Daily Answer Writing

Model Answer

Introduction

Between 1765 and 1833, the relationship between the East India Company (EIC) and the British state evolved significantly, marked by a series of regulatory acts. These acts gradually brought the Company under greater British control, influencing both its political and commercial functions in India.

Dual Government (1765-1772): During this period, the EIC’s Indian officials held power but were not responsible, while British officials had responsibility but lacked power. This imbalance led to widespread corruption and exploitation, which attracted the attention of British politicians and merchants eager to share in the profits from India.

Regulating Act (1773): This act formalized the political and administrative functions of the EIC. It introduced British control by requiring the Court of Directors to report on Indian affairs and made the Governor of Bengal the Governor-General of India, with control over Madras and Bombay. It also prohibited the Company’s servants from engaging in private trade or accepting bribes.

Pitt’s India Act (1784): This act created a dual government system by separating the Company’s commercial and political functions. The Board of Control, representing the British government, took charge of political affairs, while the EIC managed commercial activities. This system further tightened British oversight of India.

Charter Act (1793): This act extended the Company’s monopoly on trade for 20 more years but imposed a levy of 5 lakh pounds annually on Indian revenues to the British government. It also restructured the administration by separating revenue and judicial functions and restricted the movement of senior officials.

Charter Act (1813): Ending the EIC’s trade monopoly except in tea, opium, and China, this act marked the final step towards centralization. The Governor-General of India was given full legislative and financial control over British India, cementing the British government’s dominance over the Company’s affairs.

Conclusion

By 1833, the series of acts had subordinated the East India Company to British parliamentary control, enabling the British to consolidate power and establish a more centralized and efficient administration in India.

Model Answer

Current Status of Oil and Gas Pipelines in India

Oil and gas pipelines are crucial to India’s energy infrastructure, acting as the backbone for transporting crude oil, refined products, and natural gas. As of August 2022, India boasts over 10,000 km of crude oil pipeline networks with a capacity of around 147.9 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA). Some notable pipelines include the Naharkatia-Nunmati-Barauni pipeline, the Mumbai High-Mumbai pipeline, and the Hazira-Bijaypur-Jagdishpur gas pipeline, which serve vital connections between major oil fields, refineries, and market centers across the country. India is also focusing on the future of pipeline transportation, especially with a shift towards a gas-based economy.

Advantages of Pipeline Transportation

1. Energy Efficiency: Pipelines consume minimal energy compared to other transportation methods, reducing operational costs. This efficiency also leads to minimal transit losses.
2. Cost-Effective: The construction and maintenance of pipelines are relatively economical, with running costs being significantly lower than surface transportation—about 10 times less.
3. Environmental Safety: Pipelines are considered environmentally friendly due to their lower risk of accidents and less pollution, making them safer for transporting hazardous materials like oil and gas.
4. Reduced Regional Disparities: Pipelines have enabled the establishment of refineries and fertilizer plants in inland areas like Barauni, Mathura, and Jagdishpur, helping to bridge regional economic gaps.
5. Transporting Solid Materials: Pipelines are now also used to transport solid materials in slurry form, such as iron ore and rock phosphate, reducing operating costs and increasing efficiency.

Disadvantages of Pipeline Transportation

1. High Initial Costs: Building pipelines requires significant initial investment, and once installed, their capacity cannot easily be increased without major modifications.
2. Vulnerability to Natural Disasters: Pipelines are susceptible to distortions caused by natural events like earthquakes, making it difficult to detect leaks and cracks.
3. Security Threats: Pipelines, especially those crossing national borders like the TAPI pipeline, are vulnerable to sabotage and security risks from terrorist activities.

In conclusion, while India’s pipeline infrastructure plays a vital role in the transportation of oil and gas, addressing challenges such as high initial costs and security threats will be key to ensuring its continued success in India’s energy landscape.

Model Answer

Defining Judicial Activism

Judicial Activism is a judicial philosophy wherein courts interpret laws and the Constitution in a manner that advances progressive social policies, often departing from traditional precedents. This approach is reflected when higher courts, such as the Supreme Court or High Courts, compel authorities to act or shape government policies. Notable examples include directives for the creation of a new policy to combat drought or the establishment of a panel to manage bad loans (Source: Judicial Activism Overview).

Judicial Overreach

In contrast, Judicial Overreach represents an extreme manifestation of judicial activism. It occurs when the judiciary makes arbitrary decisions that impinge upon the responsibilities of the legislature or executive. A cited example includes the Supreme Court’s ruling to halt the issuing of licenses for new liquor shops along highways, which many interpret as overstepping its mandate (Source: Judicial Overreach Insights).

Associated Concerns

While judicial activism can yield positive outcomes for society, its overuse raises several concerns:

1. Undermining Separation of Powers: The extraordinary powers conferred to the Supreme Court under Article 142 of the Constitution may challenge the principle of separation of powers. Frequent usage of this power risks encroaching upon legislative responsibilities (Source: Constitutional Framework Analysis).
2. Lack of Oversight: Judicial orders sometimes neglect practical limitations faced by the legislature and executive, such as funding and functional frameworks. For instance, the cancellation of coal and spectrum allocations adversely affected the nation’s financial health (Source: Economic Impact Studies).
3. Accountability Issues: The judiciary lacks the same level of accountability to the public as the other branches of government. Its ability to punish for contempt of court may shield it from criticism, complicating public discourse on judicial decisions (Source: Accountability in Governance).
4. Threat to Credibility: Continuous overreach may tarnish the judiciary’s image and credibility, leading to public skepticism regarding its impartiality and legitimacy (Source: Credibility of Judicial Institutions).

Conclusion

The Supreme Court has often emphasized the need for judicial restraint, advocating that judiciary actions should align with legitimate judicial review rather than serve as a super-legislature (Source: Judicial Restraint Principles).

Model Answer

Grounds for Disqualification under the Representation of the People Act, 1951

The Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA) outlines several grounds for disqualification for individuals seeking membership in Parliament or State Legislatures. These grounds can be categorized as follows:

1. Criminal Grounds: According to Section 8(1) of the RPA, disqualification occurs if an individual is convicted of offenses such as:
   • Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, or language.
   • Engaging in undue influence during elections.
   • Committing offenses related to rape or cruelty toward women.
   • Making statements that incite hatred or ill-will between communities (Indian Penal Code, 1860).
2. Corruption: Section 8(1) also specifies disqualification for those convicted of offenses of bribery or corruption, including violations of The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
3. Other Offenses: Additional disqualifying offenses include:
   • Preaching untouchability (Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955).
   • Importing/exporting prohibited goods (Customs Act, 1962).
   • Membership in unlawful associations (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967).
   • Violations under The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
4. Contractual Grounds: Individuals who have entered into a contract with the government for business are disqualified.
5. Failure to Report Expenses: Non-compliance in filing election expenses with the Election Commission of India (ECI) also leads to disqualification.

Importantly, the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Lily Thomas Case (2013) established that any MP, MLA, or MLC convicted and sentenced to a minimum of two years in prison automatically loses membership.

Remedial Measures for Disqualified Representatives

Remedial actions against disqualification include several provisions:

• The ECI may remove or reduce disqualifications except under Section 8A (related to corrupt practices).
• Disqualified individuals may file petitions with the President concerning their disqualification (Section 8A(2)).
• They can appeal to a higher authority if they believe the grounds for disqualification are insufficient.
• For disqualifications related to corruption, the ECI must provide an opportunity for the affected individual to be heard before issuing a conclusive certificate.

Moreover, not all offenses result in identical consequences, as the Act delineates specific cut-off sentences essential for disqualification considerations. In addition to the RPA, the Constitution includes provisions for disqualification due to defection under the Tenth Schedule.

Sources:

• The Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• Indian Penal Code, 1860.
• The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
• The Supreme Court of India, Lily Thomas Case, 2013.

मॉडल उत्तर

परिचय

नियोजित विकास स्वतंत्रता के बाद भारत में किए गए महत्वपूर्ण आर्थिक सुधारों में से एक था। स्वतंत्रता के समय भारत विभाजन के प्रभावों, गरीबी, बेरोजगारी और अपर्याप्त औद्योगिक विकास जैसी समस्याओं का सामना कर रहा था।

इस संदर्भ में, द्वितीय पंचवर्षीय योजना को मील का पत्थर माना जाता है क्योंकि यह नेहरू-महालनोबिस रणनीति पर आधारित थी, जिसने भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था के विकास में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाई।

द्वितीय पंचवर्षीय योजना के योगदान

1. औद्योगिकीकरण:
   द्वितीय पंचवर्षीय योजना ने सार्वजनिक निवेश को पूंजीगत वस्तु उद्योगों की ओर निर्देशित किया, जिससे अर्थव्यवस्था की उत्पादक क्षमता में तेजी से वृद्धि हुई। उपभोक्ता वस्तु उद्योगों की तुलना में पूंजी वस्तु उद्योगों को प्राथमिकता दी गई।
2. शिक्षा और मानव संसाधन विकास:
   इस योजना के अंतर्गत वैज्ञानिक क्षेत्र में उच्च शिक्षण संस्थानों की स्थापना हुई, जिससे मानव पूंजी का विकास हुआ।
3. निवेश की वृद्धि:
   निवेश की दर में वृद्धि हुई, जिससे घरेलू और विदेशी बचत को प्रोत्साहन मिला। इससे आर्थिक विकास को बढ़ावा मिला।
4. कृषि उत्पादन में सुधार:
   भूमि सुधार, सिंचाई परियोजनाओं और कृषि अनुसंधान में बड़े पैमाने पर निवेश के कारण कृषि उत्पादन में वृद्धि हुई।
5. आत्मनिर्भरता की दिशा में कदम:
   आयात प्रतिस्थापन नीति के माध्यम से भारत ने आत्मनिर्भर बनने की दिशा में प्रयास किए।

आलोचना
हालांकि, नेहरू-महालनोबिस रणनीति की आलोचना भी हुई, क्योंकि इसने कृषि की उपेक्षा की और भारी उद्योगों को अधिक प्राथमिकता दी, जिससे धन का संकेंद्रण और बेरोजगारी बढ़ी।

निष्कर्ष

द्वितीय पंचवर्षीय योजना ने भारतीय समाज में बुनियादी भौतिक और मानव संसाधनों के विकास की आधारशिला रखी। इसके द्वारा प्राप्त उपलब्धियों ने आगे चलकर समग्र विकास की दिशा में महत्वपूर्ण योगदान दिया। इसलिए, इसे एक मील का पत्थर माना जाता है।