Insights Static Quiz -396, 2019–Polity

Solution: a)

• Article 113 of the Constitution of India mandates that estimates of expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India are included in the Annual Financial Statement, which are required to be voted by the Lok Sabha, and submitted in the form of demand for grants.
• The demands for grants are presented to the Lok Sabha along with the Annual Financial Statement. More than one Demand may be presented for a Ministry or Department depending on the nature of expenditure.
• Regarding Union Territories without Legislature, a separate demand is presented for each of such Union Territories.

The voting of demands for grants is the exclusive privilege of the Lok Sabha, that is, the Rajya Sabha

has no power of voting the demands. The voting is confined to the votable part of the budget—the expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India is not submitted to the vote (it can only be discussed).

Solution: b)

The Finance Commission is constituted by the President under article 280 of the Constitution, mainly to give its recommendations on distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States and amongst the States themselves.

Two distinctive features of the Commission’s work involve redressing the vertical imbalances between the taxation powers and expenditure responsibilities of the centre and the States respectively and equalization of all public services across the States.

Solution: d)

A whip is an official of a political party whose task is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. This usually means ensuring that members of the party vote according to the party platform, rather than according to their own individual ideology or the will of their constituents.

In India all parties can issue a whip to their members. Parties appoint a senior member from among their House contingents to issue whips — this member is called a Chief Whip, and he/she is assisted by additional Whips.

However, there are some cases such as Indian Presidential elections where whips cannot direct a Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) on whom to vote.

Source

Solution: d)

The ECI is an independent body. It is not answerable to the government. Answerability on day to day matters and even major policy decisions can tend to erode autonomy. Its autonomy is central to the Indian democracy. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

ECI commissioners enjoy security of tenure, salary charged on Consolidated Fund of India, independence from government interference, difficult process of impeachment etc. Hence, they enjoy similar independence as judges do.

Solution: c)

Both the statements are correct.