Current Affairs Quiz 28 October 2024

Ans: (d)

Ans. A
The Constitution of India vests in the State Election Commission, consisting of a State Election Commissioner, the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of all elections to the Panchayats and the Municipalities (Articles 243K, 243ZA).
The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor.
As per article 243(C3) the Governor, when so requested by the State Election Commission, make available to the State Election Commission such staff as may be necessary for the discharge of the functions conferred on the SEC by clause (1).
What was the need for State Election Commissions?
• Under the Constitution, establishment of local self-government institutions is the responsibility of the states (entry 5, List II, Seventh Schedule).
• However, experience showed that not all state governments were serious about empowering Panchayati Raj institutions as elections were not being conducted regularly.
• The Constitution was amended in 1992 to define the term (five years) for these institutions. Simultaneously, another provision was made for setting up a constitutional authority, the SEC, on the lines of the EC to conduct regular panchayat elections.
• The ECI and SECs have a similar mandate; do they also have similar powers?
• The provisions of Article 243K of the Constitution, which provides for setting up of SECs, are almost identical to those of Article 324 related to the EC. In other words, the SECs enjoy the same status as the EC.
• In 2006, the Supreme Court emphasised the two constitutional authorities enjoy the same powers. In Kishan Singh Tomar vs Municipal Corporation of the City of Ahmedabad, the Supreme Court directed that state governments should abide by orders of the SECs during the conduct of the panchayat and municipal elections, just like they follow the instructions of the EC during Assembly and Parliament polls.
• How far can courts intervene?
• Courts cannot interfere in the conduct of polls to local bodies and self-government institutions once the electoral process has been set in motion.
• Article 243-O of the Constitution bars interference in poll matters set in motion by the SECs; Article 329 bars interference in such matters set in motion by the EC.
• Only after the polls are over can the SECs’ decisions or conduct be questioned through an election petition.
• These powers enjoyed by the SECs are the same as those by the EC.
• In practice, are the SECs as independent as the EC?
• Although state election commissioners are appointed by the state governors and can only be removed by impeachment, in the last two decades many have struggled to assert their independence

Ans;- d) None of the above.

Explanation;-

• Project ‘Mausam’ is the initiative of Ministry of Culture to be implemented by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as the nodal agency with research support of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and National Museum as associate bodies.
• This project aims to explore the multi-faceted Indian Ocean ‘world’–collating archaeological and historical research in order to document the diversity of cultural, commercial and religious interactions in the Indian Ocean. It also aims to promote research on themes related to the study of Maritime Routes.
• The main objective of the project is to inscribe places and sites identified under Project Mausam as a trans-national nomination for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
• The project was launched in June 2014 during the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee.

Correct Answer: B) To estimate the population of domesticated animals, poultry, and stray animals across India, covering a variety of species and breeds.

Correct Answer: B) Established in 2003, the National Mission for Manuscripts aims to document, conserve, digitize, and disseminate India’s manuscript heritage online.