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Czech Republic

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Recently, the Indian Defence Minister held a bilateral meeting with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic in New Delhi.

About the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a landlocked country located in Central Europe.

Geographical Location and Boundaries

The Czech Republic shares its borders with four countries:

  • Poland lies to its north and northeast.

  • Slovakia lies to its east.

  • Austria lies to its south.

  • Germany lies to its west and northwest.

The capital city of the Czech Republic is Prague.

Geographical Features of the Czech Republic

Climate

The country experiences a temperate climate, characterised by warm summers and cold, cloudy and humid winters.

Mountain Ranges

The important mountain ranges of the Czech Republic include the Carpathian Mountains, Ore Mountains, Sudetic Mountains and Šumava Mountains.

Highest Point

The highest point of the country is Mount Sněžka, located in the Sudetic Mountains. It rises to an elevation of 5,259 feet (1,603 metres).

Major Rivers

The major rivers draining the Czech Republic include the Elbe, Oder, Vltava, Moravia and Morava rivers.

The Oder River flows northwards towards the Baltic Sea.

Natural Resources

The Czech Republic possesses various natural resources, including arable land, kaolin, graphite, clay, forests and coal.


 

Ceropegia tamilnaduensis

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Recently, botanists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) discovered and described a new plant species named Ceropegia tamilnaduensis.

About Ceropegia tamilnaduensis

Ceropegia tamilnaduensis is a newly discovered plant species found on the hill slopes of the Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu.

It is a perennial herb found growing at an elevation of approximately 380 metres on a hill slope adjacent to a stream and surrounded by evergreen forests.

Distinctive Features

The plant has solitary flowers that grow directly from the leaf axils, along with drooping stems.

It possesses a glabrous (hairless) central corona and a pollinial corpusculum with lateral wings.

The species produces unusually large seeds measuring up to 14 mm in length.

Morphological Similarities

Ceropegia tamilnaduensis shows close morphological similarities with two other species.

  • Ceropegia annamacharyae: It shows similarity in flower structure.

  • Ceropegia swarupa: It shows similarity in narrow leaves and body structure.

About Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary

Location and Establishment

The Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Tamil Nadu. It received the status of a Wildlife Sanctuary in 2015.

Geographical Features

The sanctuary features 29 mountain peaks, including Sivagiri Mala, which is its highest peak at 1,748 metres. Other important peaks include Totti Malai, Kalli Malai and Aruitalai Mottai.

River Systems

The sanctuary is sustained by the drainage network of the Cauvery, Moyar, Bhavani, Vaigai and Tamirabarani River Systems.

Flora

The important plant species found in the sanctuary include Santalum album (Sandalwood), Shorea, Tectona grandis, Shola tree species, Avicennia mangroves and Strobilanthes kunthiana.

Fauna

The sanctuary is home to several important wildlife species, including the Nilgiri Tahr, Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Lion-tailed Macaque, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Gaur and Sloth Bear.


 

Finance Bill and Money Bill

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The Finance Bill was recently discussed in the Lok Sabha.

About the Finance Bill

The Finance Bill is a crucial part of the Union Budget and is introduced every year to implement the government's fiscal proposals.

It provides the legislative framework for taxation, expenditure and revenue adjustments for the upcoming financial year.

Constitutional Provision

Article 110(a) of the Constitution provides that a Bill is a Money Bill if it contains provisions dealing with the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax.

The Finance Bill is presented along with the Union Budget and is accompanied by a Memorandum explaining its tax provisions.

Types of Financial Bills

Financial Bills are classified into two types under the Constitution.

Financial Bill (I) – Article 117(1)

A Financial Bill (I) contains provisions similar to those of a Money Bill, along with other legislative provisions.

It can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and requires the President's recommendation.

Except for its introduction, it follows the same procedure as an Ordinary Bill.

Financial Bill (II) – Article 117(3)

A Financial Bill (II) does not contain any of the provisions specified in Article 110 relating to Money Bills. However, it involves expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India.

It can be introduced in either House of Parliament, but requires the President's recommendation before it can be considered.

What is a Money Bill?

Definition – Article 110

A Money Bill is a Bill that contains provisions dealing exclusively with matters specified under Article 110 of the Constitution.

These matters include:

  • Taxation: Imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax.

  • Government Borrowing: Regulation of the borrowing of money by the Government of India.

  • Consolidated Fund of India: Custody, payment into or withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Fund of India.

  • Government Expenditure: Appropriation of money out of the Consolidated Fund of India.

Certification of a Money Bill

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha certifies whether a Bill is a Money Bill.

Role of Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject a Money Bill. It can only make recommendations, which the Lok Sabha may accept or reject.

Difference Between Money Bill and Finance Bill

Feature

Money Bill

Finance Bill

Definition

Contains only provisions relating to matters specified under Article 110, such as taxation, borrowing and expenditure.

Includes taxation provisions and other financial matters.

Introduction

Can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha with the President's recommendation.

Finance Bill (I): Only in Lok Sabha. Finance Bill (II): In either House.

Role of Rajya Sabha

Can only make recommendations, which the Lok Sabha may reject.

Can suggest amendments and reject the Bill.

Joint Sitting

Not allowed.

Allowed in case of a deadlock.


 


 


 

Article 371 of the Indian Constitution

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About Article 371

Article 371 is included in Part XXI of the Indian Constitution, which deals with temporary, transitional and special provisions for certain States.

It has been part of the Constitution since 26 January 1950. However, Articles 371(A) to 371(J) were introduced through constitutional amendments under Article 368.

Special Provisions under Articles 371(A) to 371(J)

Article 371 – Maharashtra and Gujarat

Article 371 deals with the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The Governor of Maharashtra has a special responsibility to establish separate development boards for Vidarbha, Marathwada and the rest of Maharashtra.

Similarly, the Governor of Gujarat has a special responsibility to establish separate development boards for Saurashtra, Kutch and the rest of Gujarat.

Article 371A – Nagaland

Article 371A provides special constitutional protection to the religious and social practices of the Nagas, their customary law and procedure, and matters relating to civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law.

No Act of Parliament concerning these matters, including the ownership and transfer of land and its resources, applies to Nagaland unless the State Legislative Assembly passes a resolution to that effect.

The provision also gives the Governor a special responsibility regarding law and order in the State.

Article 371B – Assam

Article 371B deals with Assam and was introduced in 1969.

It empowers the President to provide for the constitution and functioning of a committee of the Assam Legislative Assembly consisting of members elected from the tribal areas.

Article 371C – Manipur

Article 371C applies to Manipur and was inserted into the Constitution in 1972.

It provides for the constitution of a committee of legislators from the Hill Areas of Manipur.

The Governor has a special responsibility to submit an annual report to the President regarding the administration of the Hill Areas.

Articles 371D and 371E – Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Articles 371D and 371E provide special provisions for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Under Article 371D, the President can issue an order to provide equitable opportunities and facilities to people belonging to different parts of Andhra Pradesh in matters of public employment and education.

Article 371F – Sikkim

Article 371F applies to Sikkim and provides that the State Legislative Assembly must consist of at least 30 members.

The Governor has a special responsibility for the maintenance of peace and ensuring equitable arrangements for the social and economic advancement of different sections of the population.

Article 371G – Mizoram

Article 371G applies to Mizoram.

It provides special constitutional protection for the religious and social practices of the Mizos, their customary law and procedure, and matters relating to the administration of civil and criminal justice.

It also protects matters concerning the ownership and transfer of land.

Article 371H – Arunachal Pradesh

Article 371H applies to Arunachal Pradesh and confers a special responsibility on the Governor regarding law and order in the State.

Article 371I – Goa

Article 371I relates to Goa.

It provides that the Goa Legislative Assembly must consist of not less than 30 members.

Article 371J – Karnataka

Article 371J accords special provisions to the Hyderabad-Karnataka Region, now known as Kalyana Karnataka.

It provides for the establishment of a separate development board for the region.


 


 

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