23rd April 2022 |Constitutional Bodies-Finance Commission, Election Commission, Union Public Service Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General of India

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Syllabus- Constitutional Bodies-Finance Commission, Election Commission, Union Public Service Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Number of questions- Mains: 02, Prelims – 10

Mains Questions of the day- 

 1.“The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India is a friend, philosopher and guide of Public Accounts Committee.” — Discuss. 

Answer: –

Introduction: –

“I am of the opinion that this (CAG) dignitary or officer is probably the most important officer in the Constitution of India. He is the one man who is going to see that the expenses voted by Parliament are not exceeded, or varied from what has been laid down by Parliament in the Appropriation Act.”   —Dr. B.R Ambedkar.

Body: –

Explain CAG functions and powers with respect to the Public Accounts Committee.

Conclusion: – 

  • CAG helps the parliament/state legislatures hold their respective governments accountable and hence reforms in office of CAG is of utmost importance.
  • He is one of the bulwarks of the democratic system of government in India and truly the most important office in Constitution of India as conveyed by B.R Ambedkar.

Content: –

  • CAG acts as a guide, friend and philosopher of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament.
  • Three CAG reports i.e., audit report on appropriation accounts, audit report on finance accounts and audit report on public sector undertakings are examined by PAC.
  • CAG also assists the committee in its deliberations by preparing a list of the most urgent matters which deserve the attention of the PAC.
  • He also helps in making the actions of the committee clear to the witnesses and in making the action of the government clear to the committee.
  • CAG position is sometimes one of interpreter and translator, explaining the officials’ views to the politicians and vice-versa.
  • The responsibility of the CAG does not end here. He has to watch whether the corrective action suggested by him has been taken or not. In cases whether it has not been taken, he reports the matter to the PAC which will take up the matter.

2. Describe the formation and functions of Inter-State Council.

Introduction: –

Write briefly about Inter-State council and its importance.

Body: – 

Explain the formation of Inter-State Council and its functions.

Conclusion: –

  • Being the primary organization for resolving the conflicts, it should be met regularly to serve the intent behind their establishment.  
  • A permanent secretariat is required for the council, which will ensure that the periodic meetings are more productive. 
  • There is currently an institutional deficit which should be solved before the solving of inter-state tensions.

Content: – 

  • India, being a federal republic, needs the council which coordinates the Center and the States in many political, administrative, and governance affairs. 
  • Inter-State Council (ISC) is a constitutional body as provided by Article 263 of the Constitution to deal with federal issues.
  • Its mandate is to inquire and advise on interstate disputes and to provide recommendations for better policy coordination. 
  • Although the council was established for promotion of cooperation and coordination, it has been ineffective.

Formation of Inter-State Council: –

  • It was a Constitutional Body established under Article 263 to effect coordination between the states and between Centre and states. 
  • It was formed in 1990 based on the Sarkaria Commission recommendation (1983).
  • It will investigate and discuss the subjects of common interest between the Union and States or among the States.
  • The President can establish the council at any time it appears to him that public interest would be served by its establishment. 
  • The President is also authorized to define the nature of duties to be performed by council and its organization and procedure

Functions of the Inter-State Council: –

  • Inquiring into and advising upon disputes which may arise between the states.
  • Investigation and discussing subjects in which the states or the Centre and the states have a common interest
  • Making recommendation on any subject for the better co-ordination of policy and action
  • It is the only multilateral Centre-state forum that operates directly within the framework of the Constitution (Article 263 (b) and (c)). 
  • It can take the topics like the GST and contemporary issues like disaster management, terrorism and internal security.
  • The constitutional backing puts the states on more solid footing—an essential ingredient in building the atmosphere of cooperation needed for calibrating Centre-state relations.
  • The council will help bridge the trust deficit between the Centre and states. If not always a problem solver, it at least acted as a safety valve.

Prelims Questions of the day: –

1. Who was the first Election Commissioner of India?

  1. Sukumar Sen
  2. VS Ramadevi
  3. Shankar Dayal Sharma 
  4. Rajendra Prasad

Answer: – A

Explanation: 

Sukumar Sen was the first Indian Civil Servant to become the Chief Election Commissioner of India. He served from 1950-1958

2.Where is the Secretariat of the Election Commission located?

  1. New Delhi
  2. Mumbai
  3. Gurgaon
  4. Chandigarh

Answer: – A

Explanation:

The secretariat of the commission is located in New Delhi.

3. Who was the first woman to become a Chief Election Commissioner of India?

  1. V. S. Ramadevi
  2. G. D. Das
  3. S.K. Bedi
  4. R.M. Nikam

ANSWER: A

Explanation:

V.S. Ramadevi was the first woman to become a Chief Election Commissioner, and she occupied the office from 26 November 1990 to 11 December 1990.

4.For the Election Commission, at the district level, who acts as the district returning officer?

  1. District Collector
  2. Police Commissioner
  3. Tehsildars
  4. None of the above.

Answer: A

Explanation: 

District Collector, acts as the district returning officer for the election at the district level.

5.Who among the following is the first Attorney General of India?

  1. S.V. Gupte
  2. Soli J. Sorabjee
  3. M.C. Setalvad
  4. M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar

ANSWER: C

Explanation: –

Former Attorney Generals –

1. M.C. Setalvad – 1950-1963.

2. C.K. Daphtary – 1963-1963.

3. Niren De – 1968-1977.

6.With respect to the 15th Finance Commission, consider the following statements:

  1. The term of the 15th Finance Commission was extended for two years recently.
  2. Its recommendations will be applicable for six years and not the conventional five-year period.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: B

Explanation:

The Union Cabinet, in November 2019 approved the extension of the term of the 15th Finance Commission, which had to submit two reports.

The term was extended till October 30, 2020 (11 months). The first report, for the financial year 2020-21, was submitted on January 30, 2020, before the Union Budget, and the second report for the period 2021-26 was presented on November 9, 2020.

This effectively means that the 15th Finance Commission’s recommendations will be applicable for six years and not the conventional five-year period. 

7. Who is the Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission?

  1. Dr. Y. V. Reddy
  2. G. C. Murmu
  3. Nand Kishore Singh
  4. Arvind Mehta

Answer: C

Explanation:

Dr. Y. V. Reddy was the Chairman of the 14th Finance Commission

C. Murmu is the Comptroller and Auditor General of India

Arvind Mehta is the Secretary of the 15th Finance Commission

8. When is the report submitted by the Finance Commission available in the public domain?

  1. After the submission of the report to the President.
  2. After the approval of the President
  3. After it is presented to Prime Minister
  4. After the report is tabled in the Parliament

Answer: D

Explanation:

The report is presented to Prime Minister and is available in the public domain once it is tabled in the Parliament by the government along with an action taken report on its recommendations.

9.As per the recommendations, the State’s share in the divisible pool of taxes for FY 2020-21 should be reduced from 42% to

  1. 41%
  2. 35%
  3. 39%
  4. 40%

Answer: A

Explanation: 

The report reduced the State’s share in the divisible pool of taxes from 42% to 41% for the current year, after the dissolution of Jammu and Kashmir as a State.

10.From which period the15th Finance Commission recommendations would be applicable?

A.2020 to 2026

B.2020 to 2025

C.2021 to 2025

D.2021 to 2026

Answer: D

Explanation: –

The Commission recommendations would be applicable from 2021 to 2026.

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