Paper | Topics | Subject |
---|---|---|
GS-II | Freedom in the World 2020 report | |
Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) | ||
Suspension of MPs | ||
Common Electricity Market for India’s neighbourhood | International Relations |
Syllabus subtopic: Important International Institutions, agencies and fora - their Structure, Mandate.
Prelims and Mains focus: about the key highlights of the report and India’s performance
News: Freedom in the World 2020 report, a yearly survey and report by the U.S.-based non-governmental organization ‘Freedom House’ that measures the degree of civil liberties and political rights in every nation and significant related and disputed territories around the world, was recently released.
About the report
Key highlights of the report
Reasons given in the report for India’s dismal performance
Source: The Hindu
Syllabus subtopic: Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-judicial Bodies.
Prelims and Mains focus: about the move and its significance; about EPFO
News: Salaried employees are set to get 0.15% less in interest on provident fund deposits for 2019-2020, with the Central Board of Trustees of the Employees’ Provident Fund reducing the interest rate from 8.65% to 8.5%.
Other measures taken
About EPFO
The Constitution of India under "Directive Principles of State Policy" provides that the State shall within the limits of its economic capacity make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old-age, sickness & disablement and undeserved want. The EPF & MP Act, 1952 was enacted by the Parliament of India and came into force with effect from 4 March 1952 as part of a series of legislative interventions made in this direction.
Source: The Hindu
Syllabus subtopic: Parliament and State Legislatures—Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges and Issues Arising out of these.
Prelims and Mains focus: about the issue of suspension of MPs and the rules and procedure regarding it
News: Seven Congress members were suspended on March 5 for unruly behaviour in the Lok Sabha. The motion was passed by a voice vote.
What is the reason for suspending an MP?
What are the rules under which the Speaker acts?
“(1) The Speaker may, if deems it necessary, name a Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the House by persistently and wilfully obstructing the business thereof.
“(2) If a Member is so named by the Speaker, the Speaker shall, on a motion being made forthwith put the question that the Member (naming such Member) be suspended from the service of the House for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session: Provided that the House may, at any time, on a motion being made, resolve that such suspension be terminated.
“(3) A member suspended under this rule shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House.”
And what does rule 374A say?
“(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in rules 373 and 374, in the event of grave disorder occasioned by a Member coming into the well of the House or abusing the Rules of the House persistently and wilfully obstructing its business by shouting slogans or otherwise, such Member shall, on being named by the Speaker, stand automatically suspended from the service of the House for five consecutive sittings or the remainder of the session, whichever is less: Provided that the House may, at any time, on a motion being made, resolve that such suspension be terminated.
“(2) On the Speaker announcing the suspension under this rule, the Member shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House.”
What is the procedure for revocation of a Member’s suspension?
While the Speaker is empowered to place a Member under suspension, the authority for revocation of this order is not vested in her. It is for the House, if it so desires, to resolve on a motion to revoke the suspension.
What is the procedure in Rajya Sabha?
Is suspending an MP a common practice in Parliament?
Isn’t the barring of an elected representative of the people an extreme step to take in order to curb unruly behaviour?
Source: Indian Express
Syllabus subtopic: India and its Neighborhood- Relations.
Prelims and Mains focus: about the move and its significance
News: The Union government plans to set up a regional grid that will be leveraged to create a common electricity market for nations in India’s neighbourhood, according to the power and new and renewable energy minister.
About the move
India’s energy diplomacy
Source: Livemint
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