Solution (c)

Unlike the members of the legislative assembly, the members of the legislative council are indirectly elected. The maximum strength of the council is fixed at one-third of the total strength of the assembly and the minimum strength is fixed at 40. It means that the size of the council depends on the size of the assembly of the concerned state.

Of the total number of members of a legislative council:

• 1/3 are elected by the members of local bodies in the state like municipalities, district boards, etc.,
• 1/12 are elected by graduates of three years standing and residing within the state,
• 1/12 are elected by teachers of three years standing in the state, not lower in standard than secondary school,
• 1/3 are elected by the members of the legislative assembly of the state from amongst persons who are not members of the assembly, and
• The remainder are nominated by the governor from amongst persons who have a special knowledge or practical experience of literature, science, art, cooperative movement and social service.

Thus, 5/6 of the total number of members of a legislative council are indirectly elected and 1/6 are nominated by the governor.

Like the Rajya Sabha, the legislative council is a continuing chamber, that is, it is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. But, one-third of its members retire on the expiration of every second year. So, a member continues as such for six years.

Article Link: West Bengal Assembly passes resolution to set up Legislative Council

Solution (a)

Article 74 of the Indian Constitution provides for a council of ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President in the exercise of his functions. The 42nd and 44th Constitutional Amendment Acts have made the advice binding on the President. Further, the nature of advice tendered by ministers to the President cannot be enquired by any court. This provision emphasises the intimate and the confidential relationship between the President and the ministers.

Article 88 of the Indian Constitution provides that every minister shall have the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of either House, any joint sitting of the Houses and any Committee of Parliament of which he may be named a member. But he shall not be entitled to vote.

Article Link: Seeds of political battle lines drawn for 2024 in Cabinet overhaul

Solution (c)

The Central Information Commission was established by the Central Government in 2005. It was constituted through an Official Gazette Notification under the provisions of the Right to Information Act (2005). Hence, it is not a constitutional body. 

It falls under the Ministry of Personnel.

The Central Information Commission is a high-powered independent body which inter alia looks into the complaints made to it and decide the appeals. It entertains complaints and appeals pertaining to offices, financial institutions, public sector undertakings, etc., under the Central Government and the Union Territories.

The Commission can order inquiry into any matter if there are reasonable grounds (suo-moto power).

Article Link: SC asks govt to give details about pendency of cases in information panel

Solution (d)

Kimberlite is an igneous rock that is a major source of diamonds. 

Buxwaha forest lies in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. It is estimated that the forest contains around 53.70 million tonnes of kimberlite ore containing about 34 million carats of rough diamonds.

It is estimated that the proposed Diamond mining project in this area will have a greater ecological impact on the region than projected so far. The project threatens to further deplete the already scarce water reserve of the drought-prone Bundelkhand region.

Under the project five metric tonnes of kimberlite ore will be excavated per annum. Its mining would generate about 3.70 metric tonnes of soil waste, 16.34 metric tonnes of OB waste and 5 metric tonnes of tailing waste annually.

Article Link: Buxwaha diamond mining project will make Bundelkhand’s water scarcity worse: Experts

Solution (b)

Silambam is an ancient weapon-based martial art that emerged in Tamilakam, which is now Tamil Nadu region of India. It is one of the oldest martial arts in the world. This style is mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature. It is closely linked to the Kerala martial art kalaripayattu.

Silambam incorporates various types of weapons and methods of movement training. Silambam includes the weapons traditionally made of bamboo. The footwork in Silambam is enormously important for learning various spinning techniques and methods of executing them in the flow and without stopping the motion of the sticks.

Article Link: Indian migrant worker’s traditional martial arts moves win him top prize in Singapore contest