Untitled Quiz

National Commission for Backward Classes

• The Commission was initially part of a combined body with the Scheduled Casts (SCs) under Article 338, which was later bifurcated.
• The Commission has the powers of a civil court in investigating matters or inquiring into complaints regarding the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the socially and educationally backward classes.

Constitutional Bodies

• The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is a constitutional body, established by Article 338-A, following the bifurcation from the previously combined National Commission for SCs and STs under Article 338 due to the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003.
• The Commission possesses all the powers of a civil court.

Inter-State Council

• The Inter-State Council is a constitutional body, established under Article 263 of the Constitution of India.
• Its primary role is to facilitate coordination and cooperation between the central and state governments.
• It inquires into and advises upon disputes between states, investigates subjects of common interest between the union and states or among states, and makes recommendations for better policy and action coordination.

Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal

• The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal addresses disputes between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Indian Councils Act of 1861

• The Act did not abolish the practice of nominating Indians to the legislative councils.
• It restored legislative powers to the Bombay and Madras Presidencies, marking a shift towards decentralization.
• Legislative councils were established for Bengal, North-Western Provinces, and Punjab after the enactment of the Act.
• The Act introduced the 'portfolio system', where members of the Viceroy's Council were assigned specific governmental departments.

Councils Act of 1892

• The Act expanded the functions of the legislative councils, notably allowing them the power to discuss the budget and address questions to the executive, which was a step towards legislative oversight.
• Legislative councils were granted the power to discuss the budget.

Presidential Powers

• According to the Constitution, the President can grant pardon, reprieve, respite, or remission of punishment to any person convicted of any offence.
• The President can grant pardon, commutation, remission, respite, or reprieve to any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to matters to which the executive power of the Union extends.
• The President can also grant pardon, commutation, remission, respite, or reprieve to any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to matters to which the executive power of the State extends.

Governor's Powers

• The Governor has the exclusive power to grant pardon in cases where a person has been sentenced to death.
• The Governor can grant pardon, commutation, remission, respite, or reprieve to any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to matters to which the executive power of the State extends.