Laxmikanth Test: Working of the Constitution- 2 - UPSC MCQ

The Central Electricity Authority of India (CEA) is a statutory organization constituted under section 3(1) of the Electricity Supply Act 1948, which has been superseded by section 70( 1) of the Electricity Act 2003.

• The CEA advises the government on matters relating to the National Electricity Policy and formulates short-term and perspective plans for the development of electrical systems. Under the Electricity Act 2003, CEA prescribes the standards on matters such as the construction of electrical plants, electric lines and connectivity to the grid, installation and operation of meters and safety and grid standards.
• The CEA is also responsible for concurrence of hydropower development schemes of central, state and private sectors taking into consideration the factors which will result in the efficient development of the river and its tributaries for power generation, consistent with the requirement of drinking water, irrigation, navigation and flood control.
• Preparation of technical standards for construction of electrical plants, electric lines and connectivity to the grid is the responsibility of CEA as per section 73 (b) of the Electricity Act, 2003.
• However, as per section 7 of this Act, a generating company may establish, operate and maintain a generating station if it complies with the technical standards only relating to connectivity to the grid as given in clause (b) of section 73. This implies that generating stations need not follow compulsory the CEA technical standards specified for the construction of electrical plants and electric lines.
• The CEA plays a lead role in promoting the integrated operations of the regional power grids and the evolution of a national grid. The eastern, western, and north-eastern grids have been integrated and are operating in asynchronous mode. The eastern grid is connected to the northern as well as southern grid through High- Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) back-to-back links. The western grid is also connected to the northern and southern grid through similar arrangements. The CEA facilitates the exchange of power within the country from surplus to deficit regions and with neighboring countries for mutual benefits.
• The CEA advises central government, state governments and regulatory commissions on all technical matters relating to generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. It also advises state governments, licensees or generating companies on matters which enable them to operate and maintain the electricity system under their ownership or control in an improved manner.

• If the body is chaired by a person like the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, it is NOT possible for the body to meet on a daily basis given the busy schedule of the Ministers. The body meets twice a year. So, option b is incorrect.
• Not so important facts like this are often asked by UPSC, You should also pay attention to these details.

Learning: The mandate of the National Council of Senior Citizens is to advise the Central and State Governments on the entire gamut of issues related to the welfare of senior citizens and enhancement of their quality of life, with special reference to the following:

• Policies, programs, and legislative measures.
• Promotion of physical and financial security, health, and independent and productive living.
• Awareness generation and community mobilization.

Statement 1: It is chaired by the prime minister with the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission as vice-chairman.
Chief Ministers of all states, ministers of the related central ministries, secretaries of the concerned departments, eminent physicians, demographers and the representatives of the civil society are members of the commission.
Statement 2: It is conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
Learning: The commission has the mandate

• to review, monitor and give direction for the implementation of the National Population Policy with the view to achieving the goals set in the Population Policy.
• promote synergy between health, educational environmental and developmental programmes so as to hasten population stabilization.
• promote inter-sectoral coordination in planning and implementation of the programmes through different sectors and agencies in Centre and the Slates,
• develop a vigorous peoples programme to support this national effort.  

The government has recently (2015) decided to set up a National Tribal Advisory Council for effecting monitoring and implementation of various tribal welfare schemes.
Statement 1: The NTAC is different from a TAC that is set up under Fifth Schedule provisions. As per Para 4(1) of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, there shall be TAC in each State having Scheduled Areas therein and if the President should direct, also in any State having Scheduled Tribes but non- Scheduled Areas Therein
Statement 2: The council is chaired by the Prime Minister and will meet once or twice a year.
Statement 3: It monitors and does not approve funds for tribal welfare.

Statement 1: The TRAI is an independent regulator Of the telecommunications business in India. Its main purpose is to deli ver a fair and transparent environment for fair competition in telecom market.
It came into existence by the Act of the Parliament in 19?7. It was establ ished in wake of entry of private sector in telecom industries after Government had constituted the National Telecom Policy (NTP) to attract domestic and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) investment in the telecommunication sector.
Statement 2: TRAL also fixes or revises the tariffs for telecom services in India.
TRAI also has punitive mandate. Recently it had recommended Department of Telecom (DoT) to impose combined penalty of Rs. 3.050 crore on Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea cellular.
The TRAI is administered through a Secretariat headed by a secretary.

Statement 1: It is the first and the only Cyber Appellate Tribunal in the country which has been established by the Central Government.
Statement 2: The Cyber Appellate Tribunal has powers to regulate its own procedure including die place at which it has its sittings. Every proceeding before the Cyber Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding.
It has the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure.
The selection of the Chairperson and Members of the Tribunal is made by the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
The Presiding Officer of a Cyber Appellate shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his Office or until he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

It is a cyber security and c-survcil lance agency in India.
• Some of the components of NCCC include the cybcr-crimc prevention strategy, cyber-crime investigation training, review of out dated laws, etc,
• The Indian and US intelligence agencies are also working together to curb misuse of social media platforms in the virtual world by terror groups.
• Some have expressed concern that the body could encroach on Indian citizens' privacy and civil-liberties, given the lack of explicit privacy laws in the country.
• This Centre will have top experts from the field and it will be run like similar organisation in other countries such as the US, the UK, France, Germany, etc.

Indian Computer Emergency Response Team under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, is a nodal agency that deals with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing. It strengthens the security-related defense of the Indian Internet domain, In March 2014, CERT reported a critical flaw in Android Jelly Bean's Virtual Private Network (VPN) implementation.

• The CCI was established to eliminate practices that adversely affect competition in different industries and protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade,
• So, if a merger is leading to unfair monopolistic tendencies, CCI may fine such an establishment and prevent the merger. So, I am correct.
• Unfair practices can happen even when firms collude and set prices and output to maintain their monopoly in the market, which may hurt the consumer.
• But, it is not concerned with the regular administrative processes of the company, nor does it regulate the firms for ensuring all laws, rules, and regulations are adhered to. So, statements 2 and 3 are incorrect.
• It is a statutory body established under The Competition Act of 2002. It was established in 2003 and became fully functional in 2009.

Statement 1: It was founded In 1950 by MaulanaAbulKalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister.
Statement 2: Its objectives are to actively participate in die formulation and implementation of policies and programs pertaining to India's external cultural relations; to foster and strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries; to promote cultural exchanges with other countries and people, and to develop relations with nations.