Laxmikanth MCQs: Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Ans: (a)
The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 introduced Article 350-B in the Indian Constitution, providing for the appointment of a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities. The officer's responsibility is to safeguard the rights of linguistic minorities and ensure compliance with constitutional provisions. This officer is appointed by the President of India, not the Prime Minister, and reports directly to the President.
Statement 1: True. Article 350-B was indeed introduced by the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956.
Statement 2: False. The Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities is appointed by the President, not the Prime Minister.
Correct Answer: (a) Only Statement 1 is true.

Ans: (a)
The Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (CLM) operates under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, as per Article 350-B of the Indian Constitution. The CLM ensures the protection of linguistic minorities' rights and reports directly to the President of India through this ministry. However, the CLM does not have a formal "Deputy Commissioner" designation at regional headquarters. Its operations are centralized, with regional officers managing specific tasks.
Statement 1: True, as the CLM functions under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Statement 2: False, as there is no official position of "Deputy Commissioner" in the CLM's organizational setup.
Correct Answer: (a) Only Statement 1 is correct.

Ans: (a)

The Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (CLM) submits annual reports to the President of India, as per Article 350-B of the Indian Constitution. These reports provide an assessment of the implementation of constitutional safeguards for linguistic minorities. The reason (R) correctly explains why these reports are necessary, as they ensure that the rights of linguistic minorities are upheld and monitored effectively.

• Assertion (A): True, the CLM submits annual reports to the President.
• Reason (R): True, these reports are crucial for monitoring constitutional safeguards for linguistic minorities.

Since both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion:

Correct Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Ans: (d)

The Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (CLM) operates under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, not the Ministry of Home Affairs, making Statement 1 false. Additionally, the headquarters of the CLM is located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, not Mumbai, making Statement 2 false as well.

Correct Answer: (d) False, False.

Ans: (a)

The correct chronological order of events is as follows:

1. Recommendation by the States Reorganization Commission:
   The States Reorganization Commission (SRC), established in 1953, recommended the reorganization of states based on linguistic lines and the creation of safeguards for linguistic minorities.

2. Introduction of Article 350-B in the Indian Constitution:
   Based on the recommendations of the SRC, the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 introduced Article 350-B, providing for the appointment of a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities.

3. Establishment of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities:
   Following the constitutional provision, the office of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (CLM) was formally established in 1957.

Thus, the correct chronological order is: Correct Answer: (a) 1-2-3.

Ans: (a)
Statement 1: "The duties of the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities include investigating matters related to constitutional safeguards for linguistic minorities."
As per Article 350-B, the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities (or Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities) is tasked with investigating and reporting on matters related to the implementation of constitutional safeguards for linguistic minorities. This includes ensuring that their rights are protected and promoting awareness of these safeguards.
Conclusion: This statement is true.

Statement 2: "The Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities conducts on-site assessments in linguistic minority areas only upon receiving complaints."
The Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities conducts proactive field visits and assessments, not limited to receiving complaints. The role includes monitoring and investigating the implementation of safeguards, even in the absence of complaints.
Conclusion: This statement is false.
Correct Answer: (a) Only Statement 1 is true.

Ans: (c)
The Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (CLM) engages in discussions with high-ranking officials at the state and Union Territory levels to monitor the implementation of constitutional safeguards for linguistic minorities, making Statement 1 true. Additionally, the CLM submits annual reports to the President through the Union Minority Affairs Minister, making Statement 2 true.
Correct Answer: (c) Both Statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Ans: (b)
The Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (CLM) is responsible for disseminating information about constitutional and legal safeguards to linguistic minorities, making Statement 1 true. However, the tenure and service conditions of the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities are not detailed in the Constitution but are determined by the government, making Statement 2 false.
Correct Answer: (b) True, False.

Ans: (a)
Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (CLM) communicates with State Governments and Union Territories through appointed nodal officers, ensuring effective coordination and implementation of safeguards, making Assertion (A) true. This communication facilitates a uniform approach to implementing constitutional and legal safeguards for linguistic minorities, making Reason (R) true and the correct explanation for the assertion.
Correct Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Ans: (a)
The primary objective of the CLM is to ensure the protection and promotion of the rights of linguistic minorities by monitoring constitutional safeguards, making Statement 1 true. However, the CLM's role is not limited to just preparing and submitting reports; it also involves on-site assessments and discussions with state authorities, making Statement 2 false.
Correct Answer: (a) Only Statement 1 is true.

Ans: (d)
The Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities submits reports to the President of India, not directly to each House of Parliament, making Statement 1 false. Additionally, the headquarters of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (CLM) is located in Lucknow, not Chennai, making Statement 2 false.
Correct Answer: (d) False, False.

Ans: (d)
The Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities is appointed by the President of India, as per Article 350-B of the Indian Constitution, not the Union Minority Affairs Minister. Additionally, the Constitution does not specify the qualifications, tenure, or removal procedures for the Special Officer. These are determined by the government.
Statement 1: False. The appointment is made by the President, not the Minister.
Statement 2: False. The Constitution does not specify details about tenure, qualifications, or removal.
Correct Answer: (d) Neither Statement 1 nor Statement 2 is correct.

Ans: (b)

The Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (CLM) operates under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, which oversees its functioning and ensures implementation of safeguards for linguistic minorities. While the ministry facilitates coordination with states, its primary role is to monitor compliance with constitutional provisions, and this coordination is a secondary outcome.

• Assertion (A): True. The CLM operates under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
• Reason (R): True, but it is not the direct explanation of the assertion.

Correct Answer: (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Ans: (a)

The process for the functioning of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities involves:

1. Investigation of matters related to linguistic minorities by the Special Officer.
2. Submission of reports by the CLM to the President of India.
3. Presentation of reports to both Houses of Parliament by the government.

This sequence reflects the structured approach of investigating issues, reporting findings, and ensuring parliamentary oversight.

Correct Answer: (a) 1-2-3.

Ans: (b)

The office of the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities was established after the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956, which introduced Article 350-B into the Constitution. The Commissioner submits annual and other reports to the President.

• Statement 1: False. The office was established in 1957, not immediately after independence.
• Statement 2: True. The CLM submits reports to the President.

Correct Answer: (b) Only Statement 2 is true.

Ans: (d)
The Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities was formally established in 1957 to implement the provisions of Article 350-B, introduced in the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956.
Correct Answer: (d) 1957.

Ans: (b)

The CLM manages representations and grievances related to the protection of linguistic minorities. However, the Constitution does not specify qualifications for the Special Officer.

• Statement 1: True. Addressing grievances is part of the CLM’s role.
• Statement 2: False. Qualifications for the Special Officer are not detailed in the Constitution.

Correct Answer: (b) True, False.

Ans: (a)

The CLM has three regional offices located in Belgaum (Karnataka), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), and Kolkata (West Bengal). Each office is headed by an Assistant Commissioner. The incorrect locations (Mumbai and Delhi) in Statement 2 make it false.

• Statement 1: True. There are three regional offices.
• Statement 2: False. Regional offices are not in Mumbai or Delhi.
• Statement 3: True. Each regional office is headed by an Assistant Commissioner.

Correct Answer: (a) Only Statement 1 and 3 are true.

Ans: (a)

The vision of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities includes fostering inclusive development to ensure active participation of linguistic minorities in national integration. This aligns with the reason given, which explains why fostering inclusion is essential.

• Assertion (A): True. Fostering inclusive development is a stated goal.
• Reason (R): True. National integration depends on active participation of all communities.

Correct Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Ans: (a)
The CLM has regional offices in Belgaum, Chennai, and Kolkata, and each office is headed by an Assistant Commissioner, not a Deputy Commissioner.

• Statement 1: True. Regional offices are located in these cities.
• Statement 2: False. Offices are headed by Assistant Commissioners, not Deputy Commissioners.

Correct Answer: (a) Only Statement 1 is correct.