Power of words

 The Salary, Allowances, and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954 stands as a cornerstone in the legislative framework governing the financial privileges of Members of Parliament (MPs) in India. Enacted to ensure that MPs are adequately compensated for their service to the nation, this Act provides a structured approach to the financial entitlements of MPs, encompassing salary, allowances, and pension. Exploring the Financial Framework for MPs Salary: A Fixed Remuneration The Act stipulates a fixed salary for MPs during their term, which serves as a remuneration for their legislative duties. This ensures that MPs can dedicate themselves to public service without the burden of financial insecurity. Allowances: Catering to Diverse Needs The allowances are multifaceted, covering daily expenses, travel, and constituency management: The Daily Allowance is a recognition of the MPs' presence and active participation in the parliamentary sessions and committee meetings. The Travel A...

 The Keisham Meghachandra Singh vs. The Hon’ble Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly case (2020) is a significant judgment concerning the Anti-Defection Law under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Here are the key points: Background: Election Context : The case arose after the 2017 Manipur Legislative Assembly elections, which resulted in a hung assembly. The Indian National Congress emerged as the single largest party, but the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed the government with the support of other parties and independent MLAs. Key Issues: Disqualification Petitions : Several petitions were filed seeking the disqualification of MLAs who had defected from the Congress to support the BJP. Speaker’s Delay : The Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly delayed the decision on these disqualification petitions, leading to legal challenges. Supreme Court Verdict: Timely Decision : The Supreme Court ruled that the Speaker must decide on disqualification petitions wit...

The quote by  Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, "India had parliamentary institutions when people of Europe were mere nomads,"  is a powerful testament to the ancient civilization's early advancements in governance and societal structures. It speaks volumes about the historical context of India's political systems, which were far more developed than often recognized in the common Eurocentric narrative of history. This essay will delve into the implications of Ambedkar's statement, exploring its historical accuracy, its significance in the context of Indian pride and identity, and its relevance in contemporary discussions about the origins and evolution of democratic institutions. Firstly, various historical records and scholarly research support the assertion that India had parliamentary institutions in ancient times. The 'sabha' and 'samiti' of the Vedic period, for instance, are indicative of consultative assemblies that played a role in governance. These bodie...

  #PYQ2020 UPSC #Polity GS Paper 2 Q.  ‘Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker’! Do you think this practice should be adopted to impart objectivity to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha? What could be its implications for the robust functioning of parliamentary business in India? (150 words, 10 marks) The phrase "Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker" encapsulates a proposed practice designed to enhance the impartiality and objectivity of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's Parliament. It suggests that once an individual has held the position of Speaker, they should not re-enter active party politics. Below, I outline this practice's primary benefits and challenges, along with a relevant global example. Potential Benefits: 1. Impartiality :     The proposed restriction would help ensure that the Speaker remains neutral, reinforcing their role as an unbiased arbiter in parliamentary proceedings. 2. Strengthening Democracy :     A n...

The Jaishankar Doctrine: Inside his Mind | The India Way" describes the strategic mindset and policy of Dr. S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India.  Strategic Autonomy: Emphasis on India's Independent Foreign Policy. Balancing the relationships with major powers, especially the US, Russia, and China. Neighborhood First: Focus on strengthening ties with neighboring countries. Fostering regional cooperation and enhancing connectivity. Act East Policy: Strengthening engagement with Southeast Asia and East Asia. Fostering economic and strategic alliances. Global South Leadership: Championing the causes of developing nations. Strengthening South-South cooperation. Multilateralism: Engagement in international organizations is imperative. Promoting a rules-based international order. Economic Diplomacy: Harnessing economic connections to bolster strategic objectives. Promoting trade, investment, and technology partnerships. These factors highlight Dr. Jaishankar's p...

  Does today's economic system need to be changed as per the present scenarios or should remain unchanged? According to the World Inequality Report 2024- economic inequality in India is currently at its highest since British rule. The richest 10% of the global population takes home 52% of the global income, whereas the poorest 50% gets only 8.5% of it, hampering our SDG 10 goal. reasons and concerns" as a mixed economy, India is still facing challenges in job creation in the non-farming sector. although the service sector contributes 55% to GVA FY-2024 but lags behind in job CREATION. In agriculture research where ₹ 1 investment including Education pays off ₹ 13.85 still faces farmers' strikes due to a lack of policy implementations at groundwork. PLFS's latest report is 2024 - a significant proportion of working women in low-paying, hazardous, and informal jobs. Solutions: A "Socialistic" economic approach is necessary, Policy implementation should be o...

  The   Sabarimala Temple   in Kerala, India, has been at the center of a contentious legal battle regarding women’s entry. Here’s a summary of the key events: 2018 Verdict : On September 28, 2018, a  5-judge bench  of the Supreme Court ruled that the temple’s practice of excluding women between the ages of 10 and 50 was  unconstitutional 1 . The court held that this practice violated the fundamental right to freedom of religion under  Article 25(1)  for female worshippers.  The ruling was seen as progressive, granting women equal rights to worship . Controversy and Protests : The verdict led to  massive protests  in Kerala. Women who attempted to enter the shrine faced resistance, with some being  assaulted  or turned away. The temple’s historical ban on women was based on the belief that menstruating women were considered “unclean.” Recent Development (2019) : In November 2019, the Supreme Court agreed to  review ...