Previous Year Question
Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India?
Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX-A of the Constitution.
Emergency provisions are given in Part XVIII of the Constitution.
Provisions related to the amendment of the Constitution are given in Part XX of the Constitution.
Select the answer using the codes given below:
1 and 2
2 and 3
1 and 3
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
All three statements are correct.
Statement 1 is correct. Part IX-A of the Constitution deals with Municipalities. It was inserted by the Constitution (Seventy-fourth Amendment) Act, 1992 and came into force on 1 June 1993. It contains Articles 243P to 243ZG.
Under Article 243W, a State Legislature may, by law, endow Municipalities with the powers and authority necessary to function as institutions of self-government. These include preparing plans for economic development and social justice and performing functions listed in the Twelfth Schedule. The Twelfth Schedule contains 18 subjects, including urban planning, land use, water supply, sanitation, fire services, urban forestry and slum improvement.
Statement 2 is correct. Part XVIII of the Constitution deals with Emergency Provisions. It contains Articles 352 to 360. The Constitution provides for three types of emergencies:
Article 352—National Emergency on the grounds of war, external aggression or armed rebellion.
Article 356—President’s Rule following the failure of constitutional machinery in a State.
Article 360—Financial Emergency when the financial stability or credit of India or any part of its territory is threatened.
Under Article 355, it is the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every State is carried on according to the Constitution.
Statement 3 is correct. Part XX deals with the amendment of the Constitution and contains Article 368. It gives Parliament constituent power to amend the Constitution and prescribes the amendment procedure.
A Constitution Amendment Bill may be introduced in either House of Parliament. Ordinarily, it must be passed in each House by a majority of the total membership and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. Amendments affecting specified federal provisions also require ratification by the Legislatures of at least one-half of the States.