Important Acts of the Parliament of India Questions and Answers

Answer: A

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act was enacted in 1958.

It provides for the preservation of monuments and sites of national importance, regulates archaeological excavation and the export of antiquities, and is administered by the Archaeological Survey of India. It replaced the Act of 1904.

Answer: A

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act was enacted in 1991.

It freezes the religious character of any place of worship as it stood on 15 August 1947 and bars suits to alter it, expressly excepting the Ram Janmabhoomi–Babri Masjid site then in litigation.

Answer: B

Members of a panchayat are elected by the electorates of the respective territorial constituencies.

Article 243C requires all seats in a panchayat to be filled by direct election from territorial constituencies, with seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women. The 73rd Amendment of 1992 put this beyond the discretion of state governments.

Answer: C

Article 22 gives protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.

Clauses (1) and (2) require an arrested person to be told the grounds, allowed a lawyer of choice, and produced before a magistrate within twenty-four hours. Clauses (4) to (7) lay down the safeguards for preventive detention, including review by an advisory board.

Answer: D

The Government Buildings Act was enacted in 1899.

It restricts building and municipal regulation in relation to government buildings, exempting them from certain local by-laws.

Answer: B

Article 39A directs the state to secure equal justice and free legal aid.

It was inserted by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 and requires that opportunities for justice not be denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disability. It is the basis of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and of the Lok Adalats.

Answer: C

The Payment of Wages Act was enacted in 1936.

It fixes wage periods, requires timely payment, and limits the deductions an employer may make from wages, so that workers receive their earnings in full and on time.

Answer: C

The Income-tax Act was enacted in 1961.

It replaced the Act of 1922 and came into force on 1 April 1962. It defines the five heads of income, the residential-status rules and the machinery of assessment, appeal and recovery.

Answer: B

The Employers' Liability Act was enacted in 1938.

It barred an employer sued by an injured workman from raising the defences of common employment or of the workman's assumed knowledge of the risk.

Answer: B

Such a Bill is a Money Bill.

Article 110 defines it, and the Speaker's certificate on the point is final. A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha on the President's recommendation; the Rajya Sabha may make recommendations but must return it within fourteen days, and the Lok Sabha may reject them.