Polity – Medium Level – GK Questions

MGNREGA, 2005: Guarantees 100 days of unskilled manual wage employment per rural household per year at statutory minimum wages. Features: (a) Legal right to work, (b) Decentralized planning by Gram Sabhas, (c) 60:40 wage-material ratio, (d) Social audit mandatory, (e) Unemployment allowance if work not provided within 15 days. World's largest public works program; reduces distress migration, strengthens rural livelihoods, empowers women (1/3 participation mandate).

NFSA, 2013: Entitlements: (a) Priority households: 5 kg/person/month at ₹3/kg rice, ₹2/kg wheat, ₹1/kg coarse grains, (b) Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households: 35 kg/household/month at same prices, (c) Pregnant/lactating women, children 6 months-14 years: nutritious meals, maternity benefit. Covers up to 75% rural, 50% urban population. World's largest food security program; implemented through PDS with Aadhaar seeding, portability.

RTE Act, 2009: Applies to all India except J&K (which had separate Constitution under Article 370). Post-abrogation of Article 370 (2019), RTE Act extended to J&K. Act mandates: (a) Free education for 6-14 years, (b) 25% reservation in private unaided schools for EWS/disadvantaged groups, (c) No detention policy (modified by 2019 amendment), (d) Teacher qualification standards. Implementation varies across States; challenges include infrastructure gaps, teacher shortages, learning outcomes.

CPGRAMS: Launched by DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances) in 2007. Features: (a) Online grievance submission, (b) Tracking via unique registration number, (c) Time-bound redressal, (d) Appeal mechanism, (e) Analytics for systemic improvements. Part of broader public grievance redressal reforms to make administration responsive and accountable. Complements RTI, Citizen's Charter, social audit mechanisms.

Digital India (launched 2015): Three vision areas: (1) Digital infrastructure as utility to every citizen, (2) Governance and services on demand, (3) Digital empowerment of citizens. Key components: BharatNet (rural broadband), Common Service Centres, e-Governance platforms (UMANG, DigiLocker), digital payments. Aims to improve transparency, efficiency, accessibility of public services; reduce corruption through technology-enabled accountability.

RTI Act, Section 20(1): Information Commission can impose penalty of ₹250 per day on PIO for: (a) Unreasonable delay, (b) Malafidely denying request, (c) Knowingly giving incomplete/incorrect/misleading information, (d) Destroying information. Maximum penalty: ₹25,000. Also recommends disciplinary action under service rules. Penalty provision ensures accountability of PIOs and effectiveness of RTI regime.

Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, Section 13: NHRC has powers of civil court under Code of Civil Procedure for: (a) Summoning/enforcing attendance of witnesses, (b) Discovering/producing documents, (c) Receiving evidence on affidavits, (d) Requisitioning public records, (e) Issuing commissions for witness examination. However, NHRC recommendations are not binding; implementation depends on government response. Balances investigative powers with executive implementation responsibility.

CVC functions under CVC Act, 2003: (a) Inquire into corruption offences by All India Services, Group A officers, etc., (b) Exercise superintendence over CBI's anti-corruption work, (c) Advise government on vigilance policy, (d) Review progress of investigations. However, prosecution is conducted by CBI/Enforcement Directorate through public prosecutors; CVC doesn't directly prosecute. Clarifies institutional roles in anti-corruption framework.

Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013: Mandates States to establish Lokayuktas within one year, but States have flexibility in design: powers, jurisdiction, composition vary. Some States had Lokayuktas before 2013 (e.g., Maharashtra, 1971); others enacted laws later. As of 2024, not all States have functional Lokayuktas. Highlights challenges in implementing uniform accountability mechanisms across India's diverse federal structure.

Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Oldest parliamentary committee (1921). Functions: (a) Examine CAG reports on Union/State accounts, (b) Ensure expenditure was within grants, (c) Detect waste, extravagance, corruption, (d) Recommend corrective action. Composition: 22 members (15 LS, 7 RS); Chairperson from Opposition by convention. Critical mechanism for legislative financial oversight of executive.

MGNREGA, Section 17: Mandates social audit of all projects by Gram Sabha. Social audit involves: (a) Public verification of records, expenditure, beneficiary selection, (b) Gram Sabha discussion and approval, (c) Action on findings. Empowers citizens to monitor implementation, detect corruption, ensure accountability. Model extended to other schemes. Foundation of participatory governance at grassroots level.

Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014: Enacted to protect persons making public interest disclosures about corruption, misuse of power, etc., by public servants. Provides mechanism for inquiry, protection against victimization. However, not fully notified due to debates on balancing transparency with national security (proposed amendments to exempt certain categories of information). Highlights tension between accountability and security in governance.

RTI Act, Section 8(1)(i): Exempts cabinet papers including records of Council of Ministers, Secretaries, etc., until decision implemented and reasons made public. However, once decision taken and matter complete, exemption ceases. Section 8(2): Even exempt information must be disclosed if public interest in disclosure outweighs harm to protected interests. Balances transparency with effective governance and collective responsibility.

Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (amended 2019): NHRC Chairperson must be retired Chief Justice of India. Members include: (a) One serving/retired SC Judge, (b) One serving/retired HC Chief Justice, (c) Two persons with human rights expertise (at least one woman). Appointed by President on recommendation of committee: PM, Speaker, Home Minister, LoP in both Houses, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Ensures judicial leadership in human rights protection.

RTI Act, 2005 (Section 15 for CIC, Section 16 for SICs): Appointment committee: (a) Union: PM (Chairperson), LoP in Lok Sabha, Union Cabinet Minister nominated by PM, (b) State: CM (Chairperson), LoP in Assembly, State Cabinet Minister nominated by CM. 2019 Amendment changed tenure and salary conditions to be prescribed by Central Government, raising concerns about executive influence on Information Commissions' independence.

Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013: Lokpal consists of Chairperson (former CJI or SC Judge) + up to 8 members (50% judicial: former SC Judges/HC Chief Justices; 50% non-judicial: persons of integrity with 25+ years experience in anti-corruption policy, public administration, finance, law, management). Appointed by President on recommendation of selection committee: PM, Speaker, LoP, CJI/nominee, eminent jurist. Ensures expertise and independence in anti-corruption adjudication.

CBI is not a constitutional/statutory body; established by Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. Functions under administrative control of DoPT, Ministry of Personnel. This has raised concerns about executive influence on CBI investigations. Supreme Court in Vineet Narain case (1997) directed measures to ensure CBI independence, including fixed tenure for Director. Debate continues on granting statutory independence to CBI.

CVC was set up by executive resolution in 1964 based on Santhanam Committee recommendations. Given statutory status by Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003. CVC is an apex body for vigilance administration, independent of executive control. Consists of Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairperson) + up to 2 Vigilance Commissioners. Appointed by President on recommendation of committee: PM, Home Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

Paschim Banga (1996): SC held: (a) Right to health is integral to right to life under Article 21, (b) Government has constitutional obligation to provide adequate medical facilities, (c) Failure of government hospital to provide timely treatment violates Article 21, (d) State liable to pay compensation for negligence. Foundation for right to health jurisprudence; led to improvements in public health infrastructure.

Subhash Kumar (1991): SC held: (a) Right to life under Article 21 includes right to enjoyment of pollution-free water and air, (b) Citizens can approach courts under Article 32/226 for enforcement of environmental rights, (c) PIL mechanism enables public-spirited persons to seek environmental protection. Foundation for environmental jurisprudence; led to closure of polluting industries, protection of forests, rivers.