{GK-GS} Economy: Taxation in India

Introduction:

·         Central Government levies taxes on income (except tax on agricultural income, which the State Govt. can levy), customs duties, central excise and service tax.

·         Value Added Tax (VAT), stamp duty, state excise, land revenue and profession tax are levied by the State Governments.

·         Local bodies are empowered to levy tax on properties, octroi and for utilities like water supply, drainage etc.

{Article} Polity: Need to Debate Representativeness of Elected Representatives Regardless of Political Convenience or Administrative Constraints

• The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that a majority of elected members of the Lok Sabha in recent years, and even earlier, won on a minority of votes cast in their constituencies. This is compounded by the absence, in our system, of compulsory voting. Thus if a candidate is elected on 30 percent of the votes cast and if the percentage of polling is the constituency is 60, then the positive mandate secured by the candidate is 30 percent of 60 percent, that is, just 18 percent of the total electorate. Such an outcome has a distorting impact on the composition of the elected legislature. This is vividly demonstrated by the vote-share seat-won data relating to all the fifteen Lok Sabhas. 
• He expressed his concern that the situation is no better, perhaps worse, in State assembly elections with percentage of returned candidates on minority of votes cast going above 70 percent in several cases.
• He said that what are the ramifications of such an outcome? Observers have noted that it induces candidates to focus on securing votes of a segment of the electorate and thereby induce, accentuate or reinforce social divisions based on caste, creed, faith or language. For this purpose, and despite formal legal or regulatory constrains, candidates or their supporters do succeed in invoking narrower loyalties to further electoral appeal. The excluded or marginalised social groups “then indulge in strategic voting.” 
• He opined that the electoral methodology adopted and practiced by us is the single member plurality system, otherwise known as the First-Past-the Post (FPTP) system. The traditional arguments in its favour are that (a) it tends to provide a clear-cut contest between two or more major parties (b) its working is easy for voters to understand (c) it allows individuals who are not members of a political party to run as independents (d) it tends to produce stable governments and (e) it is likely to produce a strong opposition party.
• Despite the above, the system is not universal and critics have commented on its limitations. These relate to the (i) disconnect between the vote share and the number of seats won (ii) propensity to over-reward major parties and under-reward smaller parties (iii) likelihood of smaller parties with strong regional base getting a “seat bonus” and winning more seats than their corresponding share of the popular vote.

{Article} Polity: Achievement of Youth Affairs & Sports Ministry in 2012

• Introduction: The total youth population (10 to 35 years) as per 2011 census is 563 million with about 70 percent living in the rural areas. The main focus of the Ministry is on developing qualities of good citizenship and community service amongst the youth and inculcating in them the spirit of volunteerism.  
• National Youth Policy, 2012: Recognizing that the National Youth Policy 2003 needs to be dynamic so as to cater to the ever changing scenario in the country, a review was initiated. This Exposure Draft National Youth Policy – 2012 envisages to put in place a comprehensive strategy to ensure the fullest development and realization of the potential of the youth, in the context of future socio-economic growth.
• NEHRU YUVA KENDRA SANGATHAN: The Ministry has been working towards inculcating in the youth an enhanced sense of volunteerism, community service, personality development and good citizenship. Nehru Yuva Kendras were established in the year 1972 with the objective of providing rural youth avenues to take part in the process of nation building as well as providing opportunities for the development of their personality and skills.  In the year 1987-88, Nehru Yuva  Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) was converted into as an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. NYKS is the largest grassroots level voluntary organization, one of its kind in the world. Highlights and Achievements of NYKS: [1.] Skill Up-gradation training programme for women; [2.] Silver Jubilee of NYKS and Quami Ekta Diwas on 19^thNovember, 2012; [3.] Awareness and Education for the Prevention of Drug Abuse & Alcoholism in the States of Punjab and Manipur; [4.] 70 Skill Up-gradation Training Programmes for Women in the State J&K; [5.] Skill Development of Volunteers through Tata Motors.  
• NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME (NSS): It aimed to provide youth an opportunity to work with the people in the villages and slum dwellers. The scheme seeks to achieve its objectives through twin approach i.e. “Campus to Community” and “College to Village”. National Service Scheme was launched during the birth centenary celebration of Mahatma Gandhi on 24th September 1969 with 40,000 students. Today, NSS has more than 3.2. million student volunteers on its roll spread over 299 Universities. In 1993-94, during the Silver Jubilee year of NSS, the Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Awards (IGNSSA)  were instituted to give recognition to selfless service rendered by the NSS volunteers.
• A new initiative “Youth to the Edge” was launched with the flagging off of three batches for 3 adventure trails at Tinsukia on 28^th February 2012.  The adventure training of the batches commenced at Roing, Hayuliang and Dzuko Valley in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland respectively.
• National Programme for Youth Adolescent Development (NPYAD): Under the Scheme financial assistance is provided to various Government/Non Government Organization for youth development activities i.e. (i) Promotion of National Integration (ii) Promotion of Adventure. (iii) Youth Leadership and Personality Development Training; (iv) Development and Empowerment of Adolescent and (v) Technical and Resource Development.
• 17^th National Youth Festival was organized at Mangalore, Karnataka, during 12^th to 16^th January, 2012 to commemorate the Birth Anniversary of the Greatest Youth ICON of the country Swami Vivekanand.
• The Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development [RGNIYD] was started in 1993 at Sriperumbudur (TN), the place of his martyrdom. RGNIYD is an apex research and training institute dedicated to Youth Development in the country. A Flagship Post Graduate Programme in M A Youth Development with specializations is proposed to be introduced in the next year. Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development has been declared as an Institute of National Importance and, to this effect, the RGNIYD Act has been notified to commence w.e.f. 19.11.2012.
• INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION (IC): Under this programme, Exchange of Youth Delegations with friendly countries is taken up on reciprocal basis for promoting exchange of ideas, values, culture amongst the Youth of different countries. The following major Youth Exchanges were organized during the current year: [1.] A 500-member Chinese Youth Delegation visited India in February. The delegation was divided in six groups and visited different parts of the country and interacted with various youth Organizations; [2.] Under the Indo-Korean Youth Exchange Programme, a 20 member Korean Youth Delegation visited India in June; [3.] Indian Youth Delegation visited Korea in August; [4.] Visit of 20-member Indian Youth Delegation visited to Baku, Azerbaijan in June to participate in the First International Youth Congress and Festival “Great Silk Way”; [5.] Under the Indo- China Youth Exchange Programme, a 100 member Indian Youth Delegation visited China in July; [6.] Chinese Youth Delegation again visited India in November; [7.] Under the Indo-Bangladesh Youth Exchange Programme, a 100 member Bangladeshi Youth Delegation visited India in October.
• Youth Hostels are built to promote youth travel and to enable the young people experience the rich cultural heritage of the country.  The construction of the Youth hostels is a joint venture of the Central and State Governments. So far 80 Youth Hostels have been constructed across the country.

{Article} Polity: Achievement of Water Resource Ministry in 2012

• Draft National Water Policy (2012) Released for Comments: In pursuance of the strategies identified in National Water Mission Document as well as deliberations in National Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources had initiated the process of reviewing the National Water Policy, 2002. The Draft National Water Policy (2012) inter-alia recommends that for the pre-emptive and high priority uses of water for sustaining life and ecosystem for ensuring food security and supporting livelihood for the poor, the principle of differential pricing may have to be retained. The Draft National Water Policy (2012) recommends that there is a need for comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-State rivers and river valleys to facilitate inter-State coordination ensuring scientific planning of land and water resources taking basin/sub-basin as unit with unified perspectives of water in all its forms (including precipitation, soil moisture, ground and surface water) and ensuring holistic and balanced development of both the catchment and the command areas. 
• Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has conducted 13 conjunctive use studies for optimal utilization of Ground Water in various irrigation commands in the country. These are: [1.] Indira Gandhi Nahar Paryojna (stage 1&2), RJ; [2.] Sarda Sahayak Irrigation Project, UP; [3.] Tungabhadra Canal Command Area, AP&KR; [4.] Ghataprabha Canal Command Area, KR; [5.] Hirakud Canal Command Area, OR; [6.] Mahi-Kadana Canal Command Area, GJ; [7.] Nagarjuna Sagar Project, AP; [8.] Kosi Canal Command Area, BR; [9.] Gandak Canal Command, BR; [10.] Sriram Sagar Canal Command Area, AP; [11.] Western Yamuna Canal Command Area, HR; [12.] Rushikulia Canal Command Area, OR.
• Inter linking of Rivers: The examination of Supreme Court Order of dated 27th February, 2012 directing the Ministry of Water Resources to forthwith constitute a committee to be called ‘Special Committee for Inter-linking of Rivers’ is underway. The Supreme Court in the order mentioned that “time is a very material factor in the effective execution of the Interlinking of Rivers project. As pointed out in the Report by NCAER and by the Standing Committee, the delay has adversely affected the financial benefits that could have accrued to the concerned parties and the people at large and is in fact now putting a financial strain on all concerned”.  The initial cost of the Inter Linking projects assessed at prefeasibility stage was Rs.5.60 Lakh crore at 2002 Price Level.
• India Water Week (Inaugurated on April, 10th) to be celebrated as Annual International Event: The Ministry of Water Resources since this year has endeavoured to celebrate India Water Week annually as an international event to focus on water issues. As a part of the event, besides the technical and special sessions, there would also be an exhibition to focus on the various aspects of the main theme.
• The vision for Integrated Water Resources Development & Management, proposed by the Ministry of Water Resources in 2003 inter-alia stipulates to add an additional irrigation potential of 20 million ha. in the next 15 years to meet the food and fibre  requirements for a projected population of 1200 million by 2015 and 1600 million by 2050, ensuring food security.
• Central Ground Water Board has taken up pilot projects on aquifer mapping during the 12th FYP, which will lead to more accurate assessment of ground water resources, defining aquifer geometry and potential including water quality. It will provide better insight for ground water management. However, it has not been linked to water pricing by the primary or any category of water user/ stakeholders. Pilot projects on aquifer mapping have been taken up in parts of five States namely BR, KR, MH, RJ & TN. Central Ground Water Board under Ministry of Water Resources signed a contract with Council of Scientific Industrial Research – National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) to implement the pilot project on “Aquifer characterization using advanced geophysical techniques in representative hydrogeological terrains of India”. Minister of Water Resources released Atlas for six states viz KL, TN, KR, CG, HP and ML (Meghalaya) in New Delhi on September 28, 2012. Central Ground Water Board has generated enormous data on various aspects of ground water since its inception; the same has been compiled and integrated to bring out the publication in the form of atlas entitled “Aquifer systems of India.”
• The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI) approved the inclusion of Extension, Renovation & Modernization (ERM) projects envisaging restoration of lost potential of 2lakh ha. or more under the category of National Projects. It also approved the inclusion of "Sarayu Nahar Pariyojana" of Uttar Pradesh in the scheme of National projects. Under the scheme of National Projects, such projects would become eligible for 90% funding of the cost of works of the irrigation and drinking water components of the project from the Central Government. 
• Water Resource Management: Keeping in view the possibility of delay in the onset of monsoon and also uneven spatial distribution which may result in some areas getting less than normal rainfall, the Ministry of Water Resources issued an advisory in July 2012 to the States/ UTs requesting them inter-alia to make judicious use of available water in the reservoirs and to use ground water to meet the situation to the extent necessary. Water being a State subject, the State Governments have the competence to consider hiking the water tariff for irrigation and urban water supply systems.
• The 7th meeting of the Cauvery River Authority was held today under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Puducherry were among the attendees. Kerala was represented by the Minister of Water Resources. In the meeting, the States raised the problems being faced by them because of less than expected rainfall and the consequent distress being caused to the farmers in the Cauvery basin. After discussion, and based on the principle that distress needs to be shared among the basin States, the Prime Minister ruled that it was appropriate that Karnataka releases 9,000 cusecs of water daily from 20th September to 15th October 2012. However, it has been releasing 10,000 cusecs daily from 12th Sept on the directions of the Supreme Court.
• The 1st meeting of  India-Nepal Joint Ministerial Commission on Water (JMCWR) held on 15th February 2012. During the 1st meeting, JMCWR recommended that the maintenance of 15 Km length of eastern Kosi embankment presently being maintained by the Government of Nepal, may also be taken up by the Government of India. In addition, Sapta Kosi High Dam Multipurpose Project on river Kosi in Nepal, is planned, which on implementation will also mitigate floods due to Kosi river. Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Project is scheduled to be completed by February, 2013.
• In pursuance to the decision taken at the first meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC), the first meeting of the Sub-Group on Tipaimukh Hydroelectric Project under the India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission was held in New Delhi in August, 2012. During the meeting, India restated its offer to Bangladesh to take a stake in the Tipaimukhproject and in this context handed over the Detailed Project Report to the Bangladesh delegation. India also reiterated the assurance, given at the highest level, that it would not take steps on the Tipaimukh project that would adversely impact on Bangladesh.

{Article} Polity: Achievements of Law & Justice Ministry in 2012

• Introduction: As pendency of cases in various courts continued to be a major concern of the Ministry of Law & Justice, the focus of pendency reduction drive this year has been to make our judicial system ‘five plus’ free i.e. to dispose of cases that are more than five years old. Simultaneously, emphasis was laid on increasing the number of judges in subordinate judiciary by filling the existing vacancies and creating additional posts so that disposal of cases is expedited by setting up of additional courts. The year 2012 proved to be a milestone year for the Ministry of Law & Justice as probably for the first time, as per information received from the High Courts, the net pendency in all courts was reduced by over 6 lakh cases.  Out of them about 1.36 lakhcases were of the targeted groups such as senior citizens, disabled, minors and marginalized sections of society. 
• National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms (NMJDLR): Besides, the Government has set up a NMJDLR with the twin objectives of increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system and enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities. The National Mission has a time frame of five years (2011-16) to pursue them. Infrastructure development for the subordinate judiciary is a major thrust area for the National Mission.  With a view to enhancing the resources of the State Governments, the Government has increased the central share by revising the funding pattern from 50:50 to 75:25 for States other than North Eastern States, and to 90:10 for North Eastern States.
• e-Courts Mission Mode Project: In order to improve the justice delivery system, the Government is implementing the e-Courts project in a mission mode, since 2007. The project envisages computerisation of 14,249 district and subordinate courts as well up gradation of the information and communication technology infrastructure of the Supreme Court and the High Courts in the country, so that citizen centric eServices can be initiated to make justice delivery more affordable and transparent. A total of 11,165 district & subordinate courts have already been computerised under the on-going project; another 3,084 district and subordinate courts would be computerized in the next 15 months. Once computerised, the courts are envisaged to provide a host of eServices to litigants and public at large though a website, such as - case filing, certified copies of orders and judgments and case status. Similarly, the advocates can access the cause lists online under this project.
• Re-engineering Court Procedures and Court Processes: A comprehensive scheme of National Court Management Systems (NCMS) has been formulated and notified by the Supreme Court of India on 2nd May 2012.  Under the NCMS, a National Framework of Court Excellence (NFCE) is being prepared, which will set measurable standards of performance for courts addressing the issues of quality, responsiveness and timeliness. A Case Management System (CMS) will be developed to ensure the user friendliness of the judicial process to the stakeholders. The Policy and Action Plan of National Court Management System was released by Chief Justice of India on 27.09.2012. The National Mission would coordinate with the NCMS and would render necessary assistance in achieving the goal of reducing pendency in courts.
• The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill: The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 1.12.2010. It was discussed in the Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC), and the recommendations made by the PSC have been considered and taken into account in finalizing the Bill. The Bill was considered and passed in the Lok Sabha on 29.3.2012. It is now pending for consideration and passing in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill will go a long way in empowering the citizens and establishing the confidence and faith of the people in the judicial system without exposing them to unnecessary risk.
• Legal Aid: No polity can claim to be just if it cannot provide access to justice for all the sections of its population. For it to have any meaning, justice must be available to all, but particularly to the most marginalized and the vulnerable person in our society. Free legal aid is crucial to ensure that people are able to access justice delivery institutions irrespective of their income criteria. Unlike many other countries, India has a very progressive legal aid law that provides free legal services for a wide variety of people – women, children, workers, people living with disability, SCs, STs, those earning below Rs. 1 lakh per annum etc. Legal aid is available for both criminal and civil matters. Avenues to access legal aid under the Act are available from the Supreme Court down till the district and taluka level. The Government will now be focusing its efforts to establish Legal Aid Clinics even at the village level so as to ensure access to justice for the people at their door steps. Paralegals will be trained across the country to empower and assist the marginalized people in accessing their rights and entitlements, and to man the legal aid clinics. Good practices from other parts of the world are being studied with a view to adapt them to our context. With UNDP support, the Ministry of Law & Justice sent 4 delegations to Indonesia, South Africa, Malawi and Sierra Leone to study good practices on legal aid and empowerment.
• Gram Nyayalas: The Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 has been enacted and was come into force in Oct, 2009 to provide for establishment of Gram Nyayalayas at the Inter Mediate Panchayat level by State Governments in consultation with respective High Courts so that speedy and affordable justice could be provided to the common man at his doorsteps. As per the information available, till beginning of December 2012 a total of 168 Gram Nyayalyas have been notified by 7 States namely Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Goa of which 151 have become operational. Considering that implementation of GramNyayalayas Act is a thrust area of the Government, it was decided that issues effecting the implementation of the scheme may be placed before the  Chief Justice of India and Chief Justice of the High Courts in the meeting to be convened shortly. It is pertinent to mention here that complete implementation of Gram Nyayalaya scheme would result in addition of around 5,000 courts at intermediate panchayat level affording quick and inexpensive justice for common man.

{Article} Polity: Achievements of Urban Development Ministry in 2012

• Introduction: Efficient and reliable urban transport systems are crucial for India to sustain a high growth rate and alleviate poverty. To improve the current urban transport situation the Government is giving much attention to Metro projects. Mono rails and Regional Rapid Transit Systems are also being explored to supplement the existing transport systems. The year also witnessed the landmark decision of   regularizing unauthorized colonies in Delhi and Reviewing of Master Plan 2021.  The reform linked scheme of urban infrastructure development “Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Rural Mission” also completed its normal tenure during the year which, however, got 2 year extension for ongoing projects.
• Mass Rapid Transit System: Metro projects are already under implementation across the country - Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Kochi.
• Mono Rails: Another mode of Mass Transport System that is being explored is Mono-rail.  Mono rail is ideal as a feeder system to larger metro networks as well as for stand-alone shorter networks in the densely populated pockets of cities. One Mono-rail corridor has already been identified in Delhi and work has been entrusted to DMRC.
• Regional Rapid Transit System: RRTS will be a rail based system that will connect small but fast developing towns in the NCR region. The goal of RRTS is to reduce the dependence of commuters on road based transportation to a combination of road-cum rail transportation system. The work for preparation of Feasibility Studies of Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors for the three prioritized corridors have been awarded to consultants. They are as follows: Delhi – Sonipat –Panipat, Delhi-Gurgaon -Rewari –Alwar, Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut.
• Regularization of unauthorized colonies: The Union Urban Development Ministry cleared the decks for the Delhi Government to regularize 917 unauthorized colonies during the year. Around 40 lakh residents in these colonies are likely to benefit from the regularization which would entail government spending on civic infrastructure.   The Delhi government had completed all the ground work for regularization of the colonies.
• Review of Master Plan 2021: Four technical committees engaged in reviewing four broad areas of the Master Plan. The group deliberating on urban form, heritage and development controls said, interalia, that the plan should be based on 3D mapping done in a time-bound manner involving professionals like architects. The group on shelter focused on redevelopment of existing buildings and colonies especially in unauthorized colonies and jhuggi-jhonpri clusters. The group on transport with focus on improved mobility said the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) plans should be area-specific. It also called for comprehensive multimodal planning and that road safety audits need to be done. The group on environment and physical infrastructure called for a comprehensive environmental plan for Delhi to be prepared including aspects like seismic zones, biodiversity and climate change.
• JNNURM: JNNURM was launched on 3rd December, 2005 with the objective of reforms driven and fast track development of cities across the country, with focus on bringing about efficiency in urban infrastructure, service delivery mechanisms, community participation and accountability of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Parastatal agencies towards citizens. It has two components, namely, the Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG) and the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT). 65 Cities based on population as per 2001 census are covered under the UIG component of JNNURM. The Mission has completed its normal tenure in March 2012. Extension of two years has been given for completion of ongoing projects & reforms only till March 2014.
• National Urban Transport Project (NUTP): The Ministry of Urban Development has initiated the Sustainable Urban Transport Project (SUTP) with the support of Global Environment Facility (GEF), the World Bank and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to foster a long-term partnership between the Central Government and state/local governments in the implementation of a greener environment under the ambit of the National Urban Transport Project (NUTP). During the year the Intelligent Transport System Project being implemented atMysore, the cultural capital of Karnataka, took a massive stride.  It aims to address the critical issue of road congestion by offering state-of-the-art technologies and attractive, convenient, comfortable, value added services to encourage the usage of bus services against individual personal vehicles. It also helps in saving time, effort and money that will eventually help create a better city to live in and be proud of.