49-0, None Of The Above (NOTA) and Right To Reject (RTR)

Difference between 49-0, None Of The Above (NOTA) and Right To Reject (RTR): It should be noted that recent judgment by Supreme Court on the demand to provide for negative voting through a button on the electronic voting machines (EVMs) for None of the Above or NOTA option does not correspond to Right To Reject.

What is NOTA?

NOTA stands for None Of The Above.

What happens if NOTA gets majority in an election?

Nothing. If NOTA gets majority, that will not translate to re-election or to a condition where the constituency remain vacant, as NOTA is not the right to reject. The next candidate with maximum votes will win the election. So then what is the use of NOTA?
NOTA is the right to register a negative opinion, in secrecy, at the age of electronic voting. The NOTA votes will be counted as invalid votes. NOTA encourages voters to exercise their voting rights. It also avoids false voting in the names of those who don’t turn up. But the clue here is secrecy, which was not available with 49-O.

Aapart from the secracy aspect, NOTA will put pressure political parties to nominate only good candidates, as if the number of invalid votes increase, it can de-balance their calculations.

What is rule 49-O?

According to Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 rule 49-O says that “Elector deciding not to vote.-If an elector, after his electoral roll number has been duly entered in the register of voters in Form-17A and has put his signature or thumb impression thereon as required under sub-rule (1) of rule 49L, decided not to record his vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry in Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark.”
The difference between 49-O and NOTA is that 49-O does not provide secrecy. But having said that, the best option was right to reject. Then what is it?

What is Right To Reject (RTR)?

Right To Reject is a condition when Rejection/Negative Votes win majority, it results in re-election.

Self Help Groups (SHG) in India

Self Help Groups (SHG) are mentioned in the GS Paper 2 as per the latest UPSC Mains Syllabus. SHG related questions can also be expected in Prelims as well as in the Essay Paper of Mains. This article is based on July 2013 Kurukshetra magazine, and intends to give a gist about SHGs. UPSC syllabus related with SHG reads like this : Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.

What are Self Help Groups (SHGs)?

Self Help Groups are groups of 10-20 people in a locality formed for any social or economic purpose. Most of the SHGs are formed for the purpose of better financial security among its members. SHGs can exist with or without registration.
SHGs in India often work in association with Banks (SHG – Bank Linkage Programme). The same is basis of Indian Micro finance Model too. SHG – Bank Linkage was started in India in 1992 under the guidelines of NABARD and Reserve Bank of India.

Self Help Groups and Their Origin

• All problems cannot be solved alone.
• SHG are a form of enterprise. They perform the role of collective banks. They mobilize savings from the members and performs both debit and credit functions.
• For external credit, SHG links with the banks ie. SHG- Bank linkages.
• Now SHGs also links with companies ie. SHG-Corporate linkages.
• For Women SHGs, Government is providing interest subvention scheme.
• Importance of SHGs – Increased incomes of poor through collective performance.

Statistics of SHGs in India

• 80 lakh SHGs with active bank linkages in India.
• Involvement of 10 crore people of India.
• Aggregate bank balance of Rs.6500 crores.
• 90% SHGs in India consist exclusively of women.

SHG-Bank Linkage Program in India

SHG Bank Linkage

• Indian Microfinance Model
• Introduced in 1992 – Guidelines by NABARD and RBI.

Role of Self Help Groups

1. Income generation for poor.
2. Access to banks for poor,financial inclusion.
3. Against Dowry, Alcoholism etc.
4. Pressure group in Gram Panchyats.
5. Social Upliftment of marginal sections.
6. Upliftment of women.

Why SHG are a necessity in rural development?

• In India there is a substantial percentage of rural and urban poor, who if tried individually cannot break their chains of poverty, and hence collective action is required.
• For self employment and financial independence, poor sections needs credit.
• Bank credits are not easily accessible to individual poor, but by forming a SHG, there are make better prospects for bank credits. (often without collateral).
• The chances of successful income generation is high with SHGs than individual attempts.

Sevottam Model

Sevottam Model is a model proposed by 2nd ARC (Administrative Reforms Commission) for public Service Delivery. The word, Sevottam, is a combination of two Hindi words: ‘Seva’ (service) and ‘Uttam’ (excellence). Sevottam Model is now regarded as a standard model for providing services in citizen centric governance. The model is developed by rectifying the drawbacks in the earlier mechanisms of public service delivery like Citizen Charters (CC), and is gradually adopted by various departments under Central and State government.

What is sevottam model, to be precise?

Sevottam model, a quality management framework applicable to public service delivery organisations, in all its departments. Service Delivery Excellence Model  provides a framework for organisations to assess and improve the quality of service delivery to citizens.

Seven Steps in Sevottam Model

The model prescribes seven steps:

1. Define services and identify clients.
2. Set standards and norms for each service.
3. Develop capability to meet the set standards.
4. Perform to achieve the standards.
5. Monitor performance against the set standards.
6. Evaluate impact through an independent mechanism.
7. Continuous improvement based on monitoring and evaluation.

Three Modules in Sevottam Framework

The Sevottam framework has basically three modules. They are:

1. Citizen Charter.
2. Public Grievance Mechanism.
3. Service Delivery Capability.

Sevottam model in detail:

Sevottam model provides a standard for providing public service delivery in a citizen centric administration. Those organisations adopting Sevottam model for service delivery needs to comply the 7 steps and ensure the formulation of 3 modules. Indian Standard IS:15700:2005 formulated on  basis of Sevottam.

Main Objective:

Improve the quality of public service delivery in the country.

Intermediate outcomes:

Intermediate outcomes are expected from compliance of conditions designed for each of these three components. These include Citizen Empowerment, Redress Satisfaction and Capacity Enhancement.

Defects of earlier systems of public service delivery:

Drawbacks of Citizens Charter

• Prepared without  involvement of citizens/clients/stakeholders.
• No relation with service delivery improvement.
• Information about charter does not percolate down the line, hence not  implemented.

Drawbacks in earlier Public Grievance Redress Mechanism

• Not in place in many organizations.
• Grievances not taken as feedback for improvement of services.
• Employees not trained for improvement of tasks assigned.

Defects in earlier Public Delivery Standards

• Not prescribed or not met due to inadequate infrastructure.
• Non involvement ,de-motivation and lack of training of  employees at the cutting edge level.
• Lack of proper planning for optimum utilization of resources.

[Sevottam Model, though not specifically mentioned in Civil Service Mains GS Paper 4, Citizen's charter is mentioned. It can also be asked for Prelims and Interview]

Gram Sabha

                                                         Gram Sabha 

According to the 73rd Amendment Act, the administrative set up of Panchayat in the State consists of Village Panchayats, Intermediate Panchayats, District Panchayats, Gram Sabhas and Ward Sabhas.

Gram Sabha consists of all persons whose names are included in the electoral rolls relating to a Village Panchayat

Powers, Duties and Functions of Gram Sabha -

•  The Gram Sabha shall, in such manner and subject to such procedure as may be prescribed, perform such functions as enumerated in the Fifth Schedule.
•  The Gram Sabha shall make periodical reports to the Village Panchayat in respect of the matters specified in the Fifth Schedule.
•  The Village Panchayat shall carry out the recommendations, if any, made by the Gram Sabha in regard to the matters before it under this section.
•  When beneficiaries are to be selected for any scheme, project or plan, the criteria for eligibility and order of priority shall be fixed by the Panchayat subject to the terms and conditions prescribed in the scheme, project or plan and such criteria shall be published in the manner prescribed and intimated to the Gram Sabha.
•  The priority list prepared by the Village Panchayat after inviting applications for the selection of beneficiaries and conducting enquiries on the application received, shall be scrutinised at the meeting of the Gram Sabha in which the applicants will also be invited and a final list of the deserving beneficiaries, in the order of priority, shall be prepared and sent for the approval of the Village Panchayat.
•  The Gram Sabha may appoint, elect or constitute general or special sub- committees for detailed discussions on any issues or programmes and for the effective implementation of the schemes and the decisions and in furtherance of its rights and responsibilities. The recommendations of such committees shall be placed before the Gram Sabha and if approved, shall be considered as decisions of the Gram Sabha and action taken accordingly: Provided that such committees shall consist of not less than ten members of whom not less than half shall be women.

Meetings of Gram Sabha -

•  Gram Sabha shall meet at least once in two months at the place fixed by the Village Panchayat and to such meetings, the Convenor of the Village Panchayat shall, compulsorily invite the member of the Intermediate Panchayat, the District Panchayat and the Legislative Assembly representing the area of the Gram Sabha.
•  The Village Panchayat shall place before the Gram Sabha a report regarding the developmental programmes undertaken during the previous year and those that are proposed to by undertaken during the current year, and the expenditure therefor, and the annual statement of accounts and the administration report of the preceding year. If in any circumstances, any decision of the Gram Sabha could not be implemented, the Chairperson shall report the reason therefor, to the Gram Sabha.
•  The Gram Sabha shall, in its ordinary meeting or in the special meeting convened for the purpose discuss the report shall have the right to know about the budgetary provisions, the details of plan outlay, item wise allocation of funds and details of the estimates and cost of works executed or proposed to be executed within the area of the Gram Sabha.
•  The Audit Report or the Performance Audit Report placed for the consideration of the Gram Sabha shall be discussed in the meeting and its views, recommendations and suggestions shall be communicated to the concerned Village Panchayat.
•  The proceedings of every meeting shall be recorded in the Minutes Book immediately. Any member of the Gram Sabha is entitled to get a true copy of the minutes of one or more meetings by paying the requisite fee which shall be made available by the Secretary within a day of the receipt of the application with fee. The Minutes Book shall not be taken outside the office under any circumstances.
•  The Annual Meeting of the Gram Sabha shall be held not less than 3 months prior to the commencement of the next financial year, and the Village Panchayat shall place before such meeting:-

a) The annual statement of accounts;
b) The report of administration of the preceding financial year;
c) The development and other programmes of the works proposed for the next financial year;
d) The last audit note and replies, if any, thereto; and
e) The Medium Term Fiscal Plan, Annual Budget and Annual Plan for the next financial year of the Village Panchayat.

INDIAN POLITY MCQs

                                                  INDIAN POLITY MCQs

1.	The Parliament of India cannot be regarded as a sovereign body because
	A. it can legislate only on subjects entrusted to the Centre by the Constitution B. it has to operate within the limits prescribed by the Constitution C. the Supreme Court can declare laws passed by parliament as unconstitutional if they contravene the provisions of the Constitution D. All of the above

2.	The name of the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi islands was changed to Lakshadweep by an Act of Parliament in
	A. 1970 B. 1971 C. 1972 D. 1973

3.	The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by
	A. the people B. Lok Sabha C. elected members of the legislative assembly D. elected members of the legislative council

4.	The members of the panchayat are
	A. nominated by the district officer B. the electorates of the respective territorial constituencies C. nominated by local self-government minister of the state D. nominated by the block development organization

5.	The power to decide an election petition is vested in the
	A. Parliament B. Supreme Court C. High courts D. Election Commission

6.	The Parliament of India can make use of the residuary powers
	A. at all times B. only during national emergency C. during national emergency as well as constitutional emergency as well in a state D. None of the above

7.	The members of Lok Sabha hold office for a term of
	A. 4 years B. 5 years C. 6 years D. 3 years

8.	The Parliament exercises control over council of ministers, the real executive, in several ways. Which one of the following has been wrongly listed as a method of control over executive?
	A. Questions B. Supplementary questions C. Adjournment motions D. None of the above

9.	The number of writs that can be prayed for and issued by the Supreme Court and/or a High Court is
	A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D. 6

10.	The pension of a high court judge is charged to the
	A. Consolidated Fund of India B. Consolidated Fund of the state where he last served C. Consolidated Funds of the different states where he has served D. Contingency Fund of India

INDIAN POLITY MCQs

1. Which of the following is not in the State List under the Constitution of India?

A. Fisheries

B. Agriculture

C. Insurance

D. Betting and Gambling

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2. The constitution of India borrowed the scheme of Indian Federation from the Constitution of

A. USA

B. Canada

C. Ireland

D. UK

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3. Social equality means

A. each person should perform the functions according to his status

B. no effort should be made to modify the existing social system

C. no person should be made to suffer a position of relative inferiority in relation to other person due to differences in caste, race, religion, etc.

D. special effort to improve the lot of weaker section.

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4. Which one of the following statements regarding Judiciary in India is correct?

A. Supreme Court of India is free from the control and influence of legislature and executive

B. Subordinate courts are at the head of the Judiciary hierarchy of the State

C. The Chief Justice and other judges of the High Court are appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Chief Justice of India

D. A High Court can withdraw a case from a subordinate court and can deal with the case itself if it is satisfied that the case involves a substantial point of constitutional law.

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5. Which one of the following is in the concurrent list in the Constitution of India?

A. Population Control and Family Planning

B. Public Health and Sanitation

C. Capitation taxes

D. Treasure trove

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6. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists:

List I(Features of the Indian Constitution)	List II(Borrowed from)
a. Fundamental Rights	1. U.K.
b. Parliamentary system of Govt.	2. U.S.A.
c. Emergency Provisions	3. Ireland
d. Directive Principles of State Policy	4. German Reich
	5. Canada

	a	B	c	D
A.	2	4	5	1
B.	5	1	3	4
C.	2	1	4	3
D.	1	2	4	3

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7. Which one of the following comes under the jurisdiction of both the High Court and the Supreme Court?

A. Disputes between the Centre and the States                              

B. Disputes between the States inter se         

C. Protection of the Fundamental Rights

D. Protection against the violation of the Constitution

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8. Which of the following statements regarding the Constituent Assembly are true?

1. It was not based on adult franchise.

2. It resulted from direct elections.

3. It was a multi-party body.

4. It worked through several committees.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Codes:

A. 1 and 2

B. 2 and 3

C. 1 and 4

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

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9. Which one of the following determines that the Indian Constitution is federal?

A. A written and rigid Constitution

B. An independent Judiciary

C. Vesting of residuary powers with the Centre

D. Distribution of powers between the Centre and the States

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10. Who among the following are appointed by the President of India?

1. The Chairman, Finance Commission

2. The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission

3. The Chief Minister of a Union Territory

Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:

Codes:

A. 1 only

B. 1 and 2 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 2 and 3 only

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