Current Affairs Quiz 31 October 2022

Answer: D

• Article 324 of the Constitution states that the Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election
Commissioner (CEC) and such number of other election commissioners (ECs), if any, as the president
may from time to time fix. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
• Today, the Election Commission has been functioning as a multi-member body consisting of three
election commissioners.
• The CEC and the two other ECs have equal powers and receive equal salaries, allowances. (similar
to that of a judge of the Supreme Court).
• In case of difference of opinion amongst the CEC and/or two other ECs, the matter is decided by the
Commission by a majority. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
• The CEC is provided with the security of tenure. He cannot be removed from his office except in the
same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.
• Other ECs, cannot be removed from office except on the recommendation of the CEC. Hence
statement 3 is not correct.

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;- a) Only 1 and 2

About PMNRF

• This fund was instituted in 1948 by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, to assist displaced persons from Pakistan.
• The fund is currently used primarily to tackle natural calamities like floods, cyclones and earthquakes.
• The fund is also used to help with medical treatment like kidney transplantation, cancer treatment and acid attack.
• The fund consists entirely of public contributions and does not get any budgetary support.
• It accepts voluntary contributions from Individuals, Organizations, Trusts, Companies and Institutions etc.
• The corpus of the fund is also invested in various forms with scheduled commercial banks and other agencies. Disbursements are made with the approval of the Prime Minister.
• The fund is recognized as a Trust under the Income Tax Act and the same is managed by the Prime Minister or multiple delegates for national causes.
• Contributions towards PMNRF are notified for 100% deduction from taxable income under section 80(G) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Ans;- a) Only 1 and 2

Explanation;-

• The 3rd is incorrect it is abnormally high temperatures.

Answer: A