Indian Polity Quiz: Day 33

December 9, 2022

Consider the following statements:
1 President cannot summon a joint sitting if the bill is pending in the Lok Sabha lapsed by reason of dissolution of Lok Sabha.
2. President can summon a joint sitting if there is a deadlock on the Constitutional Amendment Bill.
3. If the President has already summoned for a joint sitting on a bill and then the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the joint sitting will take place.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 and 3 only
(B) 2 only
(C) 3 only
(D) 2 and 3 only

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Answer: (a)

If President summons for the joint session of parliament and in the meantime, Lok Sabha dissolved then the joint sitting takes place despite of the dissolution of the lower house.
If in case of Lok Sabha is dissolved before the summon of joint sitting on a bill by President then the pending bill lapses and there shall be no joint sitting.
President has no power to summon a joint sitting if there is a deadlock on the Constitutional Amendment Bill.

The Oath or Affirmations of which of the following office bearers are mentioned in the Third Schedule of Indian Constitution?
1. President of India
2. Vice-President of India
3. Speaker of Lok Sabha
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(A) 1 and 3 only
(B) 2 only
(C) 3 only
(D) None of the above

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Answer: (d)

The third Schedule contains the Forms of Oaths or Affirmations for the following office bearers:

o Union Ministers of India

o Union Ministers of a State

o Parliament Election Candidates

o Members of Parliament (MPs)

o Supreme Court Judges

o Comptroller and Auditor General

o State Ministers

o State Legislature Elections‘ Candidates

o State Legislature Members

o High Court Judges

The President of Union of India has the same constitutional authority as the

(A) British Monarch
(B) President of U.S.A
(C) President of Egypt
(D) President of Russia

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Answer: (a)

Among the many constitutions of countries all over the globe, India closely follows the constitutional system of the United Kingdom. Some of the features adopted by the Indian Constitution which are more or less similar to those of the British Constitution can be witnessed as in Britain, the Queen holds ultimate power and is the official head of the kingdom. Similarly, the President is considered to be the supreme authority in India. The Cabinet System that is prevalent in India is derived from that prevailing in Britain. The post of Prime Ministers in both countries is exactly similar and the Speaker of England is equivalent to India’s presiding officer of the Lok Sabha who is also known as the Speaker.

Finance Commission of the state shall make which of the following recommendations to the Governor?
1 The principles that should govern the distribution between the state and the panchayats of the net proceeds of the taxes
2. The principles that should govern the determination of taxes and fees that may be assigned to the panchayats.
3. The principles that should govern the grants-in-aid to the panchayats from the consolidated fund of India.
4. The measures needed to improve the financial position of the panchayats.
Choose the correct statements

(A) 1, 2 and 3
(B) 2 and 4
(C) 1, 2 and 4
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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Answer: (c)

The Governor of a State shall, as soon as may be within one year from the commencement of the Constitution (Seventy third Amendment) Act, 1992 , and thereafter at the expiration of every fifth year, constitute a Finance Commission to review the financial position of the Panchayats and to make recommendations to the Governor as to

(a) the principles which should govern

(i) the distribution between the State and the Panchayats of the net proceeds of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees leviable by the State, which may be divided between them under this Part and the allocation between the Panchayats at all levels of their respective shares of such proceeds;

(ii) the determination of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees which may be assigned to, or appropriated by, the Panchayats;

(iii) the grants in aid to the Panchayats from the Consolidated Fund of the State;

(b) the measures needed to improve the financial position of the Panchayats;

(c) any other matter referred to the Finance Commission by the Governor in the interests of sound finance of the Panchayats

Which of the following are not necessarily the consequences of the proclamation of the President's rule in a State?
1 Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly
2. Removal of the Council of Ministers in the State
3. Dissolution of the local bodies
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 1 and 3 only
(C) 2 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3

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Answer: (b)

Dissolution of State Legislative Assembly and dissolution of local bodies is not necessarily an outcome of the proclamation Of Presidents rule.
At proclamation of emergency of this type only suspension of the assembly or Council of Ministers can take place pending its approval by the parliament and the judicial review of the proclamation.

Consider the following statements:
1 Law made by Parliament under Article 33 cannot be challenged in any court.
2. The expression ‘members of the armed forces’ does not cover non-combatant employees of the armed forces such as barbers, carpenters etc. under article 33.
3. The expression martial law is clearly defined under Article 34 of the Constitution.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(A) 1 and 3 only
(B) 1 and 2 only
(C) 1 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3

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Answer: (c)

Article 33: It empowers the Parliament to restrict or abrogate the fundamental rights of the ‘Members of the Armed Forces’, paramilitary forces, police forces, intelligence agencies and analogous forces.
The objective of this provision is to ensure the proper discharge of their duties and the maintenance of discipline among them.
The power to make laws under Article 33 is conferred only on Parliament and not on state legislatures.
Any such law made by Parliament cannot be challenged in any court on the ground of contravention of any of the fundamental rights.
The ‘members of the armed forces’ also covers non-combatant employees of the armed forces such as barbers, carpenters, mechanics, cooks, chowkidars, bootmakers and tailors.

Which of the following are the recommendations of Tarkunde Committee formed on electoral reforms?
1 The Election Commission should be a three-member body.
2. The minimum age for voting should be 18 years.
3. The TV and Radio should be placed under the control of autonomous statutory corporations.
Correct Code:

(A) 1 and 3 only
(B) 1 and 2 only
(C) 1 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3

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Answer: (d)

TARKUNDE COMMITTEE(1975)

The Election Commission should be a three-member body.
The minimum age for voting should be 18 years.
The TV and Radio should be placed under the control of autonomous statutory corporations.
The committee recommended the formation of a voter’s council in as many constituencies as possible which can help in free and fair elections.

With reference to Indian Parliament, which one of the following is not correct?

(A) The Appropriation Bill must be passed by both the Houses of Parliament before it can be enacted into law
(B) The defeat of an Appropriation Bill in a parliamentary vote would lead to the resignation of a government or a general election
(C) The Appropriation Bill is introduced in the Lok Sabha after discussions on Budget proposals and Voting on Demand for Grants.
(D) None of the above

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Answer: (d)

As per article 114 of the Constitution, the government can withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund only after receiving approval from Parliament.
The Appropriation Bill is introduced in the Lok Sabha after discussions on Budget proposals and Voting on Demand for Grants.
The defeat of an Appropriation Bill in a parliamentary vote would lead to the resignation of a government or a general election

There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because the

(A) Lok Sabha is elected directly by the people
(B) Parliament can amend the constitution
(C) Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved
(D) Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha

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Answer: (d)

Collective Responsibility of the Ministers to the Parliament in general and Lok Sabha in particular is the bedrock principle of the Parliamentary system. (Article 75)

With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements:
1 A private member’s bill is a bill presented by a Member of Parliament who is not elected but only nominated by the President of India.
2. If a Private member bill is passed, there is a need for the resignation of the Government.
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

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Answer: (d)

Statement 1 is incorrect.

Private Member bills are the bills introduced by the members of the Parliament other than a Minister. Hence opposition members can also introduce the bill unless the member is not a minister.

Statement 2 is incorrect.

Passage of No-Confidence motion will result in the resignation of the Council of Minister or Government. If a Private member bill is passed, there is no need for the resignation of the Government.

Article 110 of the Constitution deals with the definition of money bills. It states that a bill is deemed to be a money bill if it contains ‘only’ provisions dealing with all or any of the following matters
1. The imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax.
2. The regulation of the borrowing of money by the Union government.
3. The appropriation of money out of the Consolidated Fund of India.
Choose the correct statements

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: (d)

Article 110 of the Constitution deals with the Money Bills. It states that a bill is deemed to be a money bill if it contains ‘only’ provisions dealing with all or any of the following matters:

The imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax;
The regulation of the borrowing of money by the Union government;
The custody of the Consolidated Fund of India or the contingency fund of India, the payment of moneys into or the withdrawal of money from any such fund;
The appropriation of money out of the Consolidated Fund of India;
Declaration of any expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India or increasing the amount of any such expenditure;
The receipt of money on account of the Consolidated Fund of India or the public account of India or the custody or issue of such money, or the audit of the accounts of the Union or of a state; or
Any matter incidental to any of the matters specified above.

Consider the following statements regarding Proclamation of emergency under Article 352 of Indian Constitution?
1. In the original constitution the period allowed for approval of national emergency by the Parliament was three months.
2. If approved by both the Houses of Parliament, the emergency continues for six months It can be extended to an indefinite period with an approval of the Parliament for every six months
Choose the correct statements

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1,2 and 3

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Answer: (b)

Previously, the proclamation ceased to operate after two months in the absence of the majority approval of both the houses. However, after the 44th Amendment, this period has been reduced to just one month.

Consider the following statements
1 In election of President all members of both houses of Parliament along with elected members of the legislative assemblies of states can cast their vote.
2. In order to contest election of President, Minister of Union have to resign from his/her designation first.
Which of the above is/are correct?

(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) None of the above

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Answer:(d)

Minister of union can contest election of President as it is not under Office of profit.

Only elected members of both houses of parliament can cast their votes

Consider the following statements:
1. A law on a concurrent subject, though enacted by the Parliament, is to be executed by the states.
2. A single state cannot request the Parliament to make a law on a state subject.
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

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Answer: (c)

A law on a concurrent subject, though enacted by the Parliament, is to be executed by the states except when the Constitution or the Parliament has directed otherwise. Hence statement 1 is correct.
The distribution of legislative powers between the Centre and the states is rigid. Consequently, the Centre cannot delegate its legislative powers to the states and a single state cannot request the Parliament to make a law on a state subject.
When the legislatures of two or more states pass resolutions requesting the Parliament to enact laws on a matter in the State List, then the Parliament can make laws for regulating that matter. A law so enacted applies only to those states which have passed the resolutions. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Which of the following statements with reference to the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 is correct? :

(A) It provides for the establishment of River Boards.
(B) The Chairman and members of the Water Dispute Tribunals are nominated by the Chief Justice of India.
(C) In case of a dispute, a State can directly approach the Tribunal.
(D) None of the above

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Answer: (b)

River Board Act, 1956: This empowered the GOI to establish Boards for Interstate Rivers and river valleys in consultation with State Governments. Till date, no river board has been created. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
The Chairman and members of the Water Dispute Tribunals are nominated by Chief Justice of India. Hence statement 2 is correct.
The resolution of water dispute is governed by the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956. According to its provisions, if a State Government makes a request regarding any water dispute and the Central Government is of opinion that the water dispute cannot be settled by negotiations, then a
Water Disputes Tribunal is constituted for the adjudication of the water dispute. States can not directly approach the Tribunal in any case. Hence statement 3 is not correct.