PRELIMS मतलब MAD

Answer: A

Explanation

Article 262 deals with the adjudication of disputes relating to inter-State rivers and river valleys.

• Statement 1 is correct. Under the River Boards Act, 1956, the Central Government may establish a River Board on receiving a request from a State Government or otherwise, after consultation with the concerned governments.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The Constitution does not automatically bar the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in every inter-State water dispute. Article 262 empowers Parliament to make a law excluding the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and other courts.
• Statement 3 is correct. Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of disputes concerning the use, distribution or control of waters of an inter-State river or river valley.

Two important laws in this area are:

• River Boards Act, 1956
• Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956

Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.

Answer: A

Explanation

• Statement 1 is correct. Under Article 274, a Bill varying the meaning of “agricultural income” for the purposes of enactments relating to Indian income tax requires the President’s recommendation.
• Statement 2 is correct. A Financial Bill under Article 117(1) cannot be introduced except on the recommendation of the President.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. Article 304(b) relates to Bills introduced in a State Legislature, not Parliament. Such a Bill requires the previous sanction of the President before introduction in the State Legislature.
• Statement 4 is correct. Under Article 3, a Bill relating to the formation of a new State or alteration of the area, boundaries or name of an existing State can be introduced in Parliament only on the recommendation of the President.
• Statement 5 is correct. A Money Bill containing matters specified under Article 110 requires the President’s recommendation for introduction.

Important: A Financial Bill covered only under Article 117(3) does not require the President’s recommendation for introduction. The recommendation is required before the Bill is passed.

Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.

Answer: B

Explanation

Article 275 provides for grants-in-aid to those States which Parliament determines to be in need of financial assistance.

• Statement 1 is correct. Under Article 280, the Finance Commission recommends the principles governing grants-in-aid of the revenues of States out of the Consolidated Fund of India.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. These grants are not required to be given to every State or in equal amounts. Different sums may be fixed for different States.
• Statement 3 is correct. Grants under Article 275 are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.

Article 275 also provides for specific grants for:

• promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes; and
• raising the level of administration of Scheduled Areas.

Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.

Answer: B

Explanation

The Constitution establishes a broad hierarchy among the three legislative lists:

Union List > Concurrent List > State List

Therefore:

• Statement 1 is correct. The Union List prevails over the State List in case of an irreconcilable overlap.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The Union List, not the Concurrent List, has predominance.
• Statement 3 is correct. The Concurrent List has predominance over the State List in case of overlap.

A separate issue arises when Parliament and a State Legislature make laws on the same Concurrent List subject.

Under Article 254, the Central law ordinarily prevails. However, if a State law:

• is reserved for the consideration of the President; and
• receives Presidential assent,

it may prevail within that State.

Parliament can subsequently override such a State law by making another law on the same matter.

Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.

Answer: D

Explanation

Under Article 274, certain Bills or amendments affecting the financial interests of States cannot be introduced or moved in Parliament without the recommendation of the President.

These include a Bill or amendment that:

• imposes or varies any tax or duty in which States are interested;
• varies the meaning of the expression “agricultural income” for the purposes of laws relating to income tax;
• affects the principles according to which money is or may be distributable to the States; or
• imposes certain surcharges for the purposes of the Union.

Hence:

• Statement I is correct.
• Statement II is also correct and correctly explains Statement I.

Therefore, Option D is the correct answer.