361: Consider the following statements in respect of financial emergency under Article 360 of the Constitution of India:
1. A Proclamation of financial emergency issued shall cease to operate at the expiration of two months, unless before the expiration of that period it has been approved by the resolution of both houses of Parliament.
2. If any proclamation of financial emergency is in operation, it is competent for the president of India to issue directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons serving in connection with the affairs of the Union but excluding the Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation:
The President acquires the following extraordinary powers when a Financial emergency is proclaimed :
(i) He can give directions to the states to observe the canons of financial propriety.
(ii) He can issue directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons serving under the state.
(iii) He can require that all money bills and other financial bills passed by the state legislature be reserved for his consideration.
(iv) He can issue directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons serving in connection with the affairs of the Union, including judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
362: The State which has the largest number of seats reserved for the Scheduled Tribes in Lok Sabha is
(a) Bihar
(b) Gujarat
(c) Uttar Pradesh
(d) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation:
(In the given options) Madhya Pradesh, with 5 seats, has the largest number of seats reserved for the Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha. (Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have no seats reserved for STs, Gujarat has seats).
363: Panchayati Raj is mainly aimed at:
(a) Rural employment
(b) Agricultural and rural industries development
(c) Political awareness among village people
(d) Giving training to villagers for fighting elections
364: Which of the following Constitution Amendment Acts seeks that the size of the Councils of Ministers at the Centre and in a State must not exceed 15 per cent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha and the total numbers of members of the Legislative Assembly of that state respectively ?
(a) 91 st
(b) 93 rd
(c) 97 th
(d) 95th
Explanation:
91st Amendment (2003) - Amended the anti-defection law and made a provision that the number of ministers in the central and State Govt. cannot be more than 15% of the strengths of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha respectively.
365: Consider the following statements :
1. The Chairman of the Committee on public Accounts is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
2. The Committee on public Accounts comprises Members of Lok Sabha, Members of Rajya Sabha and a few eminent persons of industry and trade.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation:
'Committee on Public Accounts' consists of 22 members - 15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha, a Lok Sabha member from a major apposition party is appointed its chairman.