Solution (c)

The original Constitution did not contain provisions with respect to tribunals. The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added a new Part XIV-A to the Constitution. This part is entitled as ‘Tribunals’ and consists of only two Articles–Article 323 A dealing with administrative tribunals and Article 323 B dealing with tribunals for other matters.

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) was set up in 1985 with the principal bench at Delhi and additional benches in different states.

The CAT exercises original jurisdiction in relation to recruitment and all service matters of public servants covered by it. Its jurisdiction extends to the all-India services, the Central civil services, civil posts under the Centre and civilian employees of defence services. However, the members of the defence forces, officers and servants of the Supreme Court and the secretarial staff of the Parliament are not covered by it.

The CAT is not bound by the procedure laid down in the Civil Procedure Code of 1908. It is guided by the principles of natural justice. These principles keep the CAT flexible in approach. Only a nominal fee of ₹50 is to be paid by the applicant. The applicant may appear either in person or through a lawyer.

Article Link: Do you intend to close tribunals, Supreme Court asks Centre

Solution (b)

Stagflation is a situation in which the inflation rate is high, the economic growth rate slows and unemployment remains steadily high.

It presents a dilemma for economic policy, since actions intended to lower inflation may exacerbate unemployment.

Economists offer two principal explanations for why stagflation occurs:

• Stagflation can result when the economy faces a supply shock, such as a rapid increase in the price of oil. An unfavorable situation like that tends to raise prices at the same time as it slows economic growth by making production more costly and less profitable.
• The government can cause stagflation if it creates policies that harm industry while growing the money supply too quickly. These two things would probably have to occur simultaneously because policies that slow economic growth do not usually cause inflation, and policies that cause inflation do not usually slow economic growth.

There is no definitive cure for stagflation. The consensus amongst economists is that productivity has to be increased to the point where it would lead to higher growth without additional inflation. This would then allow authorities to tighten monetary policy to reign in the rampant-inflation component of stagflation.

Article Link: The fine print of MPC resolution underlines a stagflation threat

Solution (b)

Public Accounts Committee was set up first in 1921 under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919.

It consists of 22 members (15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha).

The functions of the committee are:

• To examine the annual audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)
• To examine the appropriation accounts and the finance accounts of the Union government and any other accounts laid before the Lok Sabha.
• To examine the accounts of state corporations, trading concerns and manufacturing projects and the audit report of CAG on them (except those public undertakings which are allotted to the Committee on Public Undertakings).
• To examine the accounts of autonomous and semiautonomous bodies, the audit of which is conducted by the CAG.
• To consider the report of the CAG relating to the audit of any receipt or to examine the accounts of stores and stocks.

The effectiveness of the role of the committee is limited by the following:

• It is not concerned with the questions of policy in broader sense.
• It conducts a post-mortem examination of accounts (showing the expenditure already incurred).
• It cannot intervene in the matters of day-to-day administration.
• Its recommendations are advisory and not binding on the ministries.
• It is not vested with the power of disallowance of expenditures by the departments.
• It is not an executive body and hence, cannot issue an order. Only the Parliament can take a final decision on its findings.

Article Link: Public Accounts Committee to tour Srinagar, Kargil, Leh and Drass

Solution (d)

Banni grasslands form a belt of arid grassland ecosystem on the outer southern edge of the desert of the marshy salt flats of Rann of Kutch in Kutch District of Gujarat.

They are known for rich wildlife and biodiversity and are spread across an area of 3,847 square kilometres. They are currently legally protected under the status as a protected or reserve forest in India.

Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has identified this grassland reserve as one of the last remaining habitats of the cheetah in India and a possible reintroduction site for the species.

Vegetation in Banni is sparse and highly dependent on year-to-year variations in rainfall.

Article Link: How to save Banni grasslands from invasive species?

Solution (a)

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, formerly known as Ross Island, is an island of the Andaman Islands. It belongs to the South Andaman administrative district, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Spotted Deer and peacocks are mostly found in the island and the island is full of palm and coconut trees.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island is an island where no civilian settlement is allowed by the authorities.

Article Link: Swarnim Vijay Varsh Victory Flame taken to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island