UPSC Essentials : Daily subject-wise quiz | Polity and Governance (Week 38)

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QUESTION 1

With reference to the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It is a central government scheme, under which MPs can recommend development programmes involving spending of Rs 5 crore every year in their respective constituencies.

2. The nominated members of Rajya Sabha are not eligible for this scheme.

3. The government transfers funds directly to the respective local authorities.

4. The legislators cannot recommend work related to road construction.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

QUESTION 2

Consider the following statements :

Statement-I:

The Constitution specifies that six months should not elapse between two parliamentary sessions.

Statement-II:

This provision is a colonial relic, borrowed by the framers of the Constitution from the Government of India Act of 1919.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

QUESTION 3

Consider the following statements:

1. LM Singhvi committee recommended that an agency should be set up at the village level, which would represent the village community’s interests, and carry out the government’s development programmes.

2. GVK Rao committee suggested changing the concept of Panchayati Raj to a political institution.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

QUESTION 4

Consider the following statements about Lok Sabha:

1. The Lok Sabha is the lower House of the parliament which is composed of representatives of the people chosen by direct election on the basis of the adult suffrage.

2. The Lok Sabha (Lower house of the People) was duly constituted for the first time in 1951.

3. The term of the Lok Sabha, unless dissolved, is five years from the date appointed for its first meeting.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

QUESTION 5

Which of the following articles of Constitution of India provides for early childhood care and education to children below the age of six years?

(a) Article 43

(b) Article 44

(c) Article 45

(d) Article 46

ANSWERS TO THE MCQs

1. (b)

FYI:

— MPLAD is a central government scheme, under which MPs can recommend development programmes involving spending of Rs 5 crore every year in their respective constituencies. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The scheme was announced by the Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao on December 23, 1993 in Lok Sabha.

— The Members of Parliament Local Area Development Division is entrusted with the responsibility of implementation of Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated ones, can do so. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— MPs do not receive any money under these schemes. The government transfers it directly to the respective local authorities. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— The legislators can only recommend works in their constituencies based on a set of guidelines. For the MPLAD Scheme, the guidelines focus on the creation of durable community assets like roads, school buildings etc. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

— Non-durable asset recommendations can only be made in certain circumstances. For example, last month, the government authorised the use of MPLAD funds to purchase personal protection equipment, coronavirus testing kits, and other items.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

2. (c)

FYI:

— The government determines the date and duration of parliamentary sessions. The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs takes this decision.

— It currently has ten Ministers, including those for Defence, Home, Finance, Agriculture, Tribal Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs, and Information and Broadcasting.

— The Law Minister and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs have been invited as special guests to the Committee. The decision of the Committee is communicated to the President, who then convenes Members of Parliament for the session.

— The Constitution specifies that six months should not elapse between two parliamentary sessions. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— This provision is a colonial legacy. The framers of the Constitution borrowed it from the Government of India Act of 1935. It allowed the British Governor General to call a session of the central legislature at his discretion, requiring that the gap between two sessions should not be more than 12 months. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

3. (d)

FYI:

— The Constitution 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts, enacted when P V Narasimha Rao was Prime Minister, mandated the reservation of one-third of seats for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and offices of the chairperson at all levels of Panchayati Raj institutions, and in urban local bodies respectively.

— In 1957, the Balwantrai Mehta Committee recommended that an agency should be set up at the village level, which would represent the village community’s interests, and carry out the government’s development programmes. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The Committee suggested the early establishment of elected local bodies and the devolution of necessary resources, power, and authority to them.

— In 1977, the Asoka Mehta Committee suggested changing the concept of Panchayati Raj to a political institution. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The Committee found that Panchayati Raj Institutions had failed to deliver on their promises and proposed measures to improve the system.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

4. (b)

FYI:

— According to Article 79 of the Indian Constitution, the House of the People, or Lok Sabha, is the lower house of parliament. The Lok Sabha is made up of people’s representatives who are elected directly using adult suffrage. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The maximum strength of the House envisaged by the Constitution is 552.

— As Per Article 81 of the Constitution, Subject to the provisions of article 331 ,the House of the People shall consist of—

(a) not more than five hundred and thirty members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the States, and

(b) not more than [twenty members] to represent the Union territories, chosen in such manner as Parliament may by law provide.

— The Lok Sabha (Lower House of the People) was duly formed for the first time on 17 April 1952, following the first General Elections, which were held between 25 October 1951 and 21 February 1952. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— At present, the strength of the House is 543. The term of the Lok Sabha, unless dissolved, is five years from the date appointed for its first meeting. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— However, while a proclamation of emergency is in effect, Parliament may extend this period by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time and not exceeding six months after the proclamation has ceased to operate.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Source: sansad.in)

5. (c)

FYI:

— Article 45 of Constitution of India provides for provison for early childhood care and education to children below the age of six years.

— The State shall endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Source: Constitution of India)

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 37)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 37)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 37)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 37)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 37)

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