Lokpal and Important Commissions (Part-II)

Total Questions: 55

11. Which one of the following is not a Constitutional body? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]

Correct Answer: (a) The Human Rights Commission
Solution:The Human Rights Commission is a non-Constitutional body, which was established by the Human Rights Protection Act, 1993. Other three institutions are mentioned in the Constitution (Finance Commission of a State- Article 243(I), Secretariat of Parliament-Article 98, Finance Commission at the centre Article 280).

As per the UN definition, 'Human rights are those rights that are inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status'.
-These human rights are entitled to everyone without any discrimination.
- Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more.
Human Rights Day is observed on 10 December every year.

12. Which one of the following has a status different from the other three? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004]

Correct Answer: (c) National Human Rights Commission
Solution:The National Human Rights Commission is a non- Constitutional body, while the other three (Appointment of a commission to investigate the condition of Backward Classes - Article 340, National commission for Backward Classes- Article 338 B, Finance Commission- Article 280 and Election Commission-Article 324) are the Constitutional bodies.
  • The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a statutory body in India, established under the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act of 1993.
    ∗ Thus, it is not a constitutional body.
  • It serves as the watchdog of human rights in the country.
  • It is tasked with safeguarding rights relating to life, liberty, equality, and dignity of individuals, which are guaranteed by the Constitution of India and embodied in the international covenants.
  • The Headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission is in New Delhi.
    ∗ The Commission can also establish offices in other places in India.

13. Which among the following is NOT correctly matched? [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]

BodiesEstablishment
(a) Inter-state Council1990
(b) National Development Council1954
(c) Central Vigilance Commission1964
(d) National Human Rights Commission1993
Correct Answer: (b)
Solution:The correctly matched order is as follows:
BodiesEstablishment
(a) Inter-state Council1990
(b) National Development Council1952
(c) Central Vigilance Commission1964
(d) National Human Rights Commission1993

14. Who was the Chairman of the First Law Commission in Independent India? [67th B.P.S.C. (Pre) (Re-Exam) 2022]

Correct Answer: (d) Mr. M.C. Setalvad
Solution:In 1955, the first law commission of independent India was constituted. The then Attorney General M.C. Setalvad was appointed the chairman of the first Law commission.

About Law Commission of India:

  • It is a non-statutory body and is constituted by a notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Law & Justice.
  • It is constituted with definite terms of reference to carry out research in the field of law and the Commission makes recommendations to the Government (in the form of Reports) as per its terms of reference.
  • It functions to the Ministry of Law and Justice as an advisory body.
  • History of Law Commission of India
  • o The first pre-independence law commission was established in 1834 by the British Government in India.
  • o It was established by the Charter Act of 1833 and was chaired by Lord Macaulay.
  • o The first Law Commission of independent India was established in 1955 under the chairmanship of the former Attorney General for India M. C. Setalvad.

15. Consider the following statements regarding appointment of National Commission for revising the Constitution- [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2003, U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002]

(1) The report will be of recommendatory nature.

(2) The appointment was approved by Parliament.

(3) It is presided over by Chief Justice M.N. Venkatchelaiya.

(4) It will focus on socio-economic needs of the country.

Which of these statements are correct?

 

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 3
Solution:The National Commission to review the working of the Constitution was set up by the NDA Government on 22 February, 2000 under the Chairmanship of Justice Venkatchelaiya, which was not approved by Parliament. The function of this Commission was to review the implementation of the Constitution in the last 50 years and to evaluate its effectiveness at present. The last report by the Commission was submitted on March 31, 2002.

16. The Chairman of the Constitutional Review Commission set up in February, 2000 is- [U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2002 45 B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2001]

Correct Answer: (a) M.N. Venkatachaliah
Solution:The National Commission to review the working of the Constitution was set up by the NDA Government on 22 February, 2000 under the Chairmanship of Justice Venkatchelaiya, which was not approved by Parliament. The function of this Commission was to review the implementation of the Constitution in the last 50 years and to evaluate its effectiveness at present. The last report by the Commission was submitted on March 31, 2002.

17. Who is the Chairman of Central Pollution Control Board? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

Correct Answer: (e) None of the above
Solution:None of the given answers are true. According to the Constitution of Central Pollution Control Board (Chapter-8), a person having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of matters relating to environment protection or in administering institution dealing with the matters aforesaid will be Chairman of Central Pollution Control Board nominated by Central Government. At present Shri Tanmay Kumar is the chairman of this board. Note: Madhya Pradesh Public service Commission in its provisional answer key, omitted the said question as none of the given options are correct.

18. The question considered by Swarn Singh Committee was related to - [I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]

Correct Answer: (c) Priority to Directive Principles of State Policy in comparison to fundamental rights.
Solution:In 1976, the Congress Government constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Sardar Swarn Singh. It was known as the 'Constitutional Amendment Committee.' 42nd Constitutio-nal Amendment is the result of the recommendation of this Committee. It pointed out that the Presidential system, is inappropriate for India. However Commission had considered mainly the question of priority to Directive Principles of State Policy over Fundamental Rights.

19. Central Vigilance Commission was set up on the recommendation of [R.A.S/R.T.S (Pre) 2018]

Correct Answer: (c) Santhanam Committee
Solution:CVC is an apex vigilance institution that exercises superintendence over the vigilance administration of the organizations where the executive powers of the Government of India extends.
  • It is an apex Integrity Institution, having complete independence and autonomy in its functions.
  • The CVC was set up through the Resolution of the Government of India on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption formed under the Chairmanship of Shri K. Santhanam in 1964.
  • It was given statutory status through CVC Act 2003.
  • The CVC is not controlled by any Ministry/Department. It is responsible to the Parliament.

20. Establishment of Central Vigilance Commission to advise and guide the central agencies in the field of vigilance is based on the recommendation of the committee headed by whom? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre.) 2022]

Correct Answer: (b) K. Santhanam
Solution:The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is the main agency for preventing corruption in the central government. The Committee on Prevention of Corruption, with parliamentarian K. Santhanam as the Chairman, four other MPs and two senior officers as members, was appointed by the Government of India in 1962, later, it was established in 1964 by the recommendation of that Committee. Initially the CVC was neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body but, in 2003, the Parliament enacted a law conferring statutory status on the CVC.