भारतीय संसद द्वारा कार्यपालिका पर नियंत्रण के मुख्य तरीके

1. विधायी निरीक्षण (Legislative Oversight):

• संसदीय समितियाँ: संसद विभिन्न समितियाँ जैसे लोक लेखा समिति (PAC) और वित्तीय समिति का गठन करती है, जो सरकारी योजनाओं, बजट और खर्चों की जांच करती हैं।
• उदाहरण: 2022 में, PAC ने कोविड-19 महामारी के दौरान आपातकालीन खरीद और प्रबंधन की समीक्षा की, जिससे पारदर्शिता और जिम्मेदारी सुनिश्चित की गई।

2. सवाल और उत्तर प्रणाली (Question and Answer System):

• संसद में प्रश्नकाल: सांसद सरकार से सवाल पूछ सकते हैं, जो उनके कार्यों की जवाबदेही सुनिश्चित करता है।
• उदाहरण: राहुल गांधी द्वारा किसानों की समस्या पर पूछे गए सवालों ने सरकार को जवाबदेह ठहराया और नीतियों पर प्रकाश डाला।

3. वेतन और संसद की अनुमति (Control over Expenditure):

• वित्तीय नियंत्रण: सरकार को बजट प्रस्तुत करना होता है, जिसे संसद द्वारा अनुमोदित किया जाता है। संसद व्यय पर नियंत्रण बनाए रखती है और अनधिकृत खर्चों की जांच करती है।
• उदाहरण: 2023-24 का केंद्रीय बजट, जिसमें विभिन्न योजनाओं और मदों पर विचार-विमर्श हुआ, संसदीय स्वीकृति प्राप्त करना अनिवार्य है।

4. अविश्वास प्रस्ताव (No-confidence Motion):

• संसद के सदस्यों द्वारा अविश्वास प्रस्ताव: यदि संसद सरकार की कार्यशैली पर असंतोष व्यक्त करती है, तो वह अविश्वास प्रस्ताव लाकर सरकार को चुनौती दे सकती है।
• उदाहरण: 2018 में, कांग्रेस ने मोदी सरकार के खिलाफ अविश्वास प्रस्ताव पेश किया, जो संसद के माध्यम से सरकार पर दबाव डालने का एक तरीका था।

5. संसदीय बहस और चर्चा (Parliamentary Debate and Discussion):

• संसदीय बहस: महत्वपूर्ण नीतिगत और सरकारी निर्णयों पर संसद में बहस होती है, जो सरकार की नीतियों की समीक्षा करती है।
• उदाहरण: 2022 में, संसद में कृषि कानूनों पर विस्तृत बहस हुई, जिससे नीतिगत बदलाव और सुधार की दिशा तय की गई।

निष्कर्ष: भारतीय संसद के पास कार्यपालिका पर नियंत्रण के कई प्रभावशाली तरीके हैं, जैसे विधायी निरीक्षण, सवाल-उत्तर प्रणाली, वित्तीय नियंत्रण, अविश्वास प्रस्ताव और संसदीय बहस। ये तरीके सरकार की जिम्मेदारी और पारदर्शिता को सुनिश्चित करते हैं, जिससे लोकतांत्रिक प्रक्रियाओं की मजबूती बनी रहती है।

The Structure of the Indian Constitution: Federal in Form but Unitary in Spirit

1. Federal Structure (Federal Structure):

• Division of Powers: The Indian Constitution establishes a federal structure by dividing powers between the central government and state governments. This division is outlined in the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule.
• Example: GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a recent example where both central and state governments share power, highlighting the federal nature of the Constitution.

2. Unitary Features (Unitary Features):

• Strong Central Authority: Despite the federal structure, the Constitution provides significant powers to the central government, enabling it to maintain national unity and integrity. This is evident from provisions like Article 356 (President’s Rule), which allows the central government to dismiss state governments and impose direct rule in case of a breakdown of constitutional machinery.
• Example: During the Kashmir conflict, the central government utilized Article 370’s abrogation to assert its authority, demonstrating the unitary aspects of the Constitution.

3. Supremacy of the Central Government (Central Supremacy):

• Emergency Provisions: The Constitution provides for National Emergency under Article 352, where the central government can assume control over state matters, overriding state governments’ authority.
• Example: The Emergency declared in 1975 under Indira Gandhi’s government is a historical instance where central authority was exercised in a unitary manner.

4. Judicial Interpretation (Judicial Interpretation):

• Doctrine of Harmonious Construction: The Supreme Court has interpreted the Constitution to harmonize federal and unitary features, ensuring that the central government can act in the interest of national unity while respecting state powers.
• Example: The S.R. Bommai vs. Union of India (1994) case reinforced the federal structure while acknowledging the central government’s authority in exceptional circumstances.

Conclusion: The Indian Constitution embodies a federal structure in its distribution of powers, but its unitary features, such as strong central authority and emergency provisions, ensure that the central government can maintain national integrity and address challenges that affect the entire country.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Empowerment of Rural Poor to Alleviate Poverty

1. Objective and Framework (Objective and Framework):

• Legislative Intent: MGNREGA, enacted in 2005, aims to enhance livelihood security for rural households by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work.
• Example: In 2023-24, over 10 crore households benefited from MGNREGA, underscoring its reach and impact.

2. Empowerment of Rural Poor (Empowerment of Rural Poor):

• Economic Stability: By guaranteeing wage employment, MGNREGA provides a safety net against unemployment and underemployment, directly improving the economic stability of rural families.
• Example: In drought-affected regions like Maharashtra, MGNREGA has provided crucial employment opportunities, helping families manage during periods of low agricultural productivity.
• Skill Development and Asset Creation: The program not only offers income but also promotes skill development and infrastructure creation, such as building rural roads and water conservation projects.
• Example: Uttar Pradesh has seen improvements in rural infrastructure like village roads and ponds, contributing to local development.

3. Challenges and Criticisms (Challenges and Criticisms):

• Implementation Issues: Despite its objectives, MGNREGA faces challenges such as delayed payments, corruption, and inadequate work quality.
• Example: Reports from states like Bihar have highlighted issues with delayed wages and poor execution of projects, affecting the program’s effectiveness.
• Limited Coverage: In some regions, the program’s reach is limited, and many eligible households do not receive the promised employment or wages.
• Example: Areas in Jharkhand have struggled with inadequate implementation, limiting the benefits to the intended population.

Conclusion: MGNREGA is a significant step towards alleviating rural poverty by providing wage employment and promoting local development. However, addressing implementation issues and expanding coverage are essential for maximizing its impact and ensuring its effectiveness in empowering the rural poor.

Composition and Functions of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Its Limitations

1. Composition of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC):

• Structure: The CVC is a statutory body established under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003. It consists of a Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and two Vigilance Commissioners, appointed by the President of India based on the recommendation of a committee comprising the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and the Leader of Opposition.
• Example: Suresh N. Patel currently serves as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, with G. S. Mathur and M. K. Sharma as Vigilance Commissioners.

2. Functions of the CVC:

• Anti-Corruption Oversight: The CVC oversees the implementation of anti-corruption measures within central government agencies and public sector enterprises.
• Example: The CVC has been actively involved in overseeing investigations into corruption cases like the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam.
• Advisory Role: It advises the government on vigilance matters and ensures adherence to ethical standards in public administration.
• Example: The CVC provides guidelines on the conduct of officials and the handling of complaints, including issuing advisories on whistleblower protection.

3. Limitations of the CVC:

• Limited Jurisdiction: The CVC’s jurisdiction is limited to central government departments and public sector enterprises, leaving out state governments and private sector entities.
• Example: The CVC’s inability to directly intervene in corruption cases involving state officials, like those arising in Kerala’s gold smuggling case, restricts its effectiveness.
• Dependency on Other Agencies: The CVC relies on other agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation and prosecution, which can lead to delays and conflicts of interest.
• Example: In cases where the CBI is involved, such as the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, coordination issues can arise, affecting timely resolution.

Conclusion: The Central Vigilance Commission plays a crucial role in combating corruption and promoting transparency in central government operations. However, its limitations include jurisdictional constraints and dependency on other agencies, which can impact its effectiveness in addressing corruption comprehensively.

Role of Civil Services in a Democratic Set-Up: Special Reference to India

1. Function as the Administrative Backbone (Administrative Backbone):

• Implementation of Policies: Civil services execute government policies and programs, ensuring that democratic decisions are translated into practical actions. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, civil servants managed health responses and vaccination drives effectively across states.
• Example: The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) has been implemented through the civil services to provide employment and ensure social security in rural areas.

2. Maintaining Law and Order (Law and Order):

• Maintaining Peace: Civil services, including the police and administrative officers, maintain law and order, which is essential for the functioning of democracy.
• Example: During the farmers’ protests of 2020-21, civil services played a crucial role in managing protests and facilitating dialogue between the government and the farmers.

3. Supporting Governance and Development (Governance and Development):

• Service Delivery: Civil servants ensure the efficient delivery of essential services such as education, health, and infrastructure, thereby fostering development and good governance.
• Example: The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) aims to provide affordable housing, and civil servants oversee its implementation and monitoring at the grassroots level.

4. Promoting Accountability and Transparency (Accountability and Transparency):

• Ensuring Good Governance: Civil services are accountable for their actions and must work transparently, which helps in maintaining public trust and democratic integrity.
• Example: The Right to Information Act (RTI) empowers citizens to seek information from public authorities, with civil servants obligated to provide information as mandated.

Conclusion: In a democratic setup like India’s, civil services are crucial for implementing policies, maintaining law and order, supporting governance and development, and ensuring accountability. Their role is fundamental to the effective functioning of democracy and the delivery of public services.