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Subject: ParliamentxProcedures

  • Criminal Cases Among Rajya Sabha MPs (ADR Report)

    Why in News?

    A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms and National Election Watch found that 31% of sitting Rajya Sabha MPs have declared criminal cases, while 16% have declared serious criminal cases in their election affidavits.

    Key Findings

    • Analysis covered 226 of 233 Rajya Sabha MPs.
      • 4 seats (West Bengal) were vacant.
      • 3 MPs were excluded as affidavits were unavailable.
    • 69 MPs (31%) declared criminal cases.
    • 36 MPs (16%) declared serious criminal cases.
    • Serious offences include:
      • 1 MP with a murder case.
      • 4 MPs with attempt to murder cases.
      • 4 MPs with crimes against women.

    Party-wise Criminal Cases

    • BJP: 28 of 107 MPs (26%), Congress: 12 of 29 MPs (41%), AITC: 2 of 9 MPs (22%), DMK: 2 of 8 MPs (25%), SP: 2 of 4 MPs (50%), TDP: 3 of 4 MPs (75%), BRS: 3 of 3 MPs (100%), CPI(M): 3 of 3 MPs (100%), RJD: 2 of 3 MPs (67%), AIADMK: 1 of 4 MPs (25%), NCP: 1 of 4 MPs (25%), and AAP: 1 of 3 MPs (33%)

    Wealth Profile

    • 31 MPs (14%) declared assets exceeding ₹100 crore.
    • Major parties: BJP: 7 MPs, Congress: 6 MPs, YSRCP: 2 MPs, TDP: 2 MPs, BRS: 2 MPs, and NCP: 2 MPs

    About ADR

    • The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) is a non-governmental, non-partisan organization established in 1999.
    • It works to promote:
      • Electoral transparency.
      • Political and electoral reforms.
      • Informed voting through analysis of candidates’ affidavits.
    • ADR uses disclosures mandated by the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India.

    Constitutional and Legal Background

    • Article 80: Composition of the Rajya Sabha.
    • Representation of the People Act, 1951
      • Section 8: Disqualification upon conviction for specified offences.
    • Mere pendency of criminal cases does not disqualify a candidate unless a conviction attracts disqualification under law.
    • Candidates must disclose criminal antecedents in nomination affidavits following Supreme Court judgments.

    [2020] Consider the following statements:

    1. According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a State for six months even if he/she is not a member of the Legislature of that State. 

    2. According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment for five years is permanently disqualified from contesting an election even after his release from prison. 

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a . 1 only

    b . 2 only

    c. Both 1 and 2

    d . Neither 1 nor 2

  • Consider the following statements

    Consider the following statements:
    1. Union Territories are not represented in the Rajya Sabha.
    2. It is within the purview of the Chief Election Commissioner to adjudicate election disputes.
    3. According to the Constitution of India, the Parliament consists of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha only.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • Consider the following statements

    Consider the following statements:

    1. In the election for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, the winning candidate must get at least 50 percent of the votes polled, to be declared elected.
    2. According to the provisions laid down in the Constitution of India, in Lok Sabha, the Speaker’s post goes to the majority party and the Deputy Speaker’s to the Opposition.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • Consider the following statements

    Consider the following statements:

    1. The Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 exempts several posts from disqualification on the grounds of ‘Office of Profit’.
    2. The above-mentioned Act was amended five times.
    3. The term ‘Office of Profit’ is well-defined in the Constitution of India.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • Consider the following statements

    Consider the following statements:
    1. The President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such place as he/she thinks fit.
    2. The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not mandatory to conduct all three sessions.
    3. There is no minimum number of days of that the Parliament is required to meet in a year.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • In the Parliament of India, the purpose of an Adjournment Motion is

    In the Parliament of India, the purpose of an Adjournment Motion is:

  • The Parliament can make any law for whole or any part of India for implementing international

    The Parliament can make any law for whole or any part of India for implementing international
    treaties

  • Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India

    Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India:
    1. There is no mention of a No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution of India.
    2. A motion of No-Confidence can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of

    The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of
    Ministers through
    1. Adjournment motion
    2. Question hour
    3. Supplementary questions
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  • With reference to the Legislative Assembly of a State in India, consider the following statements

    With reference to the Legislative Assembly of a State in India, consider the following statements:

    1. The Governor makes a customary address to Members of the House at the commencement of the first session of the year.
    2. When a State Legislature does’ not have a rule on a particular matter, it follows the Lok Sabha rule on that matter.

    Which of the statements given above is / are correct?