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  • Conduct of States Assembly Elections

    The Election Commission of India has announced dates for Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur.

    Why conduct elections even during COVID outbreak?

    • Article 172(1) of the Constitution sets a five-year term for each Assembly.
    • Any postponement of Assembly elections may result in a situation that denies people of that State the right to elect an accountable government of their choice.

    States Legislature : A detail background

    • The State Legislative Assembly is a legislative body in the states and union territories of India.
    • In the 28 states and 3 union territories with a unicameral state legislature, it is the sole legislative body and in 6 states it is the lower house of their bicameral state legislatures with the upper house being Legislative Council.
    • 5 UTs are governed directly by the Union Government of India and have no legislative body.

    Term of reference

    • Each Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is directly elected to serve 5 year terms by single-member constituencies.
    • The Constitution of India states that a State Legislative Assembly must have no less than 60 and no more than 500 members.
    • However an exception may be granted via an Act of Parliament as is the case in the states of Goa, Sikkim, Mizoram and the union territory of Puducherry which have fewer than 60 members.
    • A State Legislative Assembly may be dissolved in a state of emergency, by the Governor on request of the Chief Minister, or if a motion of no confidence is passed against the ruling majority party or coalition.

    State Executive

    • State Executive consists of Governor and the Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister as its head.
    • Executive power of the state is vested in Governor.
    • He/She is appointed by the President for a term of five years and holds office during his pleasure.
    • Only Indian citizens above 35 years of age are eligible for appointment to this office.
    • The Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor, who also appoints other ministers on the advice of the CM.

    Powers and Functions

    State legislature has exclusive powers over subjects enumerated in the State List and Concurrent Lists (List II of the Seventh Schedule) of the Constitution and concurrent powers over those enumerated in sub List III.

    (1) Regarding Ordinary Laws

    • Ordinary bills can be introduced in either of the two houses in case the State Legislature is bicameral, however, the Money Bill has to initially be introduced in the Vidhan Sabha.
    • The State Legislature can formulate laws on the subject of State and Concurrent Lists.
    • However, in case there is any contradiction between the Union and State law, the law decided by the Parliament shall prevail.

    (2) Financial Powers

    • Financial powers of legislature include authorization of all expenditure, taxation and borrowing by the state government.
    • The Legislative Assembly alone has the power to originate money bills.
    • The Legislative Council can only make recommendations in respect of changes it considers necessary within a period of fourteen days of the receipt of money bills, which can accept or reject these recommendations.

    Role of Governor

    • The Governor of a state may reserve any Bill for the consideration of the President.
    • No Bills seeking to impose restrictions on inter-state trade can be introduced in a state legislature without the previous sanction of the President.

    Try this PYQ:

     

    Q. Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past?

     

    (a) First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966)

    (b) Rajamannar Committee (1969)

    (c) Sarkaria Commission (1983)

    (d) National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2000)

  • What is Inner Line Permit System (ILPS)?

    A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court opposing the implementation of the Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) in Manipur.

    What is Inner Line Permit?

    • A concept drawn by colonial rulers, the Inner Line separated the tribal-populated hill areas in the Northeast from the plains.
    • The concept originates from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act (BEFR), 1873.
    • To enter and stay for any period in these areas, Indian citizens from other areas need an Inner Line Permit (ILP).
    • Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram are protected by the Inner Line, and lately, Manipur was added (in December last year).

    Its’ Inception

    • The policy of exclusion first came about as a response to the reckless expansion of British entrepreneurs into new lands which threatened British political relations with the hill tribes.
    • The BEFR prohibits an outsider’s — “British subject or foreign citizen” — entry into the are beyond the Inner Line without a pass and his purchase of land there.
    • On the other hand, the Inner Line also protects the commercial interests of the British from the tribal communities.
    • After Independence, the Indian government replaced “British subjects” with “Citizen of India”.
    • Today, the main aim of the ILP system is to prevent settlement of other Indian nationals in the States where the ILP regime is prevalent, in order to protect the indigenous/tribal population.

    Why need ILP?

    • Despite the fact that the ILP was originally created by the British to safeguard their commercial interests, it continues to be used in India.
    • It aims to protect tribal cultures in northeastern India.
    • There are different kinds of ILP’s, one for tourists and others for people who intend to stay for long-term periods, often for employment purposes.
    • ILP’s valid for tourism purposes are granted as a matter of routine.

    Issues with ILP

    • It has been extensively used to restrict the entry of tribals.

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  • Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): As defined by Govt Panel

    The government has accepted the report by a committee under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which examined the income criteria for determining who are to be included among the EWS.

    EWS Quota: A Backgrounder

    • On July 29 last year, the Centre had issued a notification for implementing 10% reservation for EWS along with 27% for OBC within these courses.
    • Following the petitions, the Supreme Court has stayed counseling for admission until the matter is decided.
    • The NEET notification followed the same criteria for determining EWS as mentioned in a notification from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

    Inception of EWS Quota

    • EWS reservation was granted based on the recommendations of a commission headed by Major General (retd) S R Sinho.
    • The Commission for Economically Backward Classes was constituted by the then UPA government in 2005, and submitted its report in July 2010.
    • Based on this, the Cabinet in January 2019 decided to amend the Constitution (103rd Amendment) to provide reservation to EWS.

    Prime basis: Income criteria

    • The criteria include a Rs 8 lakh income ceiling for inclusion in EWS — which is the same as the criterion for deciding the “creamy layer” among the OBCs (those who are not in government).
    • The notification said income shall include income from all sources i.e. salary, agriculture, business, profession, etc for the financial year prior to the year of application.
    • Another criterion is that a person whose family owns or possesses 5 acres of agricultural land or more will be excluded from EWS.

    Why was the new committee constituted?

    • The committee aimed to revisit the criteria for determining the economically weaker sections in terms of the provisions of the explanation to Article 15 of the Constitution.
    • It followed the Supreme Court’s observation that the income criterion for determining EWS was “arbitrary”.
    • The Supreme Court is presently hearing a number of petitions, including a special leave petition filed by the Centre against a Madras HC order on EWS and OBC reservation in the all-India quota for NEET.

    Key recommendations

    • The report says that the “threshold of Rs 8 lakh of annual family income, in the current situation, seems reasonable for determining EWS”.
    • The committee has recommended that EWS may, however, exclude, irrespective of income, a person whose family has 5 acres of agricultural land and above.
    • The committee has removed the criteria that excluded some categories from EWS:
    1. Owners of residential properties of 1,000 sq ft and above
    2. Residential plots of 100 sq yards and above in notified municipalities
    3. Residential plots of 200 sq yards and above in areas other than the notified municipalities

    How does it address the questions raised by the Supreme Court?

    • The Supreme Court has earlier questioned the basis of Rs 8 lakh criteria and termed it arbitrary without any substantiation.
    • It asserted that this criteria is similar to that of Creamy Layer in OBCs.

    What did the committee say on Income Criteria?

    • The committee’s report now states the two sets of criteria are significantly different despite both using the Rs 8 lakh cut-off and that the criteria for the EWS.
    • EWS criteria are much more stringent than those for the OBC creamy layer.
    • The report justifies this income limit, stating that Rs 8 lakh cut off also has a link with the income tax exemption limit.
    • It would, therefore, be logical to use the income tax exemption limit to determine the threshold for EWS.

    Tap here to read more about:

    [Sansad TV] Perspective: Defining EWS

     

     

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  • Draft Regional Plan 2041 for NCR

    Many environment analysts and activists has offered objections to the Draft Regional Plan-2041 for National Capital Region (NCR).

    Draft Regional Plan 2041

    • The National Capital Region Planning Board had sought objections and suggestions to the Draft RP-2041 from public.
    • Under the NCRPB plan, Delhi, two districts of Rajasthan, eight districts of Uttar Pradesh and 14 districts of Haryana are covered. In all, it covers an area of around 55,083 square kilometres.
    • The plan paves the way for a future-ready and slum-free NCR comprising of facilities like air ambulance, high-speed connectivity by means of rail, road, Heli taxis, and inland waterways.

    Key provisions

    • This plan puts special impetus on 30-minute connectivity by means of super-fast trains within major cities of NCR.
    • It also proposes to explore feasibility of 30-minute Mass Transit Rail System (MTRS) from boundaries of NCR to Delhi.
    • The plan seeks to make NCR a smart connected region by improving connectivity using bullet trains, smart roads, and helitaxi services.
    • It will evolve the region into an economically prosperous region comprising of citizen centric harmonious infrastructure.
    • It laid emphasis on circular economy of water & air quality improvements, improving environment conservation.

    Need for the plan

    • There was a need to ease out traffic congestions and create more integrated, accessible, user-centric and affordable transportation system.

    Various objections with the Plan

     

    • The plan excludes the terms “Aravalli” and “forest areas” from the Natural Conservation Zone (NCZ).
    • The Aravallis were an integral part of the NCZ in the current Regional Plan-2021.
    • This has left Aravallis open to unlimited real estate construction.
    • Similarly, the phrase “forest areas” has been deleted from the NCZ also. This will drastically reduce the forest cover that is eligible for NCZ zoning protection.

    Why Aravallis matters?

     

    • The Aravallis are home to over 400 species of native trees, shrubs and herbs, more than 200 native and migratory bird species, and wildlife that includes leopards, jackals, hyenas, mongoose and civet cats.
    • They are crucial to groundwater recharge, which is significant given the water scarcity the region faces during harsh summer months.
    • The thick forest cover helps to naturally purify air in a region plagued by high levels of vehicular and industrial pollution through the year.

    Back2Basics:  Aravali Range

    • The Aravali is a mountain range in Northwestern India, running approximately 670 km in a southwest direction, starting near Delhi, passing through southern Haryana and Rajasthan, and ending in Gujarat.
    • The highest peak is Guru Shikhar at 1,722 meters.
    • The Aravalli Range, an eroded stub of ancient mountains, is the oldest range of fold mountains in India.
    • The natural history of the Aravalli Range dates back to times when the Indian Plate was separated from the Eurasian Plate by an ocean.
    • Three major rivers and their tributaries flow from the Aravalli, namely Banas and Sahibi rivers which are tributaries of Yamuna, as well as Luni River which flows into the Rann of Kutch.

     

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  • Veer Baal Diwas to be observed on December 26

    Prime Minister has declared that December 26 shall henceforth be marked as Veer Baal Diwas to pay homage to the courage of the Sahibzades, four sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the last Sikh guru.

    What is the legend of Sahibzades?

    • The word “Sahibzada” means “son” in Punjabi and is a term commonly used to refer to the 4 sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.
    • The week of 21 to 27 December is celebrated as the Sacrificial Week in memory of the four Sahibzadas who made sacrifices for the protection of Sikhism and Hinduism.
    • Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh got martyrdom while saving their religious faiths against forceful conversion.

    Their martyrdom: A backgrounder story

    • After the establishment of the Khalsa Panth, Guru Gobind Singh left the fort of Sri Anandpur Sahib with his family on 20-21 December 1704 to fight the invasion by Aurgangzeb.
    • The elder sahibzade Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh stayed with Guru ji, while the younger sons Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh were with Mata Gujri ji.
    • Subedar Wazir Khan of Sirhind arrested the two Sahibzades subsequently and lured them for religious conversion.
    • In the end, it was announced to get them elected in the living walls.
    • The rest two sahibzades got assassinated in the battle of Chamkaur (1705).

    Implications of their martyrdom

    • When the news of this reached Guruji, he wrote a zafarnama (letter of victory) to Aurangzeb, in which he warned Aurangzeb that the Khalsa Panth was ready to destroy your empire.
    • Baba Banda Singh Bahadur took revenge for the martyrdom of Guruji’s Sahibzadas.
    • He punished Wazir Khan for his deeds in Sirhind and established Sikh hegemony over the entire area.
    • The result of this sacrifice was that later a large Sikh empire emerged under the leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

    A historic event in Indian History

    • This event is an important part of Indian history and the occasion of their martyrdom is remembered and commemorated both with great vigor and sorrow.
    • The names of Sahibzades are reverently preserved and are recalled every time Ardas (prayer) of supplication is recited at a congregation or privately by an individual.

     

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  • 10th January 2022 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

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  • 8th January 2022 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

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  • 7th January 2022 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

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  • 6th January 2022 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

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  • Zebrafish study reveals how the brain makes its connections

    Recent work by researchers at the National Centre of Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, has thrown light on what stimulates the synapses (connection of nerve cells) to form.

    What are Synapses?

    • Neurons, or nerve cells, in the brain connect by means of junctions known as synapses through which they transmit signals.
    • There are two types of synapses – chemical and electrical:

    (1) Chemical Synapse

    • In this, there is a space of about 20 nanometres between two neurons, and the way they communicate is this: One neuron converts electrical signal into chemical signals.
    • This chemical is released into the synaptic space and the receiving neuron converts the chemical signal back into an electrical signal.

    (2) Electrical synapse

    • In these synapses, the two neurons have a physical connection and the conversion of electrical to chemical need not occur, and they communicate directly.
    • Electrical synapses are like a physical wire, communication is faster but they are also fewer in number.

    Observing these synapses

    • Researchers from TIFR-National Centre of Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, have chosen Zebrafish as a model organism to study this process.
    • Zebrafish are transparent and neuron development in larval zebrafish can be observed from day to day by injecting a dye or by engineering the fish to express fluorescent proteins.
    • It was observed that electrical synapses are formed before chemical synapses, they are like a blueprint in which neurons make a handshake. This results in the making of chemical synapses.
    • Research on organisms such as leeches showed that if you remove electrical synapses, the chemical synapses do not form.
    • However, the mechanism of how it happens in higher organisms such as vertebrates was not known.

    What induces these synapses?

    • The group observed that knocking out a particular protein known as the gap junction delta 2b (gjd2b) in the cerebellum of zebrafish affected levels of the enzyme CaMKII.
    • Levels of CaMKII were seen to increase in the Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum.
    • These neurons and the cerebellum itself control coordination of movements in the organism.

    Why study this?

    • In humans for example, excess abuse of alcohol leads to damage of these cells, which results in lack of coordination in movement.
    • The cerebellum shows an evolutionary continuity in all vertebrates, so, too, the Purkinje neurons.
    • Even though fish and humans diverged from a common ancestor about 500 million years ago, the cerebellum has been evolutionarily conserved.
    • While zebrafish have about 300-400 Purkinje neurons, humans have thousands of these.

     

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