Class-IX
Chapter-5
Working Of Institutions
Q.1. Name the three
institutions that play a key role in major decisions in India.
A-In India three
institutions play a key role in major decisions, they are legislature,
executive and judiciary.
Q.2. Why did Office
Memorandum issued on August 13, 1990 create controversy?
A-On August 13, 1990, the
Government of India issued an Order. It was called an Office Memorandum. This
order became a source of controversy for several years. This Order announced a
major policy decision. It said that 27 per cent of the vacancies in civil posts
and services under the Government of India are reserved for the socially and
Economically Backward Classes (SEBC). SEBC is another name for all those people
who belong to castes that are considered backward by the government. The
benefit of job reservation was till then available only to Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes. Now a new third category called SEBC was introduced. Only
persons who belong to backward castes were eligible for this quota of 27 per
cent jobs. Others could not compete for these jobs.
Q.3. Who is the head of the
state and the highest formal authority in the country?
A-President is the head of
the state and is the highest formal authority in the country.
Q.4. Who is the head of the
government that actually exercise all governmental powers?
A-Prime Minister is the
head of the government and actually exercises all governmental powers. He takes
most of the decisions in the Cabinet meetings.
Q.5. When was the Second
Backward Classes Commission appointed? Who was its chairman?
A-The Government of India
had appointed the Second Backward Classes Commission in 1979. It was headed by
B.P. Mandal. Hence it was popularly called the Mandal Commission.
Q.6. Why was Mandal Commission
appointed?
A-The Mandal Commission was
asked to determine the criteria to identify the socially and educationally
backward classes in India and recommend steps to be taken for their
advancement.
Q.7. Why was
recommendations of Mandal Commission opposed?
A-People strongly 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. Some felt that this would perpetuate caste feelings
among people and hamper national unity.
Q.8. Who settles disputes
arising out of governmental decisions?
A-The Supreme Court and the
High Courts in India settle disputes arising out of governmental decisions.
Q.9. List some
responsibilities of government.
A-The government is
responsible for ensuring security to the citizens and providing facilities for
education and health to all. It collects taxes and spends the money thus raised
on administration, defence and development programmes. It formulates and
implements several welfare schemes.
Q.10. Why are institutions
needed in a democracy?
A-Several arrangements are
made in all modern democracies. Such arrangements are called institutions. A
democracy works well when these institutions perform functions assigned to
them. The Constitution of any country lays down basic rules on the powers and
functions of each institution.
Q.11. Give some examples of
institutions that work for betterment of the country.
A-1. The Prime Minister and the
Cabinet are institutions that take all important policy decisions.
2. The
Civil Servants, working together, are responsible for taking steps to implement
the ministers’ decisions.
3. Supreme Court is an institution where disputes between citizens
and the government are finally settled.
Q.12. Why dealing with
institutions can be frustrating?
A-Working with institutions
is not easy. Institutions involve rules and regulations. This can bind the
hands of leaders. Institutions involve meetings, committees and routines. This
often leads to delays and complications. Therefore dealing with institutions
can be frustrating.
Q.13. why do democratic
governments insist on institutions?
A-Institutions provide an
opportunity for a wider set of people to be consulted in any decision.
Institutions make it difficult to have a good decision taken very quickly. But
they also make it equally difficult to rush through a bad decision. That is why
democratic governments insist on institutions.
Q.14. Discuss the
importance of Parliament in the country.
A-Parliament is the final
authority for making laws in any country. This task of law making or
legislation is so crucial that these assemblies are called legislatures.
Parliaments all over the world can make new laws, change existing laws, or
abolish existing laws and make new ones in their place.
Q.15. How does Parliament
exercise control over the government?
A-Parliaments all over the
world exercise some control over those who run the government. In some
countries like India this control is direct and full. Those who run the
government can take decisions only so long as they enjoy support of the
Parliament. Parliament is the highest forum of discussion and debate on public
issues and national policy in any country.
Q.16. In India what is the
national assembly of elected representatives called?
A-In India national
assembly of elected representatives is called Parliament. At the state level
this is called Legislature or Legislative Assembly.
Q.17. Write a note on two
houses of Parliament.
A-Since the Parliament
plays a central role in modern democracies, most large countries divide the
role and powers of the Parliament in two parts. They are called Chambers or
Houses. One House is usually directly elected by the people and exercises the
real power on behalf of the people. The second House is usually elected
indirectly and performs some special functions. The most common work for the
second House is to look after the interests of various states, regions or
federal units.
Q.18. Name the two houses
of Parliament in India.
A-In India, the Parliament
consists of two Houses. The two Houses are known as the Council of States
(Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
Q.19. why all laws made in
the Houses come into force only after they receive the assent of the President?
A-The President of India is
a part of the Parliament, although she is not a member of either House. That is
why all laws made in the Houses come into force only after they receive the
assent of the President.
Q.20. What is known as the
upper house?
Rajya Sabha is called the
‘Upper Chamber’ or ‘Upper House.’
Q.21. What is known as the
lower house?
Rajya Sabha is called the
‘Lower Chamber’ or ‘Lower House.’
Q.22. Which house is more
powerful, Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha?
Our Constitution does give
the Rajya Sabha some special powers over the states. But on most matters, the
Lok Sabha exercises supreme power.
Q.23. Lok Sabha exercises
more powers in money matters. Explain.
A-Lok Sabha 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.
Q.24. How does the Lok
Sabha control the Council of Ministers?
A-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 Ministers, all ministers including the Prime Minister, have to quit.
Q.25. Why is government
known as executive?
A-At different levels of
any government we find functionaries who take day-to-day decisions but do not
exercise supreme power on behalf of the people. All those functionaries are
collectively known as the executive. They are called executive because they are
in charge of the ‘execution’ of the policies of the government. Thus, when we
talk about ‘the government’ we usually mean the executive.
Q.26. What is meant by
political executive?
A-One that is elected by
the people for a specific period is called the political executive. Political
leaders who take the big decisions fall in this category.
Q.27. What is meant by
permanent executive?
People that are appointed
on a long-term basis are called the permanent executive or civil services.
Persons working in civil services are called civil servants. They 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.
Q.28. Discuss the
appointment of the Prime Minister.
A-Prime Minister is the
most important political institution in the country, yet there is no direct
election to the post of the Prime Minister. The President appoints the Prime
Minister. But the President cannot appoint anyone she likes. The President
appoints the leader of the majority party or the coalition of 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.
Q.29. What is the tenure of
Prime Minister?
A-The Prime Minister does
not have a fixed tenure. He continues in power so long as he remains the leader
of the majority party or coalition.
Q.30. Can a person become
minister even if he is not a Member of Parliament?
Yes, a person can become
minister even if he is not a Member of Parliament, but such a person has to get
elected to one of the Houses of the Parliament within six months of appointment
as minister.
Q.31. What is the official
name for the body that includes all the Ministers?
A-Council of Ministers is
the official name for the body that includes all the Ministers. It usually has
60 to 80 Ministers of different ranks.
Q.32. Who are Cabinet
Ministers?
A-Cabinet
Ministers are usually top-level leaders of the ruling party or parties
who are in charge of the major ministries. Usually the Cabinet Ministers meet
to take decisions in the name of the Council of Ministers. Cabinet is thus the
inner ring of the Council of Ministers. It comprises about 20 ministers.
Q.33. Who are Ministers of
State with independent charge?
A-Ministers
of State with independent charge are usually in-charge of smaller
Ministries. They participate in the Cabinet meetings only when specially
invited.
Q.34. Who are Ministers of
State?
Ministers
of State are attached to and required to assist Cabinet Ministers.
Q.35. why parliamentary
democracy is often known as the Cabinet form of government?
A-Since it is not practical
for all ministers to meet regularly and discuss everything, the decisions are
taken in Cabinet meetings. That is why parliamentary democracy in most
countries is often known as the Cabinet form of government. 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.
Q.36. What is Cabinet
Secretariat?
A-Every ministry has
secretaries, who are civil servants. The secretaries provide the necessary
background information to the ministers to take decisions. The Cabinet as a
team is assisted by the Cabinet Secretariat. This includes many senior civil
servants who try to coordinate the working of different ministries.
Q.37. What are powers of
Prime Minister?
A-As head of the
government, the Prime Minister has wide ranging powers. He chairs Cabinet
meetings. He coordinates the work of different Departments. His decisions are
final in case disagreements arise between Departments. He exercises general
supervision of different ministries. All ministers work under his leadership.
The Prime Minister distributes and redistributes work to the ministers. He also
has the power to dismiss ministers. When the Prime Minister quits, the entire
ministry quits.
Q.38. What difficulties are
faced by Prime Minister in coalition governments?
A-The Prime Minister of a
coalition government cannot take decisions as he likes. He has to accommodate
different groups and factions in his party as well as among alliance partners.
He also has to heed to the views and positions of the coalition partners and
other parties, on whose support the survival of the government depends.
Q.39. The President is
considered as ceremonial head. Explain.
A-In our political system
the President as the head of the State exercises only nominal powers. The
President of India is like the Queen of Britain whose functions are to a large
extent ceremonial. The President supervises the overall functioning of all the
political institutions in the country so that they operate in harmony to
achieve the objectives of the state.
Q.40. How is the President
elected?
A-The President is not
elected directly by the people. All the Members of Parliament (MPs) and
Members of State
Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) elect her. A candidate standing for President’s
post has to get a majority of votes to win the election. This ensures that the
President can be seen to represent the entire nation. At the same time the
President can never claim the kind of direct popular mandate that the Prime
Minister can. This ensures that she remains only a nominal executive.
Q.41. Discuss the powers of
the President.
A-All governmental activities
take place in the name of the President. All laws and major policy decisions of
the government are issued in her name. All major appointments are made in the
name of the President. These include the appointment of the Chief Justice of
India, the Judges of the Supreme Court as well as the High Courts of the
states, the Governors of the states, the Election Commissioners, ambassadors to
other countries, all international treaties and agreements are made in the name
of the President. The President is the supreme commander of the defence forces
of India.
Q.42. When does the bill
become the law?
A-A bill passed by the
Parliament becomes a law only after the President gives assent to it. If the
President wants, she can delay this for some time and send the bill back to the
Parliament for reconsideration. But if the Parliament passes the bill again,
she has to sign it.
Q.43. Can the President
exercise her discretion while appointing the Prime Minister?
When a party or coalition
of parties secures a clear majority in the elections, the President, has to
appoint the leader of the majority party or the coalition that enjoys majority
support in the Lok Sabha. When no party or coalition gets a majority in the Lok
Sabha, the President exercises her discretion. The President appoints a leader
who in her opinion can muster majority support in the Lok Sabha.
Q.44. What is the
judiciary?
A-All the courts at
different levels in a country put together are called the judiciary. The Indian
judiciary consists of a Supreme Court for the entire nation, High Courts in the
states, District Courts and the courts at local level.
Q.45. India has an
integrated judiciary. Explain.
A-India has an integrated
judiciary. It means the Supreme Court controls the judicial administration in the
country. Its decisions are binding on all other courts of the country. It can
take up any dispute:
· Between
citizens of the country
· Between
citizens and government
· Between
two or more state governments
· Between
governments at the union and state level.
Q.46. Which is the highest
court of appeal?
A-Supreme Court is the
highest court of appeal in civil and criminal cases. It can hear appeals
against the decisions of the High Courts.
Q.47. What does the
independence of the judiciary mean?
A-Independence of the
judiciary means that it 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.
Q.48. How are the judges of
Supreme Court and High Court appointed?
A-The judges of the Supreme
Court and the High Courts are appointed by the President on the advice of the
Prime Minister and in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
In practice it now means that the senior judges of the Supreme Court select the
new judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts. There is very little scope
for interference by the political executive.
Q.49. Who appoints the
senior most judge of the Supreme Court?
A-The senior most judge of
the Supreme Court is usually appointed by the Chief Justice.
Q.50. Discuss the process
for removing the judges.
A-Once a person is
appointed as judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court it is nearly
impossible to remove him or her from that position. It is as difficult as
removing the President of India. A judge can be removed only by an impeachment
motion passed separately by two-thirds members of the two Houses of the
Parliament.
Q.51. The judiciary in
India is also one of the most powerful in the world. Explain.
A-The judiciary in India is
also one of the most powerful in the world. 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.
Q.52. What is meant by
judicial review?
A-The Supreme Court
determines 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.
Q.53. What is public
interest litigation?
The citizens have a right
to approach the courts to seek remedy in case of any violation of their rights.
In recent years the Courts have given several judgments and directives to
protect public interest and human rights. Any one can approach the courts if
public interest is hurt by the actions of government. This is called public
interest litigation.
Q.54. why does the
judiciary enjoy a high level of confidence among the people?
A-The courts intervene to
prevent the misuse of the government’s power to make decisions. They check
malpractices on the part of public officials. That is why the judiciary enjoys
a high level of confidence among the people.
Q.55. Define coalition
government.
A government formed by an
alliance of two or more political parties, usually when no single party enjoys
majority support of the members in a legislature.
Q.56. Define legislature.
A-Legislature is an
assembly of people’s representatives with the power to enact laws for a
country. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures have authority to raise
taxes and adopt the budget and other money bills.
Q.57. Define reservations
in the political context.
A-A policy that declares
some positions in government employment and educational institutions reserved
for people and communities, who have been discriminated against, are
disadvantaged and backward.
