What are the basis on which Supreme Court Struck down electoral bond scheme?
[1] Unlimited corporate donations violate free and fair elections: Electoral bonds also removed the earlier limits on how much of its profits a company could donate to political parties (7.5% of the average profits of the preceding three fiscal years). The scheme even allowed loss-making companies to make donations. This could have opened the door for shell companies to be formed with the purpose of channelling funds to political parties.
[2] Amendment to the Finance Bill: In most of the country, the central bank alone has the authority to issue currency such as notes and bonds. The Govt amended the RBI Act using a Finance Act, and allowed under a new clause 31(3), the central govt to authorise any scheduled bank to issue electoral bonds. This amendment to the Finance Act too has been struck down.
[3] Violate fundamental rights: The court held that the scheme by permitting anonymous political donations infringed upon the fundamental right to information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. It pointed out that such a right is not only restricted to fulfilling the freedom of speech and expression but plays a key role in furthering participatory democracy by holding the government accountable.
[4] Quid pro quo financial arrangements: It highlighted that economic inequality leads to differing levels of political engagement because of the deep association between money and politics. As a result, there is a legitimate possibility that financial contribution to a political party would lead to quid pro quo arrangements.
[5] Unbalancing the voters’ right to information with the right to privacy of donors: Initially, Section 29C of the RPA 1951, required parties to declare all contributions higher than ₹20,000, and specify whether they were received from individual persons or companies. However, the Finance Act, 2017, amended this provision to create an exception wherein such a requirement would not apply to donations received through electoral bonds. Earlier provision balances these two rights because donations below this threshold were far less likely to influence political decisions.
[6] Right to privacy can't be shield for major contributors: The Chief Justice held that the right to privacy of political affiliation does not extend to those contributions, which may be made to influence policies. It only extends to contributions made as a genuine form of political support- e.g. a student, a daily wage worker, an artist, or a teacher.
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[1] Unlimited corporate donations violate free and fair elections: Electoral bonds also removed the earlier limits on how much of its profits a company could donate to political parties (7.5% of the average profits of the preceding three fiscal years). The scheme even allowed loss-making companies to make donations. This could have opened the door for shell companies to be formed with the purpose of channelling funds to political parties.
[2] Amendment to the Finance Bill: In most of the country, the central bank alone has the authority to issue currency such as notes and bonds. The Govt amended the RBI Act using a Finance Act, and allowed under a new clause 31(3), the central govt to authorise any scheduled bank to issue electoral bonds. This amendment to the Finance Act too has been struck down.
[3] Violate fundamental rights: The court held that the scheme by permitting anonymous political donations infringed upon the fundamental right to information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. It pointed out that such a right is not only restricted to fulfilling the freedom of speech and expression but plays a key role in furthering participatory democracy by holding the government accountable.
[4] Quid pro quo financial arrangements: It highlighted that economic inequality leads to differing levels of political engagement because of the deep association between money and politics. As a result, there is a legitimate possibility that financial contribution to a political party would lead to quid pro quo arrangements.
[5] Unbalancing the voters’ right to information with the right to privacy of donors: Initially, Section 29C of the RPA 1951, required parties to declare all contributions higher than ₹20,000, and specify whether they were received from individual persons or companies. However, the Finance Act, 2017, amended this provision to create an exception wherein such a requirement would not apply to donations received through electoral bonds. Earlier provision balances these two rights because donations below this threshold were far less likely to influence political decisions.
[6] Right to privacy can't be shield for major contributors: The Chief Justice held that the right to privacy of political affiliation does not extend to those contributions, which may be made to influence policies. It only extends to contributions made as a genuine form of political support- e.g. a student, a daily wage worker, an artist, or a teacher.
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Decoding World Affairs
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Ms. Kamboj presented the ‘G4 model’ on behalf of Brazil, Germany, Japan and India for debate, dialogue and finally negotiations. The proposals elicited strong support from wider UN members.
(1) The G4 model proposes that the Security Council’s membership increase from the current 15 to 25-26, by adding six permanent and four or five non-permanent members.
(2) Among the six new permanent members, two each are proposed to be from African states and Asia Pacific states, one from Latin American and Caribbean states; and one from Western European and Other states.
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(1) The G4 model proposes that the Security Council’s membership increase from the current 15 to 25-26, by adding six permanent and four or five non-permanent members.
(2) Among the six new permanent members, two each are proposed to be from African states and Asia Pacific states, one from Latin American and Caribbean states; and one from Western European and Other states.
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A detailed video on the above topic.....
▶️ CHAPTERS
(1) Context of United Nations - 2:43
(2) Past performances of the UN under current P5 countries - 3:40
(3) Need for Reform in UNSC - 7:17
(4) Why should India be given a permanent seat at UNSC? - 13:41
(5) What are the challenges in getting a permanent seat at UNSC? - 22:34
(6) What should be the possible way ahead? - 28:20
(7) Implications for getting permanent seat at UNSC - 29:50
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-TCV7YEr5w&t=167s
▶️ CHAPTERS
(1) Context of United Nations - 2:43
(2) Past performances of the UN under current P5 countries - 3:40
(3) Need for Reform in UNSC - 7:17
(4) Why should India be given a permanent seat at UNSC? - 13:41
(5) What are the challenges in getting a permanent seat at UNSC? - 22:34
(6) What should be the possible way ahead? - 28:20
(7) Implications for getting permanent seat at UNSC - 29:50
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-TCV7YEr5w&t=167s
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Should India be given a permanent seat at UNSC?
In this video, we have explained India's bid for getting a permanent seat at UNSC - unsc permanent seat for india, unsc india, unsc permanent members india, unsc upsc, unsc veto power india, un veto power, un security council, un veto power india, un veto…
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What is Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019?
1. Through this act, the Citizenship Act of 1955 has been amended and Indian Citizenship will be granted to Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis who have migrated from neighbourning Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014 due to 'religious persecution or fear of religious persecution'
2. Under this law, migrants will be granted fast fast track Indian citizenship in Six years. The residence requirement for naturalisation of these migrants have been reduced from eleven years to five.
3. The CAA does not apply to Indian citizens. The act seeks to grant Indian citizenship to particular foreigners. The applies to those who were force or compelled to seek shelter in India due to persecution on the ground of religion.
4. This act will not include certain areas, i.e the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura as included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The exceptions also include the states regulated by the 'Inner Line' permit under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations 1873.
5. As per the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019, the registration of the Overseas Citizen of India can be cancelled if any person has violated any law notified by the central government.
1. Through this act, the Citizenship Act of 1955 has been amended and Indian Citizenship will be granted to Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis who have migrated from neighbourning Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014 due to 'religious persecution or fear of religious persecution'
2. Under this law, migrants will be granted fast fast track Indian citizenship in Six years. The residence requirement for naturalisation of these migrants have been reduced from eleven years to five.
3. The CAA does not apply to Indian citizens. The act seeks to grant Indian citizenship to particular foreigners. The applies to those who were force or compelled to seek shelter in India due to persecution on the ground of religion.
4. This act will not include certain areas, i.e the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura as included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The exceptions also include the states regulated by the 'Inner Line' permit under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations 1873.
5. As per the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019, the registration of the Overseas Citizen of India can be cancelled if any person has violated any law notified by the central government.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-TCV7YEr5w&t=1761s
Content
(1) Context of United Nations - 2:43
(2) Past performances of the UN under current P5 countries - 3:40
(3) Need for Reform in UNSC - 7:17
(4) Why should India be given a permanent seat at UNSC? - 13:41
(5) What are the challenges in getting a permanent seat at UNSC? - 22:34
(6) What should be the possible way ahead? - 28:20
(7) Implications for getting permanent seat at UNSC - 29:50
Comprehensive analysis of this topic. Must watch and do not forget to subscribe it (https://bit.ly/dwa-youtube)
Content
(1) Context of United Nations - 2:43
(2) Past performances of the UN under current P5 countries - 3:40
(3) Need for Reform in UNSC - 7:17
(4) Why should India be given a permanent seat at UNSC? - 13:41
(5) What are the challenges in getting a permanent seat at UNSC? - 22:34
(6) What should be the possible way ahead? - 28:20
(7) Implications for getting permanent seat at UNSC - 29:50
Comprehensive analysis of this topic. Must watch and do not forget to subscribe it (https://bit.ly/dwa-youtube)
YouTube
Should India be given a permanent seat at UNSC?
In this video, we have explained India's bid for getting a permanent seat at UNSC - unsc permanent seat for india, unsc india, unsc permanent members india, unsc upsc, unsc veto power india, un veto power, un security council, un veto power india, un veto…
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Popular Essays (2023)
1. Visionary decision making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/visionary-decision-making-happens-at-the-intersection-of-intuition-and-logic/)
2. Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/education-is-what-remains-after-one-has-forgotten-what-one-has-learned-in-school/)
3. Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/girls-are-weighed-down-by-restrictions-boys-with-demands-two-equally-harmful-disciplines/)
4. A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/a-society-that-has-more-justice-is-a-society-that-needs-less-charity/)
5. Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposition (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/thinking-is-like-a-game-it-does-not-begin-unless-there-is-an-opposite-team/)
6. Not all who wander are lost (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/not-all-who-wander-are-lost/)
7. Mathematics is the music of reason (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/mathematics-is-the-music-of-reasons/)
8. Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/inspiration-for-creativity-springs-from-the-effort-to-look-for-the-magical-in-the-mundane/)
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1. Visionary decision making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/visionary-decision-making-happens-at-the-intersection-of-intuition-and-logic/)
2. Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/education-is-what-remains-after-one-has-forgotten-what-one-has-learned-in-school/)
3. Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/girls-are-weighed-down-by-restrictions-boys-with-demands-two-equally-harmful-disciplines/)
4. A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/a-society-that-has-more-justice-is-a-society-that-needs-less-charity/)
5. Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposition (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/thinking-is-like-a-game-it-does-not-begin-unless-there-is-an-opposite-team/)
6. Not all who wander are lost (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/not-all-who-wander-are-lost/)
7. Mathematics is the music of reason (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/mathematics-is-the-music-of-reasons/)
8. Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane (Link: https://decodingworldaffairs.com/inspiration-for-creativity-springs-from-the-effort-to-look-for-the-magical-in-the-mundane/)
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Vote% in J&K Assembly election 2024 is even more than vote % of general election 2024 (Nealy 65%). What do we infer from this?
(1) Sense of normalcy and faith in Indian democracy has been intact in majority of people.
(2) Abrogation of Article 370 and inculcating democracy in J&K show that top down approach is also functional to some extent.
(1) Sense of normalcy and faith in Indian democracy has been intact in majority of people.
(2) Abrogation of Article 370 and inculcating democracy in J&K show that top down approach is also functional to some extent.
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Dear family members of Decoding World Affairs
First of all I apologise for a long gap. I will try my level to best to provide best content in coming days. Also, I will be providing this year essays sample solution very soon. Till then be with us.
Along with this I have also been hearing about not functioning some of the links at blog. Those who are still not able to open previous years solved essays, I would request you to kindly delete cookies from your browser and try again.
Thanking for showing faith and staying with us. I really appreciate your patience and perseverance.
First of all I apologise for a long gap. I will try my level to best to provide best content in coming days. Also, I will be providing this year essays sample solution very soon. Till then be with us.
Along with this I have also been hearing about not functioning some of the links at blog. Those who are still not able to open previous years solved essays, I would request you to kindly delete cookies from your browser and try again.
Thanking for showing faith and staying with us. I really appreciate your patience and perseverance.
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Happy Gandhi Jayanti to everybody. India has been fortune to have one of the greatest personality of the 20th century. Even after 70 years, his ideas and values are relevant in today's world.
I would like to give an example to illustrate it. After independence, his ideas of village republic didn't get central stage amid centralized system of Nehruvian planning. But today the goal of achieving $5 trillion economy increasing the relevance of Gandhian planning by focusing on MSMEs (30% of GDP) and small cottage industries.
I would like to give an example to illustrate it. After independence, his ideas of village republic didn't get central stage amid centralized system of Nehruvian planning. But today the goal of achieving $5 trillion economy increasing the relevance of Gandhian planning by focusing on MSMEs (30% of GDP) and small cottage industries.
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C. Radhakrishna Rao, retired at the age of sixty and went to live with his daughter in America along with his grandchildren.
There, at the age of 62, he became a professor of statistics at the University of Pittsburgh and at the age of 70, he became the head of the department at the University of Pennsylvania.
US citizenship at the age of 75. National Medal For Science at the age of 82, a White House honor.
Today, at the age of 102, he received the Nobel Prize in Statistics.
Moral of the story: Every end has a new begining. Never judge yourself by one exam, one event or one career. Life has many layers like a onion. After every layer, an eureka moment can be witnessed.
There, at the age of 62, he became a professor of statistics at the University of Pittsburgh and at the age of 70, he became the head of the department at the University of Pennsylvania.
US citizenship at the age of 75. National Medal For Science at the age of 82, a White House honor.
Today, at the age of 102, he received the Nobel Prize in Statistics.
Moral of the story: Every end has a new begining. Never judge yourself by one exam, one event or one career. Life has many layers like a onion. After every layer, an eureka moment can be witnessed.
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