Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - Polity (07 November 2023)

Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Subject : Polity (07 November 2023)

1. A State Legislature may provide for the representation of which of the following persons in a municipality?

1. Members of the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assembly representing constituencies that comprise wholly or partly the municipal area.
2. Teachers and graduates living within the municipal area.
3. Persons having special knowledge or experience in municipal administration.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (A)

Explanation: The provision is made to augment municipal administration and the municipality may include:
1. Persons having special knowledge or experience in municipal administration without the right to vote in the meetings of municipality.
2. The members of the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assembly representing constituencies that comprise wholly or partly the municipal area.
3. The members of the Rajya Sabha and the state legislative council registered as electors within the municipal area.
4. The chairpersons of committees (other than wards committees). Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

2. With reference to the ‘Cantonment’ boards, consider the following statements:

1.It is established for municipal administration for civilian population in the cantonment area.
2. It works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (A)

Explanation: A cantonment board is established for municipal administration for civilian population in the cantonment area. It is set up under the provisions of the Cantonments Act of 2006—a legislation enacted by the Central government. It works under the administrative control of the defence ministry of the Central government. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

3.Consider the following statements regarding Double Membership in Houses of Parliament:

1.If a person is elected to both the Houses of Parliament, he should exercise his option for one, otherwise, both seats become vacant.
2. If a person is elected to two seats in a House, he should exercise his option for one, otherwise, both seats become vacant.
3. If a sitting member of one House is also elected to the other House, his seat in the first House becomes vacant.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a)Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (B)

Explanation: A person cannot be a member of both Houses of Parliament at the same time. Thus, the Representation of People Act (1951) provides for the following:
(a) If a person is elected to both the Houses of Parliament, he must intimate within 10 days in which House he desires to serve. In default of such intimation, his seat in the Rajya Sabha becomes vacant.
(b) If a sitting member of one House is also elected to the other House, his seat in the first House becomes vacant.
(c) If a person is elected to two seats in a House, he should exercise his option for one. Otherwise, both seats become vacant.
Similarly, a person cannot be a member of both the Parliament and the state legislature at the same time. If a person is so elected, his seat in Parliament becomes vacant if he does not resign his seat in the state legislature within 14 days. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

4. Which of the following principles is considered as the bedrock principle of parliamentary government?

(a) Liberty
(b) Sovereignty
(c) Fraternity
(d) Collective Responsibility

Answer: (D)

Explanation: The principle of collective responsibility implies that the Lok Sabha can remove the ministry (i.e., council of ministers headed by the prime minister) from office by passing a vote of no confidence. This is the bedrock principle of parliamentary government. The ministers are collectively responsible to the Parliament in general and to the Lok Sabha in particular (Article 75). They act as a team, and swim and sink together. Hence, option (d) is correct.

5. Consider the following statements:

1. Article 324 of the Constitution provides the same protection to all the election commissioners as the chief election commissioner.
2. The chief election commissioner can only be removed on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The CEC and the Election Commissioners have tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65, whichever is earlier, and enjoy the same status and receive salary and perks as available to Supreme Court judges. The CEC and the Election Commissioners enjoy the same decision-making power which is suggestive of the fact that their powers are at par with each other. However, Article 324(5) does not provide similar protection to the Election Commissioners and it merely says that they cannot be removed from office except on the recommendation of the CEC. Hence, statement 2 is correct.