Sunday 28 August 2011

General Knowledge- News- Social activist Anna Hazare ends his 12 day old fast


Social activist Anna Hazare ends his 12 day old fast 

Social activist Anna Hazare ended his fast this morning on the 12th day after Parliament unanimously agreed in principle with his three demands to deal with corruption. The 74-year-old Hazare accepted a glass of tender coconut water mixed with honey from two little girls at the Ramlila Ground to end his fast that began on the 16th of August. Addressing the gathering Hazare said that he has just deferred his agitation but the fight will continue. Outlining his future agenda, he emphasized reforms in election and education systems and working for the betterment of farmers and labourers. He also sought decentralisation of power, saying the real power should rest with gram sabhas. He called upon the people to protect environment and reasonable use of natural resources for the sake of better future of next generation. He thanked all for this victory.

“I thank every body because the victory which has been received regarding the significant three issues in Jan Lokpal, is the victory of every countryman. It is the victory of you people who stood here”

After his brief address, the social activist was taken to a private Hospital atGurgaon for a medical check up and he is likely to remain there for a couple of days . Earlier, one of his close aides Arvind Kejriwal thanked the Parliamentarians and leaders of political parties for their support to the demands made by team Anna. Various political parties welcomed the ending of Anna Hazare's fast. Congress today said it is a "win-win situation" for all stakeholders. Talking to media persons in New Delhi, Union Law Minister and Senior Congress Leader Salman Khurshid said that the government wants a better system in the country to protect the interest of common man. He congratulated Mr Hazare for his totally peaceful and successful agitation. BJP spokesman Shahnawaz Hussain said that they will fully support setting up a strong and effective Lok Pal.JD(U) spokesman Shivanand Tiwary said that his party is committed to the eradication of corruption and for a strong Lok Pal.

General Knowledge- Finance Minister says there is a need for a change in the system


Finance Minister says there is a need for a change in the system to fight corruption; Members also call for reforms in Judiciary

Winding up the debate in the Lok Sabha, Mr Mukherjee said there is a need for a change in the system to check corruption and the government is doing so. He, however, said one single law how much strong and empowered it may be cannot completely eradicate corruption.

“Lokpal bill alone cannot root out corruption. We need multi-layer laws to deal with the corruption at various level. In addition to the lokpal bill, we are willing to strengthen the judicial accountability bill, whistle blower's bill and the includes of Shri Anna Hazare and his associates will be taken into consideration. We are also working on a grievance redressal bill to tackle corruption at the local level”

Mr Mukherjee hoped that with the unanimous adoption of the resolution Anna Hazare will break the fast and the agitation will come to an end. Participating in the debate Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Mrs. Sushma Swaraj while pledging full support to the three demands of Team Anna called for bringing Prime Minister in its ambit with except for national security and public order and also advocated to bring a separate legislation for setting up the National Judicial Accountability commission.

Sandeep Dixit from Congress strongly supported the points brought into focus by the Finance Minister and pleaded for sometime to prepare the required mechanism for operationalisation of citizen charter. He also stressed the need to create a separate mechanism to deal with malpractices in corporate sectors and NGOs.

In the Rajya Sabha the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Arun Jaitley said that while framing the legislation, care should be taken so that there is no interference or overlapping of powers between the Centre and the States. He opined that the appointment and performance of Judges cannot be left to judges alone. Mr. Ashwani Kumar, Union Minister and Senior Congress leader opposed the proposal of Prime Minister's inclusion in the Lokpal. Agreeing with the basic premise that Lokayuktas need to be appointed in all States to deal with corruption he said it has to be implemented keeping in view the federal structure of the country. Several other prominent parliamentarians who participated in the in the two Houses, so far they include Mr. Sudeep Bandhopadhyay of TMC, Sharad Yadad , JDU, Revti Raman Singh ,SP, Dara Singh Chauhan, BSP, T.K. S. Elegovan, DMK, Sitaram Yechury, CPIM and Lalu Prassad ,JDU.

General Knowledge- Parliament unanimously agrees on a resolution of Team Anna



Parliament unanimously agrees on a resolution on three demands of Team Anna on Lokpal issue

Prospects of Anna Hazare breaking his 12 day fast have further brightened with Parliament unanimously agreeing to a resolution in principle to their three demands. Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha agreed to the resolution conveying the sense of the two Houses on the demands of Team Anna. The demands included setting up of Lok Ayukatas at state levels, bringing lower bureaucracy under the ambit of the Lokpal and the charter that makes response of the government to citizen's issues time bound. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said, both Houses also resolved that the resolution will be sent to the Standing Committee now looking into the Lokpal bill for its perusal.

“There is in principle agreement on Citizen's Charter, Lower Bureauracy to be brought under the Lokpal through appropriate mechanism, establishment of a Lokayukta in the states. Having agreed in principle this House, Madam Speaker, I will request you to transmit the entire proceedings of this House, to the relevent standing committee for their perusal to further their recommendations for the bill which will be able to sent to us for consideration at the appropriate time”

Saturday 27 August 2011

General Knowledge-Difference between LokPal and Jan LokPal


Ten differences between Jan LokPal Bill Government 

LokPal Bill

The streets are witnessing a demand that the government's Lok Pal Bill be replaced by the Jan Lok Pal Bill (JLP) as drafted by the team led by Anna Hazare. There are several significant differences between the two bills. In this note, we describe the some of these differences.

First, there is a divergence on the jurisdiction of the Lok Pal. Both bills include ministers, MPs for any action outside Parliament, and Group A officers (and equivalent) of the government. The government Bill includes the Prime Minister after he demits office whereas the JLP includes a sitting Prime Minister. The JLP includes any act of an MP in respect of a speech or vote in Parliament (which is now protected by Article 105 of the Constitution). The JLP includes judges; the government Bill excludes them. The JLP includes all government officials, while the government Bill does not include junior (below Group A) officials. The government Bill also includes officers of NGOs who receive government funds or any funds from the public; JLP does not cover NGOs.

Second, the two Bills differ on the composition. The government Bill has a chairperson and up to 8 members; at least half the members must have a judicial background. The JLP has a chairperson and 10 members, of which 4 have a judicial background.

Third, the process of selecting the Lok Pal members is different. The JLP has a two stage process. Search committees will shortlist potential candidates. The search committee will have 10 members; five of these would have retired as Chief Justice of India, Chief Election Commissioner or Comptroller and Auditor General; they will select the other five from civil society. The Lok Pal chairperson and members will be selected from this shortlist by a selection committee. The selection committee consists of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, two Supreme Court judges, two high court chief justices, the Chief Election Commissioner, the Comptroller and Auditor General and all previous Lok Pal chairpersons.

The government Bill has a simpler process. The selection will be made by a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the leaders of Opposition in bothHouses of Parliament, a Supreme Court judge, a high court chief justice, an eminent jurist and an eminent person in public life. The selection committee may, at its discretion, appoint a search committee to shortlist candidates.

Fourth, there are some differences in the qualifications of a member of the Lok Pal. The JLP requires a judicial member to have held judicial office for 10 years or been a high court or Supreme Court advocate for 15 years. The government Bill requires the judicial member to be a Supreme Court judge or a high court chief justice. For other members, the government Bill requires at least 25 years experience in anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance or finance. The JLP has a lower age limit of 45 years, and disqualifies anyone who has been in government service in the previous two years.

Fifth, the process for removal of Lok Pal members is different. The government Bill permits the president to make a reference to the Supreme Court for an inquiry, followed by removal if the member is found to be biased or corrupt. The reference may be made by the president (a) on his own, (a) on a petition signed by 100 MPs or (c) on a petition by a citizen if the President is then satisfied that it should be referred. The President may also remove any member for insolvency, infirmity of mind or body, or engaging in paid employment.
The JLP has a different process. The process starts with a complaint by any person to the Supreme Court. If the court finds misbehaviour, infirmity of mind or body, insolvency or paid employment, it may recommend his removal to the President.

Sixth, the offences covered by the bills vary. The government Bill deals only with offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The JLP, in addition, includes offences by public servants under the Indian Penal Code, victimization of whistleblowers and repeated violation of citizen's charter.

Seventh, the government Bill provides for an investigation wing under the Lok Pal. The JLP states that the CBI will be under the Lok Pal while investigating corruption cases.

Eighth, the government Bill provides for a prosecution wing of the Lok Pal. In the JLP, the CBI's prosecution wing will conduct this function.

Ninth, the process for prosecution is different. In the government Bill, the Lok Pal may initiate prosecution in a special court. A copy of the report is to be sent to the competent authority. No prior sanction is required. In the JLP, prosecution of the Prime Minister, ministers, MPs and judges of Supreme Court and high courts may be initiated only with the permission of a 7-judge bench of the Lok Pal.

Tenth, the JLP deals with grievance redressal of citizens, in addition to the process for prosecuting corruption cases. It requires every public authority to publish citizen's charters listing its commitments to citizens. The government Bill does not deal with grievance redressal.

Given the widespread media coverage and public discussions, it is important that citizens understand the differences and nuances. This may be a good opportunity to enact a law which includes the better provisions of each of these two bills

General Knowledge-LokPal versus Jan LokPal


Difference between LokPal and Jan LokPal  



Issue
The Jan Lokpal Bill
Government’s Lokpal Bill
Prime Minister

Can be investigated
with permission of
seven member Lokpal
bench.

PM cannot be investigated by Lokpal.
Judiciary

Can be investigated,
though high level
members may be
investigated only
with permission of
a seven member
 Lokpal bench.

Judiciary is exempt and will be covered by a separate “judicial accountability bill”.
MPs

Can be investigated
with permission
of seven member
Lokpal bench.

Can be investigated, but their conduct within Parliament, such as voting, cannot be investigated.
Lower
bureaucracy

All public servants
would be included.

Only Group A officers will be covered.
Central Bureau
 of Investigation (CBI)
The CBI will be
merged into the Lokpal.

The CBI will remain a separate agency.
Removal of
Lokpal members and Chair

Any person can
bring a complaint
to the Supreme Court,
 who can then
recommend removal
 of any member
to the President.

Any “aggrieved party” can raise a complaint to the President, who will refer the matter to the CJI.
Removal of
Lokpal staff
and officers

Complaints against
Lokpal staff will be
handled by
independent boards
 set-up in each
state, composed
 of retired
bureaucrats, judges,
and civil society members.

Lokpal will conduct inquiries into its own behavior.
Lokayukta

Lokakyukta and
other local/state
 anti-corruption
agency would
remain in place.

All state anti-corruption agencies would be closed and responsibilities taken over by centralized Lokpal.
Whistleblower protection

Whistleblowers are
protected law.

No protection granted to whistleblowers.
Punishment for corruption

Lokpal can either
directly impose
penalties, or refer
the matter to
the courts.
Penalties can
include removal
 from office,
imprisonment,
and recovery
of assets from
those who benefited
 from the corruption.

Lokpal can only refer matters to the courts, not take any direct punitive actions. Penalties remain equivalent to those in current law.
Investigatory powers
Lokpal can obtain
 wiretaps, issue
rogatory letters, and
recruit investigating
officers. Cannot
 issue contempt orders.
Lokpal can issue contempt orders, and has the ability to punish those in contempt. No authority to obtain wiretaps, issue rogatory letters, or recruit investigating officers.
False, frivolous
and vexatious complaints

Lokpal can issue
fines for frivolous
complaints (including
frivolous complaints
 against Lokpal itself),
 with a maximum
 penalty of 1 lakh.

Court system will handle matters of frivolous complaints. Courts can issue fines of Rs25,000 to 2 lakh.
Scope

All corruption
can be investigated.
Only high-level corruption can be investigated.


General Knowledge-Team Anna Hazare of Jan LokPal




Team Anna

1. Anna Hazare

is an Indian social activist who is recognized for his participation in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Hazare also contributed to the development and structuring of Ralegan Siddhi, a village in Parmer Taluka of Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India. He was awarded the  Padma Bhusan, the third-highest civilian award—by the Government of India in 1992 for his efforts in establishing this village as a model for others.

Anna Hazare started a hunger strike on 5 April 2011 to exert pressure on the Indian government to enact a strict anti-corruption law as envisaged in the Jan LokPal Bill, for the institution of an ombudsman with the power to deal with corruption in public offices. The fast led to nation-wide protests in support of Hazare. The fast ended on 9 April 2011, the day after the government accepted Hazare's demands. The government issued a gazette notification on the formation of a joint committee, constituted of government and civil society representatives, to draft the legislation.

Anna has been featured as the most influential person in Mumbai by a national daily newspaper. He has faced criticism for his authoritarian views on justice, including death as punishment for corrupt public officials and his alleged support for forced vasectomies as a method of family planning.

Year of Award or Honor
Name of Award or Honor
Awarding Organization
2008
Jit Gill Memorial Award
World Bank
2005
Honorary Doctorate
Gandhigram Rural University
2003
Integrity Award
Transparency International
1998
CARE International Award
CARE (relief agency)
1997
Mahaveer Award

1996
Shiromani Award

1992
Padma Bhusan
President of India
1990
Padma Shri
President of India
1989
Krishi Bhushana Award
Government of Maharashtra
1986
Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award
Government of India

For further information,please go to the below website.


2. Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal is an Indian social activist and Ramon Magsaysay Award winner. He was born on 16th Jun3 1968 in Hisar, Haryana, India. He has completed his graduation from IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal. After passing out from IIT KGP, Kejriwal joined the Tata Steel and later he cracked the Civil Services Examination and he was allocated Indian Revenue Service. 

He has worked for Indian government for more than one decade and resigned from the service in 2006. 

He is among the top contributors in the two mass movements of the 21st century in India. He has extensively worked in the Right To Information and currently among the core team of Indian Against Corruption led by 
Gandhian Anna Hazare. 

3. Prashant Bhushan

Supreme Court Advocate Inherited refined qualities, like his father as both have fought public interest cases without money — If there is a conscience in the Indian judiciary, he represents it, among the few who still believe in judicial justice. Acidic when arguing against Supreme Court judgments which go so terribly wrong, or on contempt, he has the guts to do to what he think is right. The India nation needs many more intellectual lawyers like him, who can stake their best against a no-win situation. 

4. Kiran Bedi


Kiran Bedi, Ph.D, is India’s first and highest ranking (retired in 2007) woman officer who joined the Indian Police Service in 1972. Her experience and expertise include more than 35 years of tough, innovative and welfare policing.

She has worked with the United Nations as the Police Advisor to the Secretary General, in the Department of Peace Keeping Operations. She has represented India at the United Nations, and in International forums on crime prevention, drug abuse, police and prison reforms and women’s issues.

She has also been a National and an Asian Tennis champion.

Recipient of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award (also called the Asian Nobel Prize), and several other decorations, Dr. Bedi is an author of several books, anchors radio and television shows and is a columnist with leading newspapers and magazines. She is a sought after speaker on social, professional and leadership issues.

She is the founder of two NGOs,  Navjyoti and India Vision Foundation, which  reach out to over 10,000 beneficiaries daily, in the areas of  drug abuse treatment, schooling for children of prisoners, in addition to  education, training, counseling, and health care to the urban and rural poor.

Kiran Bedi has been voted as India's most admired woman and fifth amongst all Indians. 

Monday 22 August 2011

UPSC-Civil Services Main exam 2011 Time table



The contents of this page are informatory in nature.
TIME TABLE FOR CIVIL SERVICES (MAIN) EXAMINATION, 2011date

Date/Day
Forenoon Session
9.00 A.M. to 12.00 P.M.
Afternoon Session
2.00 P.M. to 5.00 P.M.
(1)
(2)
(3)
29.10.2011
(Saturday)
General Studies Paper-I
General Studies Paper-II
30.10.2011
(Sunday)
Essay
English
31.10.2011
(Monday)
Indian Language
{Assamese/Bengali/Bodo/Dogri/
Gujarati/Hindi/Kannada/Kashmiri/
Konkani/Maithili/Malayalam/
Manipuri/Marathi/Nepali/Oriya/
Punjabi/Sanskrit/Santali/Sindhi
(Devanagari/Arabic Script)/Tamil/
Telugu/Urdu}
--- --
02.11.2011
(Wednesday)
Political Science &International
Relations Paper-I/
Public Administration Paper-I
Political Science &International
Relations Paper-II/
Public Administration Paper-II
03.11.2011
(Thursday)
Geography Paper-I
Geography Paper-II
04.11.2011
(Friday)
History Paper-I
History Paper-II
05.11.2011
(Saturday)
Sociology Paper-I/
Anthropology Paper-I
Sociology Paper-II/
Anthropology Paper-II
09.11.2011
(Wednesday)
Literature of
Arabic/Assamese/Bengali/Bodo/
Chinese/Dogri/English/French/
German/Gujarati/Hindi/Kannada/
Kashmiri/Konkani/Maithili/
Malayalam/Manipuri/Marathi/Nepali/ Oriya/ Pali/ Persian/ Punjabi/ Russian/ Sanskrit/Santali/Sindhi (Devanagari/  Arabic Script) /Tamil/ Telugu/Urdu
Language Paper-I
Literature of
Arabic/Assamese/Bengali/Bodo/
Chinese/Dogri/English/French/
German/Gujarati/Hindi/Kannada/
Kashmiri/Konkani/Maithili/
Malayalam/Manipuri/Marathi/Nepali/ Oriya/ Pali/Persian/ Punjabi/ Russian/ Sanskrit/ Santali/Sindhi (Devanagari/ Arabic Script)/ Tamil/Telugu/Urdu
Language Paper-II
11.11.2011
(Friday)
Philosophy Paper-I
Philosophy Paper-II
12.11.2011
(Saturday)
Psychology Paper-I
Psychology Paper-II
14.11.2011
(Monday)
Civil Engg. Paper-I/Electrical Engg.
Paper-I/Mechanical Engg. Paper-I/
Medical Science Paper-I
Civil Engg. Paper-II/Electrical Engg. Paper-II/ Mechanical Engg. Paper-II/
Medical Science Paper-II
15.11.2011
(Tuesday)
Zoology Paper-I
Zoology Paper-II
16.11.2011
(Wednesday)
Commerce &Accountancy Paper-I/
Management Paper-I
Commerce &Accountancy Paper-II/
Management Paper-II
17.11.2011
(Thursday)
Economics Paper-I
Economics Paper-II
18.11.2011
(Friday)
Law Paper-I
Law Paper-II
19.11.2011
(Saturday)
Mathematics Paper-I/
Statistics Paper-I
Mathematics Paper-II/
Statistics Paper-II
21.11.2011
(Monday)
Agriculture Paper-I/
Animal Husbandry &Veterinary
Science Paper-I
Agriculture Paper-II/
Animal Husbandry &Veterinary
Science Paper-II
22.11.2011
(Tuesday)
Botany Paper-I
Botany Paper-II
23.11.2011
(Wednesday)
Physics Paper-I
Physics Paper-II
25.11.2011
(Friday)
Chemistry Paper-I
Chemistry Paper-II
26.11.2011
(Saturday)
Geology Paper-I
Geology Paper-II
s advised to verify the same from the Commission's Office.