Lokpal and Important Commissions

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of formation of the Commissions starting from the earliest?

[amp_mcq option1=”Finance Commission, Planning Commission, Investment Commission, Election Commission” option2=”Election Commission, Planning Commission, Finance Commission, Investment Commission” option3=”Planning Commission, Election Commission, Finance Commission, Investment Commission” option4=”Investment Commission, Finance Commission, Planning Commission, Election Commission” correct=”option2″]

Let’s check the establishment dates of the commissions: Election Commission (Jan 25, 1950), Planning Commission (Mar 1950), Finance Commission (1951), Investment Commission (2004).

Arranging them chronologically based on their formation gives the sequence: Election Commission, Planning Commission, Finance Commission, Investment Commission.

The Election Commission and Finance Commission are constitutional bodies established under specific articles. The Planning Commission was an extra-constitutional body established by executive resolution (replaced by NITI Aayog in 2015). The Investment Commission was an advisory body.

The First Delimitation Commission in India was constituted in

[amp_mcq option1=”1949″ option2=”1950″ option3=”1951″ option4=”1952″ correct=”option4″]

D

The first Delimitation Commission in India was constituted in 1952 under the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952.

Delimitation Commissions are constituted by the Government of India under specific Acts of Parliament to redraw the boundaries of Lok Sabha and state assembly constituencies based on the latest census. So far, Delimitation Commissions have been constituted in 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002.

Which of the following are the functions of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)?

• 1. Inquiry at its own initiative on the violation of human rights
• 2. Inquiry on a petition presented to it by a victim
• 3. Visit to jails to study the condition of the inmates
• 4. Undertaking and promoting research in the field of human rights

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2, 3 and 4 only” option3=”1, 3 and 4 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option4″]

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The Act explicitly lists the functions of the Commission.

According to Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the functions of the Commission include:
1. Inquiring, suo motu or on a petition presented to it by a victim or any person on his behalf, into complaint of violation of human rights or abetment thereof or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant. (Covers statements 1 and 2).
2. Visiting jails, other institutions under the control of the State Government, where persons are detained or lodged for purposes of treatment, reformation or protection, to study the living conditions of the inmates and make recommendations thereon. (Covers statement 3).
3. Undertaking and promoting research in the field of human rights. (Covers statement 4).

Other functions include reviewing safeguards, recommending remedial measures, studying international instruments, promoting human rights literacy, and encouraging NGOs working in the field. All four statements provided in the question are indeed functions of the NHRC.

Arrange the following Commissions chronologically on the basis of their date of setting up :

1. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission
2. The Eleventh Finance Commission
3. Punchhi Commission
4. Sarkaria Commission

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”4, 2, 1, 3″ option2=”4, 3, 2, 1″ option3=”3, 2, 4, 1″ option4=”3, 4, 1, 2″ correct=”option1″]

The correct chronological order of the Commissions based on their date of setting up is Sarkaria Commission (1983), Eleventh Finance Commission (1998), Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2005), and Punchhi Commission (2007).
1. Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was set up in 2005.
2. The Eleventh Finance Commission was appointed in 1998.
3. The Punchhi Commission was set up in 2007.
4. The Sarkaria Commission was set up in 1983.
Arranging chronologically from earliest to latest: 1983 (Sarkaria), 1998 (Eleventh FC), 2005 (Second ARC), 2007 (Punchhi). This corresponds to the sequence 4, 2, 1, 3.

– Sarkaria Commission: 1983
– Eleventh Finance Commission: 1998
– Second Administrative Reforms Commission: 2005
– Punchhi Commission: 2007

Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions dealt with Centre-State relations. Finance Commissions recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and states. Administrative Reforms Commissions provide recommendations for reforming public administration.

Which of the following is / are Constitutional Body / Bodies ?
1. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
2. National Commission for Women
3. National Commission for Minorities
4. National Human Rights Commission
Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1, 3 and 4 only” option3=”3 and 4 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option1″]

A Constitutional Body is one that is established by or derives its powers directly from the Constitution of India.
1. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST): Established under Article 338A of the Constitution. It is a Constitutional Body.
2. National Commission for Women (NCW): Established by the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. It is a Statutory Body.
3. National Commission for Minorities (NCM): Established by the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. It is a Statutory Body.
4. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): Established by the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. It is a Statutory Body.
Only the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes among the given options is a Constitutional Body.

Constitutional bodies are mentioned in or created by the Constitution; Statutory bodies are created by Acts of Parliament or State Legislatures.

Other examples of Constitutional bodies include the Election Commission (Article 324), Union Public Service Commission (Article 315), State Public Service Commissions (Article 315), Finance Commission (Article 280), Comptroller and Auditor General (Article 148), National Commission for Scheduled Castes (Article 338), and the Attorney General of India (Article 76).