The Parliament (Part-VI)

Total Questions: 50

21. Which one of the following expenditure is not charged on the Consolidated Fund of India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]

(a) Salary and allowances of the Chief Justice of India.
(b) Salary and allowances of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
(c) Salary and allowances of the Prime Minister of India.
(d) Salary and allowances of the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission.

Correct Answer: (c) Salary and allowances of the Prime Minister of India.

Solution:Only discussion on expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund can happen, not voting. According to Article 112 (3) of the Indian Constitution, the salary and allowances of the President, salary and allowances of the Chief Justice of India, Pensions payable to Judges of High Courts, salary and allowances of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, salary and allowances of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Council of States and Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, are the expenditures charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.

22. Which of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution is related to Contingency Fund? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

(a) Article 265
(b) Article 266
(c) Article 267
(d) Article 268

Correct Answer: (c) Article 267

Solution:Article 267: Contingency Fund: Parliament may by law establish a Contingency Fund in the nature of an imprest to be entitled the Contingency Fund of India into which shall be paid from time to time such sums as may be determined by such law, and the said Fund shall be placed at the disposal of the President to enable advances to be made by him out of such Fund for the purposes of meeting unforeseen expenditure pending authorisation of such expenditure by Parliament by law under Article 115 or Article 116.

23. How can the President spend from Contingency Fund? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991]

(a) In time of natural calamity.
(b) After Authorisation of parliament.
(c) Before Authorisation of Parliament.
(d) Cannot spend.

Correct Answer: (c) Before Authorisation of Parliament.

Solution:The Contingency Fund of India is established by Parliament by law under Article 267(1) of the Indian Constitution. This fund is placed at the disposal of the President of India, and no approval from the Parliament is needed to withdraw the money from the fund. He may make advances out of this fund. It is to be used for the purpose of meeting unforeseen expenditures.

24. With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

1. The Department of Revenue is responsible for the preparation of Union Budget that is presented to the Parliament.

2. No amount can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without the authorization from the Parliament of India.

3. All the disbursements made from Public Account also need the authorization from the Parliament of India.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

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

Correct Answer: (c) 2 only

Solution:The Ministry of Finance is responsible for the preparation of the Union Budget which is presented to the Parliament. Therefore statement I is incorrect. No amount can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without the authorization of the Parliament of India as provided in Article 114(3) of the Constitution. Thus, statement. 2 is correct. The disbursement made from public account does not require authorization from the Parliament of India. The control of this account is in the hands of the Executive. Thus statement 3 is also incorrect.

25. Which of the following is responsible for preparation and presentation of union budget in the Parliament? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2010]

(a) Department of Revenue
(b) Department of Economic Affairs
(c) Department of Financial Services
(d) Department of Expenditure

Correct Answer: (b) Department of Economic Affairs

Solution:The Department of Economic Affairs is responsible for the preparation and presentation of the Union Budget in the Parliament.

26. How many (number) 'Demands for Grants' are put before the Parliament as a part of the Annual Budget in pursuance to Article 113 of the Constitution? [67th B.P.S.C. (Pre), 2022 ]

(a) 98
(b) 96
(c) 104
(d) 109
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Correct Answer: (e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Solution:Article 113 of the Constitution requires that any proposal or estimate seeking withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Fund of India should be presented to the Lok Sabha in the form of a demand for grants. Generally, one demand for grant is presented in respect of each ministry or department. However, for large ministries and departments, more than one demand is presented. No demand for a grant shall be made except on the recommendation of the president. In budget 2024-25, the total grants presented are 102 and in budget 2021-22, it was 101. So the option (e) is true.

27. Money Bill has been defined by the Constitution under Article: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]

(a) 109
(b) 110
(c) 111
(d) Both (b) and (c)

Correct Answer: (b) 110

Solution:Article 109-Special Procedure with respect to Money Bills. Article 110-Definition of Money Bill Article 111-Permission on Bills.

28. The Money Bill is defined in which Article of the Constitution of India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Article 109
(b) Article 110
(c) Article 111
(d) Article 112

Correct Answer: (b) Article 110

Solution:Article 109-Special Procedure with respect to Money Bills. Article 110-Definition of Money Bill Article 111-Permission on Bills.

29. A Bill is deemed to be a Money Bill (as per Article 110), if it contains provisions dealing with matters relating to: [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

(a) Regulation of borrowings of the government of India.
(b) Custody of consolidated fund of India.
(c) Audit of accounts of a State.
(d) All the above.

Correct Answer: (d) All the above.

Solution:According to Article 110, a Bill shall be deemed to be a Money Bill if it contains only provisions dealing with all or any of the following matters, namely.

(a) The imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax;

(b) The regulation of the borrowing of money or the giving of any guarantee by the Government of India, or the amendment of the law with respect to any financial obligations undertaken or to be undertaken by the Government of India;

(c) The custody of the consolidated fund or the contingency fund of India, the payment of money into or the withdrawal of money from any such Fund;

(d) The appropriation of money out of the consolidated fund of India;

(e) The declaring of any expenditure to be expenditure charged on the consolidated fund of India or the increasing of the amount of any such expenditure;

(f) The receipt of money of account of the consolidated fund of India or the public account of India or the Custody or issue of such money or the audit of the accounts of the Union or of a State; or

(g) Any matter incidental to any of the matters specified in sub-clause (a) to (f).

30. What constitutes the definition of money Bill under article 110 of the Indian Constitution? [66th B.P.S.C. (Pre) (Re-Exam), 2020]

(a) The imposition, abolition, alteration or regulation of any tax
(b) The regulation of borrowings of money
(c) The appropriation of money out of the consolidated fund of India
(d) Declaration of any expenditure to be charged on the consolidated fund of India
(e) More than one of the above

Correct Answer: (e) More than one of the above