NHRC, UBI, Universal periodic review

  • June 12, 2020
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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Subject: Polity

Context:

NHRC has submitted mid-term Universal Periodic Review to United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) where it mentioned India is considering for Universal basic income.

Concept:

  • The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States.
  • The UPR is a State-driven process, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, which provides the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfill their human rights obligations.

NHRC

  • The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India was established on 12 October, 1993. The statute under which it is established is the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993
  • It is in conformity with the Paris Principles.
  • The NHRC is an embodiment of India’s concern for the promotion and protection of human rights.
  • The Commission consists of a Chairperson, full-time Members and seven deemed Members. The statute lays down qualifications for the appointment of the Chairperson and Members of the Commission. Constitution of NHRC
  • Judge of the Supreme Court is eligible to be appointed as Chairperson of the Commission in addition to the person who has been the Chief Justice of India;
  • Term of the Chairperson and Members of the Commission is three years or 70 years whichever is earlier and shall be eligible for re-appointment.
  • The chairman and members are appointed by the president on the recommendations of a six-member committee consisting of the prime minister as its head, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament and the Central home minister.
  • The president can remove the chairman or any member from the office under the following circumstances:

(a) If he is adjudged an insolvent; or

(b) If he engages, during his term of office, in any paid employment outside the duties of his office; or

(c) If he is unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or body; or

(d) If he is of unsound mind and stand so declared by a competent court; or

(e) If he is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence.

  • In addition to these, the president can also remove the chairman or any member on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. However, in these cases, the president has to refer the matter to the Supreme Court for an inquiry. If the Supreme Court, after the inquiry, upholds the cause of removal and advises so, then the president can remove the chairman or a member.
  • The salaries, allowances and other conditions of service of the chairman or a member are determined by the Central government.

UBI

Universal basic income (UBI) is a model for providing all citizens of a country or other geographic area with a given sum of money, regardless of their income, resources or employment status. The purpose of the UBI is to prevent or reduce poverty and increase equality among citizens.

NHRC UBI Universal periodic review Polity