Quiz : Committees & Commissions

1. What was the aim of Bhaskar Ghosh Committee?
The Bhaskar Ghose Committee was set up by the Union Culture Ministry to review and restructure its schemes, has called for decentralising the administration of these programmes. It suggested grading of artists and cultural organisations for speedy decision-making, particularly for disbursal of grants. The committee said the schemes directly administered by the Ministry should be implemented through Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs). While the Central sector character of the schemes should be retained, the ZCCs should be allowed to select beneficiaries and distribute grants. The Ministry should set up expert committees for each zone for making selections.

2. What is ” Combating Terrorism”?
The Second Admnistrative Reforms Commission headed by Veerappa Moily recently (september 2008) submitted its report on tackling terrorism to the Union government. The report titled Combating Terrorism — Protecting by Righteousness states that a comprehensive and effective legal framework to deal with all aspects of terrorism needs to be enacted.

No person accused of an offence under this act if in custody shall be released on bail or on his own bond unless the court gives the public prosecutor an opportunity of being heard. When the public prosecutor opposes the bail application of the accused the person shall not be released on bail until the court is satisfied that there are grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty of committing such an offence. However, after one year from the date of detention of the accused under the act, the provisions of sub section shall apply. A review committee shall review the cases of all such persons periodically and advise the prosecution about the release of the accused on bail and the prosecution shall be bound by such advise.
Period of detention during investigation: For terrorist and other related offences the provisions of Section 167 of the CrPC shall apply subject to modification that references to 15, 90 and 60 days shall be construed as references to 30 and 90 days.

4. What were Other Main Recommendations in “Combating Tourism”?
1. A statutory review committee should be constituted to examine each case within 30 days of its registration. The committee should satisfy itself that a prima facie case has been made out by the investigation agency. This committee should review each case every quarter.
2. Special fast track courts exclusively for trial of terrorism related cases should be set up as and when required.
3. A provision to penalise unauthorised possession of certain specified arms and ammunition in notified areas and unauthorised explosive substances, weapons of mass destruction and biological and chemical weapons may be incorporated in the law on terrorism.
4. A spcialised division of the Central Bureay of Investigation to investigate terror offences needs to be created. It should be ensured that this division of the CBI is staffed with personenel of proven intergirty and who are professionally competent and have developed the required expertise in investigation of terrorism related offences. The autonomy and independence of this agency may be ensured through a laid down procedure of appointment and assured fixed tenure for its personnel.
5. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act may be suitably amended to widen its scope. It may be examined whether institutional coordination mechanisms between the Directorate of Enforcement and other intelligence collecting and investigating agencies cold be strengthened.
6. The new legal framework may incorporate provisions regarding freezing of assets, funds, bank accounts, deposits and cash when there is reasonable suspicion of their intended use in terrorist activities. A specialised cell may be created to act on financial leads in such issues.
7. A scheme to encourage support institutions, NGOs for promotion of peace should be devised. The feasibility of extending this scheme to religious schools should also be examined. The potential of the media in spreading education and awareness needs to be tapped to build the capacity of citizens in dealing with any public disorder, particularly terrorist violence. Media should be encouraged to evolve a self regulating code of conduct to ensure that publicity arising out of terrorist attacks does not help the terrorist in their anti national design.

5. What is Nanavati Commission on Godhra?
Nanavati commission is a two-member commission headed by Justice G T Nanavati which submitted the first part of its report on the 2002 Sabarmati train carnage in September 2008 at Godhra and subsequent riots to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

The Commission was appointed by the Modi Government after the worst-ever riots in the state and comprising retired Justices Nanavati and Akshay Mehta, examined more than 1,000 witness during the period of six years. The state government had appointed retired Justice K G Shah to the commission in May 2002 to probe burning of S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express near Godhra railway station and the riots that followed after that incident. Later, retired Supreme Court Justice Nanavati was also appointed to the commission. Justice Mehta was appointed following the death of Justice Shah.

6. What is Nanavati Commission on 1984 Sikh Riots?
The Justice G.T. Nanavati commission was established by the Indian Government in 2000 to investigate the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots.The commission was appointed by the NDA government on May 8, 2000 to look into certain matters emnanting from the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots. This was a one-man commission consisted of former Supreme Court of India justice G.T. Nanavati.
Its report was 185 pages long which was submitted in February 2004 detailing accusations and evidence against senior members of the Delhi wing of the then ruling Congress Party, including Jagdish Tytler, later a Cabinet Minister, MP Sajjan Kumar and late minister H.K.L. Bhagat. They were accused of instigating mobs to avenge the assassination of Indira Gandhi by killing Sikhs in their constituencies. The Commission also held the then Delhi police commissioner S.C. Tandon directly responsible for the riots.