The Union Legislature
A. Fill in the blanks.
1. The function of the government are divided into three branches, namely the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
2. Subjects for legislation are divided into three lists - the Union list, the State list and the Concurrent list.
3. The union Parliament has two houses - the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
4. The Parliament is bicameral legislature.
5. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house. It cannot be dissolved.
B. Match the following:
=
2. The speaker |
|
C. Choose the right option:
1. The President carries out his/ president her functions on the advice of the Prime Minister and (the Lok Sabha/the Council of Ministers/the Rajya Sabha).
2. Both the Central and the state governments can make laws on the subjects in the (Union list/State list/Concurrent list).
3. The (Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Vidhan Sabha) is also known as the Council of States.
4. The president can nominate (2/ 10/12) members from the Anglo Indian community to the Lok Sabha .
5. The Maximum strength of the Lok Sabha consists of (545/552/525) members.
D. State whether the following statements are true or false:
1. The state list include subjects of the national importance.[F]
2. A member of Lok Sabha should be at least 30 years of age.[F]
3.The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house and cannot be dissolved by the President.[T]
4. A money bill has to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.[F]
5. The vice president is the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha.[T]
E. Answer the following questions:
1. Who is the nominal executive head of the government of India?
= The President.
2. How do we know that the Parliament has Supreme authority in the government?
= Because it has the final authority to accept or reject the decisions of the executive.
3. Which branch of government interprets and defines laws?
= Parliament (legislature).
4. What is the minimum age qualification of an Indian voter?
= 18.
5. Who conducts the meetings of the Lok Sabha?
= Speaker.
6. How are the members of the Rajya Sabha elected?
= The members of Rajya Sabha are elected indirectly by the elected members of the state legislative Assemblies.
7. What is meant by the term budget?
= Budget is the financial statement stating the esteemed income and expenditure of the country in the the ensuing year.
8. What happens when a vote of no confidence is passed against the Council of Ministers?
= The Council of Ministers has to resign immediately.
9. Explain the meaning of the term 'quorum'.
= For a parliament session at least 10% of the total membership has to be present. This is called the quorum.
F. Long Questions:
A. In the context of the Parliamentary form of Government, answer the following questions:
1. What are the main features of a Parliamentary form of Government?
= i) The parliament is vested with Supreme Power.
ii) It is composed of the elected representatives of the Indian people.
iii) It is the highest law making body and it makes laws for the entire country.
2. Name the three branches of Government and state their respective functions.
= i) The legislature(makes law),
ii) The executive(enforces law) and
iii) The judiciary(applies law).
3. Why are powers distributed between the central and the state governments?
= As India is a vast country it is not possible for one central government to take care of the specific needs of people living in different parts of the country.
B. Give an account of the Lok Sabha with reference to:
1. Its composition:
= i) Maximum strength of Lok Sabha can be 552 members.
ii) 530 members are directly elected from the states and 20 members from union territory.
iii) President nominates 2 members from Anglo Indian community.
2. Basic qualifications of its members:
= A member of Lok Sabha should be -
i) a citizen of India.
ii) at least 25 years of age.
iii) registered voter.
3. Its term:
= The Lok Sabha is elected for a five-year term. The President can dissolve it before expiry. It can be extended for one year at the time in case of a national emergency.
C. Give an account of Rajya Sabha with reference to:
1. Its composition:
= i) The Maximum strength of Rajya Sabha can be 250 members.
ii) 238 members represent the states and union territories. They are elected indirectly by the elected members of the state legislative assemblies.
iii)12 members are nominated by the president from the fields of art, literature, science and social service.
2. Basic qualifications of its members:
= Members of Rajya Sabha should be -
i) Citizens of India.
ii) at least 30 years of age.
iii) registered voters.
3. Its term:
= Rajya Sabha is a permanent house. It cannot be resolved by the President. Each members are elected for 6 years.
D. With reference to the functions of the Parliament explain the following:
1. Law making functions:
= It can frame new laws and modify existing laws. Money bills are approved by the Parliament. It can introduce a bill to amend the constitution.
2. Control over the executive:
= It has control over the Council of Ministers who have to resign if a no confidence vote is passed against it by the Lok Sabha. It can also discuss policies.
3. Judicial functions: It can impeach or remove the President, Vice-President and judges of the courts.