ministry of minority affairs

Government of India

Ministry of Minority Affairs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in respect of Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) for Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs)

Q.1. Which are the minority communities in the country notified by the Central Government and what is their share of the country’s population?

Ans. Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis) have been notified as minority communities under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. As per Census 2001, the percentage of minorities in the country is about 18.4% of the total population of the country, of which Muslims are 13.4%; Christians 2.3%; Sikhs 1.9%, Buddhists 0.8% and Parsis 0.007%.

Q.2. What was the methodology used for identifying Minority Concentration Districts?

 Ans. Minority Concentration Districts (MCD) have been identified on the basis of both population data and backwardness parameters of Census 2001of these districts.

 Q.3. What is the population criteria used for identifying Minority Concentration Districts?

Ans. ‘Substantial minority population’ in the context of the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme has been used for identification of districts which are relatively backward in which at least 25% of the total population belongs to minority communities has been used for identification of MCD in 29 States/UTs. Further, districts having a large absolute minority population of more than 5 lakhs but with minority population between 20% to 25% has also been used for identification of such MCD in 29 States/UTs. Where a minority community is in majority In the six

States/UTs, 15% of minority population other than that of the minority community in majority in that State/UT, has been used.

Q.4. What is the backwardness parameters used for identifying Minority Concentration Districts?

The backwardness parameters are:-

(a) religion-specific socio-economic indicators at the district level –

(i) literacy rate; (ii) female literacy rate; (iii) work participation rate; and

(iv) female work participation rate; and

(b) basic amenities indicators at the district level –

(i) percentage of households with pucca walls;

(ii) percentage of households with safe drinking water;

(iii) percentage of households with electricity; and

(iv) percentage of households with W/C latrines.

Q.5. How many Minority Concentration Districts were identified?

 Ans. 90 Minority Concentration Districts have been identified on the basis of both population data and backwardness parameters of Census 2001.

 Q.6. How many such districts were identified before this exercise?

 Ans. In 1987, a list of 41 minority concentration districts was prepared, based on the data of Census 1971. A single criterion of minority population of 20 percent or more in a district was applied for identification of 41 districts.

Q.7. Have the 90 MCD been classified according to their backwardness?

 Ans. Minority Concentration Districts having values below the national average for both sets of parameters were considered relatively more backward have been classified as category ‘A’ (53 districts). Districts, which have values below the national average for either of the two sets of backwardness parameters, have been classified in category ‘B’ (37 districts).

 Q.8. Give the names of the 90 districts, State and their classification?

 Ans. The details of the 90 districts are in the website of this Ministry.

Q.9. What is MsDP?

Ans. MsDP stands for Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP). This is a special area development scheme designed to address the ‘development deficits’ identified by a baseline survey in these districts.

 Q.10. What are the objectives of MsDP?

Ans. The programme aims at improving the socio-economic parameters of basic amenities for improving the quality of life of the people and reducing imbalances in the MCDs during the Eleventh Five Year Plan period. Identified ‘development deficits’ would be made up through a district specific plan for provision of better infrastructure for school and secondary education, sanitation, pucca housing, drinking water and electricity supply, besides beneficiary oriented schemes for creating income generating activities. Absolutely critical infrastructure linkages like connecting roads, basic health infrastructure, ICDS centres, skill development and marketing facilities required for improving living conditions and income generating activities and catalyzing the growth process would also be eligible for inclusion in the plan. The multi-sectoral district development plan of a district have to be prepared in such a manner that these districts are saturated

with schemes included in the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities within the Eleventh Plan period.

 Q.11. What is the thrust of MsDP?

Ans. The thrust of the MsDP, which will be prepared on the basis of the ‘development deficits’ brought out by a baseline survey, would be to improve the socio-economic parameters of minorities and the basic amenities parameters of the district as a whole so as to bring them at par with the national average, if not higher. Critical infrastructure linkages that are required for optimizing service, economic opportunities and can act as a catalyst would also be provided under this programme.

Q.12. Why is such an intervention considered necessary?

Ans. 90 minority concentration districts have already been identified by government which are relatively backward and falling behind the national average in terms of socio-economic and basic amenities indicators. These districts have a substantial minority population and are backward, with unacceptably low levels of socio-economic or basic amenities indicators, requiring focused attention and specific programme intervention.

Q.13. What are the types of schemes approved under MsDP?

 Ans. The type of Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) approved by the Ministry and the ‘development deficits’ that they would address are given below:-

Q.14. Why is it that only CSS are taken up?

 Ans. There were many existing Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) already addressing national concerns with time-tested guidelines and implementation mechanism. Wherever existing CSS addresses the identified development deficits, it is easier to implement such schemes as they already have an implementing mechanism. However, nothing in the scheme prevents the State/UT from taking up any proposals which are not catered by existing schemes/programmes of the Central and State Governments.

Q.15. How is it ensured that maximum benefits go to the minorities?

Ans. The guidelines for implementation of MsDP provides that priority should be given for location of social and economic infrastructure will be given to villages/blocks/localities having a substantial population of minority communities.

 Q.16. Are changes envisaged for CSS implemented under MsDP?

Ans. There would be no change in guidelines of any existing scheme under implementation in such districts for which this programme will provide additional funds. As far as possible, the focus of the programme will be on providing appropriate social and economic infrastructure rather than targeting individual beneficiaries. In case schemes for individual benefits are taken up under the programme, there will be no divergence from existing norms for selection of beneficiaries from the list of BPL families in the district, so

that benefits from the additional funds flow to all BPL families and not selectively to families of minority community.

Ministry of Minority Affairs

State-Wise Details of The Funds Released by the Ministry of Minority Affairs under the Multi-Sectoral Development Programme

The Ministry of Minority Affairs has released a total amount of Rs. 2,969.83 crore (till 30.6.2012) to the 20 States/UTs under its Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) for the welfare of Minorities. Out of a tentative allocation of Rs. 3,780.40 crore for the programme during the 11th Five Year Plan, the Ministry has already approved projects worth over Rs. 3,747.19 crore for the 90 Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs) - which is more than 99% of the total allocation.

            The details of the funds released to the States/ UTs are as follows:

Scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women

Q 1 : Why was the scheme launched?

A. A report of the high level Committee on the social, economic and educational status of the Muslim community of India (Popularly known as the Sachar Report) had highlighted the fact that India’s largest minority group have been left out of the development trajectory and within this group Muslim women are doubly disadvantaged. Keeping this in view, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has launched ‘Scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women’.

Q.2 : When was the scheme launched and implemented?

A. The scheme was launched in January, 2010 and is being implemented shortly.

Q.3 : What is the objective of the scheme?

A. The objective of the scheme is to empower and instill confidence in women including their neighbors from other communities living in the village/locality by providing knowledge, tools and techniques for interacting with Government system.

Q.4 : What is the purpose of the scheme?

A. The scheme is envisaged to reach out to women through non-governmental organizations who will be provided with financial support for conducting leadership development trainings so that women are empowered and emboldened to move out of the confines of home and community and assume leadership roles and assert their rights collectively or individually.

Q.5 : What is the target group and distribution of target?

A. The minority communities served by the Ministry of Minority Affairs are Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis) as notified as minority communities. Eligible women of these minority communities would be the target group. However, the scheme permits a mix of women from other non-minority communities not exceeding 25% of a project proposal.

Q. 6 What is the eligibility criteria for women to be selected?

A: Although there will be no annual income bar, woman/parent or guardian, woman having annual income not exceed Rs.2.50 lakh from all sources would be given preference in selection. They should be between the age group of 18 years to 65 years.

Q. 7 : What are the types of trainings and their eligibility?

A. There are two types of training:

(i) Leadership development training in the village/locality. Upto 50 women in a village/locality who are dedicated, motivated and committed to work for the betterment of the welfare of women from the minority communities in particular. At least, 10% of the total woman in a group of 50 women should have passed  Class X. This may be relaxed to class V level in case women who have passed class X are not easily available.

(ii) Leadership development training in residential training institutes. Out of a group of 50 women for residential training, not more than five women from a single village/locality may be selected in residential government training institutes. They should possess at least a graduation degree, which may be relaxed to class X certificate holder in case graduates are not easily available, and should be dedicated, motivated, physically fit and healthy and committed to work for the betterment of the welfare of women from the minority communities in particular and the society in general.

Q. 8 : Who are the implementing agencies of the project proposals?

A. The leadership development training scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs through the organizations. Apart from non-governmental organizations, organisations/ institutions which would be eligible for applying for financial assistance under this scheme are given below :-

i) Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

ii) Public Trust registered under any law for the time being in force.

iii) Private limited non profit company registered under Section 25 of the Indian Companies Act, 1956.

iv) Universities/Institutions of higher learning recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC).

v) Training institutes of Central and State Governments including Panchayati Raj training institutes

Q. 9 : How are organizations shortlisted?

A. Expression of Interest is invited by the Government through advertisement in the newspapers and organizations fulfilling the mandatory qualifications.

Q. 10: What is the purpose of nurturing and hand holding?

A. Nurturing/hand holding service envisaged in the scheme linked with involvement and availability of facilitators at the doorsteps of the target group. The personnel of the organization is required to visit the village/locality periodically for providing nurturing/handholding service to the group of women imparted training so that they are guided in the use of tools and techniques taught to them for extracting the benefit from their efforts.

Q. 11 What is the purpose of workshops?

A. The organization, in collaboration with the District Collector/ Deputy Commissioner/ SDO/ Block Development Officer, is required to organize a half day workshop to sensitize government functionaries, bankers including Panchayati Raj functionaries etc. at the district, Sub Division/ Block, etc. concerned about the women empowerment programme carried out by them under the scheme. In this workshop, the functionaries would be informed of the remedial action which may be brought and sought by groups of women and to be responsive in addressing their problems and grievances.

libor scandel

LIBOR SCANDEL

On 27 June Barclays was fined a total of £290 million for rigging inter-bank lending rates.

The scandal has left financial markets reeling and one again called into question the ethics of the banking industry.

But what exactly is Libor, and why is Barclays in so much trouble for manipulating it?

What is Libor?

Every morning banks work out how much money they need to borrow from their peers to plug any holes in their balance sheets. Or, if they have an excess of available cash, how much they can afford to lend.  What Libor – the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate – does is formally measure the cost of this inter-bank lending, setting out the average rate banks pay to borrow from one another.

How is Libor calculated?

There are 150 different Libor rates calculated on a daily basis by Thomson Reuters for 15 borrowing periods ranging from overnight to 12 months, spanning 10 different currencies.These rates are calculated based on data submitted by a panel of major banks – the number of banks on the panel varies according to the currency. The UK’s sterling rate, for example, is based on submissions from 16 banks, while the US dollar rate, on the other hand, is calculated using a panel of 18. Each bank is asked the same question: ‘At what rate could you borrow funds, were you to do so, by asking for and then accepting inter-bank offers in a reasonable market size just prior to 11am?’ So basically, if you need to borrow cash from your fellow banker friends, how much would they charge you for it? Once the rates are submitted, the four highest and four lowest rates are ignored, and those left are used to calculate the Libor rate which, along with the individual rates submitted by each bank, are then published before midday UK time every weekday.This process was first introduced by the British Banker’s Assocation (BBA) in 1986, and is overseen by the Foreign Exchange and Money Markets Committee.

What does Libor show?

When a bank lends money to a customer, it will assess the risk they pose and price the loan accordingly. The riskier you appear, the more you will have to payThe way banks lend to one another is no different – when a bank is charged a higher rate it means other banks have less confidence in it.As the average rate, therefore, Libor reflects the strength of the banking sector as a whole, and as the BBA puts it ‘acts as a barometer of how global markets are reacting to the prevailing conditions’. So during the credit crunch, for example, when confidence in the banking sector was at its lowest, Libor shot up to an all-time high.

What else is Libor used for?

A number of financial products use Libor as a benchmark against which they price products. So, just as you might take out a mortgage with an interest rate linked to movements in the Bank of England base rate or invest in a fund that follows the FTSE 100, there are financial products available that track changes in Libor. Complex derivative products used by professional traders in the multi-trillion-pound bond and currency markets are commonly priced using Libor.

So, what did Barclays do?

Barclays was found by US and UK regulators to have manipulated or ‘fixed’ its rate submissions. In an open letter to the chairman of the Treasury Select Committee, Bob Diamond, chief executive of Barclays, explained that the authorities had highlighted two issues. First, a small number of individual traders had attempted to influence the bank’s interest rate submissions in order to boost their own desk’s profits. Operating purely for their own benefit, Diamond said this behaviour was 'reprehensible', but he stressed that no one more senior than immediate desk supervisors were aware of the requests by traders.

The second, and arguably more concerning, issue raised was that during the credit crisis Barclays had reduced its Libor submissions to protect the reputation of the bank from negative speculation which arose as a result of Barclays’ higher rate submissions in comparison with other banks – i.e. the bank wanted to make itself look stronger.  Barclays has since revealed that the bank's chief operating officer Jerry del Missier was the most senior member of staff to give the order to rig rates.

The bank released a note written by Diamond detailing a phone call he had received from Paul Tucker, the deputy governor of the Bank, during which Tucker said he'd 'received calls from a number of senior figures within Whitehall to question why Barclays was always towards the top end of the Libor pricing’.

 Diamond then relayed this conversation to del Missier who interpreted it as an instruction to lower the rate and therefore passed down a direction to that effect to rate submitters. Diamond, however, maintains he did not believe it was an instruction, and said he knew nothing of what was being done until the FSA released its findings in June.

What are the regulators doing?

As comeuppance for its actions, Barclays was slapped by the FSA with a record £59.5 million fine – reduced from £85 million in return for the bank’s co-operation – in addition to a $200 million (£128 million) fine from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and a further $160 million (£103 million) from the US Department of Justice. Diamond, meanwhile, was cornered into resigning as chief executive and called before the Treasury Select Committee to answer questions on what exactly happened.

Barclays chairman Marcus Agius, who announced his resignation only to be later re-instated to lead the search for Diamond's successor, is also expected to appear before the Committee, as are a number of other Barclays executives, including del Missier, who has also resigned.

Bank of England deputy governor Paul Tucker will also be invited to speak after actually requesting a hearing to clear up his role in the scandal. The Serious Fraud Office, meanwhile, is currently looking at whether it can bring criminal prosecutions against the bank and the individuals involved. It hopes to announce a decision by the end of the month. And the UK government has said it is launching a formal inquiry into banking standards following the scandal. The aim is for the cross-party investigation, which will be led by head of the Treasury Select Committee Andrew Tyrie, to be completed by the time the government pushes through its white paper on banking reforms early next year.

Are other banks involved?

Almost certainly. RBS and UBS are both also under investigation by the FSA and could well be facing fines on a similar scale. Chancellor George Osborne also named HSBC, but the FSA has since said that while it does have a a number of ongoing investigations HSBC is not one of them.

However, the FSA can only speak from the point of view of the UK, and as we’ve already seen, investigations are not limited to the UK. Authorities around the world are currently wading through the files of a whole host of banks, looking into how Libor and similar interest rate benchmarks, such as Euribor and Japan’s Tibor, have been calculated.

How could this affect me?

The rates banks pay to borrow money affect how much they charge customers for loans and mortgages. When costs for the banks go up, the price customers pay also goes up. It could be argued, therefore, that any manipulation of inter-banking lending rates will affect customers. There are also roughly 250,000 borrowers with mortgages directly linked to Libor, explained Ray Boulger, of mortgage lender John Charcol, although most would have been taken out by buy-to-let, sub-prime and commercial borrowers. As this type of mortgage is usually linked to the three monthly Libor rates it would therefore have likely been affected, he said. However, before the credit crisis rates were also only manipulated very slightly, otherwise it would have been obvious, and were not altered every day. During the crisis, meanwhile, Barclays manipulated the rate lower to appear more creditworthy so any impact then would have actually been beneficial to mortgage borrowers.  But, if mortgage borrowers benefited, it’s possible that institutional investors which placed money in Libor-linked products could have lost out, impacting savers who had money invested in a pension funds, for example. The problem is that the exact amount of detriment Barclays’ actions had will be difficult to determine and so could result in a legal nightmare for anyone trying to sue. Meanwhile, you need only look at the market’s reaction to Barclays’ fine this week to see that those with shares in the banks are also likely to take a serious hit over the coming months.

Why the Barclays libor revelation matters

Once again the banking sector – which we are relying on to pull our economy out of recession – has given us a reason not to trust them. Manipulating something so fundamental to the banking industry is quite frankly a new low. And what makes matters worse is that in the very same week four major banks found themselves at the centre of yet another mis-selling scandal – this time interest rate protection products to small and medium sized businesses. How Diamond had the audacity to kick up such a fuss about his bonus payment when he knew this scandal was brewing is beyond me – and with the government currently exploring possible criminal charges, conceding to sacrifice this year’s bonus seems wholly inadequate. What’s more, with Barclays’ fine thought to be only the very tip of what appears to be an enormous iceberg, it’s clear things need to change on a larger scale – the proposals by the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) on reforming our banking sector need to be brought forward and bankers need to be made accountable for their actions. People should be quite rightly outraged

.Definition of 'Mumbai Interbank Offered Rate - MIBOR'

The interest rate at which banks can borrow funds, in marketable size, from other banks in the Indian interbank market. The Mumbai Interbank Offered Rate (MIBOR) is calculated everyday by the National Stock Exchange of India (NSEIL) as a weighted average of lending rates of a group of banks, on funds lent to first-class borrowers.

The MIBOR was launched on June 15, 1998 by the Committee for the Development of the Debt Market, as an overnight rate. The NSEIL launched the 14-day MIBOR on November 10, 1998, and the one month and three month MIBORs on December 1, 1998. Since the launch, MIBOR rates have been used as benchmark rates for the majority of money market deals made in India.

Australian dollar (AUD)

Canadian dollar (CAD)

Swiss franc (CHF)

Danish krone (DKK)

Euro (EUR)

British pound sterling (GBP)

Japanese yen (JPY)

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Swedish krona (SEK)

U.S. dollar (USD)

Earlier 16 in 2000 by the entry of euro it is 10 now

bo scandel

BO SCANDEL-

Bo Xilai (born 3 July 1949) is a former Chinese politician. He came to prominence through his tenures as the mayor of the coastal economic hub ofDalian and then governor of Liaoning province. From 2004 to November 2007, he served as Minister of Commerce. Between 2007 and 2012 he served as a member of the Politburo and head of the Communist Party's Chongqing branch.

Bo was considered a likely candidate for promotion to the elite Politburo Standing Committee in CPC 18th National Congress in 2012. His political fortunes came to an abrupt end following the Wang Lijun incident, in which his top lieutenant and police chief sought asylum at the American consulate in Chengdu and revealed details of Bo's alleged involvement in a homicide plot. In the fallout, Bo was removed as Chongqing party chief in March 2012 and suspended from the politburo the following month

Death of Neil Heywood

On 14 November 2011, British citizen Neil Heywood was found dead in his Chongqing hotel room. At the time, local authorities declared he had died from alcohol over-consumption, though his family noted that he was not a heavy drinker. The official cause of death was not scrutinized until several months later, when revelations emerged that Heywood’s death was a homicide, and Bo Xilai was implicated.

Heywood served as an intermediary linking western companies to powerful Chinese politicians.^[72] He was a long-time associate of the Bo family: he reportedly shared a close personal relationship with Bo’s wife, Gu Kailai, and had helped the couple’s son earn admission to Harrow School in England.^[73] Heywood also allegedly served as a middleman for the family, helping them clandestinely move large sums of money overseas.^[74]

In October 2011, Heywood reportedly had a business dispute with Bo’s wife, Gu Kailai, when he demanded a higher commission for his services. The dispute escalated, with Heywood ultimately threatening to reveal the family’s business dealings and overseas assets, estimated to total in excess of $136 million.^[75][76] Heywood was then allegedly poisoned by Gu and an assistant

Wang Lijun incident

In early 2012, the party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection bolstered its presence within Chongqing as the city's leaders came under investigation. Much of the attention focused on Bo's police chief, Wang Lijun, who may have been under investigation for his role in a corruption case in Liaoning provinceOn 6 February 2012, apparently fearing for his life, Wang traveled to the U.S. consulate in the nearby city of Chengdu, bringing evidence implicating Bo and his family in the Neil Heywood murder. According to reports, Wang sought and was denied asylum in the United States.^[81] He remained in the consulate for approximately 24 hours before leaving "of his own volition" and being taken into the custody of state security officials dispatched from Beijing

On 15 March, Bo was dismissed as Chongqing party chief and its related municipal posts, while temporarily retaining a seat on the Politburo. Due to the potentially destructive effects Bo's dismissal would have on party unity, party elders were consulted on the matter.Bo Xilai, was in the midst of a controversial campaign to revive the spirit of Mao Zedong through mass renditions of old revolutionary anthems, known as "red singing. father, Bo Yibo — Helped lead Mao's forces to victory, only to be purged in the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution. Subsequently rehabilitated

coastal biodiversity in india

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KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK ASSAM

The park lies in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra river, flowing as its northern boundary. The KARBI ANGLONG hill ranges rise around the park pressing it aganist the Brahmaputra river, flowing as its northern boundary

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ELECTION TO THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF INDIA

ELECTION TO THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF INDIA


1. What are the Role and the Power of the President of India?

Answer: India has adopted the system of Parliamentary democracy, where in the powers of the Government are vested in the political office of the Prime Minister. The President of India holds the highest elective office in India. He is the head of state of the Republic of India and is the formal head of the Union legislature and executive and is also the Supreme Commander of the Indian Defence Forces. The President of India is the first citizen and represents the Indian nation and therefore does not belong to any particular party. The President of India, in consultation with the Council of Ministers, makes all major appointments under the Constitution-PM, Ministers, Chief Justice and judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, CAG, Attorney General, Governors, Chief Election Commissioner and other members of the Election Commission of India etc. He has the powers to summon and prorogue the sessions of both Houses of Parliament and to dissolve the Lok Sabha. The powers to grant pardon and clemency vest in the President of India.

2. Who elects the President of India?

Answer: The President is elected by the representatives of the people through an Electoral College, which consists of the elected members 2 of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of them Legislative Assemblies of the States including NCT of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

3. What is the term of the office of the President?

Answer: The President shall hold office for a term of 5 years from the date on which he enters upon his office. He shall, however, continue to hold office notwithstanding the expiry of his term, until his successor enters upon his office.

4. When is the election of the Office of President of India held?

Answer: Under the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 4 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, the notification under sub-section (1) of section 4 of the said Act calling the election can be issued by the Election Commission on or after the sixtieth day before the expiry of the term of office of the outgoing President. The election schedule shall be so fixed, that the President elect is able to enter upon his office on the day following the expiry of the term of the outgoing President.

5. What is the legal framework for the election to the Office of President of India?

Answer: Election to the Office of President of India is governed by the provisions contained in Articles 54 to 58 and 62 of the Constitution of India and the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 and the Rules made there under.

6. Who conducts the election to the Office of President of India?

Answer: Under Article 324 of the Constitution of India, the authority to conduct elections to the Office of President is vested in the Election Commission of India.

7. What electoral system/process is adopted for the election to the office of the President?

Answer: As per Article 55(3) of the Constitution of India, the election of the President shall be held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote and the voting at such election shall be by secret ballot.

8. What are the Qualifications required by a candidate to contest the election to the Office of the President of India?

Answer: A candidate should satisfy the following requirements to contest the election to the Office of President: -

     1. Must be a citizen of India.

     2. Must have completed 35 years of age.

     3. Must be eligible to be a member of the Lok Sabha.

  4. Must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the     Government of any State or under any local or other authority subject to the control of  any of the said Governments-  

Exceptions are the offices of President and Vice-President, 

Governor of any State and Ministers of Union or State.

9. Apart from the above what are the conditions to be fulfilled by a candidate for his nomination to be valid?

Answer: A nomination paper of a candidate for the election in the prescribed form (Form 2 appended to the Presidential and Vice- Presidential Elections Rules, 1974 Rules) has to be subscribed by at least fifty electors as proposers and at least fifty electors as seconders and has to be presented to the Returning Officer, between 11AM and 3PM on any day appointed for the purpose, either by the candidate himself or by any of his proposers or seconders. The Security Deposit for the election of Rs.15000/- should also be deposited either in cash with the Returning Officer or a receipt showing that the amount has been deposited by the candidate or on his behalf in the Reserve Bank of India or in a Government Treasury should be furnished along with the nomination paper. The candidate is also required to furnish a certified copy of the entry showing his name in the current electoral roll for the Parliamentary Constituency in which the candidate is registered as an elector.

10.Who is appointed the Returning Officer/Assistant Returning
Officer for the election to the Office of President of India? Whomakes such appointment?

Answer: By convention, the Secretary General, Lok Sabha or the Secretary General, Rajya Sabha is appointed as the Returning Officer, by rotation. Two other senior officers of the Lok Sabha/ Rajya Sabha Secretariat and the Secretaries and one more senior officer of Legislative Assemblies of all States including NCT of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry are also appointed as the Assistant Returning Officers. The Election Commission of India makes such appointments.

11. Can a Candidate submit more than one nomination paper?

What would be the security deposit to be made by such candidate?

Answer: Yes. A candidate can present by himself or in his behalf a maximum of four nomination papers. However, he is required to make only one security deposit in this regard.

12. Can an elector propose or second the nomination of more than one candidate at a Presidential election?

Answer: No. An elector can propose or second the name of only one candidate at a Presidential election. If he subscribes as proposer or seconder, the nomination papers of more than one candidate, his signature shall be deemed operative only on the nomination paper first delivered to the Returning Officer.

13. What are the grounds for rejection of the nomination of a candidate in the Presidential election?

Answer: A nomination paper may be rejected on the following grounds:-

1. On the date of scrutiny of nominations, the candidate is not eligible for election as   President under the Constitution; or
2. if any of the proposers or seconders is not qualified to subscribe a nomination  paper i.e. he is not an elector at the election; or
3. if it is not subscribed by the required number of proposers and/or seconders; or
4. if the signature of the candidate or any of the proposers or seconders is not genuine or has been obtained by fraud; or
5. if the nomination paper is not presented in person by the candidate or any of his proposers or seconders or if it is not delivered to the Returning Officer, within the hours and dates prescribed for the purpose or at the place appointed for the purpose, or the candidate has failed to make the required security deposit in the prescribed manner However, a candidate’s nomination shall not be rejected, if he has submitted another set of nomination papers, which are without any irregularity or defect. A candidate’s nomination shall not be rejected on the ground of any defect that is not of substantial character.

14. What is the colour and form of ballot papers used in the election to the office of the President?

Answer: The Election Commission has directed that the ballot papers should be printed in 2 (two) colours- in green for use of Members of Parliament and in pink for use by the Members of the State Legislative Assemblies. The ballot papers are printed with two columns-first column containing the names of the candidates and the second column for marking preferences by the elector for each such candidate. The ballot papers are printed in Hindi and English for use by MPs and in English and the official language(s) of the State for use by the MLAs of the State concerned.

15. Where is the election to the Office of President held?

Answer: A Room in the Parliament House in New Delhi and a room in all State Legislative Assembly Secretariats are generally fixed as places of poll.

16. Can the electors choose their place of voting?

Answer: Yes. While normally Members of Parliament vote in New Delhi and the members of the State Legislative Assemblies, including the members of the Legislative Assemblies of NCT of Delhi and UT of Puducherry vote at the place fixed in each State/UT capital, facilities are provided by the Election Commission for any MP to vote in the capital of his State and similarly an MLA may vote at the polling booth set up in the Parliament House, if he is in Delhi on the date of poll. However, the MP or MLA who opts to vote in a place other than the place where the member is designated to vote is required to intimate the same to the Commission well in advance (ten days) for making necessary arrangements. In exceptional circumstances, MLAs may be permitted by the Commission to vote at other State Capitals also.

17. How is the value of votes of members of the Electoral College calculated?

Answer: The value of votes of electors is basically determined on the basis of population of the States. The Constitution (Eighty fourth) Amendment Act, 2001 provides that until the population figures for the first census to be taken after the year 2026 have been published, the population of the States for the purposes of calculation of value of the votes for the Presidential Election shall mean the population as ascertained at the 1971 census. The value of the vote of each member of the Electoral College, who is a member of a State Legislative Assembly, is calculated by dividing the population of the State by the total number of elected members of the Assembly, and then to divide the quotient by 1000. Total Value of all members of each State Assembly is worked out by multiplying the number of elective seats in the Assembly by the number of votes for each member. The total value of votes of all the States added together is divided by the total number of elected members of Parliament (Lok Sabha 543+Rajya Sabha 233) to get the value of votes of each Member of Parliament.

The statement of Value of Votes of MLAs & MPs as per Article 55(2) of the Constitution is given below*.(Appendix)

18. Is the value of vote of each elector the same?

Answer: No. The value of votes of MLAs differs from State to State. However, the value of the MPs is the same. Such value is determined on the basis of the population of the State as explained above.

19. What is the manner/procedure for recording votes at an election to the office of President?

Answer: In accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote, every elector can mark as many preferences, as there are candidates contesting the election. These preferences for the candidates are to be marked by the elector, by placing the figures 1,2,3, 4, 5 and so on, against the names of the candidates, in the order of preference, in the space provided in column 2 of the ballot paper. The preference can be indicated in international form of Indian numerals or in the form used in any Indian language or in Roman form but the preferences cannot be indicated in words like one, two, first preference second preference

etc.

20. Are the provisions of the Anti-Defection Law applicable in

Presidential elections?

Answer: No. Members of the Electoral College can vote according to their conscience and are not bound by any party whips. The voting is also by secret ballot.

21. Are Nominated Members of either Houses of Parliament or a State Legislative Assembly eligible to vote at the election to the Office of President?

Answer: No. Only elected members of both Houses of Parliament and of the State Legislative Assemblies are members of the Electoral College. Therefore nominated members cannot vote.

22. Can an elector at a Presidential election exercise his vote by proxy?

Answer: No.

23. Can a disabled or illiterate elector in a Presidential election take the help of a companion to record his vote?

Answer: No. Unlike in Parliamentary and Assembly election, an elector cannot take the help of a companion. He must take the assistance of the Presiding Officer to record his vote.

24. How can an elector who is under preventive detention during the period of Presidential election cast his vote?

Answer: An elector under preventive detention can cast his vote through postal ballot.

25. Is the winner in a Presidential election elected on the basis of obtaining simple majority? Or by securing a specified quota of votes?

Answer: As the Presidential election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote, every elector has as many preferences as candidates contesting the elections. The winning candidate has to secure the required quota of votes to be declared elected, i.e., 50% of valid votes polled +1.

26. Is it compulsory for an elector at a Presidential election to mark his preference for all candidates?

Answer: No. Only the marking of first preference is compulsory for a ballot paper to be valid. Marking other preferences is optional.

27. What are the grounds for rejection of the ballot papers?

Answer: The Returning Officer shall reject a ballot paper as invalid on which:

1. The figure 1 is not marked; or
2. The figure 1 is marked against the name of more than one candidate or is marked in a manner which renders it doubtful as to which candidate it is intended to apply; or
3. The figure 1 and some other figure is marked against the name of the candidate; or
4. Any mark is made by which the elector may be identified.A ballot paper will be invalidated if the preference is marked in words like one, two, three or first preference, second preference, third preference, etc instead of in figures 1, 2, 3 etc. A postal ballot may be rejected if the signature of the elector on the declaration and the attestation form received with the ballot paper is not duly attested by the authority specified in such form (who is normally the officer-in-charge of the jail or the place of detention).

28. What is the procedure of counting in a Presidential election? How is the quota of votes to be secured by the winning candidate determined?

Answer: After the valid ballot papers are segregated from the invalid ones, the valid ballot papers are distributed among the contesting candidates on the basis of first preference marked on each of them for those candidates. The value of votes which each contesting candidate gets in this process is ascertained by multiplying the number of ballot papers on which the first preference is marked for him, by the value of vote which each ballot paper of a member (MP or MLA) represents. The total votes secured by each contesting candidate are then ascertained by adding together the value of votes secured by him from the Members of Parliament and the Members of the State Legislative Assemblies. This is the first round of counting. For ascertaining the quota sufficient to secure the return of a candidate, the value of votes credited to each contesting candidate in the first round of counting is added up to determine the total value of valid votes polled at the election. Such total value of valid votes is then divided by two, and one is added to the quotient so obtained, ignoring the remainder, if any. The number so determined, is the quota, which a candidate should secure to be declared elected. If the total value of the votes credited to any candidate at the first count, is equal to, or greater than the quota sufficient to secure the return of a candidate, he is declared elected by the Returning Officer. If however, after the first round of counting, no candidate secures the requisite quota, then the counting proceeds on the basis of a process of elimination and exclusion, whereby the candidate credited with the lowest number of votes is excluded and all his ballot papers are distributed among the remaining (continuing) candidates on the basis of the second preferences marked thereon. The value of such transferred ballot papers will be the same as the value at which the excluded candidate received them. The ballot papers on which second preference is not marked is treated as exhausted ballot papers and shall not be further counted, even if the third or subsequent preferences are marked thereon. If no candidate secures the requisite quota, then the process of counting will continue on the same basis of elimination and exclusion, till a candidate secures the required quota of votes. In case, even after the exclusion of the candidates receiving the lowest number of votes, no candidate secures the requisite quota and ultimately one candidate remains as the lone continuing candidate, he is declared elected even if he has failed to secure the quota sufficient to secure the return of a candidate.

29.Where is the counting of votes in a Presidential election held?

Answer: The counting of votes is done in the office of the Returning officer at New Delhi.

30. When is the security deposit of a candidate in a Presidential Election forfeited?

Answer: The Security deposit shall be forfeited if the candidate is not elected and the number of valid votes polled by him does not exceed one-sixth of the number of votes necessary to secure return of a candidate at such election. In other cases, the deposit will be returned to the candidate.

31. Can the result of the election to the Office of President be challenged? If so, what is the proper procedure for doing so?

Answer: Yes. An election to the Office of the President can be called in question by means of an election petition presented to the Supreme Court. Such election petition should be presented by a candidate or twenty or more electors joined together, and may be presented at any time after the date of publication of the declaration containing the name of the returned candidate at the election under Section 12 (of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952), but not later than 30 days from the date of such publication. Subject to these provisions, the Supreme Court, under Article 145 of the Constitution, may regulate the form, manner and the procedures connected with such election petitions.

APPENDIX-I

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 2012

STATEMENT OF VALUE OF VOTES OF ELECTED MEMBERS

OF THE STATE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLIES AND

BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT AS PER
PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 55(2) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

* Constitution (Application to the Jammu & Kashmir) Order

(A) VALUE OF EACH VOTE OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

TOTAL MEMBERS                  

                              LOK SABHA (543) + RAJYA SABHA (233) = 776

                                                                                  549474                                                           .                   .                              VALUE OF  EACH VOTE = ---------------- = 708                                                                                             .                                                                                    776

(B) TOTAL VALUE OF VOTES OF 776 MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT = 

                                                                                                         708 X 776 = 549408

(C) TOTAL ELECTORS FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION =

                                                                                                    MLAs (4120) + M.Ps (776) = 4896

(D) TOTAL VALUE OF 4896 ELECTORS FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2012 = 

                                                                                                             549474 + 549408 = 1098882