UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. Mains Answer Writing covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-2 to check your progress.

What is the India-Myanmar border Free Movement Regime (FMR)? What was the rationale behind the implementation of FMR agreement?

Discuss the role and responsibilities of the Lok Sabha Speaker in ensuring the seamless functioning of the House.

Introduction

— An introduction is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from a trusted source and include authenticated facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ Conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

QUESTION 1: What is the India-Myanmar border Free Movement Regime (FMR)? What was the rationale behind the implementation of FMR agreement?

Introduction:

— The Free Movement Regime is a mutually agreed arrangement between the two countries that allows tribes living along the border on either side to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.

— It was implemented in 2018 as part of the government’s Act East policy, when diplomatic relations between India and Myanmar were on the upswing.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

What was the rationale behind the implementation of FMR agreement?

— The British demarcated the border between India and Myanmar in 1826, without seeking the opinion of the people living in the region.

— The border effectively divided people of the same ethnicity and culture into two nations without their consent. The current India-Myanmar Border reflects the line the British drew.

— People in the region share strong ethnic and familial links across the border. In Manipur’s Moreh area, there are communities with dwellings in Myanmar. In Nagaland’s Mon district, the border crosses through the Longwa village chief’s residence, dividing it in two.

— The FMR was supposed to boost local trade and business. The region has a long history of cross-border trade via customs and border haats.

— The people residing near the border in Myanmar find Indian towns more convenient for business, education, and healthcare than those in their home country.

Conclusion:

— The illegal migration of tribal Kuki-Chin peoples into India from Myanmar is one of the key issues in the ongoing Manipur conflict.

— The Union Home Minister declared that the Centre has decided to fence the whole length of the India-Myanmar border to prevent free movement of people.

— The two countries share an unfenced 1,643 km border, which goes through the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

(Source: What is the India-Myanmar border Free Movement Regime, which the Centre is planning to end? by Deeptiman Tiwary)

Points to Ponder

Kuki-Chin people

India and Myanmar relations

States sharing boundaries with Myanmar

Geographical features

Related Previous Year Questions

“India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (2018)

China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’. In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour. (2017)

QUESTION 2: Discuss the role and responsibilities of the Lok Sabha Speaker in ensuring the seamless functioning of the House.

Introduction:

— The Speaker plays a key function in our parliamentary democracy. It has been stated that the Speaker’s Office represents the entire power of the House, although members of Parliament represent individual constituencies.

— He/she embodies the majesty and might of the House in which he/she serves. As a result, it is expected that the individual holding this high-ranking post will be able to represent the House in all of its aspects.

— Speaker holds Office from the date of his/her election till immediately before the first meeting of the Lok Sabha after the dissolution of the one to which he/she was elected.

— Article 93 for Lok Sabha and Article 178 for state Assemblies state that these Houses “shall, as soon as may be”, choose two of its members to be Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Role of the Speaker

In House

— He/she is guided by the provisions of the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.

— He/she is assisted by the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha and senior officers of the Secretariat on parliamentary activities and on matters of practice and procedure.

— In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker discharges his/her functions. A member from the Panel of Chairmen presides over the House in the absence of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

— The Speaker has extensive functions to perform in matters administrative, judicial and regulatory, falling under his/her domain.

— He/she is the ultimate arbiter and interpreter of those provisions which relate to the functioning of the House. His/Her decisions are final and binding and ordinarily cannot be questioned, challenged or criticised.

In Regulating the Business of the House

— The final authority for adopting rules for regulating its procedure rests with each House, but a perusal of the rules of the Indian Parliament would indicate that the Presiding Officers in the two Houses are given vast powers by the rules.

— If a Bill is pending before the House, it is the Speaker who decides whether he/she should allow amendments to be moved to various clauses of the Bill or not. As regards regulating discussions in the House, it is the Speaker who decides as to when a member shall speak and how long he/she shall speak.

— The Speaker is the guardian of the rights and privileges of the House, its Committees and members. It depends solely on the Speaker to refer any question of privilege to the Committee of Privileges for examination, investigation and report.

— It is the Speaker who decides the form and manner in which the proceedings of the House is published.

— He/She also issues warrants to execute the orders of the House, wherever necessary, and delivers reprimands on behalf of the House.

— He/She certifies Money Bills and decides finally what are money matters by reason of the Lok Sabha’s overriding powers in financial matters.

— The Speaker of the Lok Sabha who presides over joint sittings called in the event of disagreement between the two Houses on a legislative measure.

Conclusion:

— In India, the Office of the Speaker is a live and dynamic institution that deals with the actual demands and difficulties of Parliament in carrying out its tasks.

— He/she is the primary House spokesperson. The duty for conducting the House’s work in a way befitting the institution’s status in a representative democracy is entrusted in him/her.

(Source: Explained: How are a Speaker and Deputy Speaker elected? by Chakshu Roy, sansad.in)

Points to Ponder

Role of Chairman of Rajya Sabha

Related Previous Year Question

Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker’! Do you think this practice should be adopted to impart objectivity to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha? What could be its implications for the robust functioning of parliamentary business in India? (2020)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 33)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 34)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 33)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 34)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 34)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 35)

Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.