Table of Contents
Do we need the office of the Governor?
To understand why we don‟t, it is important to understand its origins in the colonial regime.
Karnataka elections, it is the Governor of the State, Vajubhai Vala.
His decision to first invite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to take a stab at forming the
government.
Perhaps a legitimate exercise of his constitutional discretion
Ignoring the post poll Congress Janata Dal (Secular) alliance‟s claims to having an absolute majority).
Governor be reserved for nonpolitical appointees.
Urged the Supreme Court to lay down the law on how the Governor ought to act
when an election yields a fractured verdict.
Both federalism and democracy- rethink the role of the Governor in the constitutional.
Origins of the office in the colonial British regime Government of India Act, 1935.
Which established provincial legislative assemblies elected from a limited franchise
In order to ensure that overriding power remained with the British, the Act retained
the post of Governor.
K.T. Shah (who was later one of the most articulate members of the Constituent Assembly,
or CA), wrote that the Governor would inevitably be biased in his functioning, and his
actions would remain at odds with those of popularly elected Ministers.
Defenders of the office raised two broad arguments:
First, that there was a dearth(अकाल) of competent(सक्षम) legislators in the States; and
Second, that a certain amount of centralisation of power was necessary in a
nascent state such as India.
They were committed to federalism — but not too much federalism, for fear of secession
They were committed to democracy, but also wanted to retain some manner of control,
“choke point” in the Constitution (ordinances and emergencies are others)
It is to ask whether the constitutional “choke point” of the Governor serves any
valid purpose in 2018 — and if not, whether it should continue to exist.
This — or any other potential solution that does away with the “choke point” —
is what must now be debated.
Natural capital in the 21st century
India must calculate „its green GDP‟ to factor in the value of the environment in its growth
Few years ago, India suffered a cost of $550 billion, about 8.5% of GDP, due to air pollution,
according to a World Bank report;
Cost of externalities such as water pollution and land degradation were possibly far higher.
So when we crow about GDP growth, we should also consider the decline in natural
capital in our national accounts.
Within a century, our food production could see a loss of 10- 40% if these trends continue.
Estimation is a challenge-Highlighting the gap between potential and actual economic output.
Natural capital is often self-generating (water, clean air) but needs to be handled in a
sustainable way in order to avoid depletion.
Natural capital can cover entire ecosystems such as fisheries and forests
Most groundwater basins in India are subjected to unrestricted- when the water table drops
Developing countries vs Developed Countries
While India might have a GDP of $2.65 trillion it fails externalities of such economic growth.
For example, India routinely suffers from high levels of air pollution that impose costs on
local transport, health and liveability in urban and rural areas
Economic growth leads to the destruction of forests, wetlands and agriculture land
India has sought to unveil “green GDP” figures in the past.
In 2009, the Centre announced that it would publish a “green GDP” that would include the
environmental costs of degrading and depleting our forests, grasslands and natural stock.
Prelims Focus Facts-News Analysis
Page-1- China wants Pakistan to relocate Hafiz Saeed to a West Asian country
President Xi pitches the suggestion to Prime Minister Abbasi in the face of mounting internati
onal pressure on Islamabad
Prelims Focus Facts-News Analysis
Page-1- One more killed in fresh firing in Tamil Nadu town
Thoothukudi Collector, SP shifted; Internet suspended in three districts
Prelims Focus Facts-News Analysis
Page-1- ULFA offers to man Assam-Bangladesh border
ULFA offers to man Assam-Bangladesh border
The United Liberation Front of Asom wants to do what the Border Security Force has allegedly failed to — check illegal migrants on the Assam-Bangladesh border.
Prelims Focus Facts-News Analysis
No fresh deaths due to Nipah virus
Prelims Focus Facts-News Analysis
Four civilians killed in Pak. firing
3,000 shifted to shelters along the International Border in Jammu as shelling continues
Map Practice
Last Day- Q’s- Answers
Malabar Exercise- Started from 1992 with the navies of US and India in the Indian Ocean
Japan became partner in 2015- Non-permanent participants are Australia and Singapore
In 2017 there was 21st edition of this exercise- Bay of Bengal
AUSINDEX- Bilateral Maritime exercise between the two navies of India and Australia
Venezuela Currency – Venezuelan Bolívar
Venezuela Capital – Caracas
Election Commission is mentioned in PART XV (Article 324-329) of Indian Constitution
and in Article 324(1)
Suresh Prabhu is the Civil Aviation Minister
Fundamental duties in Part IV A (Article 51 A) of the constitution of India.
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