Govt introduces quota bill in Lok Sabha

Govt introduces quota bill in Lok Sabha 

NEW DELHI: The Government introduced a bill in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, demanding an amendment to the Constitution to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to economically backward section in the general category.

The Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill 2019, approved by the Union Cabinet, was brought on the last day of the Winter Session of Lok Sabha. Union Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot presented the Bill in the House amid protests by Samajwadi Party.

According to the Bill, "At present, the economically weaker sections of citizens have been barred from attending the higher educational institutions and public employment on account of their financial incapacity to compete with the persons who are economically more privileged."

The Bill seeks to amend Article 15 of the Constitution, by adding a clause which states are allowed to make "special provision for the advancement of any economically weaker sections of citizens".

These "special provisions" would relate to "their admission to educational institutions, including private educational institutions, whether aided or unaided by the state, other than the minority educational institutions".

It also makes it clear that reservation would be "in addition to the existing reservations and subject to a maximum of ten per cent of the total seats in each category".

"The directive principles of state policy contained in Article 46 of the Constitution add to the fact that the State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation," it pointed out.

It said economically weaker sections of citizens were not eligible for the benefit of reservation.

"With a view to fulfil the mandate of Article 46, and to ensure that economically weaker sections of citizens get a fair chance of receiving higher education and participation in employment in the services of the State, it has been decided to amend the Constitution of India," the statement of objects of the bill said.

A constitutional amendment bill requires at least half of the members to be present in the House and two-thirds of them should support it.

Source: TOI

Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Opinion Poll

Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Opinion Poll

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A fresh opinion poll released for the Lok Sabha elections to be held next year predicts the incumbent BJP-led NDA to retain power, but lose single-party majority status.

The 'Mood of the Nation' survey, conducted by India Today group, predicts the NDA to hold on to power with a simple majority, extending barely 9 seats beyond the halfway mark. On the other hand, the Congress-led UPA is likely double its tally to 122.

NDA vs UPA vs Others: Here is the seat-wise forecast

Notably, others here include the Trinamool Congress, Telugu Desam Party, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Left, among others -- which have not entered into a pre-poll pact with the Congress. The parties, however, may form a coalition with the Congress-led UPA ahead of the elections next year.

If the survey predictions will turn out to be accurate, the Narendra Modi-regime will turn more dependent on allies as the BJP will lose its single-party majority status.

BJP vs Congress vs Others: Seat-wise forecast

55% Respondents Pose Faith in Narendra Modi

55 per cent of the survey respondents said they are satisfied with the performance of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister, would prefer to see the nation being led by him.

27 per cent described Congress chief Rahul Gandhi as a better alternative. His sister, Priyanka Gandhi, was the choice of only 3 per cent respondents.

56% satisfied with NDA's work

56 per cent of the respondents said they are satisfied with the performance of the BJP-led NDA. Among ministers, they have rated Arun Jaitley as the most productive, followed by Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari and Nirmala Sitharaman.

SOURCE: LATEST ly

CM Chandrababu Naidu to finalize the list of TDP candidates by the end of February

CM Chandrababu Naidu to finalize the list of TDP candidates
 by the end of February

Amaravati: AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has prepared a draft to follow in the upcoming elections in the state.

On the election strategy, the TDP chief held a meeting with party MLAs and MLC in Amravati on Thursday. Where Naidu has instructed party leaders on the action plan for the elections. During this meeting, Naidu indicated to the leaders that the list of TDP candidates will be finalized till February end.

In the first week of March or February last week, the Election Commission of India is going to release the program of assembly and parliament elections in the state.

Prior to the election program, Naidu has decided to announce TDP candidates, so far Naidu has finalized the name of the candidate for some districts and.

Naidu has instructed the party MLAs and MLC that as soon as the election program is released, the TDP candidate will immediately start the campaign in their assembly constituency, and Naidu also said that he will campaign entirely for 30 days.

Chandrababu Naidu will soon take the decision whether to participate in the public meetings in two or three districts daily or to hold a bus yatra throughout the state for the election campaign.

Lok Sabha Elections Expenditure

Lok Sabha Elections Expenditure

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The Law Commission of India in its draft report on ‘Simultaneous Elections’ has cited reduction in election expenditure as one of the major reasons for supporting simultaneous elections. This view is also supported by those who are in favour of simultaneous elections. But what kind of expenditure do the conduct of elections entail?

Who bears Election expenditure?

As per the guidelines of the Ministry of Law & Justice issued in October 1979, the entire expenditure on the actual conduct of elections to Lok Sabha is borne by the Government of India. In the case of elections to the State Assembly when they are held independently, the expenditure is borne by the respective State Government. If the elections to the Lok Sabha & State Assembly are held simultaneously, then the expenditure is shared equally between the Government of India & the State Government. The Election Commission of India (ECI) bears expenditure on honorarium to the observers deployed during elections. It has to be noted that this is applicable only on the expenses incurred in the actual conduct of elections.

What all are covered under Election expenditure?

As per the guidelines, the following items are treated as expenditure incurred for the actual conduct of elections.

1. Setting up of the polling stations and making necessary arrangements at polling booths & counting centres
2. Payment of TA/DA etc., to polling personnel and counting staff
3. Making transport arrangements for carrying polling and counting staff to the polling and counting centres and for the movement of election material and ballot boxes
4. Making temporary telephone facilities and electrical fittings, etc. to the polling booths and counting centres
5. Purchase of election material like indelible ink, ammonia paper, etc., which are exclusively utilized for that particular election
6. Miscellaneous expenditure for the purpose of smooth conduct of polling and counting

Expenditure is also incurred on other items which are not treated as expenditure for the actual conduct of elections. Expenditure on these items has to be borne equally by the state & central governments. These include things like expenditure on regular election establishment and preparation & revision of electoral rolls.

Certain kinds of expenditure are not allowed as per the rules and the central government does not share expenditure on these items. Things like the construction of buildings, garages etc., purchase of cars & other items without the approval of central government and capital expenditure of any kind are now allowed.

How much did the various Lok Sabha elections cost?

The ECI has compiled provisional expenditure figures of the various Lok Sabha elections till data. The total expenditure was equal to or less than Rs 10 crore for each of first three general elections. The expenditure was less than Rs 100 crore until the 8th general election in 1984-85. The expenditure crossed Rs 500 crore for the first time during the 11th general election in 1996 and it crossed Rs 1000 crore during the 14th general election in 2004. The expenditure for the last general election in 2014 (Rs 3870 crore)was three times more than the expenditure incurred for the 15th general election in 2009.

The average expenditure per voter was less than one rupee till the 6th general election in 1977. The average expenditure per voter crossed Rs 10 for the first time during the 11th general election in 1996. The average expenditure per voter was around Rs 15 during each of the general elections in 1999, 2004 & 2009. Average expenditure per voter was the highest ever, more than Rs 45, during the 16th general elections in 2014.

SOURCE: THE LOGICAL INDIAN