Polity IAS Current Material GS II

Polity IAS Current Material GS II

1.    New Ministry- JAL SHAKTI, by merger of ministries of water resources, river development & ganga rejuvenation along with Drinking water and sanitation. Water management under one department

2.    Electoral Reform: initiated by Trinamool Congress MP for makes election FREER, FAIRER , and More representative. Touched six major themes-  1) Appointment system of EC and Chief EC : Collegium system, 2) Money Power : state funding , Crowd funding , Banning of Corporate donation, 3) Electronic voting machine (evms), postal ballots , VVPAT 4) The idea of simultaneous election; Internal democracy within political parties 5) The role of social Media (Which he called “ Cheat India platform”) 6) The use of govt data and  surrogate advertisement  to target certain section of voters. Solution to this problem is very important for National Interest .

3.    103 amendment of the constitute of India act 2019, introduced 10% reservation for economically weaker section  of society for admission to central govt run educational institute and private educational institute (except for minority educational institute ) & for employment in govt jobs. Will sought to amend article 15 and 16 of the consituate.Bill assent from president on 12 Jan19 and came in affect 14 Jan , Gujarat becoming the first State to implement.

4.    (Security also) Lok Sabha passed the National Investigation agency (Amendment bill ) 2019, strengthen the National Investigation Agency to speed up trials in terrorism related cases. By designated special courts , cases would be expedited and transfers or delay in appointment of judges would not delay them. Agency will be able to investigate terrorist acts against Indian embassies and assets abroad and take up cases of arms, and women trafficking apart from cyber terrorism. NIA was introduced in the absence of POTA to wipe out terrorism from country. (Point No 9 also)

5.    National Medical Commission (NMC ) Bill presented in parliament in 2017, proposed to replace the medical council Act , 1956 but lapsed with dissolution of LS. NMC will have authority over medical education – approvals for college , admission , tests and fee fixation.

6.    Trumps statement about mediation on Jammu & Kashmir is contavarsial, and protocol braking bcoz it should not be in public if talks go through peace keeping mission in any region if realy exist, another issue that India always opposed any suggestion of third party mediation on J&K , both the 1972 Shimla agreement & 1999 lahore declaration  commitment to resolve issue between them. Another issue about Hafis sahid arrest , Trumps jockey mizaaz may be it.

7.    RTI amendment act : two most controversial provision of the bill are- stipulation that the terms of the office of the CIC will be determined by the central govt as against the existing provision which guarntees a fixed term of five years or upto an age of 65 years, proposal that their salaries , allowance and other terms and condition of service will be determined by the central govt….. CIC’s autonomy. SC has termed the CIC and SIC’s as guardian of the Act and directed that CIC and IC’s shall be appointed on the same terms and conditions as applicable to the CEC/EC’s , greater responsibility upon those who take upon the responsibility to inform. Diluting their power mean make them weaker in front of political power , and interferance of work . * govt should focus on the real challange faced by these institutes asuch as … 1) pendency of application 2) vacancies 3) qualitetive decline in adjudication standards . govt push them towards pendency of work if CIC will not work according govt then dismissal of CIC assured and this will go further till the time govt work is not done , wrone or right who assertain.

8.    11 Jul World population day, Union minister expressed in a tweet over that population explosion and wanting all political parties to enact popuilation control laws and annulling the voting rights to those having more than two children. Yoga guru wanted the govt to enact a law where “ the third child should not be allowed to vote and enjoy facilities provided by the govt. NO weight on both statement _- where govt want to more share of people in election via voting where democracy empower itself if more people take part in voting. And you are giving simple step out reason from voting , where  a govt (Gujrat govt ) once pass an act for compulsory voting it is again against that, without any tough decision it is a ridicules  talk. Second about curtails third child right , on what basis govt can cut his right in a democratic state where fundamental right exist . and what was the child’s fault that his parents gave him birth.

9.    NIA and Unlawful Activities (Prevention ) Act 1967 amendment – Designating an individual as a terrorist , may appear innocuous(ahanikarak) , but should not misuse, why this required- it is prevalent in several countries, seen as being necessary because banned groups tends to change their names and continue to operate. But individual should be convicted a terrorist after court of law.  Individuals may be- subjected to arrest and dentention ,even after obtaining bail from the court, travel and movement restricted, my concern- should not  get bail , case should be on fast track. A  wronge designation will cause irreparable damage – reputation , career and livelihood. Provision to empower the head of the NIA to approve the Forfeiture (jabti) of property of thoser involved in terrorism cases obeviously orrides a function of the state govt – at present the approval has to be given by the state police head.(damage of federal structure, but many regional govt can misuse it for regional politics) . NIA inspectors can investigate terrorism cases as a against DSP or Assistant Commissioner- Scope of misuse. Fake Indian Currency Notes circulation in country. Terror Funding and Fake Currency (TFFC) cell has been constituted in NIA to conduct focused investigation of terror funding and fake currency cases.FICN coordination Group (FCORD) has been formed by the Ministry of home Affarirs. A MoU has been signed between India and Bangladesh to prevent and Counter smnuggling and circulatiion of fake currency notes. (Point No 4 also)

10.  Surrogacy (Regulation ) bill- for intent of facillitating ALTRUSTIC SURROGACY (For love) in the country. Surrogate mother has to be a close relative of the intending couple for end to rampant commercialisation of the practice. Bill specifies that the intendeding couples should be married Indian couples. No mention of NRI’s ., ALTRUSTIC SURROGACY- No payment is to made to surrogateas reward for carrying the pregnancy.criminalise commercial surrogacy,ssited reproductive technology are medicle procedure used priomarily to address infertility. It includes procedure such as in vitro fertilization. IVF procedure earlier used to cost less than Ruppee 1 lakh , it now cost 4 lakh – 5 lakh. So the ART bill should be tabd before the surrogacy bill.

11. Quotas can ensure more MP’s, Global Gender Gap report for 2018 said widest gender disparity is in the field of political empowerment.  Inter parliamentary Union 2018 report , women legislators account for barely 24 % of all MP’s across the world. Rwanda  a landlock nation tops the list with 61.3% seats in the lower house and 38.5% in the upper house occupied by women.Cuba Takes Second with 53.2% seats of its single house . both countrie are not so developed but represent women equally says ….India at 149 among the 192 countries in the IPU list. Barely 11.8% in 16^th LS which improved  to 14.5% to current 17 LS.(Point No 15 Link)

12. Protection of Human Rights- Amendment bill 2019 ,judge of SC is also made eligible to be appointed as chairperson of the Commission, increase the members from 2 to 3 and one shall be woman, include chairperson of the National Commission for Backward classes, chairperson of the National commission for protection of child rights and the chief commissioner for person with disabilities as deemed members of the commission . reduce the term of  chairperson and member from 5 to 3 and eligible for re-appointment.

13. Anti defection Law- first introduced in 1985 through the 52 nd amendment to the constitution when the Rajiv Gandhi led Congress govt was in power. How MP/MLA disqualified- 1) Independent if they join a party, 2) gives up membership of his/her political party voluntarily, 3) votes / abstain from voting contrary to party’s direction, 4) Nominated if they join a party after 6 months of nomination. Expection- if elected as speaker /chairman one could resign from the party and rejoin if the office is demitted later, 2) if parent party merged into another with 2/3rds of the members voting in favour of the merger. Points of debate -  a member may be unable to express his actual beliefs which are in contravention of the party line- should the law be valid for all votes or only for confidence motions? 2)  does it not impinge on right of free speech of legislator – SC has held that the law does not violet any right / freedom. 3)  The presinding officer could take a partisan decision using the law- however , the finality of presiding officer’s decision has been upheld by the SC. Some recommendation related to ADL by some important commission

Voluntarily giving up membership

Voting deviation from party’s direction only in case of confidence motion

Dinesh Goswami Committee on electrol reforms(Restrict the law only to the cases of )

Parties should issue whip only when govt was in danger

Defectors should be barred from any ministerial/remunerative position for remaining term of the house

Venkatachaliah Commission

Decision under the law should be made by the president/governor on the advice of EC (instead of presiding officer)

Law Commission 170th report

       

14.  Women’s reservation bill or constitution (108^th) amendment bill to set aside one third of seats in parliament and state assemblies for women pas passed in the Rajya sabha in march 2010. Bill couldn’t overcome odds and opposition in the lok shabha and went into cold storage. BJP a majority party should rush this bill again, mere “beti bachao beti padao “ will sound a political slogan , till now political parties don’t speak out against gender prejudice.

15. (Also Women) Other states should learn from Odisha in woman empowerment politically and financialy. Attention given to gender specific policy and planning. Odisha was among the first to reserve 50% of seats in Panchayati Raj institute for womens. .(Point No 11 Link) Odisha’s BJD govt organising women into self help group in order to empower them economicaly under “ Mission Shakti” programme.

16. (Also Woman) Both  houses pf parliament have passed a bill making instant triple talaq a criminal offence , admits persistent doubt whether it ought to be treated as a crime or just a civil case. Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2019, a dilute version of the bill as it was originally conceived. Offence is cognisable only if the affected wife, or one related to her by blood or marriage , files a police complaint. Man arrested may get bail , after the magistrate grants a hearing to the wife. Offence is compoundable if parties may arrive at a compromise. Supreme courts’s 2017 verdict declaring instant triple talaq illigal.  Provide redress for woman in the form of a – subsistence allowance and custody of children. And getting raring (papi) husband arrested. Question _ if triple talaq is void , then how the que of children’s custody and subsistence allowance arise while the marriage subsists , not clear. How a man can provide a subsistence allowance while he is imprisoned. Gender justice

17. Change in Motor Vehicle Act 1988, previous vehicle act unable to meet the needs of a large economy… that is witnessing..- Rising travel demand, fast paced motorization , major shift in technology and deteriorating road safety. In new act , forming a National Transportation Policy and a National Road Challenges, providing for stiffer penalties for violation of rules , and orderly operation of new generation mobility service that use mobile phone applications..

18. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges ) act , 1956 was last amended in 2009 to increase th e judges’ strength from 25 to 30 excluding CJI.There has been also talk about the number of vacancies in the high courts. But you will have seen that in 2016, the NDA government increased the total sactioned strength of 906  judge by 173 to bring it to 1079.

19. Union Ministry of road Transport has issued a draft notification allowing motor vehicles and their parts to be affixed with microdots. Motor vehicles and their parts to be affixed with permanent and nearly invisible microdots. It gives a unique idintification. These nearly invisible microdots can only be read physically with a micro scope and idendification with ultra violet light source. Technology will help check theft of vehicle and also use of fake spare parts.

20.               Transfer of Chiefd Justice Vijaya K Tahilramani from Madras High Court  to Meghalaya is shocking. Because she had presided over a court of 75 Judges and administrated a subordinate Judiciary in 32 district in addition to the Union Territory of Puducherry. In contrast the Meghalaya High Court has only three Judges and subordinate judiciary in just seven district.

21.               Fiscal Federalism tension- the GST by the centre into the territory of taxation powers of state , it is now arming itself to elbow the state out entirely of its fiscal powers. , 80% of govt revenues come from taxes primarly from income tax(direct tax) and sale taxs( indirect) , state govt in India do not have powers to levy income taxes. With GST , states lost their sole powers to levy indirect taxes.  A democratically elected state govt in India can neither levy income tax nor sales tax. The centre keeps 52% of the total tax revenue pool and distributes 48% to all the states and union Territories. In lasrge federal democracies such as the US , State govt and even local govt have the right to levy income taxes.

22.               As per Natiobnal Crime Record Bureau report which published on 21 Oct 2019, there were 3,59,849 cases of crime against women reported in the country. UP top in listwith 56,011, Maharastra with 31,979 and west Bengal 30,002. Majorty of cases under crimes against women were registered under ; Cruelty by Husband or his relatives;(27.9%)  followed by ‘ assault on woen intent to outrage her Modesty (21.7%) kidnapping & abducting of Women (20.5%) and Rape (7.0%) the report said. ** total number of crimes committed against women country –wide increased by 6% since 2016, against Sc went up 13%. A total of 63,349 children (20,555 male , 42691 female and 103 transgender ) were reported missing in 2017.

i)     New subheads reportedly included data on hate crimes – Mob lynching, Killing oredred by khap Panchayats, Murders by influential people, Besides “ anti national elements”

23.               Center has power to deport foreign national staying illegally in  the country under section 3(2) (C) of the foreigners act 1946- State govt also been entrusted under Article 258(1) of the constitution to take similar steps.