Dr. Manmohan Singh Former PM retires from Rajya Sabha

Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India, will retire from the Rajya Sabha, marking the end of his three-decade-long tenure in the Upper House.

About Manmohan Singh

• Manmohan Singh, a former two-term Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, was born on September 26, 1932. 
• He was an economist, academician, bureaucrat, and politician who played a significant role in shaping India's economy. 
• He served as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1982 to 1985 and was the Minister of Finance in P.V. Narasimha Rao's government. 
• He is widely credited for introducing significant economic reforms in India in 1991. His contributions to the country's progress as a renowned economist are remarkable. Here are a few of his achievements that highlight his exceptional work.

Major policies of Manmohan Singh

Under the tenure of Manmohan Singh following policies were taken: 

Economic Liberalisation (1991)

Dr. Singh, who served as Finance Minister in 1991, was instrumental in liberalising India's economy. 

He initiated reforms that reduced trade barriers, dismantled the License Raj system, and opened up key sectors to foreign investment. These reforms were crucial in jumpstarting India's economic growth and globalization.

National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) (2005)

During the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Indian government introduced the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in 2005. 

This act was later renamed as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). 

It is a social welfare initiative that was created to offer a legal guarantee of a minimum of 100 days of employment per year to rural households. The primary objective of this act is to address rural poverty and unemployment.

Right to Information Act (RTI) (2005)

During Dr. Manmohan Singh's tenure as Prime Minister, the Right to Information Act was passed, which was a significant piece of legislation. 

This law empowers Indian citizens to demand information from government agencies and institutions, serving as a crucial tool to promote transparency, accountability, and prevent corruption within public administration.

The Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement (2005)

Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India, was instrumental in negotiating the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, also known as the 123 Agreement. 

This agreement allowed India to receive nuclear technology and fuel, which helped the country's civilian nuclear energy program. 

It's worth noting that India isn't a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Despite this, the accord was a significant milestone in the relationship between India and the United States.

Retirement of RS members

• The Constitution's Article 80 sets the maximum number of members for Rajya Sabha at 250, with 238 of them representing states and Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry, and the remaining 12 nominated by the President. 
• The President's nominees possess expertise in areas like literature, science, art, and social service. 
• Rajya Sabha is a permanent House, and only one-third of its members retire every two years. Those elected or nominated for a full term serve for six years.