The question asks about the specific requirement of Article 281 of the Indian Constitution concerning the Finance Commission's report. To answer this, one must recall the constitutional provisions related to the Finance Commission.
Correct Option: C) The President cause every report of the Finance Commission to be laid before each House of Parliament, together with an explanatory memorandum on the action taken on its recommendations
The question asks about the primary purpose of the 'explanatory memorandum on action taken' that accompanies a Finance Commission report presented to Parliament. This requires knowledge of the constitutional provisions and parliamentary procedures related to Finance Commission reports in India.
C) Explain what action the government has actually taken (accepted, modified, or rejected) with respect to each of the Commission's specific recommendations. This option accurately describes the primary function of the explanatory memorandum as mandated by Article 281 of the Indian Constitution.
The question asks about the legal nature of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission in India. Understanding the role and powers of constitutional bodies like the Finance Commission is crucial for competitive exams. The Finance Commission is established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution to recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and State governments, and among the States themselves.
B) Advisory in nature, and not legally binding on the Union Government. This accurately reflects the legal status of the Finance Commission's recommendations. They are expert advice to the President, which the government considers but is not legally obligated to follow.
The question asks why the recommendations of the Finance Commission, despite being advisory, carry significant practical weight. We need to identify the most accurate reason among the given options, focusing on constitutional and political realities in India.
C) A long-standing constitutional convention and political practice under which the Union Government generally accepts the Commission's core recommendations, given its constitutional standing and expert composition. This option correctly identifies that the practical weight of the Finance Commission's recommendations stems from a strong constitutional convention and political practice. The Commission's status as a constitutional body and its expert composition lend significant legitimacy to its recommendations, making it politically difficult for the Union Government to completely disregard them.
The question asks about the composition of the Finance Commission in India. To answer this, one needs to recall the constitutional provisions and statutory details regarding the structure of the Finance Commission.
Correct Option: D) A Chairman and four other members, making a total of five members
The question asks about the appointing authority for the Chairman and members of the Finance Commission in India. This is a direct question related to the constitutional provisions regarding the Finance Commission.
D) The President of India — As per Article 280 of the Indian Constitution, the President of India constitutes the Finance Commission and appoints its Chairman and other members.