NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 3 - The Legislature

Answer:

We agree with Alok that a country needs an efficient government that looks after the welfare of the people. For this purpose, we need a legislature. Legislature is not merely a law making body. Law making is only one function of the legislature. In fact, legislature is the centre of all democratic and political processes. It is a deliberative body. All problems of the nation are thoroughly discussed in the Parliament. If we simply elect our Prime Minister and Ministers and leave to them the task of government, they will become despots. There will be a rise of dictatorship. Moreover, the legislature is a big check on the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. Prime Minister and the Cabinet have to face the Parliament and are responsible for all their actions. Legislature is a true representative body of the nation.

Answer:

1. We disagree with Neha’s view. Bicameral legislature serves many purposes. It prevents hasty and ill considered legislation. Moreover, it checks on the despotism of the Lower House.
2. We agree with Shama that experts should be nominated in the second chamber. Persons who have distinguished themselves in the field of art, literature, science, social services, etc., should be nominated to the second chamber.
3. We disagree with Tridib’s view. Even in a Unitary state, a second chamber is required. Unitary state, like England and Japan are having a second chamber. Bicameral legislature is in accordance with the democratic principle. The second chamber is essential to serve as a check on hasty, rash and illconsidered legislation passed by the lower chamber.

Answer:

In a Parliamentary system, the executive is responsible to the legislature for its actions and policies. But in practice, it is answerable to the Popular House. Thus, according to the Constitution of India, the Council of Ministers has been made collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. No doubt, the Rajya Sabha can exert its influence on the Government in a number of ways and it may even put the Government in an awkward position, but it cannot remove the Government from its office. This power belongs to the Lok Sabha only. This power of the Lok Sabha is exclusive and not concurrent. The Governments must enjoy the confidence of the Lok Sabha or else it has to resign. The Lok Sabha can express its lack of confidence in a number of ways for example, by rejecting a Government Bill, a Money Bill or by passing a noconfidence resolution. Thus, the Government must either be in tune with the Lok Sabha or face expulsion. One point may be noted here that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. The Constitution does not speak of individual responsibility.

Answer:

We completely agree with the statement that rather than effective control of the executive, the Lok Sabha is a platform for the expression of popular sentiments and people’s expectations. Lok Sabha is a deliberative body. It is the best forum for the expression of public matters. The representatives of the people express the difficulties of the people of their constituencies. They draw the attention of the Government towards the grievances of the people. Apart from debating on bills, the Question Hour, Zero Hour, Half-an-hour discussions on matter of public importance, adjournment motions, etc., are some important ways to express the popular sentiments on important public matters.

Answer:

1. We agree that the Parliament should work for longer period. The sessions of Parliament should be for a longer period. At present, many bills are passed without thorough discussion. By increasing the time, members will get more time for discussion and public interest will be protected in a better way.
2. We agree that attendance should be made compulsory for the members of the Parliament. No member should be allowed to remain absent without the permission of the Speaker of the House.
   Compulsory attendance will increase the strength of the members and it will be helpful for discussion.
3. No member should be allowed to interrupt the proceedings of the House. Interruption means wastage of time of the House. Speaker should be empowered to penalise members for interrupting the proceedings of the House.

Answer:

No doubt, a majority of the bills are introduced in the House by the ministers and through them, explain the policy and the purpose of the bills to the Parliament. Since the majority supports the bills introduced by the ministers, they are generally passed by the Parliament. But still, Parliament plays an important role in the law-making process. At the time of general discussion of the bill, the main principles underlying the bill are discussed. At the committee stage, the bill is thoroughly discussed and examined clause by clause. At the report stage, members of the Parliament thoroughly discuss the bill. The members have the right to propose any amendment. Each amendment and clause is to be voted by the House. The amendments form a part of the bill if they are accepted by a majority of members present and voting. When a bill is passed by the House, it is then sent to the other House for its concurrence. In this way, the Parliament plays an important role in passing the bill.

Answer:

We agree with the statement that defection is generally for selfish purposes. Hence, a legislator who wants to join another party must be disqualified from being a minister for the next two years. Under 91st Amendment, if it is proved that a member has defected, then such member loses his membership of the House.

Answer:

We fully agree with the view expressed by Dolly. It is pity that the nation has been seeing a decline in the functioning of the Parliament. Rather than growing in influence and exercising power on behalf of the people it is supposed to represent, it has been suffering from progressive corrosion and debility. Intolerance of other’s views, daily walkouts, uproars, hitting below the belt, exchange of invective at times spiced with abuse and the storming of the pit of the House have become a common sight and have replaced serious deliberations of public affairs and policy in both Houses. It is unfortunate that in 2004, the Lok Sabha sanctioned money for the government without any scrutiny, with the opposition boycotting most of the Budget session, picking up the issues of tainted ministers.

Answer:

1. Legislative department in Ministry of Law drafts a bill.
2. The concerned minister proposes the need for a bill.
3. A resolution is passed to admit the bill for discussion.
4. The bill is referred to the sub-committee—the committee makes some changes and sends it back to the House for discussion.
5. The bill is read clause by clause and each clause is voted upon.
6. The bill is passed in the House in which it was proposed.
7. The bill is referred to other House and is passed.
8. The bill is referred to the President of India. The President may give his assent or withhold it. If the Parliament passes the Bill for the second time by simple majority, the President cannot veto it for the second time. The President can also send the Bill both for reconsideration suggesting amendment in the Bill. The parliament is not bound to take into consideration the amendments proposed by the President. After having got the assent of the President, the Bill is published in the Gazette of India. The Bill becomes a law.

Answer:

Parliamentary committees play a very important role in law-making. Since 1983, India has developed a system of Parliamentary Standing Committees. The Committee system has reduced the burden on the Parliament. It examines the Bill thoroughly and in detail, clause by clause. The members of the Committee have complete freedom to express their views and opinions on the Bill. The Committee can propose amendments or revision of any clause or clauses. The Committee is to submit its report to the House within the prescribed period.