General Studies–Current Affairs

Countries that ousted their “Dictatorial Regimes” are :

· Maldives – 2008 – Abdul Gayoom (ousted) Nasheed (new prez)

· Yemen - 2012 - Ali Abdullah Saleh – Mansuor Hadi (new)

· Tunisia

· Egypt

· Libya

Countries that were on the brink of Bankruptcy :

Country, year (part of unions if )	Bail out amt.	Rescued by (agencies)	Implication on world economy	Causes
Athens , 2012	130 billion	EU, IMF

Pitroda Panel on Rail modernisation submitted its report on Feb 27,2012. Highlights:

· Stressed on major overhauling of signalling system, tracks and locomotives.

· A dividend waiver to save Railways from collapse.

· It also mentioned the various sources from which the orgz can generate funds for its modernization.

· Special courses to be introduced at IIMs and IITs for suggesting newer ways and technology instead of getting suggestions from agencies abroad.

· Development of PPP models and policies to attract investments to augment core capabilities like stations etc..

· also suggested establishing an Indian Institute of Railway Research with Centres of Excellence.

National Advisory Council (NAC):

· The National Advisory Council (NAC) of India is an advisory body set up to monitor the implementation of the UPA government's manifesto, the Common Minimum Programme (CMP). It is a brainchild of Congress party president, Sonia Gandhi. It is also informally called as UPA's Planning Commission for social agenda. NAC is also called as Shadow Cabinet. On 23 March 2006, Sonia Gandhi had resigned from the post of chairmanship of the NAC after Office of profit controversy. On 29 March 2010, she was back as the chairperson of NAC.

National Development Council (NDC):

Constituted in 1952, August 6th

· Apex body in the country for decision making and deliberations on developmental matters

· Presided over by Prime Minister and comprising of all Chief Ministers of States and Administrators of Union Territories and Members of Planning Commission

· Functions are:

o Prescribe guidelines for the formulation of National Plan

o Consider the national plan as formulated by Planning Commission

o Consider important questions on Economic and Socila policy affecting National Development

o Review of the working plan and suggest recommendations as when required.

Creamy Layer: Used for the relatively rich and wealthier sections of other Backward Classes from being ineligible for govt. reservations and other benefits.

· Used by the Sattanathan Committee in 1971

· A no. of sections or classes of people was recognised as “Creamy Layer” like Constitutional positions, bureaucrats, doctors, lawyers, business men etc.

· One of the general criteria for the same is an individual with an annual gross income of 4,50,000 Rs. Will be considered as a person belonging to the creamy layer and hence no provisions of the benefits will be applicable.

Low growth and its impact on the Low income groups ( ET,13 Jul 2012):

· Low growth not only reduces potential demand but also changes the consumption pattern of households.

· High inflation and low growth will impact those at the bottom of the pyramid as it impacts food prices.

· Households whose expenditure-income ratio is high will find it difficult to maintain the consumption basket without a commensurate rise in income. In such a scenario, they are likely to reduce spending on discretionary items.

· Those at the top of the distribution have more surplus income, they will generally cut down on savings, which will negatively impact capital available for investment.

FDI in retail – some changes required (ET,12 Jul 2012):

· Current rule of sourcing 30% of what the Cos sell from the locals

o Cos that sell high quality goods find it difficult to find them in local markets and hence it can be achieved say gradually I.e., 30% over few years.

· The procurement should be from the enterprises that have a turnover of less than $1 mil

o A boost to the country’s SMEs

o Low investment, high costs resulting in low productivity and quality

Instead train the Indian SMEs in producing the products that are of the intended quality.

Janlokpal:

· The basic principles on which the bill was drafted were culled from the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which required all countries to put in place anti-corruption investigative agencies that would be independent of the executive government and would have the jurisdiction to investigate all public servants for corruption.

· Initially introduced in August 2011, later referred it to the Standing Committee (SC)

· The SC tabled its report in Dec 2011

· August Bill did not confer Constitutional Status to the Bill

· SC recommendations equipped the Bill for Constl. Status

· Lokpal and Lokayukthas Bill passed did not get Constl status

· August Bill proposed a 9 member selection committee (sc)

· SC recommended 4 member sc –

o PM,

o CJI,

o LS speaker,

o an eminent Indian nominated unanimously by CEC, Chairman UPSC, CAG, Leader of Opposition in LS

· December Bill proposes 5 mem sc, 3 govt nominees –

o PM,

o LS Speaker,

o Leader of the opposition in LS,

o CJI or a judge of Supreme Court nominated by CJI and

o an eminent Jurist nominated by Prez.

Set up of NJC :

The report prepared by the Parliamentary panel recommended setting up of a National Judicial Commission (NJC) to create a broad based and comprehensive model of judges appointments.

Recommendations of the panel in JPC:

· Entrusted with transfer as well as criminal proceedings against corrupt judges.

· Relevant amendments in the Constitution to remove judges

Acts passed in 2011:

· Cable TV Networks Regulation Act

· National Food Security Bill

· Regulation of Factor ( Assignments Receivable) Bill 2011

· Ex-Im Bank of India Amendment Bill 2011

· Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2011

CIVIL SERVICES IN INDIA (Public Administration - paper II)

 
CHAPTER-10
3 All India Services(AIS)- “Steel frame of Administrative Structure”:
1. IAS
2. IPS
3. IForestS
· In 1947, ICS was replaced by IAS; Indian Police(IP) was replaced with IPS and were recognised by the Constitution as AIS.
· In 1963, 3 more services were created, viz IFoS, Indian Medical and Health Service, Indian Service of Engineers. In 1966, only IFoS came into existence.
· Article 312 gives parliament the liberty to create AIS on the basis of the resolution passed by the RajyaSabha.
· The services can be created only by the act of parliament and not by mere resolution of RajyaSabha. However, the parliament cannot enact such an act without the recommendation of the Rajyasabha. This protection was given in order to protect the federal system.
· SardarVallababhai Patel is the chief protagonist in the formation of AIS in the constituent Assembly. Hence he is known as “Father of AIS”.
The AIS act of 1951 authorised the central govt. to make rules for the regulation and service conditions of the members of AIS in consultation with state govt.s.
Scales of AIS: 3 scales;
1. Super time scale
2. Senior scale and
3. Junior
Controlling ministries:
· IAS- Ministry of Personnel
· IPS- Home
· IFS-Environments and Forests
Ø The ultimate control over AIS lies with Central Govt. whereas immediate controlling power vests with state govt.
Ø Salaries and pensions are met by States; disciplinary issues only by Central govt.
Ø There are currently 24 state cadres.
Central Services:
Ø CS works under the exclusive jurisdiction of Cent. Govt.
Ø Before independence, the CS were classified into Class I, Class II, inferior and Subordinate Services.
Ø The nomenclature of inferior and Subordinate Services were replaced with Class III and Class IV on the recommendation of the FIRST PAY COMM (1946-47).
Ø On the basis of the Third Pay Comm. (1970-73)- Recommendations, the nomenclature of these services were further changed to Group A,B(gazetted services),C,D( non-gazetted).
Constitutional provisions:
Ø Article 309: parliament is empowered to regulate the recruitment and service conditions
Ø Article 310: members of AIS or CS hold the office during the pleasure of the Prez.
Ø Article 311: AIS & CS cannot be dismissed or removed by any authority less than those appointed them. They can be dismissed only after an Inquiry after being given a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
Ø Article 312: refer above
Ø Article 323-A: authorises the parliament to provide for setting up of an Administrative Tribunal for the adjudication of trials and disputes.
Ø Article 335: lays down that claims of SCs & STs will be taken into consideration in making appointments to CS and Posts.
System of recruitment:
Present system of recruitment into AIS and CS are based on the various committees’ recommendations over the period of time.
1. Macaulay Committee (comt.)
2. Kothari
3. Satish Chandra
Ø In recent times two more committees were appointed; Alagh comt.(July 2000-oct 2001) and Hota comt.(feb 2004-July 04).
Ø Macaulay laid down the basic governing principles for governing the recruitment to civil service for the first time in 1854.
o The most imp. aspect of this Policy is the system of open competition and scholastic nature of examination. However the present system of recruiting merit based suitable candidates was introduced by the 2 & 3COMT. Nevertheless the policy laid down and philosophy of recruitment advocated by Macaulay comt continues to influence the system.
o The Kothari comt had also recommended a third step of examination known as Post-Training Test. The recomm. Was not implemented owing to operational issues associated with the reorganisation of the LSBNAA, Mussorie.