Indian Polity Quiz: Revision | 20 June, 2021

The CVC is a multi-member body consisting of a Central Vigilance Commissioner (chairperson) and not more than two vigilance commissioners.

They are appointed by the president by warrant under his hand and seal on the recommendation of a three-member committee consisting of the prime minister as its head, the union minister of home affairs and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Source: Laxmikanth

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

• Later, it was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel and now it enjoys the status of an attached office.
• The Special Police Establishment (which looked into vigilance cases) setup in 1941 was also merged with the CBI.

Source: Laxmikanth

The Commission consists of a State Chief Information Commissioner and not more than Ten State Information Commissioners.

• They are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Chief Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and a State Cabinet Minister nominated by the Chief Minister.
• They should be persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media or administration and governance.

Source: Laxmikanth

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was constituted in 2009 under the provisions of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (NIA Act).

• It is the central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency in the country.
• The NIA is headed by a Director-General. He is appointed by the central government.
• His powers are similar to the powers exercisable by a Director-General of Police in respect of the police force in a state.

Source: Laxmikanth

The NDMA consists of a chairperson and other members, not exceeding nine.

• The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairperson of the NDMA. The other members are nominated by the chairperson of the NDMA.
• The chairperson of the NDMA designates one of the members as the vice-chairperson of the NDMA.
• The vice-chairperson has the status of a cabinet minister while the other members have the status of a Minister of State.

Source: Laxmikanth

Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution of India provide for readjustment and the division of each State into territorial constituencies (Parliamentary constituencies and Assembly constituencies) on the basis of the 2001 census by such authority and in such manner as Parliament may, by law, determine.

Source: Laxmikanth

The various committees and commissions which have examined our electoral system, election machinery as well as election process and suggested reforms are mentioned here.

• Joint Parliamentary Committee on Amendments to Election Laws (1971–72).
• Tarkunde Committee was appointed in 1974 by Jaya Prakash Narayan (JP) during his “Total Revolution” movement. This unofficial committee submitted its report in 1975.
• Dinesh Goswami Committee on Electoral Reforms (1990)
• Vohra Committee on the Nexus between Crime and Politics (1993)

• Election Commission of India Recommendations on Electoral Reforms (1998).
• Indrajit Gupta Committee on State Funding of Elections (1998)

Source: Laxmikanth

Article 244 in Part X of the Constitution envisages a special system of administration for certain areas designated as ‘scheduled areas’ and ‘tribal areas.

• The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution deals with the administration and control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes in any state except the four states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
• The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, on the other hand, deals with the administration of the tribal areas in the four northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

Source: Laxmikanth

The relevant Articles of the Constitution which govern the entire reservation set up are the following:

• Article 16(4): Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State.

• Article 46: The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.
• Article 335: The claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State.

Source: Laxmikanth

National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC), A wholly owned Govt. of India Undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (M/o SJ&E) was set up on 24th January 1997 as a Company “Not for Profit” under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.  

• NSKFDC is in operation since October, 1997, as an Apex Corporation for the all-round socio-economic upliftment of the Safai Karamcharis, Scavengers and their dependants throughout India, through various loan and non-loan-based schemes. 

• Apart from operating various loan and non-loan-based schemes for the upliftment of the target group, NSKFDC is playing a vital role in elimination of manual scavenging – the worst surviving symbol of untouchability.   
• NSKFDC has been designated as the Nodal Agency for implementation of the Central Sector Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. 

Source: The Hindu