Question

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. Only the Rajya Sabha and not Lok Sabha. can have nominated members.

b. There is a constitutional provision for nominating two members belonging to the Anglo-Indian Community to the Rajya Sabha.

c. There is no constitutional bar for nominated members to be appointed as Union Ministers.

d. A nominated member can vote both in Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections.

1. a and b 
2. c and d 
3. Only b 
4. Only c 

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Only c 

The Correct answer is Only C.

• The president nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha from people who have special knowledge or practical experience in art, literature, science and social service. The rationale behind this principle of nomination is to provide eminent persons with a place in the Rajya Sabha without going through the process of election. It should be noted here that the American Senate has no nominated members.
• In Lok Sabha, 2 members are nominated by the president from the Anglo Indian Community. Hence the statement a and b are Incorrect.
• A nominated member can vote only in the Vice-presidential election and not in case of Presidential Elections. Hence statement d is Incorrect.
• A nominated member can become the minister if Prime minister appoints him.
• Recently Parliament enacted the 104th Constitutional amendment (126th Constitutional Amendment Bill) which related to Granting 10-year reservation to the SC and ST in Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly up to 25 January 2030. 
• The Constitution provides for reservation of seats for SCs and STs and representation of the Anglo-Indian community by nomination, in LokSabha and Legislative Assemblies of states.
• This has been provided for a period of 70 years since the enactment of the Constitution and will expire on January 25, 2020. The Bill seeks to extend the reservation for SCs and STs by another 10 years till January 25, 2030. However, the reservation for Anglo-Indians in the form of nomination is set to expire on January 25 as the bill does not extend the facility to the community.