The Hindu Editorial Summary

Editorial Topic : Money Bills in India

 GS-2 Mains Exam : Polity

Revision Notes

Question : Explain the definition and scope of a Money Bill under Article 110(1) of the Indian Constitution. What financial matters are covered under this article?

What is a Money Bill?

• Defined in Article 110(1)(a) to (f) of the Indian Constitution.
• Deals with only provisions related to one or more of six specific financial matters:
  • Taxation
  • Government borrowing
  • Consolidated/Contingency Fund management
  • Money allocation from Consolidated Fund
  • Expenditure from Consolidated Fund
  • Receipts/audit of Union or State accounts
• Clause (g) of Article 110 (1) allows matters incidental to these six to be classified as money bills as well.
• Examples: Finance Act (deals with taxation), Appropriation Act (deals with spending)

Money Bill vs. Financial Bill

• The Constitution differentiates between money bills and financial bills under Article 117.
• Money Bills
  • Deal with only financial matters crucial for national administration.
  • Introduced only in Lok Sabha (lower house) – Article 109.
  • Rajya Sabha (upper house) has 14 days to make recommendations, not binding on Lok Sabha.
  • Faster passage due to Lok Sabha’s power.

Financial Bills (2 Categories)

• Category I: Contains any of the six money bill matters along with other matters.
• Category II: Does not contain any of the six money bill matters but involves spending from the Consolidated Fund.
• Unlike money bills, these bills go through a regular parliamentary process involving both houses.

Who Certifies a Money Bill?

• The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has the authority to certify a bill as a money bill.
• This power has been challenged in judicial reviews.

Recent Controversies

• Aadhaar Act (2016): Classified as a money bill due to a provision allowing withdrawal from the Consolidated Fund. This classification was debated and upheld by the Supreme Court with a dissenting judge (current CJI).
• Finance Act (2017): Used to pass amendments reorganizing tribunals, raising concerns about bypassing Rajya Sabha scrutiny.

Conclusion

• Money bills are a mechanism to ensure swift passage of crucial financial legislation.
• However, the Speaker’s certification power and the definition of “only” require careful consideration to prevent misuse.

 

 

 

The Hindu Editorial Summary

Editorial Topic : Heat Stress

 GS-3 Mains Exam : Economy

Revision Notes

Question : Examine the health effects of heat stress on workers, particularly in relation to cognitive and physical abilities. What are the specific risks faced by pregnant women working in hot environments?

Global Impact

• Climate change is increasing heat stress risks for workers worldwide.
• ILO study (2019) estimates:
  • 2.2% reduction in global working hours by 2030 due to heat stress.
  • US$2,400 billion loss in global GDP by 2030 from heat stress.
• Agricultural workers (60%) and construction workers (19%) are most affected by heat stress.
• Asia-Pacific to see highest GDP losses (2.3% by 2030) due to heat stress.
• Heat stress threatens achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Health Effects of Heat Stress

• Heat stroke, heat cramps, cardiovascular disease, acute kidney injury, and physical injury.
• Over 38°C temperature harms cognitive and physical abilities.
• Pregnant women in hot environments risk complications like hypertension, miscarriages, and premature births.

Impact on Workers

• Reduced work productivity due to difficulty performing tasks in excessive heat.
• Increased risk of workplace injuries.
• Exacerbates gender disparity in the workforce, especially for women in subsistence agriculture.
• Decline in available working hours and output can affect household food security for small-scale farmers.
• Informal workers may risk their health by continuing to work due to financial constraints.

Case of India

• Rising temperatures: 160-200 million people in India at risk of deadly heatwaves annually by 2030.
• Study in West Bengal: 1°C rise in temperature reduces female brickmakers’ productivity by 2%.
• Significant decline in full-time employment expected in India by 2030 due to heat stress.
• National Disaster Management Authority’s guidelines for heatwave action plans.

Government Initiatives

• National guidelines on ‘Preparation of Action Plan’ for heatwave prevention and management.
• Focus on worker education, hydration, work schedule management, and medical facilities.
• Collaboration between governments, employers, and workers to prioritize vulnerable worker protection.
• Improve implementation of international labor standards related to occupational safety and health.

Looking Ahead: Green Jobs

• Decent and green jobs offer a solution for the future of work.
• Green jobs protect or restore the environment while promoting economic and social well-being.
• Effective communication between workers and employers is crucial for adapting to heat stress.