceptions provided in the schedule which would exempt a legislator from disqualification.
    • 1] Split: The first exception was a split in their original political party resulting in the formation of a group of legislators.
    • If the group consisted of one third of such legislators of that party, they were exempted from disqualification.
    • This exception was deleted from the schedule through a Constitution Amendment Act of 2003 because of frequent misuse.
    • 2] Merger: The second exception was ‘merger’ which can be invoked when the original political party of a legislator merges with another party and not less than two thirds of its legislators agree to such a merger.

    Interpretation of term ‘merger’ and issues with it

    • It is this second exception contained in paragraph four of the schedule which has been taken recourse to by a large number of legislators across States and even in Parliament to defect to the ruling party.
    • These legislators interpreted for themselves the term ‘merger’ to mean the merger of two thirds of legislators.
    • Now, the same is being repeated in Maharashtra.
    • But there is a little difference here.
    • It appears that the dissidents of Shiv Sena believed that if they get the two third number they can form a separate group and topple the government and then form a government with the help of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
    • The law imposes the condition of merger of the original political party.
    • However, a recent judgment of the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court ( Girish Chodankar vs The Speaker, Goa State Legislative) that held that the merger of two thirds of Members of the Legislative Assembly is deemed to be the merger of the original party seems to have given them a ray of hope.
    • So, the legal position is if the dissidents do not merge with another party they will be disqualified now or later.

    Question of disqualification

    • Disqualification petitions have been filed by the Shiv Sena against 16 of the dissidents under paragraph 2(1)(a) on the ground that they have voluntarily given up the membership of the party.
    • The question of whether they have voluntarily given up the membership of the party is decided on the basis of the conduct of a member.
    • In Ravi S. Naik vs Union of India (1994), the Supreme Court had said “an inference can be drawn from the conduct of a member that he has voluntarily given up the membership of the party.

    Weakening the anti-defection law

    • Unprincipled defection: The ongoing developments in Maharashtra have once again brought before the country the reality of what the Supreme Court also described as the political evil of unprincipled defection.
    • But the order of the Supreme Court, on June 27, on petitions from the dissidents in the Shiv Sena, gives undue advantage to the dissident legislators.
    • The Court has granted them a longer time to submit replies than the rules mandate.
    • This order is going to set in motion certain political developments which will resurrect in a big way what the Supreme Court characterised as political evil.
    • The intervention by the Supreme Court too has thrown up some crucial question.
    • Kihoto Hollohan case: The first question is whether the Court can intervene at a stage prior to the decision by the Deputy Speaker.
    • A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court had held in Kihoto Hollohan (1993) that judicial review cannot be available prior to the making of a decision by the Speaker nor at an interlocutory stage of the proceeding.
    •  The notice of no-confidence against the Deputy Speaker has added another piece to the jigsaw puzzle.
    • Nabam Rebia case: The Supreme Court had held in Nabam Rebia (2016) that the Speaker shall not decide the disqualification cases till the no-confidence motion against him is disposed of.
    • The House rules clearly say that the notice of no-confidence against the Speaker/Deputy Speaker needs to be admitted in the first place which is done only by the Speaker.
    • But it is the House which takes the final decision on the motion. If the notice of no-confidence does not contain specific charges, it can be disallowed by the Speaker. 
    • Further, the notice can be given only if the House is summoned.
    • When the notice was given, the Assembly was not convened. So, the notice against the Deputy Speaker can have no validity under the rules.

    Conclusion

    The law, though not perfect, is a serious attempt to strengthen the moral content of democracy. There will be shortcomings in this Bill but as we see and identify those shortcomings we should try to overcome them.

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