CBSE and NCERT Solution

Of all the institutions that we have studied in this chapter, name the one that exercises the powers on each of the following matters. (a) Decision on allocation of money for developing infrastructure like roads, irrigation etc., and different welfare activities for the citizens. (b) Considers the recommendation of a Committee on a law to regulate the stock exchanges. (c) Decides on a legal dispute between two state governments. (d) Implements the decision to provide relief for the victims of an earthquake. Ans. (a) The Political Executive (b) The Legislative (c) The Judiciary or the Supreme Court (d) The Civil Servants or the Permanent Executive

What do you mean by judicial review ? Ans. (i) The Supreme Court and the High Courts have the power to interpret the Constitution of the country. They can declare invalid any law of the legislature or the actions of the executive, whether at the union level or at the state level, if they find such a law or action is against the constitution. (iii) They can determine the Constitutional validity of any legislation or action of the executive in the country, when it is challenged before them. This is known as the judicial review.

What do you understand by independence of judiciary ? Ans. Independence of the judiciary is not under the control of the legislature or the executive. The judges do not act on the direction of the government or according to the wishes of the party in power. That is why all modern democracies have judiciary independent of the legislature and the executive.

India has an integrated judiciary. Explain. Ans. It means that the Supreme Court controls the judicial administration in the country. Its decisions are binding on all the other courts of the country. It can take up any dispute: (i) Between the citizens of the country. (ii) Between citizens and the government (iii) Between two or more state governments (iv) Between the union and state governments It is the highest court of appeal in civil and criminal cases. It can hear appeals against the decisions of the High Courts.

How is the judicial system organised? Explain its importance in Indian democracy. Ans. (i) India has a single integrated unified all India judicial system. (ii) It is hierarchical in structure consisting of the Supreme Court at the Central level, High Courts at the State level and District Court and other Subordinate Courts at the lower (iii) The judicial system is important because it provides for prompt and impartial administration of justice and ensures the security and welfare of all citizens.

What are the merits of a Presidential System of Government? Ans. (i) The Presidential system ensures stability of government as the fate of the executive is not in the hands of the legislature and once elected the executive is assured stability of tenure as it is difficult to remove him. (ii) As he has a fixed tenure, long term policies can be launched by the executive. This ensures greater continuity and policy. (iii) Such a system promotes administrative efficiency as heads of the various departments are specialists in their fields and are not accountable to the legislature. (iv) This kind of government is very effective in times of emergency since the President can take quick and prompt decisions after informal consultations with his ministers.

What are the disadvantages of the Parliamentary System of Government? Ans. (i) The executive in a parliamentary form of government can become autocratic if his party secures a large majority and supports him blindly. (ii) This form of government can be unstable if no party gets the required majority. Frequent changes of government create instability in the field of administration and prevent continuity of policies. (iii) Moreover, ministers are not appointed on merit and spend most of their time on ensuring their own survival. Consequently, they rely on the bureaucracy for the performance of their official duties.

Why is parliamentary democracy also known as cabinet government in most countries ? Ans. Since it is not practical for all ministers to meet regularly and discuss everything, the decisions are taken in Cabinet meetings. (i) It is for this reason Parliamentaiy democracy in most countries is often known as the Cabinet form of government. (ii) The Cabinet works as a team. The ministers may have different views and opinions, but everyone has to own up to every decision of the cabinet.

How is the Council of Ministers appointed? Ans. After the appointment of the Prime Minister, the President appoints other ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Ministers are usually from the party or the coalition that has the majority in the Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister is free to choose ministers, as long as they are member of Parliament. Sometimes, a person who is not a member of Parliament can also become a minister. But such a person has to get elected to one of the houses of the Parliament within six months of appointment as Minister.

How is the Prime Minister appointed? What is the term of his office? Ans. (i) The President appoints the Prime Minister. But the President cannot appoint anyone she likes. (ii) The President appoints the leader of the majority party or the coalition parties that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha, as Prime Minister. In case no single party or alliance gets a majority, the President appoints the person most likely to secure a majority support. (iii) The Prime Minister docs not have a fixed tenure. He continues in power so long as he remains the leader of the majority party or coalition.

What is the importance of civil servants in running the government ? Ans. (i) The civil servants remain in office even when the ruling party changes. These officers work under political executive and assist them in carrying out the day-to-day administration. (ii) The civil servants are usually more educated and have more expert knowledge of the subject. (iii) The advisors working in the Finance Ministry know more about economics than the Finance Minister. (iv) Sometimes, ministers may know very little about the technical matters that come under their ministry, but they are supported in all these matters by the civil servants.

The political executive have more power than the non-political executive. Comment. Ans. In a democracy the will of the people is supreme. The minister is elected by the people and thus empowered to exercise the will o f the people on their behalf. She is finally answerable to the people for all the consequences of her decision. That is why the minister takes all the final decisions.

Differentiate between political and permanent executive in a democracy. OR   What are the two categories of executives in a democracy? Ans. (i) The political executives are the elected representatives elected for a specific period. Political leaders, who take the big decisions fall in this category.  (ii) In the second category, people are appointed on a long-term basis. This is called the permanent executives or civil services. They remain in office even when the ruling party changes. These officers work under political executives and assist them in carrying out the day-to-day administration.

“Lok Sabha is more powerful than Rajya Sabha.” Explain by giving three reasons. Ans. (i) The final decision on any ordinary law is taken in a joint session in which members of both the Houses sit together. Because of the larger number of members, the view of the Lok Sabha is likely to prevail in such a meeting. (ii) Lok Sabah exercises more powers in money matters. Once the Lok Sabha passes the budget of the government or any other money related law, the Rajya Sabha cannot reject it. The Rajya Sabha can only delay it by 14 days or suggest changes in it. The Lok Sabha may or may not accept these changes. (iii) Most importantly, the Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers. Only a person who enjoys the support of the majority of the members in the Lok Sabha is appointed the Prime Minister. If the majority of the Lok Sabha members say they have ‘no confidence’ in the Council of Minister, all ministers including the Prime Minister, have to quit. The Rajya Sabha does not have this power.

What is the role of the two Houses of Parliament ? Ans. (i) In India, the Parliament consists of two Houses. (ii) The two Houses are known as the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). (iii) The President of India is not a member of a Parliament but no bill can be passed without the assent of the President. (iv) The Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people and exercises the real power behalf of the people. It controls the Council of Ministers. (v) The Rajya Sabha looks after the interests of various states, region or federal units.

What is Parliament ? Ans. It is the law making body of the government. In all democracies, an assembly of elected representatives exercises supreme political authority. In India such a national assembly of elected representatives is called Parliament. At the state level it is called Legislature or Legislative Assembly.

Why we need Political Institutions? Ans. For the smooth functioning of a democracy several arrangements are made, such arrangements are called institutions. A democracy work well when these institutions perform functions assigned to them: (i) The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are the institutions that take all important policy - decisions. (ii) The Civil Servants, working together, are responsible for taking steps to implement the minister’s decisions. (iii) The Supreme Court is an institution where disputes between citizens and the government arc finally settled.

What was the reaction of the people when the government decided to reserve 27% of the seats for backward classes? Ans. (i) Some felt that existence of inequalities among people of different castes in India necessitated job reservations. They felt this would give a fair opportunity to those communities who so far had not adequately been represented in government employment. (ii) Others felt that this was unfair as it would deny equality of opportunity to those who did not belong to backward communities. They would be denied jobs even though they could be more qualified. (iii) Some felt that this would perpetuate caste feelings among people and hamper national unity.

Who are the important functionaries in the Indian Government ? Ans. The important functionaries in the government of India are as follows. (i) President is the head of the state and is the highest formal authority in the country. (ii) Prime Minister is the head of the government and actually exercises all governmental powers. He takes most of the decisions in the Cabinet meetings. (iii) Parliament consists of two Houses, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Prime Minister must have the support of a majority of Lok Sabha members.

What does SEBC stand for ? Explain. Ans. (i) Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC). SEBC is another name for all those people who belong to castes that arc considered backward by the government. (ii) Prior to the Office Memorandum, the benefit of job reservation was available only to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Now a new third category called SEBC was introduced. (iii) Only persons who belong to backward castes were eligible for this quota of 27 per cent jobs.