UGC NET/JRF EXAM, DEC.-2024 POLITICAL SCIENCE (Paper-II)

James Madison gave eloquent expression to he urgent need for popular information in a democracy. During colonial rule, the administrative culture had been basically inward-looking, people avoiding and secret practicing. The right to information of a product of both institutions and culture. Under popular pressure and contemporary democratization movement throughout the world, openness and transparency in governmental operations have become quite trendy in recent times.

Right to information laws are being enacted in many countries. Sweden adopted freedom of the Press Act in 1766. United States passed the Freedom of information Act, 1966. In France, Freedom of information and accountability of public servants are an integral part of constitution rights. The freedom of information law in Japan came into effect in 2001, allowing access to administrative documents held by administrative agencies in electronic or printed form.

In Germany, the federal government passed a freedom of information law in 2005. Six Bundeslander (Provincial governments) have also own separate law on the subject. The Supreme Court of India, in the State of Uttar Pradesh vs. Raj Narain case observed that the right to information is implied in the right to freedom of speech. In 1997, India set up a working Group on Right to Information and Promotion of Open and Transparent Government, In 2005, Right to Information Act was passed in India to provide citizen secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability.

As per the passage, in which case. Supreme Court of India observed that the right to information is implied in the right to freedom of speech?

The post-independence land-reforms adopted broadly on the basis of the Kumarappa Committee. This committee took, as its guiding principle, the elimination of exploitation and giving the land to the tiller. Bihar Pradesh Kisan Sabha (BPKS) was founded in 1929. It established a national presence n 1936 as the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS). Swami Sahajanand Saraswati dominated the provincial organisations, and emerged as the foremost Kisan leader in India, and also headed BPKS in 1935.

The formation of congress Ministry in Bihar in 1937 accelerated the process of showdown between the two organizations Zamindars offered their help and co-operation in passing tenancy laws to improve the condition of the tenants. The post-colonial India including Bihar witnessed the emergence of the Congress as the dominant party in the political system. In 1952 elections, Jharkhand Party was the main opposition party inside the state legislature. The important consequences of the 1952 general elcetions in Bihar were the emergence of two regional political party, the Jharkhand Party and the Janta Party.

The Janta Party was founded in 1950 y Raja Kamakhya Narayan Singh to built up a traditional opposition to Congress. Its political influence was confined mainly in south-Bihar. Until 1967. Bihar witnessed a one party dominance system i.e. the 'Congress system' as conceptualized by Rajni Kothari. Between 1967-69 elections witnessed a highly fractionalized multi-party system. The decline in the congress electoral strength has benefitted socialists and communists on the one hand and the Jan Sangha on the other hand.

As per the paragraph, the political influence of Janta Party was confined mainly in-