Water Rationing

Why in news?

• Bogota, one of the highest capital cities in the world, started water rationing.

What is Water Rationing?

• Water rationing is the act of limiting everyday water use when the resource is in scarce supply.
• It is a temporary suspension of water supply, or reduction of pressure below that required for adequate supply under normal conditions.

About Bogota

• Bogotá is Colombia’s sprawling, high-altitude capital.
• Bogota is located on a plateau in the Andes known as the Altiplano Cundiboyacense.

Declaration of Moveable Asset

Why in news?

• The Supreme Court of India has recently passed a significant judgement that provides clarity on the declaration of movable assets by election candidates.

The Supreme Court Judgement:

• The apex court noted that ‘it is not necessary that a candidate declare every item of movable property that he or his dependent family members own, such as, clothing, shoes, crockery, stationery and furniture, etc., unless the same is of such value as to constitute a sizable asset in itself or reflect upon his candidature, in terms of his lifestyle, and require to be disclosed’.
• It also said that the voters do not have an absolute right to know all details of a candidate’s private life.

What are ‘Corrupt Practices’ under the RPA 1951?

• Under Section 123, ‘corrupt practices’ include bribery, undue influence, false information, and promotion or attempted promotion of ‘feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community, or language’ by a candidate for the furtherance of his prospects in the election.
• Section 123(2) deals with ‘undue influence’: ‘any direct or indirect interference or attempt to interfere on the part of the candidate or his agent, or of any other person, with the consent of the candidate or his election agent, with the free exercise of any electoral right’.
• It could include threats of injury, social ostracism, and expulsion from any caste or community.
• Under Section 100(1)(b), an election can be declared void if ‘any corrupt practice has been committed by a returned candidate or his election agent or by any other person with the consent of a returned candidate or his election agent’.
• Under Sections 100(1)(d)(i) and (iv), an HC can rule that election results have been ‘materially affected’ if there is ‘improper acceptance’ of a nomination or non-compliance of the provisions of the Constitution, the RPA 1951, or any Rules or orders made under the Act.