Test 3 : Political Science Mains Marathon
TEST 3: INDIAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Write short notes on the following: (10 marks,150 words)
Q1. What are the weaknesses in the composition and organisation of NHRC? Give suggestions for its reforms.
Q2. Discuss the relevance of the office of CAG towards financial accountability.
Q3. Discuss various controversial issues with respect to right to freedom of speech and expression in India.
Q4. What are the weaknesses of 74th amendment act? Discuss the steps taken by the government to improve the situation of urban governance in India in recent times.
Q5. What are grassroots movements and in what way grassroots movements are changing the discourse of Indian Democracy?
Q6. Discuss the debate around caste based and gender based reservation in India.
Q7. What do you understand by coalition government? Is it more representative? What are the disadvantages of coalition system of government?
Write in brief about the following: (10,150 words)
Q8. Article 142 or Article 370 of Indian Constitution.
Q9. Arguments in favour and against of UCC.
Q10. Strength and weakness of parliamentary system in India.
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Question : Discuss the relevance of the office of CAG towards financial accountability.
Answer :
The Constitution of India provides for an independent office of CAG to uphold the Constitution and the laws of Parliament in the field of financial administration . Office of CAG is the guardian of the public purse and controls the entire financial system of the country at both the levels – center and state thus holding their respective governments accountable.
The office of CAG is one of the bulwarks of the democratic system of government in India ; the others being the SC, the ECI, and the UPSC. It is for these reasons Dr. B R Ambedkar said that the CAG shall be the most important officer under the Constitution of India and his duties are far more important than the duties of even the judiciary.
However in India the institution of CAG only audits the accounts after the expenditure is committed . It does not have control over the withdrawal of moneys as in UK where the name comptroller is justified since no money can be drawn from the public exchequer without the approval of the CAG.
Inspite of its drawbacks , CAG is an essential instrument for enforcing the accountability mechanism as the CAG’s reports on government’s stewardship of public finance are required to be placed in Parliament and state legislatures under Article 151 of the Constitution .
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Question : What are the weaknesses in the composition and organisation of NHRC ? Give suggestions for its reforms .
Answer :
NHRC is a statutory body constituted under the Protection of Human Rights Act , 1993 .
Issues faced by NHRC :-
1. only 20% of the NHRC’s staff is women and since 2004, there hasn’t been a single woman on the governing body .
2. Paucity of resources – human , financial and material that results in inefficient and ineffective functioning.
3. Its recommendations are not binding resulting in no or delayed implementation.
4. Cannot investigate a case if complaint was made more than one year after the incident .
5. The act does not extend to Jammu and Kashmir and the private players ; power of investigating cases of violation by armed forces are limited .
6. Non judicial posts are often filled by retired bureaucrats in place of relevant experts in the field .
Suggestions for its reform :-
1. The act needs to be revised to accomodate current demands and challenges .
2. Various structural and functional changes required to make its functioning effective and efficient .
3. The commission needs to be empowered and its recommendations must be implemented by the government in a time bound manner .
4. Independent recruitment and management of staff
5. Be allowed to independently investigate complaints against armed forces personnel .