UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice : GS 2 (Week 3)

QUESTION 1

How are the Committees constituted, and how are their chairpersons chosen? Discuss the functions of the estimate committee.

QUESTION 2

Discuss the consequences of China’s expanding strength in the Indian Ocean region. Why is it important for India?

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords give you an edge over the other candidates and helps in the better presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be use logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ Conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: How are the Committees constituted, and how are their chairpersons chosen? Discuss the functions of the estimate committee.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about Parliamentary Committees, thier formation and their origin.

— Parliamentary Committees have their origins in the British Parliament. They draw their authority from Article 105, which deals with the privileges of MPs, and Article 118, which gives Parliament authority to make rules to regulate its procedure and conduct of business.

— A Parliamentary Committee is a panel of MPs that is appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker, and which works under the direction of the Speaker. It presents its report to the House or to the Speaker.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— The Committees work closely with multiple Ministries and facilitate inter-ministerial coordination. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha panels are headed by members of these respective Houses.

— There are other Standing Committees for each House, such as the Business Advisory Committee and the Privileges Committee. The Presiding Officer of each House nominates members to these panels.

— Presiding Officers use their discretion to refer a matter to a Parliamentary Committee, but this is usually done in consultation with leaders of parties in the House.

— The appointment of heads of the Committees is done by convention in which the main Opposition party gets the post of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman.

— The chairperson presides over the meetings and can decide who should be summoned before the panel.

— The members of parliament typically have a one-year tenure on Parliamentary Committees. Usually, the composition of a Committee remains more or less the same in terms of representation of the various parties.

Functions of Estimates Committee

According to loksabhadocs.nic.in:

— To report what economies, improvements in organisation, efficiency, or administrative reform, consistent with the policy underlying the estimates may be effected;

— To suggest alternative policies in order to bring about efficiency and economy in administration;

— To examine whether the money is well laid out within the limits of the policy implied in the estimates; and

— To suggest the form in which the estimates shall be presented to Parliament.

Conclusion:

Your concluding remark should be short and should encapsulate both parts of the answer.

— The reports of departmentally related standing committees are recommendatory in nature. They are not binding on the government, but they do carry significant weight. In the past, governments have accepted suggestions given by the Committees and incorporated them into the Bill after it has come back to the House for consideration and passage. 

— However, suggestions by the Select Committees and JPCs — which have a majority of MPs and heads from the ruling party — are accepted more frequently.

(Sources: Parliament Committees, their leaders, and their role in law-making: Written by Liz Mathew, Edited by Explained Desk, loksabhadocs.nic.in)

Points to Ponder

— Ad-hoc Committee

— Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)

Related Previous Year Questions

Discuss the role of the Public Accounts Committee in establishing accountability of the government to the people. (2017)

QUESTION 2: Discuss the consequences of China’s expanding strength in the Indian Ocean region. Why is it important for India?

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a basic fact such as:

— The Indian Ocean serves as a conduit for Sea Lanes of Communications (SLOCs) traveling from east to west.

— China’s engagement with Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Seychelles is primarily based on infrastructure development and the strengthening of diplomatic connections allowing it to take advantage of the opportunities for extending its “Look West Policy.”

(Source: idsa.in)

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Consequences of China’s expanding strength

— China has increased its military presence in the Indian Ocean to match its interests abroad. The Chinese economy is highly reliant on trade routes that pass through the Indian Ocean.

— China needs reliable access facilities in the Indian Ocean region to project its power. China has military bases in Djibouti, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. China is using its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to fund many of these projects.

— The China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), an organisation connected with the Chinese Foreign Ministry held a meeting of the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation. India was reportedly not invited.

— China seeks to conduct training and exercises in the region, potentially in partnership with other militaries.

— Chinese trade routes would be particularly vulnerable because the sea lines of communication from the Middle East to China run near the Indian coast.

Importance of the Indian Ocean Region for India

— Indian Ocean Region can emerge as an area of conflict. Therefore,  India should be prepared for the possibility of a conflict.

— The undersea mapping features would be beneficial in preparing for a potential wartime scenario.

— China has proposed to establish a marine disaster prevention and mitigation cooperation mechanism between China and countries in the Indian Ocean region. So, India should think something to counter it like the Indian Navy-backed ‘Indian Ocean Naval Symposium’ (IONS) seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the region.

— India’s strong influence in the Indian Ocean region where India-backed organisations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association, (IORA)  have strong roots and can be beneficial for Indian and Indian Ocean Region.

(Source: csis.org)

Conclusion:

Your concluding remark should be short and should encapsulate both parts of the answer.

— Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean Region has caused apprehensions among the regional countries and has led to a situation where the region is becoming increasingly securitised. The region is becoming an increasingly contested space, with security balances in the region looking uncertain

— Indian Government launched Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) in 2015 for active cooperation among the littoral countries of the Indian Ocean region.

— The Indian Navy-backed ‘Indian Ocean Naval Symposium’ (IONS) seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the region.

(Sources: China holds its first meeting with 19 countries in Indian Ocean region without India by PTI, icwa.in)

Points to Ponder

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

South-China Sea

Related Previous Year Questions

The new tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario. (2021)

China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’. In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour. (2017)

Post your inputs and answers to points to ponder in the comment box below and engage with other aspirants too. All the best!

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