Passage- 1
We have inherited the tradition of secrecy about the budget from Britain where also the system has been strongly attacked by eminent economists and political scientists including Peter Jay. Sir Richard Clarke, who was the originating genius of nearly every important development in the British budgeting techniques during the last two decades, has spoken out about the abuse of budget secrecy: "The problems of long-term tax policy should surely be debated openly with the facts on the table. In my opinion, all governments should have just the same duty to publish their expenditure policy. Indeed, this obligation to publish taxation policy is really essential for the control of public expenditure in order to get realistic taxation implications." Realising that democracy flourishes best on the principles of open government, more and more democracies are having an open public debate on budget proposals before introducing the appropriate Bill in the legislature. In the United States the budget is conveyed in a message by the President to the Congress, which comes well in advance of the date when the Bill is introduced in the Congress. In Finland the Parliament and the people are already discussing in June the tentative budget proposals which are to be introduced in the Finnish Parliament in September. Every budget contains a cartload of figures in black and white - but the dark figures represent the myriad lights and shades of India's life, the contrasting tones of poverty and wealth, and of bread so dear and flesh and blood so cheap, the deep tints of adventure and enterprise and man's ageless struggle for a brighter morning. The Union budget should not be an annual scourge but a part of presentation of annual accounts of a partnership between the Government and the people. That partnership would work much better when the nonsensical secrecy is replaced by openness and public consultations, resulting in fair laws and the people's acceptance of their moral duty to pay
Question- 1
How do the British economists and political scientists react to budget secrecy? They are ........
A. indifferent to the budgeting techniques and taxation policies.
B. very critical about maintenance of budget secrecy.
C. advocates of not disclosing in advance the budget contents.
D. in favour of having a mix of secrecy and openness.
E. None of these
Question- 2
Sir Richard Clarke seems to deserve the credit for
A. maintenance of secrecy of the British budget.
B. detection of abuse of transparency in budget.
C. bringing down the tax load on British people.
D. transformation in the British budgetary techniques.
E. None of these
Question- 3
The author seems to be in favour of
A. judicious blend of secrecy and openness
B. transparency in budget proposals
C. replacement of public constitution by secrecy
D. maintaining secrecy of budget
E. None of these
Question- 4
The secrecy of the budget is maintained by all of the following countries except
A. Finland
B. India
C. United States
A. Only B
B. Only C
C. A and C
D. Only A
E. B and C
Question- 5
From the contents of the passage, it can be inferred that the author is
A. a democratic person.
B. unaware of India's recent economic developments.
C. a conservative person.
D. authoritarian in his approach.
E. None of these
Passage- 2
In a country where consumers have traditionally had a raw deal, the Consumer Protection Act was one of the most progressive acts of legislation introduced in 1986. Before this, a shop could get away easily with the line "goods once sold will not be taken back or exchanged" or a car parking contractor with "park at your own risk". It is not that things have changed now but at least a legislation is in place and a forum is available to seek redressal . One of the basic limitations of this act is its mystification and general ignorance. No consumer agency or group has made its provisions general, nor has any redressal commission or forum. Restricted as it is by a lack of in frastructure and personnel and great verdicts to encourage consumers. The legislation is comprehensive. It gives consumers the right to redress against defective goods, deficient services and unfair trade practices. Consumer courts must deliver their judgements within 40 days, but rarely is this deadline adhered to. This reviewer had a firsthand experience of the chairman of a consumer court in Delhi who adjourned a case against a foreign airline for two years on the grounds that he did not have staff to type the orders. His replacement found the backlog so shocking that he dismissed several cases without applying his mind, in the process working against the interests of consumers. But what is more important is that the law has it that a consumer can approach court on his own without having to pay legal fees. In practice, this does not happen. The chairperson of the National Commission, who is a sitting judge, is so attuned to delivering judgments which can stand scrutiny in a civil court of law that it is insisted upon that a consumer must be represented by a lawyer. If not, cases are adjourned with impunity and set for another day. Girimaji's attempt is creditable in that it is the first of its kind and has addressed almost all possible angles. She has discussed redressals in complaints about housing, basic telephony, rail transportation, power supply, life insurance and medical negligence. There are even tips on how to file a complaint. But it is mired in the case files of the National/ State Commissions of the Consumer Forum. A useful dimension would have been a comparison with the Law of Torts practised abroad. It is necessary here also, especially in an era of economic liberalisation, when the consumer is like ly to be swept off his feet by free-market forces.
Question- 6
Which of the following best describes the judge's replacement?
A. He never bothered to safeguard the interests of the reviewer.
B. He dismissed cases without even giving a second thought to what cases came to him.
C. He was apathetic and uninterested about the direction the case might head in.
D. He was partial towards the airline as it was a foreign one.
E. He passed irrelevant verdicts indifferently.
Question- 7
What is the functionary role of the chairman of the National Commission?
A. To be accountable to the public
B. To prevent any dissent arising out of his verdicts and Acts
C. To adjourn the cases with impunity
D. To be the titular head of the commission
E. None of these
Question- 8
How has Girimaji's attempt been creditable?
A. She has brought all the loopholes in the Act to the consumer's notice.
B. She has looked at the Act in a very disinterested and impersonal manner.
C. She has discussed the law in the most explicit manner.
D. It has given the Act a new dimension.
E. Her implicit dialogue with the consumer has made him aware of his rights.
Question- 9
Why is the consumer likely to be swept off his feet?
A. He is wooed by the charm of foreign brands readily available in the market.
B. He is not aware of the Law of Torts as practised abroad.
C. He is not aware of the benefits of the consumer rights.
D. He is easily taken in by the deceptive publicity.
E. The Consumer Protection Act has been implemented and he can seek redressal.
Question- 10
What does the Act broadly cover?
A. It is a forum that protects the redresser.
B. It shields the consumer from deceptive and unfair trade practices.
C. It enables the plaintiff to fight his case free of cost.
D. It protects the right to redress.
E. None of these