EGoM recommended CDMA Airwaves in the 800 MHz band at 1.3 times the Base Price for GSM Airwaves

A high-powered ministerial panel responsible for finalising rules for upcoming second generation (2G) spectrum auctions recommended fixing of minimum price for CDMA airwaves in the 800 MHz band at 1.3 times the base price for GSM airwaves in the 1800 MHz band. Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) headed by home minister P Chidambaram, in its meeting on 20 July 2012 had rejected the department of telecom’s (DoT) suggestion that reserve price in the 800 MHz band for CDMA players be twice as that of airwaves in the 1800 MHz band. In the same meeting the EGoM had recommended that the minimum price for GSM airwaves be cut to Rs 14000 to Rs  16000 crore. The EGoM’s proposal disappointed the mobile phone companies who were pitching for an 80% reduction from the Rs 18111 crore proposed by the telecom regulator, TRAI.

Current Affairs March 2012 Quiz Questions

1. The fifth edition of the World Future Energy Summit was held recently in—

(A) Abu Dhabi

(B) New Delhi

(C) Tehran

(D) Dhaka

2. Planning Commission of India on January 18, 2012 approved Rudrasagar development scheme. The scheme is related—

(A) Tripura   

(B) Assam

(C) Manipur 

(D) Sikkim

3. The Board of Approval (BoA) under the Commerce Ministry on January 24, 2012 approved the proposal of this company to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Identify the company—

(A) Reliance Industries

(B) Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

(C) Hero Motors

(D) Infosys

4. Scientists identified a new gene in maize plants called—

(A) Meg 1     

(B) Meg 2

(C) Meg 3    

(D) Meg 4

5. Researchers discovered new earthworm species in Port Blair. What is the name of the new species ?

(A) Moniligaster ivaniosi

(B) Annelida

(C) Nematoda

(D) Onychophora

6. Scientists recently developed a new wireless device to detect the presence of termites. Consider the following statements:

1. When the new device detects the presence of termites, it sends an SMS or email to a pest control firm.

2. The device is made of a tiny sensor, even smaller than a fingernail.

Choose the right option :

(A) Both 1 and 2 are correct

(B) Only 1 is correct

(C) Only 2 is correct

(D) Neither 1 not 2 is correct

7. According to the draft sports policy of this State Government released on January 11, 2012, a special life-time achievement award, in memory of G.V. Raja, the Founder-President of the State Sports Council is to be instituted. Which State is being referred to ?

(A) Karnataka

(B) Kerala

(C) Tamil Nadu

(D) Andhra Pradesh

8. Which team defeated Uttara-khand in the men's category to win the National title for the fourth time, in the 60th Senior National Volleyball Championship at Raipur on January 11, 2012 ?

(A) Kerala

(B) Andhra Pradesh

(C) West Bengal

(D) Tamil Nadu

9. Which team extended their hegemony by defeating Kerala 25-12, 25-14, 25-16 in a one sided final in the women's category at the 60th Senior National Volleyball Championship ?

(A) Punjab    

(B) Services

(C) Railways

(D) Delhi

Theory of basic structure: a limitation on amending power

The validity of constitution (24th amendment) Act 1971, was challenged in keshvananda bharti vs. state of kerala (AIR 1973 SC 1461). This 13 judge bench decided that 24th amendment is valid and the power to amend the constitution is found in Art. 368 itself. Further the court recognized that there is a distinction between ordinary law and constitutional law. This could impliedly mean that Art.368 confers power to even abridge a fundamental right and to this extent, Golaknath case was overruled. But 7 of judges held that power of amendment under article 368 is subject to certain implied and inherent limitations and that in the exercise of amending the basic structure or frame-work of the constitution. So the majority was of the opinion that the amending power under article 368 is subject to the qualification that this amending power cannot be exercised to alter the basic structure of the framework of the constitution. Such as (1) Supremacy of the constitution. (2) Republican and democratic form of govt. (3) Secular character of constitution. (4) Separation of power. (5) Federal character of constitution

24th Amendment Act 1971

 In order to remove difficulties created by the decision of Supreme Court in GOLAKNATH'S case parliament enacted the 24th amendment Act. The amendment has made the following amendments:

1. It has added a new clause (4) to article 13 which provides that 'nothing in this article shall apply to any amendment of this constitution made under article 368.
2. It substituted a new marginal heading to article 368 in place of the old heading "procedure for amendment of the constitution". The new heading is "power of parliament to amend the constitution and procedure thereof."
3. It inserted a sub clause (1) in article 368 which provi

AMENDMENT OF INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Necessity of amending provision in the Constitution

It is made with a view to overcome the difficulties which may be encountered in the future in the working of the constitution.

The nature of amending "amending process" envisaged by the framers of our constitution can best be understood by referring the following observation of the late prime minister pt. Nehru, "while we want this constitution be as solid and permanent as we can make it, there is no permanence in the constitution. There should be certain flexibility. If you make anything rigid and permanent you stop the nation's growth, of a living vital, organic people…………. In any event, we could not make this constitution so rigid that it cannot be adopted to changing conditions. When the world is in a period of transition what we may do today may not be wholly applicable tomorrow" practically every constitution has some formal provisions for amendment of the constitution. In a rigid constitution amendment is more elaborate and difficult then enactment of ordinary legislation. In a flexible constitution, amendment can be effected rather easily, as easily as enacting an ordinary law.

The former procedure to amend some foreign federal constitutions as follows:

1. U.S.A.: In U.S.A., amendment of the constitution may be proposed only by congress, with the approval of 2/3 of majority of both houses (congress and senate), or a convention summoned on an application from 2/3 of the members of both houses. The proposed amendments must be ratified by at least ¾ of the total number of the state legislatures or by conventions in ¾ of the total numbers of the states.

Current Affairs 2012 May - 2012 April

Foreign direct investment FDI from Pakistan

Date : May 16, 2012

In an effort to enhance economic engagement and boost bilateral trade, India decides in principle to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) from Pakistan. Both the countries also agree to allow opening of bank branches in each other’s territory.

Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education
Date : May 16, 2012

The Supreme Court upholds by a majority verdict the constitutional validity of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.


Political solution to the Kashmir problem
Date : May 16, 2012

The Group of Interlocutors appointed by the Centre to find a political solution to the Kashmir problem recommends a “case-by-case review of all Central laws and Articles of the Indian Constitution extended to the State” since 1952. The report rules out a “simple return to pre-1953 situation”.

4G mobile services
Date : May 16, 2012

India’s first-ever 4G mobile services are launched by Bharti Airtel in Kolkata. Compared to 3G that allows download speed of up to 21 mbps, 4G allows speed of up to 100 mbps, which is almost five times higher than 3G.
India Industrial Growth
Date : Apr 12, 2012

Reports released by the Central Statistical Office (CSO) show that India’s industrial growth surged to 6.8 percent in January 2012, rebounding strongly from a tepid 2.8 percent expansion posted a month earlier, i.e. in December 2011.
UGC reveals new plan to increase GER
Date : Apr 12, 2012

The University Grants Commission (UGC) reveals new plans to increase gross enrolment ratio (GER) of students in higher education from the present 20 percent to 30 percent during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17).

Nuclear Safety Regulatory Bill 2011
Date : Apr 12, 2012

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science & Technology, Environment and Forests, which examined the “Nuclear Safety Regulatory Bill, 2011”, suggests the establishment of a Council of Nuclear Safety (CNS) to oversee and review the policies related to radiation/nuclear safety in the country.

Teesta water sharing treaty
Date : Mar 24, 2012

Bangladesh asks India to invoke the spirit of cooperation and friendship witnessed during its war of liberation in 1971 with respect to the stalled Teesta water-sharing treaty, in order to move forward on all other spheres of bilateral relations.

The India-European Union Annual Summit
Date : Mar 24, 2012

The India-European Union (EU) annual summit is held in New Delhi. The two sides make considerable progress on their Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA). They also appoint ministerial-level monitors to push for the early finalisation of the agreement.

Uttar Pradesh Assembly election
Date : Mar 24, 2012

The second phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly election witnesses 59 percent voting.

Election Commission of India announced the Date for 14th Vice-Presidential Election

The Election Commission of India on 3 July 2012 announced the date for the 14th Vice-Presidential Election. The term of Mohammed Hamid Ansari, the Vice-President of India, is expiring on 10 August 2012.

In accordance with the sub-section (1) of section (4) of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, the Election Commission of India fixed the following programme for the Vice-Presidential election 2012.