INSIGHT UPSC QUIZ

GS Economy Miscellaneous
Q.

With reference to Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), consider the following statements:

1. It was instituted as a statutory body originally by the Constitution of India.

2. The Commission was set up on the recommendations of Santhanam Committee.

3. It is vested with the power to regulate its own procedure and its proceedings have judicial character. 

4. The Central Vigilance Commissioner is appointed by the President on the recommendations of Prime Minister. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation:

ANSWER: (A)

  • Statement 1 is not correct.

Originally the CVC was neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body. CVC was established in 1964 by an executive resolution of the Central government. Later, in 2003, the Parliament enacted a law conferring statutory status on the CVC.

In 2004, the CVC has been designated as the agency to receive and act on complaints or disclosure on any allegation of corruption or misuse of office from whistle blowers under the “Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers’ Resolution” (PIDPI), which is popularly known as “Whistle Blowers” Resolution. 

  • Statement 2 is correct.

Its establishment was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–64). The CVC is not controlled by any Ministry/Department. It is an independent body which is only responsible to the Parliament.

  • Statement 3 is correct.

It is vested with the power to regulate its own procedure. It has all the powers of a civil court and its proceedings have a judicial character. It may call for information or report from the Central government or its authorities so as to enable it to exercise general supervision over the vigilance and anti-corruption work in them. 

  • Statement 4 is not correct.

The CVC is a multi-member body consisting of a Central Vigilance Commissioner (chairperson) and not more than two vigilance commissioners. 

The Central Vigilance Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Minister of Home Affairs (Member) and the Leader of the Opposition in the House of the People (Member).

The term of office of the Central Vigilance Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners is four years from the date on which they enter their office or till they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

Q.

Food security is the measure of an individual's ability to access food that is nutritious and sufficient in quantity. Which of the following measures have been initiated by government of India to ensure food security to people?

1. Maintenance of buffer stocks.

2. Public Distribution System.

3. Provision of Minimum Support Prices. 

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Explanation:

ANSWER: (D)

  • Food security is ensured in India with a carefully designed food security system by the government. This system has two components: (a) buffer stock, and (b) public distribution system. 

Buffer stock

  • Buffer Stock is the stock of food grains, namely wheat and rice, procured by the government through the Food Corporation of India (FCI)
  • The FCI purchases wheat and rice from the farmers in states where there is surplus production. 
  • The farmers are paid a pre- announced price for their crops. This price is called Minimum Support Price (MSP)
  • The MSP is declared by the government every year before the sowing season to provide incentives to farmers for raising the production of these crops. 

Why buffer stock is created by the government?

  • This is done to distribute food grains in the deficit areas and among the poorer strata of the society at a price lower than the market price also known as Issue Price.
  • This also helps resolve the problem of shortage of food during adverse weather conditions or during the periods of calamity. 

Public Distribution System

  • The food procured by the FCI is distributed through government regulated ration shops among the poorer section of the society. This is called the Public Distribution System (PDS). 
  • Ration shops also, known as Fair Price Shops, keep stock of food grains, sugar, and kerosene for cooking. These items are sold to people at a price lower than the market price. 

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