# Aecc mid sem

### **1\. Pocket Veto & Vote Value in Presidential Election (1+2+2)**

**Pocket Veto:**

* When the President neither signs nor returns a Bill passed by Parliament, it is kept pending indefinitely.
    
* India’s Constitution does not set a time limit for the President to act on a Bill—hence the term *“Pocket Veto.”*
    
* Example: President Zail Singh used it in 1986 for the *Postal Bill.*
    

**Value of MLA’s Vote:**

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1759849047138/a7baf2e1-5a79-4587-bdc0-bf9d1978389b.png align="center")

**Value of MP’s Vote:**

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1759849078103/10e823cb-485a-4a1f-9360-23d9181a1a1f.png align="center")

---

### **2\. Difference Between Council of Ministers and Cabinet**

| Basis | Council of Ministers | Cabinet |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Size** | Larger body (60–70 members) | Smaller body (15–20 key ministers) |
| **Composition** | Includes Cabinet, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers | Only senior ministers heading important ministries |
| **Function** | Advises the President collectively | Main policy-making body of the government |
| **Meetings** | Rarely meets as a whole | Meets frequently to take key decisions |

---

### **3\. Terms of Reference of the Recently Constituted Finance Commission**

*(Example: 16th Finance Commission – constituted in 2023)*

* Distribution of **net tax proceeds** between Centre and States.
    
* Principles governing **grants-in-aid** to States from the Consolidated Fund of India.
    
* Measures to **augment State Consolidated Funds** to supplement resources of Panchayats and Municipalities.
    
* Review of **fiscal consolidation** and debt levels of Union and States.
    
* Examine **impact of GST** on the finances of the Union and States.
    

---

### **4\. Classification of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)**

According to scholars (esp. Granville Austin), DPSPs are classified as:

1. **Socialistic Principles:** Aim at economic and social justice.
    
    * Art. 38, 39, 39A, 41, 42, 43.
        
    * Eg. Right to work, equal pay for equal work.
        
2. **Gandhian Principles:** Reflect Gandhiji’s ideology.
    
    * Art. 40, 43, 46, 47, 48.
        
    * Eg. Village Panchayats, cottage industries, prohibition.
        
3. **Liberal–Intellectual Principles:** Aim at establishing a liberal democracy.
    
    * Art. 44, 45, 48, 50, 51.
        
    * Eg. Uniform Civil Code, free education, separation of judiciary and executive.
        

---

### **5\. Powers and Functions of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha**

* **Presiding Officer:** Conducts proceedings and maintains discipline.
    
* **Decision on Bills:** Certifies Money Bills (Art. 110).
    
* **Casting Vote:** Votes only in case of a tie.
    
* **Administrative Role:** Heads Lok Sabha Secretariat.
    
* **Quasi-judicial Role:** Decides disqualification under Anti-Defection Law.
    
* **Represents the House:** Communicates with President and Rajya Sabha.
    

---

### **6\. Short Note on Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957)**

* Appointed in **1957** to review Community Development Programme (1952) & National Extension Service (1953).
    
* Recommended **three-tier Panchayati Raj System**:
    
    1. **Zila Parishad** – District level
        
    2. **Panchayat Samiti** – Block level
        
    3. **Gram Panchayat** – Village level
        
* Emphasized **“democratic decentralization”** and **direct elections** at the village level.
    
* Its recommendations led to Panchayati Raj’s introduction in **1959 (Rajasthan first).**
    

---

### **7\. Reforms Recommended by the Election Commission of India (ECI)**

* **Decriminalization of Politics:** Disqualify candidates facing serious charges.
    
* **Transparency in Funding:** Mandatory disclosure of sources and limits on election expenditure.
    
* **State Funding of Elections** (partial).
    
* **Common Electoral Rolls** for Parliament and State elections.
    
* **Ban on Misuse of Religion and Caste** in campaigns.
    
* **Electronic Voting and VVPAT use** for transparency.
    
* **Simultaneous Elections** to reduce cost and disruption.
    

---

### **8\. Independence of the Supreme Court of India**

Ensured through several provisions:

* **Security of Tenure:** Judges can be removed only by impeachment.
    
* **Fixed Service Conditions:** Salary and allowances charged on Consolidated Fund of India.
    
* **Ban on Practice after Retirement.**
    
* **Power of Judicial Review** (Art. 32, 136, 142).
    
* **Separation of Judiciary from Executive** (Art. 50).
    
* **Appointment Process:** Involves President but guided by **Collegium System** for judicial independence.
    

---

### **9\. Difference Between Fundamental Rights (FR) and Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)**

| Basis | Fundamental Rights | Directive Principles of State Policy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Nature** | Justiciable (enforceable by courts) | Non-justiciable (not enforceable) |
| **Aim** | Establish political democracy | Establish social and economic democracy |
| **Source** | Borrowed from USA | Borrowed from Ireland |
| **Enforcement** | Protected by courts (Art. 32, 226) | Moral & political obligation on State |
| **Conflict** | In case of conflict, FR prevails (except after 42nd Amendment balance maintained) | Subordinate to FRs but complementary |

---