The Hindu Editorial (Undermining autonomy) – Jul 13, 2023

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The Hindu Editorial (Undermining autonomy) – Jul 13, 2023:

undermine (verb) – weaken, subvert, sabotage, damage.
autonomy (noun) – independence, freedom (from external control/influence); self-determination.
endorsement (noun) – support, backing, approval, acceptance, ratification, validation.
tenure (noun) – term of office, period of office, time in office.
piecemeal (adjective) – disorganized, unplanned, unsystematic, unmethodical, step by step.
Enforcement Directorate (ED) (noun) – Directorate of Enforcement is a specialized financial investigation agency under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. It was established in the year 1956 with its Headquarters at New Delhi. It is responsible for enforcement of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) (Civil Law) and certain provisions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) (Criminal Law).
setback (noun) – problem, difficulty, issue.
uphold (verb) – confirm, endorse/approve, vindicate/validate.
statutory (adjective) – legal, lawful, legitimate, rightful, constitutional.
head (noun) – leader, chief, chairperson, director.
investigative agencies (noun) – India has a number of investigative agencies like The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), The National Investigation Agency (NIA), The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and others.
cause (noun) – basis.
quash (verb) – overrule, cancel, nullify, reverse, repeal, revoke, invalidate, override.
welcome (verb) – receive, embrace (in a polite way).
free pass (noun) – (unrestricted) approval; acceptance/approval of bad behaviour.
step down (phrasal verb) – quit, resign, withdraw, retire, stand down.
direct (verb) – order, instruct, require.
grant (verb) – give, provide, bestow, confer.
legislation (noun) – body of laws, acts, rules, regulations, statutes.
nullify (verb) – overrule, cancel, quash, reverse, repeal, revoke, invalidate, override.
direction (noun) – order, instruction, requirement.
retrospectively (adverb) – with effect from a date in the past.
superannuation (noun) – retirement (discharging someone after having reached a predetermined age or cause to retire someone due to age).
observation (noun) – remark, comment, pronouncement, statement, opinion, finding.
attain (verb) – reach (a specified age)
import (noun) – message, meaning, essence, substance.
assured (adjective) – guaranteed, solid.
regardless of (preposition) – despite, in spite of, notwithstanding.
amicus curiae (noun) – a Latin term meaning “friend of the court.” an individual who is not a party to a legal case, but who is allowed to give assistance to a court by offering information, expertise, or insight that has a relation/relevance to the issues in the case.
carrot-and-stick (adjective) – relating to a policy approach that offers both a reward and threat of punishment.
toe someone’s line (phrase) – to follow/conform/obey someone’s expectations or rules or policies reluctantly
justification (noun) – explanation, rationalization, rationale; basis, reason.
contention (noun) – opinion, position, view, assertion, affirmation, declaration, statement.
Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 (noun) – An Act to provide for the constitution of a Central Vigilance Commission to inquire or cause inquiries to be conducted into offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 by certain categories of public servants of the Central Government, corporations established by or under any Central Act, Government companies, societies and local authorities owned or controlled by the Central Government and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (noun) – An Act to make provision for the constitution of a special police force 2 [in Delhi for the investigation of certain offences in 3 [the Union territories]] for the superintendence and administration of the said force and for the extension to other areas of the powers and jurisdiction of members of the said force in regard to the investigation of the said offences.
Fundamental Rules (FR) (noun) – The Fundamental Rules apply to all Government Servants paid from the consolidated fund of the State. They deal with service aspects relating to Government servants such as the General Conditions of Service, Pay, Pay fixations, Increments, additions to pay, combinations of appointment, Dismissal, Removal and suspension, Retirement, Leave Joining time and Foreign Service etc. The Power of Interpreting these Rules is reserved to the Government.
go against (phrasal verb) – oppose, disagree with, resist something; be unfavourable to someone.
spirit (noun) – real/true meaning, true intention, essence; ethos.
mandate (verb) – instruct, direct, order, require, make something mandatory.
insulate (verb) – protect, safeguard, shield.
extraneous (adjective) – pointless, irrelevant, immaterial, inappropriate.
finding (noun) – conclusion arrived at (as a result of an inquiry).
violate (verb) – contravene, breach, break, disobey, defy, flout.
Part III Rights/Fundamental Rights (noun) – The Fundamental Rights, embodied in Part III of the Constitution, guarantee civil rights to all Indians and prevent the State from encroaching an individual’s liberty while simultaneously placing upon it an obligation to protect the citizens’ rights from encroachment by society. Seven fundamental rights were originally provided by the Constitution – the right to equality, right to freedom, right against exploitation, right to freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, right to property and right to constitutional remedies. However, the right to property was removed from Part III of the Constitution by the 44th Amendment in 1978.
pick and choose (phrase)- cherry-pick; look at the various things that are on display and select the one you want.
offend (verb) – do wrong, break the law; upset, hurt, distress, annoy, displease.
impartial (adjective) – unbiased, non-partisan, disinterested, neutral, fair-minded.
cloud (noun) – used to refer to a state or condition of something; threat, menace, trouble, spectre.
suspicion (noun) – mistrust, distrust, qualm, doubt, scepticism, misgivings.
misuse (noun) – wrong use, abuse, exploitation, misemployment, misapplication.
opponent (noun) – the opposition, rival, adversary, fellow competitor.
design (verb) – devise, intend, aim, plan, contrive, create, develop, conceive.
conducive (adjective) – good for, helpful for, useful for; advantageous, beneficial, valuable, encouraging, promising.
rule of law (phrase) – it is described as “a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights norms and standards.