UPSC Essentials : Daily subject-wise quiz | Polity and Governance MCQs on GST Council, State Reorganisation Commission and more (Week 70)

1. It was appointed to make recommendations to resolve the linguistic problem in India.

2. The Commission comprised Tej Bahadur Sapru, KM Panikkar, and Vivian Bose.

3. The commission recommended reorganisation of India’s administrative units to form 24 states on linguistic lines and eight centrally administered territories.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 2 only

Explanation

— On December 22, 1953, the Prime Minister issued a statement. Parliament to form a commission to examine “objectively and dispassionately” the matter of the organisation of the States of the Indian Union “so that the welfare of the people of each constituent unit, as well as the nation as a whole, is promoted.”

— States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) was appointed to make recommendations to resolve the linguistic problem in India. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The commission consists of Justice Fazil Ali, KM Panikkar, and HN Kunzru. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— In September 1955, the Commission submitted its report, which recommended that India’s administrative units be reorganised into 14 states based on language and six centrally governed territories. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— This was the first time that the term Union Territory (UT) was used. The original six UTs consisted of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi islands (later renamed as Lakshadweep), Delhi, Manipur, Tripura, and Himachal Pradesh.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: http://www.mha.gov.in)

QUESTION 2

The President shall be elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of:

1. Elected members of the Lok Sabha

2. Elected members of the Rajya Sabha

3. Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha

4. Elected members of the State Assemblies

5. Elected members of the Delhi and Puducherry

6. Nominated members of the State Legislative Councils

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 only

(b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Explanation

— Article 54 of the Constitution of India have the provision for the election of President.

— The President shall be elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of—

(a) the elected members of both Houses of Parliament; and

(b) the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States

— “State” includes the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union territory of *Puducherry.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: Constitution of India)

QUESTION 3

When a Bill has been passed by the Houses of Parliament, it shall be presented to the President, and the President can:

1. give assent to the Bill

2. withhold the Bill, if it is passed again by the Houses with or without amendment

3. return the Bill for reconsideration even if it is a Money Bill.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 2 only

(d) 1 only

Explanation

— Last year, President Droupadi Murmu signed three new criminal code bills that were enacted by Parliament.  The President also approved the Telecommunications Bill, which aims to modernise the country’s century-old telecom law to make it more investor-friendly.

— When a Bill has been passed by the Houses of Parliament, it shall be given to the President, who shall declare either that he assents to the Bill or that he withholds consent from it. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— If a bill is not a money bill, the President may, as soon as possible, return it to the Houses with a request that they reconsider it or any of its specified provisions and, in particular, consider whether to introduce any amendments he may recommend in his message. The Houses will then reconsider the bill in accordance with the President’s request, and if the bill is passed again by the Houses, either with or without amendments, and presented to the President for assent, the President will not withhold his assent. Hence, statements 2  and 3 are not correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: Constitution of India)

QUESTION 4

The Goods and Services Tax Council shall consist of the following:

1. Prime Minister

2. Union Finance Minister

3. Minister nominated by each State Government

4. Chairman of RBI

5. Leader of Opposition in the House of the People.

6. Minister in charge of Finance or Taxation

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6

(b) 2, 3, 5 and 6 only

(c) 2, 3 and 6 only

(d) 1, 3 and 6 only

Explanation

— The 53rd Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council convened in Delhi, chaired by Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs.

— The council proposed taxes on things including milk cans and solar cookers, as well as some relief for students living in specific types of rental accommodation. It also slashed GST on cartons from 18% to 12% to help apple farmers in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

— Within sixty days of the start of the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016, the President shall, by order, establish the Goods and Services Tax Council.

— The Goods and Services Tax Council shall consist of the following members, namely:—

(a) the Union Finance Minister — Chairperson;

(b) the Union Minister of State in charge of Revenue or Finance — Member;

(c) the Minister in charge of Finance or Taxation or any other Minister nominated by each State Government — Members.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: Constitution of India)

QUESTION 5

With reference to the President’s Rule, consider the following statements:

1. Manipur and Uttar Pradesh account for the most frequent imposition of President’s Rule.

2. It is implemented by Article 356 of the Constitution by the President on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers.

3. The revocation of the president’s rule needs the approval of Parliament.

4. Any proclamation under Article 356 stands for six months and can only be extended up to a year.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4

(d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Explanation

— President’s Rule entails suspending a state government and imposing direct rule from the centre. This is accomplished when the President invokes Article 356 of the Constitution on the suggestion of the Union Council of Ministers. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Under Article 356, this move can be taken “(1) If the President, on receipt of the report from the Governor of the State or otherwise, is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution…”

— The Constitution requires the President’s Rule to be renewed every six months by Parliament, and it can be revoked by the President at any time. The revocation does not need the approval of Parliament. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— Any proclamation under Article 356 —which stands for six months — has to be approved by both Houses in the Parliament session following it. This six-month time-frame can be extended in phases, up to three years. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

— President’s Rule was imposed 14 times in 1977 alone, following a two-year period of Emergency under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Following the Morarji Desai-led Janata Party government’s victory over the incumbent Congress in the 1977 Lok Sabha elections, it dissolved nine state assemblies, claiming the electorate’s “lack of confidence” in the state governments.

— Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab have seen the longest durations spent under President’s Rule, at 4,668 days (12 years, 9 months) and 3,878 days (10 years, 7 months), respectively.

— Manipur is tied with Uttar Pradesh for the most frequent imposition of President’s Rule, at 10 each. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 69)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 69)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 69)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 69)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 69)

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