Question 1:
If you are elected as the President of India which of the following decisions can you take on your own?
- Select the person you like as a Prime Minister.
- Dismiss a Prime Minister who has a majority in the Lok Sabha.
- Ask for reconsideration of a bill passed by both the Houses.
- Nominate the leaders of your choice to the Council of Ministers.
Answer:
(c) Ask for reconsideration of a bill passed by both the Houses.
Question 2:
Who among the following is a part of the political executive?
- District Collector
- Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Home Minister
- Director General of Police
Answer:
(c) Home Minister
Question 3:
Which of the following statements about the judiciary is false?
- Every law passed by the Parliament needs the approval of the Supreme Court
- Judiciary can strike down a law if it goes against the spirit of the Constitution
- Judiciary is independent of the Executive.
- Any citizen can approach the courts if her rights are violated.
Answer:
(a) Every law passed by the Parliament needs the approval of the Supreme Court
Question 4:
Which of the following institutions can make changes to an existing law of the country?
(a) The Supreme Court (b) The President
(c) The Prime Minister (d) The Parliament
Answer:
The Parliament
Question 5:
Match the ministry with the news that the ministry may have released:
- A new policy is being made to increase the jute exports from the country.
- Telephone services will be made more accessible to rural areas.
- The price of rice and wheat sold under the Public Distribution System will go down.
- A pulse polio campaign will be launched.
Answer:
1. (d), 2. (a), 3. (b), 4. (c)
Question 6:
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) Consider the recommendation of a committee on a law to regulate the stock exchange
(c) Decides on a legal dispute between two state governments
(d) Implement the decision to provide relief for the victims of an earthquake.
Answer:
(a) Executive (b) Legislature (Parliament) (c) The Supreme Court (d) Permanent Executive (Civil Services).
Question 7:
Why is the Prime Minister in India not directly elected by the people? Choose the most
appropriate answer and give reasons for your choice.
(a) In a parliamentary democracy only the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha can
become
the Prime Minister.
(b) Lok Sabha can remove the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers even before the
expiry
of their term.
(c) Since the Prime Minister is appointed by the President there is no need for it.
(d) Direct election of the Prime Minister will involve lot of expenditure on election.
Answer:
The Prime Minister is not directly elected by the people because in India we have adopted the parliamentary form of government. The leader of the majority party is appointed as the Prime Minister by the President. The Prime Minister is also responsible to the Lok Sabha. He must have the support of a majority of Lok Sabha members.
Question 8:
Three friends went to watch a film that showed the hero becoming Chief Minister for a day and making big changes in the state. Imran said this is what the country needs. Rizwan said this kind of a personal rule without institutions is dangerous. Shankar said all this is a fantasy. No minister can do anything in one day. What would be your reaction to such a film?
Answer:
Such a film has nothing doing with reality. Rizwan is right when he pointed out that this kind of a personal rule without institutions is dangerous. No democratic government can work without institutions and there are three institutions of government i.e. legislature, executive and judiciary.
Question 9:
A teacher was making preparations for a mock parliament. She called two students to act as leaders of two political parties. She gave them an option: Each one could choose to have a majority either in the mock Lok Sabha or in the mock Rajya Sabha. If this choice was given to you, which one would you choose and why?
Answer:
If this chance is given to me, I would like to have a majority in the mock Lok Sabha as the leader of the majority in the Lok Sabha is appointed as the Prime Minister. Real powers are with the leader of the majority in the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha can remove the cabinet by passing a vote of no-confidence. Money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha can only delay it for 14 days.
Question 10:
After reading the example of the reservation order, three students had different reactions
about
the role of the judiciary. Which view, according to you, is a correct reading of the role of
judiciary?
(a) Srinivas argues that since the Supreme Court agreed with the government, it is not
independent.
(b) Anjaiah says that judiciary is independent because it could have given a verdict against
the
government order. The Supreme Court did direct the government to modify it.
(c) Vijaya thinks that the judiciary is neither independent nor conformist, but acts as a
mediator
between opposing parties. The court struck a good balance between those who supported
and those who opposed the order.
Answer:
(b) View given by Anjaiah is correct. In India, Judiciary is independent. The Supreme Court of India in many cases has given judgement against the government order. In November, 1992 the Supreme Court held the order of V.P. Singh’s government on reservation to be valid. It directed the government to exclude the ‘Creamy Layer’ or more advanced section of the beneficiary backward classes from reserved category. The Supreme Court also stated that the maximum size of all reservations together must not exceed 50 per cent.
Question 11:
Who did what in this case of reservations for backward classes?
Answer:
Question 12:
What is the point in having so much debate and discussion in the Parliament when we know that the view of the ruling party is going to prevail?
Answer:
Debate and discussion in the Parliament plays an important role in shaping the opinion of the
people.
They also influence the decisions taken by the ruling party. They help in pressurising the
government
in taking decisions on any particular issue.
Question 13:
What is better for a democracy: A Prime Minister who can do whatever he wishes or a Prime Minister who needs to consult other leaders and parties?
Answer:
It is better for a democracy if a Prime Minister consults other leaders and parties before introducing or implementing any new policy or law.