💥UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (May Batch) + Access XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Search results for: “”

  • Mission Nikaalo Prelims | Open Crash Course | Starts 6th March 2020

    Mission Nikaalo Prelims | Open Crash Course | Starts 6th March 2020

    Dear students,

    We are thrilled to launch the 3rd edition of our OPEN Crash Course [Nikaalo Prelims]. The last 2 editions have been immensely helpful to aspirants who wanted a fast-paced revision sequence. With Nikaalo Prelims you get our full commitment for the next 75 days with these 3 things: 

    1. Daily Doubt Sessions (2 hours of community doubt solving sessions)
    2. Prelims Spotlight (simplified, synthesized, byte-sized information collated in notes)
    3. Static & CA Tests (alternate days, 20 questions with rich explainers & active doubt resolution sessions)

    Note: If you want to see how our prelims test series have helped aspirants in the past, both in building capabilities, smart hacks and prediction (relevance), please read on this link

     

    • The registration will be done here: Click & Register here
    • Once you fill the fields, you will be enlisted in a close community Telegram Group where you will receive PDFs of Prelims Spotlight, Revision Tests and other value-added material
    • The telegram group will also be the only place where we will have DDS sessions
    • We start on 6th March 2020. 10 AM sharp.
    • Here’s the time table of the Nikaalo Prelims

    How is this program any different from the other “x-day revision programs”?

    There are many institutes and websites offering open crash courses (that too for free) and most of them have their heart & efforts in a good place. Like them, we also believed that drawing up a time table and collating questions together in one place will help in an effective revision.

    But we got to know better when we started having deeper interactions with our Decimate Prelims community. We started DDS (Daily Doubt Sessions) by inviting doubts from across the spectrum & study material. We aimed at resolving all doubts in 15 minutes or less and kept the discussion open in case students want to follow-up with subsequent questions and more.

    Here’s what we found:

    More doubts = more conversations = increased chances of multiple threads = revision & retention

    And now that we know better, we have decided to include a mini DDS for Nikaalo Prelims batch as well. And that’s what separates us from the rest.

    But that’s not it. We have upped our offerings in the static & dynamic revision modules as well. Here’s how:

    • Prelims SPOTLIGHT

    This initiative is meant to help you revise details and facts that can be asked in prelims. They are simplified, synthesized and prepared using most authentic sources. These can easily slip your mind or you can easily confuse these. Continuous Revision for the same is required. Dare you to miss the updates!

    You will get PDFs for these notes. Trust us, less is more. We won’t overwhelm. you with content just coz we can 🙂

    • Static Subject Revision and Tests 

    The timetable for the static subjects is released. Tests will start on the 6th of March. 

    Coverage and Relevance are the 2 Pillars of our Tests.

    1. You appear for a test every alternate day at 8 PM. 
    2. We believe some breathing time is necessary to ensure consistency and efficiency. Besides, a good revision also requires quality time commitment. 
    3. Instant score after you submit your test with proper explanations for the questions. 
    4. Top 10 Ranks will be announced for every test at the launch of the next test.  

    Please ensure you attempt the tests with utmost sincerity.

    • 3. Daily Doubt Sessions: There will be daily doubt sessions on a daily basis for your doubt resolutions regarding tests and prelims spotlights. This will ensure that all important topics are covered, you are not left with any confusion or doubt and get some additional information as well.

    Click here to register

     

  • [Prelims Spotlight] Various Defence Exercises in News

     

    Prelims Spotlight is a part of “Nikaalo Prelims 2020” module. This open crash course for Prelims 2020 has a private telegram group where PDFs and DDS (Daily Doubt Sessions) are being held. Please click here to register.

    7th March 2020

    Various Defence Exercises in News

    The defence is a major part of any country. Thus, every country tries and devotes half of its budget in defence. So, there are joint military exercises happening which benefits both the participating nations. Thus, in this article, we will discuss some of the important joint exercises in India like Indra and Maitree. Also, these exercises are important from learning as well as the strategic point of view for both the nations.

    India + XYZ Army Navy Air Force
    ASEAN + Force 18
    Australia AUSTRA HIND AUSINDEX / KAKADU
    Bangladesh Sampriti CORPAT
    China Hand in hand Chang Thang
    France Shakti Varuna GARUDA
    Indonesia GARUDA SHAKTI IND-INDO CORPAT

    And

    Samudra Shakti
    Japan Dharma Guardian Malabar (India, Japan, and the USA), Sahyog-Kaijin SHINYUU MAITRI
    Kazakhstan Prabal Dostyk and KAZIND
    Kyrgyzstan Khanjar
    Maldives Ekuverin
    Mongolia Nomadic Elephant / KHAN QUEST
    Nepal Surya Kiran (BIANNUAL)
    Oman AL NAGAH (SUCCESS) Naseem Al Bahr Eastern Bridge-IV
    Russia Indra INDRA NAVY AVIAINDRA-14
    Seychelles LAMITYE
    Singapore Ex AGNI WARRIOR and Ex BOLD KURUKSHETRA SIMBEX JOINT MILITARY TRAINING
    South Africa, Brazil IBSAMAR
    Sri Lanka Mitra Shakti SLINEX
    Thailand Maitree /  COBRA GOLD (Observer Plus) INDO-THAI CORPAT (Bi-annual) SIAM BHARAT
    UAE Desert Eagle-II
    UK Ajeya Warrior Konkan IndraDhanush -IV
    or “Rainbow”.
    USA YudhAbhyas/ Cope/

    Tiger Triumph

    VAJRA PRAHAR

    		 Malabar RIMPAC (Multilateral) Red Flag
    Brunei ADMM+ Exercise (Multilateral)
    Malaysia MAITREE ARF DIREx
    Myanmar IMBEX IMCOR
    Qatar Za’ir-Al-Bahr (Roar of the Sea)    
    Uzbekistan Dustlik    

     

    Other Important Exercise

    Exercise TSENTR 2019 China, Tajikistan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan Russia(Host)

  • After the Trump visit

    Context

    President Trump’s visit had the right optics. Attention must now turn to India-US priority areas.

    What were the mutual gains and highlights of the visit?

    • Security: Homeland Security is an American expression. For us to own it shows our concerns on cross-border sponsored terrorism.
    • Nuclear technology: Our nuclear VVER power plant technologies are state of the art and of Russian and French design.
      • Fast breeder: Good, but one more is better. We are well on the way to the fast breeder on the thorium route and these nuclear turbines are an essential step.
      • Unlimited thorium: We don’t have much uranium but unlimited thorium, so in the long run, apart from solar, this is the energy future.
      • Insurance obstacle resolved: Obviously, the insurance obstacle, as to who will bear the cost of insurance against disaster damage, which the Americans were raising earlier, has been resolved.
      • We have to build nuclear power to provide the initial feedstock for the thorium-based reactors.
    • No progress on trade pact: There are obviously differences between the two nations on the trade pact.
      • There is “progress”, but otherwise, we don’t know the way forward. Since the event was Ahmedabad-based, Amul is invading America and dairying is real politics.
    • US concerns over Kashmir issue: The US concern on Kashmir and minority rights is real.
      • If the largest foreign office establishment in the world is raising issues through their chief, let’s not bury our head in the sand.
      • Our defence minister expressing sadness at former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir being in detention was a gesture to the US President’s stand on pursuing solutions.
    • The bipartisan foreign policy of India shifting: The Americans generally rally behind the President on foreign policy.
      • We are more advanced now and have kicked a bipartisan approach to foreign affairs.
      • Seven decades of a bipartisan policy are thrown away without a word in explanation.

    Challenges to the rights in India

    • Every right is tampered with. Your religion, your identity in a country that never questioned it, you name it, it’s in question.
    • Multiple identity cards not accepted: The Aadhaar card, passport, ration card, election card are not enough. One office doesn’t accept another’s card, even if they carry the same information.
    • A study on a ration card and election cards: A study funded by the Canadian IDRC showed the poor only keep under lock and key the ration and election cards. One saves them from starvation, the other gives them dignity. At least once every five years, the mightiest knock at their door. We must not destroy, we must build.

    Conclusion

    There are obviously differences between the two nations on the trade pact. But apart from trade, there are many areas the cooperation on which can benefit both the countries.

     

     

  • 6th March 2020 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    [WpProQuiz 405]

  • Nikaalo Prelims | Over 100 doubts resolved in first session, don’t delay join us.

    Nikaalo Prelims | Over 100 doubts resolved in first session, don’t delay join us.

    Dear students,

    Yesterday we launched the 3rd edition of Nikaalo Prelims and we got a tremendous response. Click here to register

    Here is a summary of our first DDS session:

    • Over 300 students joined the group in a very short period of time.
    • Over 500 messages were interchanged during the session in which more than 100 doubts were resolved and several questions with Tikdam were discussed.
    • PDF of the prelims spotlight was shared.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The last 2 editions have been immensely helpful to aspirants who wanted a fast-paced revision sequence.  you get our full commitment for the next 75 days with these 3 things:                                                                                                   
    1. Daily Doubt Sessions (2 hours of community doubt solving sessions)
    2. Prelims Spotlight (simplified, synthesized, byte-sized information collated in notes)
    3. Static & CA Tests (alternate days, 20 questions with rich explainers & active doubt resolution sessions)

    Note: If you want to see how our prelims test series have helped aspirants in the past, both in building capabilities, smart hacks and prediction (relevance), please read on this link

    How is this program any different from the other “x-day revision programs”?

    There are many institutes and websites offering open crash courses and most of them have their heart & efforts in a good place. Like them, we also believed that drawing up a time table and collating questions together in one place will help in an effective revision.

    But we got to know better when we started having deeper interactions with our Decimate Prelims community. We started DDS (Daily Doubt Sessions) by inviting doubts from across the spectrum & study material. We aimed at resolving all doubts in 15 minutes or less and kept the discussion open in case students want to follow-up with subsequent questions and more.

    Here’s what we found:

    More doubts = more conversations = increased chances of multiple threads = revision & retention

    And now that we know better, we have decided to include a mini DDS for the Nikaalo Prelims batch as well. And that’s what separates us from the rest.

    But that’s not it. We have upped our offerings in the static & dynamic revision modules as well. Here’s how:

    • Prelims SPOTLIGHT

    This initiative is meant to help you revise details and facts that can be asked in prelims. They are simplified, synthesized and prepared using most authentic sources. These can easily slip your mind or you can easily confuse these. Continuous Revision for the same is required. Dare you to miss the updates!

    You will get PDFs for these notes. Trust us, less is more. We won’t overwhelm. you with content just coz we can 🙂

    • Static Subject Revision and Tests 

    The timetable for the static subjects is released. Tests will start on the 6th of March. 

    Coverage and Relevance are the 2 Pillars of our Tests.

    1. You appear for a test every alternate day at 8 PM. 
    2. We believe some breathing time is necessary to ensure consistency and efficiency. Besides, a good revision also requires a quality time commitment. 
    3. Instant score after you submit your test with proper explanations for the questions. 
    4. Top 10 Ranks will be announced for every test at the launch of the next test.  

    Please ensure you attempt the tests with utmost sincerity.

    • 3. Daily Doubt Sessions: There will be daily doubt sessions on a daily basis for your doubt resolutions regarding tests and prelims spotlights. This will ensure that all important topics are covered, you are not left with any confusion or doubt and get some additional information as well.

    Click here to register

  • *Get registered* for Open lectures on Union Budget 2020-21 and Economic Survey 2019-20 by Mr. Himanshu, Economist and Public policy specialist on 7-8 March 2020

    *Get registered* for Open lectures on Union Budget 2020-21 and Economic Survey 2019-20 by Mr. Himanshu, Economist and Public policy specialist on 7-8 March 2020

    Economic survey and Union budget are the two most important economic documents of the Government of India. They outline the vision for the Indian economy, government initiatives and schemes, challenges faced, and mitigating strategies.

     

    The importance of Union budget and economic survey can’t be overstated, not only for UPSC prelims but also for Mains and Essay as well, it is a not to be missed section for preparation. Even for UPSC interview candidates, these lecture series are very important.

    Two lectures are planned to be taken by Mr. Himanshu, Economist and Public policy specialist, he has worked at PMEAC in the past, has been a columnist in The Hindu and Indian Express, and is currently working at Parliament of India. 

     

    The lecture series will give students a detailed understanding of survey and budget, key issues, concept, technical ideas discussed in it. The course is designed for both students who have no background in economics and have some familiarity with economics. It will go beyond the survey and budget to make students understand the static theories behind the idea presented in the survey. 

    Details of the lectures:

    Lecture on Union Budget

    Date: 7th March 2020

    Time: 5 p.m. onwards (entry closes at 4:45 p.m.)

     

    Lecture on Economic survey

    Date: 8th March 2020

    Time: 5 p.m. onwards (entry closes at 4:45 p.m.)

     

    Venue: Civilsdaily IAS Center, 1LGF, Apsara Arcade, Karol Bagh

     

    Click here to get registered: https://forms.gle/EQ53tfBSqzpJpPwq7

     

    Note: Entry on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited seats are available.

    For any queries reach out to atul@civilsdaily.com

  • An unrest, a slowdown and a health epidemic

    Context

    India faces imminent danger from the trinity of social disharmony, economic slowdown and a global health epidemic.

    Social disharmony

    • Violence in Capital: Delhi has been subjected to extreme violence over the past few weeks. We have lost nearly 50 of our fellow Indians for no reason. Several hundred people have suffered injuries.
      • Communal tensions have been stoked and flames of religious intolerance fanned by unruly sections of our society, including the political class.
    • University campuses, public places and private homes are bearing the brunt of communal outbursts of violence.
    • Institutions of law and order have abandoned their dharma to protect citizens. Institutions of justice and the fourth pillar of democracy, the media, have also failed us.

    Impact of social disharmony on the economy

    • Exacerbating the economy: At a time when our economy is floundering, the impact of such social unrest will only exacerbate the economic slowdown.
    • Lack of investment by the private sector: It is now well accepted that the scourge of India’s economy currently is the lack of new investment by the private sector.
      • Investors, industrialists and entrepreneurs are unwilling to undertake new projects and have lost their risk appetite.
      • Increase in fears and risk aversion: Social disruptions and communal tensions only compound investors’ fears and risk aversion.
      • Social harmony, the bedrock of economic development, is now under peril.
    • When policy tweaks stop to matter: No amount of tweaking of tax rates, showering of corporate incentives or goading will propel Indian or foreign businesses to invest, when the risk of eruption of sudden violence in one’s neighbourhood looms large.
    • How the vicious cycle works: Lack of investment means a lack of jobs and incomes, which, in turn, means a lack of consumption and demand in the economy.
      • A lack of demand will only further suppress private investments. This is the vicious cycle that our economy is stuck in.

    Impact of COVID-19 on the economy

    • Global reactions: Nations across the world have sprung into action to contain the impact of this epidemic. China is walling off major cities and public places. Italy is shutting down schools. America has embarked aggressively both to quarantine people as well as hasten research efforts to find a cure.
      • Many other nations have announced various measures to address this issue.
    • What India can learn? India too must act swiftly and announce a mission-critical team that will be tasked with addressing the issue. There could be some best practices we can adopt from other nations.

    Bringing in reforms to address the problems

    • The government must quickly embark on a three-point plan.
      • First, it should focus all energies and efforts on containing the COVID-19 threat and prepare adequately.
      • Two, it should withdraw or amend the Citizenship Act, end the toxic social climate and foster national unity.
      • Three, it should put together a detailed and meticulous fiscal stimulus plan to boost consumption demand and revive the economy.

    Turning a moment of deep crisis into a moment of great opportunity

    • The past instance of turning crisis into an opportunity: In 1991, India and the world faced a similar grave economic crisis, with a balance of payments crisis in India and a global recession caused by rising oil prices due to the Gulf War.
      • But India was able to successfully turn this into an opportunity to reinvigorate the economy through drastic reforms.
    • Turning the present crisis into an opportunity: Similarly, the virus contagion and the slowing down of China can potentially open up an opportunity for India to unleash second-generation reforms to become a larger player in the global economy and vastly improve prosperity levels for hundreds of millions of Indians.
      • To achieve that, we must first rise above divisive ideology, petty politics and respect institutional salience.

    Conclusion

    The India that we know and cherish is slipping away fast. Wilfully stoked communal tensions, gross economic mismanagement and an external health shock are threatening to derail India’s progress and standing. It is time to confront the harsh reality of the grave risks we face as a nation and address them squarely and sufficiently.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Online versus offline

    Context

    Any intervention to “correct” pricing essentially involves placing a higher weightage on the assumed losses of competitors/producers than on the consumer’s apparent gains. This is not a straightforward exercise.

    Duopolies and scrutiny by the CCI

    • Duopolies in the most segment: The online marketplace or the platform/intermediation service market is now largely characterised by duopolies in most segments:
      • Amazon and Flipkart in e-commerce, Uber and Ola in transport, Zomato and Swiggy in food service, MakeMyTrip and Yatra in travel bookings.
      • Some niche players do exist in these segments, but by and large, the market has been carved up by large players.
    • Why CCI is scrutinising these companies? Several of these companies have come under the scrutiny of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
      • What are the issues involved? The issues involved here have far-reaching ramifications for both online and offline market places. Some of the more contentious issues are:
      • Do such market structures restrict online competition?
      • Are the players engaging in predatory pricing?
      • If so, is it driving out both online and offline competition and does this adversely impact consumer welfare?
      • Is there a need for policy intervention, and, if so, what should be the underlying framework?

    Lower barrier to entry not translating into greater competition

    • Market not working as per theory: In theory, the online market structure should facilitate greater competition given the lower barriers to entry. But this may not be the case.
      • Take-over: Most other firms in the segments mentioned above have either been taken over or have folded up.
    • What is the reason for the emergence of such marker structures
    • Positive feedback loop: One explanation for the emergence of these market structures is that as companies grow, with more users coming on board these platforms, they benefit from what CCI calls positive feedback loop.
      • This leads to market concentration.
      • Difficulties for new players: Given the network effects, which are common in digital spaces, it becomes difficult for new players to enter these spaces, and gain market share as there isn’t much space for many such networks.
    • Capital intensive market: Another possible explanation is that, contrary to perception, the online space is highly capital intensive.
      • Deep pockets are required to fund the discounts to get customers on board initially.
      • Such market structures are more likely in capital deficit countries like India.
    • Incumbents restricting new entrant: Incumbents, as in other sectors, may also engage in various strategies to restrict entry and thus competition.
      • Even small actions by these platforms coupled with the network effects can adversely impact competition.

    Predatory pricing-issues involved in it

    • Allegations of predatory pricing driving out the competition: Many allege that these two-sided online platforms engage in predatory pricing or below-cost pricing either by funding it themselves (deep pockets) or by squeezing producers.
      • This drives out the competition — both online as well as offline.
      • Predatory pricing is anti-competition, to begin with.
      • How it is harmful to the customers? While consumers do benefit in the short run, once the competition is driven out, the platform starts raising prices to recoup previous losses.
      • But is it that straightforward?
    • What are the issues involved in predatory pricing?
    • First- Assessing whether a platform is engaged in predatory pricing.
      • In India, it is defined as price falling below average variable cost — may not be a straightforward exercise.
      • Why it is not a straight forward exercise? The dynamics of online pricing (prices change over time), their unique cost structures — in such two-sided platforms, prices/costs on both sides should be seen in conjunction — as well as the impact of economies of scale and organisational efficiency in lowering costs, all need to be factored in.
      • Discount for clearing inventories: Besides, one would also have to take into account that even offline firms engage in deep discounting to clear inventories.
      • As do both online and offline firms to acquire customers in the early stages of their business.
    • Second-The impact of such pricing strategies on competition and on consumer welfare must be carefully assessed.
      • Driving out competitors is not equal to driving out the competition: It is quite likely that once the competition is eliminated and the platform starts to raise prices, new players will enter the market, attracted by higher prices.
      • Driving out competitors may not be the same as driving out the competition — though the extent to which new firms are able to enter the market will depend on the degree to which barriers to entry exist.
      • Concerns of recovering the losses: Platforms will be mindful that losses will be hard to recover, and may not engage in below-cost pricing to drive out competitors for extended periods.
      • Consumers are unlikely to lose out as prices are likely to remain low.
    • Third- Possibility of collusion
      • There is also an argument for closer examination of such market structures because of the possibility of collusion.
      • Customers moving towards cheaper options: In most such markets, as the consumer has little to differentiate between the two platforms, it is the price that sets them apart.
      • Consumers tend to gravitate towards the cheaper option. This ensures continuous competition between the major players to offer low prices.
      • Possibility of customer left with no option: It is possible that at some point, the players will find it in their interest to venture into some sort of agreement that allows both of them to survive, rather than be engaged in a race to the bottom — as has seemingly happened in the telecom sector.
    • Fourth- Linking predatory pricing with abuse of dominant market position must be reexamined.
      • The dominant position is not always linked with predatory pricing: As the experience of the telecom sector shows, a dominant position may not be a prerequisite for predatory pricing.
      • Accepting this argument would imply that if regulatory intervention is required to check predatory pricing, it could kick in before market power or dominance is established.
      • Taking into account deep pockets: Alternatively, the definition of market dominance could be expanded to take into account deep pockets.

    Conclusion

    • Set of guidelines instead of the fixed framework: Any intervention to “correct” pricing essentially involves placing a higher weightage on the assumed losses of competitors/producers than on the consumer’s apparent gains. This is not a straightforward exercise. Having a fixed predetermined framework is unlikely to be helpful. Instead, it would be more useful to have a set of guiding principles based on which regulatory intervention, if required, can be undertaken.
    • Safeguarding competition not competitors: Competition policy should be driven by safeguarding competition, not competitors. It should seek to bring about greater transparency in pricing and reduce information asymmetry.

     

  • Explained: Behind Meghalaya violence

     

     

    Last week, ethnic violence left three dead in Meghalaya. The violence underlined the ethnic complexities of Meghalaya, with tensions coming back to the fore following the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

    Multi-ethnic Meghalaya

    • Meghalaya became a state in 1972 when it was carved out of Assam. Before that, Shillong, now Meghalaya’s capital, used to be the capital of Assam.
    • Sharing a 443-km border with Bangladesh, Meghalaya has seen decades of migration from areas that are now in Bangladesh, as well as from various Indian states via Assam.
    • Besides the indigenous groups, Meghalaya’s residents include Bengalis, Nepalis, Marwaris, Biharis and members of various other communities.
    • Meghalaya is a tribal majority state, and the indigenous Khasis, Jaintias and Garos are entitled to 80% reservation in government jobs.
    • Various groups have continuously expressed concerns that illegal migration from Bangladesh and the growth of “outsiders” from other states would overwhelm the indigenous communities.

    Meghalaya violence: The CAA context

    • The CAA relaxes the norms for Hindus from Bangladesh (among six religious groups from three countries) for eligibility to apply for Indian citizenship.
    • Long before that, the legislation was already facing protests in the Northeast, including Meghalaya. Eventually, the Centre decided the CAA will not apply in Sixth Schedule areas.
    • The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution has special provisions for administration of certain areas in the Northeast, including almost the whole of Meghalaya.
    • Despite the large exemption, the concerns have persisted in Meghalaya, and demands for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime have gathered fresh momentum.
    • If the ILP system is introduced, every Indian citizen from any other state would require a time-bound permit to visit Meghalaya.

    Signals simmering tensions

    • The last four decades have seen numerous incidents of violence in Meghalaya targeted at non-tribals, including from Bengal and Nepal.
    • The latest bout follows a sustained campaign over the implementation of the Inner Line Permit and unrest in the Northeast over the CAA that led to six deaths in Assam two months ago.
    • The violence last week has an immediate context in the anti-CAA campaign and ILP demand.

    Shillong, then and now

    • Shillong has seen violence against “outsiders” several times in the last four decades.
    • The targets were Bengalis in 1979, Nepalis in 1987, and Biharis in 1992.
    • In 2018, Shillong saw clashes between Khasis and Punjab-origin Dalit Sikhs whose ancestors had settled there over 100 years ago.
    • All that began collapsing after Independence, Constitutional institutions set up to safeguard the interest of the tribes came to be popularly perceived as opportunities to convert these tribal areas into exclusive zones of tribal hegemony.
    • The issue of ‘foreigners’ illegally residing in the state of Meghalaya was one of the most important issues which dominated state politics in the 1970s and 1980s.
    • In 1979, the state was plunged into a crisis for the first time since it was created.

  • When does Speaker suspend MPs from Lok Sabha?

    Seven MPs of a political party were suspended for unruly behaviour in the Lok Sabha. The motion was passed by a voice vote.

    What is the reason for suspending an MP?

    • The general principle is that it is the role and duty of the Speaker of Lok Sabha to maintain order so that the House can function smoothly.
    • This is a daunting task even at the best of times.
    • In order to ensure that proceedings are conducted in the proper manner, the Speaker is empowered to force a Member to withdraw from the House (for the remaining part of the day), or to place him/her under suspension.

    What are the rules under which the Speaker acts?

    Rule Number 373 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business says:

    • The Speaker, if is of the opinion that the conduct of any Member is grossly disorderly, may direct such Member to withdraw immediately from the House, and any Member so ordered to withdraw shall do so forthwith and shall remain absent during the remainder of the day’s sitting.

    To deal with more recalcitrant Members, the Speaker may take recourse to Rules 374 and 374A. Rule 374 says:

    1. The Speaker may, it deems it necessary, name a Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the House by persistently and wilfully obstructing the business thereof.
    2. If a Member is so named by the Speaker, the Speaker shall, on a motion being made forthwith put the question that the Member (naming such Member) be suspended from the service of the House for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session: Provided that the House may, at any time, on a motion being made, resolve that such suspension be terminated.
    3. A member suspended under this rule shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House.

    What is the procedure for revocation of a Member’s suspension?

    • While the Speaker is empowered to place a Member under suspension, the authority for revocation of this order is not vested in her.
    • It is for the House, if it so desires, to resolve on a motion to revoke the suspension.

    What happens in Rajya Sabha?

    • Like the Speaker in Lok Sabha, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is empowered under Rule Number 255 of its Rule Book to “direct any Member whose conduct is in his opinion grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately” from the House.
    • Any Member so ordered to withdraw shall do so forthwith and shall absent himself during the remainder of the day’s meeting.
    • The Chairman may name a Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the Council by persistently and wilfully obstructing business.
    • In such a situation, the House may adopt a motion suspending the Member from the service of the House for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session.
    • The House may, however, by another motion, terminate the suspension.
    • Unlike the Speaker, however, the Rajya Sabha Chairman does not have the power to suspend a Member.

    Way Forward: Striking a balance

    • There can be no question that the enforcement of the supreme authority of the Speaker is essential for smooth conduct of proceedings. A balance has to be struck.
    • However, it must be remembered that her job is to run the House, not to lord over it.
    • The solution to unruly behaviour has to be long-term and consistent with democratic values.
    • A step in that same direction could be to discontinue the practice of herding people out of the visitors’ gallery when the House witnesses chaos.
    • So, the ruling party of the day invariably insists on the maintenance of discipline, just as the Opposition insists on its right to protest. And their positions change when their roles flip.

More posts