Class 8 Social Science Chapter 6 The Parliamentary System : Legislature and Executive (New Course)

Key Concept: Bicameral System, Population-based Representation

b) Population determines seat allocation
[Solution Description] The Lok Sabha, being the House of the People, comprises representatives elected directly by the people. The number of seats allocated to each state in the Lok Sabha is based on its population. This arrangement ensures that more populous regions have a greater voice in legislative processes, reflecting the principle of proportional representation. It aligns with democratic ideals because it allows for equitable representation where each vote has equal weight across the nation. Thus, areas with higher populations can elect more MPs, ensuring their interests are adequately represented in law-making.

Key Concept: Implementation Strategy, Policy Analysis

b) Phased implementation with technology incentives
[Solution Description] A civil servant needs to assess various factors including industry capacities, potential technological innovations, cost implications, and regulatory frameworks. An effective strategy involves phased implementation with technology incentives because it allows gradual adaptation, encourages innovation, and reduces resistance from industries by offering support to meet regulations.

Key Concept: Judiciary Roles, Separation of Powers

c) By reviewing laws and executive actions for constitutional adherence
[Solution Description] The judiciary maintains checks and balances primarily through a process called judicial review, wherein it scrutinizes actions by the Legislature and Executive to ensure compliance with the Constitution. It acts as a guardian of fundamental rights by interpreting laws and nullifying those that violate constitutional tenets. Additionally, the judiciary mediates disputes between branches, thereby preventing any organ from gaining undue power.

Key Concept: Composition of Parliament, Role of President, Bicameral System

c) The President must give his assent, making it a law
[Solution Description] In India’s legislative process, if a bill is returned by the President for reconsideration and then passed again by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, it must be sent back to the President. As per Article 111 of the Indian Constitution, when a bill is presented to the President after being passed again by both Houses, the President has no option but to assent to it. Thus, the bill becomes law.

Key Concept: Judiciary’s Role, Separation of Powers

a) By reviewing executive decisions for any constitutional misinterpretation
[Solution Description] The Judiciary acts as a guardian of the Constitution by interpreting its provisions and ensuring laws and government actions align with constitutional principles. It reviews legislation passed by the Parliament to ensure no violation occurs within the constitutional framework. Similarly, it examines the implementation of such laws by the Executive to verify adherence to Constitutional mandates. This oversight prevents any overreach or misuse of power by the other branches.

Key Concept: Constitutional functions

c) By framing laws and policies
[Solution Description] As part of its constitutional function, the Parliament upholds fundamental rights by framing appropriate laws and policies that align with these rights. This ensures that citizens’ freedoms are protected and promoted, maintaining the core values of the Constitution.

Key Concept: Legislative Powers

c) Legislative subjects are divided into Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.
[Solution Description] The Constitution of India distributes legislative powers through three lists: the Union List, the State List, and the Concurrent List. The Union government legislates on subjects in the Union List, the State governments legislate on subjects in the State List, and both can legislate on subjects in the Concurrent List. If there is any conflict on laws made under the Concurrent List, the law enacted by the Union government prevails.

Key Concept: Parliamentary System, Historical Context

Correct answer c) It utilized colonial experiences to develop a unique parliamentary system
[Solution Description] India’s parliamentary system drew inspiration from the British model due to historical ties during colonial rule. Indian leaders who participated in limited forms within colonial structures gained insights into parliamentary procedures. This exposure contributed to shaping the independent nation’s governance framework. Additionally, the memory of ancient republican traditions and village councils also complemented this knowledge. The familiarity with British practices facilitated a smooth transition to self-governance, enabling the establishment of parliamentary democracy tailored to Indian conditions, emphasizing debates, accountability, and separation of powers.

Key Concept: Financial accountability, Budget approval & monitoring

d) Detailed scrutiny by a Parliamentary Committee
[Solution Description] The Parliament can monitor government expenditure through various committees and procedures. For ensuring ongoing oversight on a ministry’s budget, a Parliamentary Committee such as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) plays a critical role. The PAC scrutinizes the appropriation accounts and the finance accounts of the Government of India and ensures that public money is spent in accordance with Parliament’s decision.

Key Concept: Role of the Governor

c) Provides assent to bills passed by the state legislature
[Solution Description]
The Governor acts as the nominal head of the state and plays a crucial role in the legislative process by giving assent to bills passed by the state legislature. Without the Governor’s assent, no bill can become a law. Moreover, the Governor can also reserve certain bills for consideration by the President.

Key Concept: Challenges of Legislature Productivity, Role of Rajya Sabha

c) It highlights challenges like frequent disruptions and reduced debate quality.
[Solution Description] The decline in productivity implies that a significant portion of scheduled time is being lost to disruptions, reducing the ability of the Rajya Sabha to fulfill its roles effectively. This impacts legislative oversight on policies and decisions, delays law enactment, and compromises accountability mechanisms, ultimately weakening democratic governance.

Key Concept: Financial accountability

b) By approving the national budget
[Solution Description] The Parliament ensures financial accountability by approving and monitoring government expenditure through the annual budget and examining the distribution of funds to different ministries. It requires the government to provide necessary information in a timely and accurate manner.

Key Concept: Bicameral System

c) 550
[Solution Description]
The Constitution of India provides that the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha can be up to 550 members. These members include both representatives from states and union territories. However, the actual number may vary based on population adjustments and delimitation exercises conducted periodically.

Key Concept: Structure of State Legislatures

b) Andhra Pradesh
[Solution Description] A bicameral legislature means having two houses, namely the Vidhan Sabha and the Vidhan Parishad. According to the syllabus, Andhra Pradesh is one of the states with a bicameral system.

Key Concept: Functions of Prime Minister

b) Advising the President
[Solution Description]
One of the key functions of the Prime Minister is advising the President of India. Alongside other roles like leading the Council of Ministers and shaping national policies, this advice is fundamental to the operation of the government.

Key Concept: Role of Parliament in Executive Accountability

c) Via parliamentary committee reports
[Solution Description]
Parliament ensures the accountability of the executive branch through several mechanisms. One key method is the Question Hour, where ministers must answer questions posed by Members of Parliament, ensuring they justify their actions and decisions. Additionally, special committees review various governmental functions and require ministries to explain policies, thereby facilitating greater transparency.

Key Concept: Interpreting Laws, Judicial Review

c) By examining the legality of executive actions
[Solution Description] The Judiciary ensures compliance by reviewing executive actions to ascertain whether they adhere to Constitutional principles. Through writ petitions and cases brought before them, courts can annul any action or policy that contravenes the Constitution.

Key Concept: Role of Governor, Role of Chief Minister

a) Governor
[Solution Description] In the event where the ruling party loses its majority in the Vidhan Sabha, it falls upon the Governor, as the constitutional head of the state, to play a pivotal role. The Governor exercises his/her discretion to determine which political party or coalition commands a majority and therefore invites its leader to form the government. This decision-making process underscores the Governor’s function of ensuring that democratic principles are upheld within the state legislative assembly.

Key Concept: Discretionary Powers of the President

Correct Answer option a) Appoint the leader of the largest party as the Prime Minister
[Solution Description] In situations where no single political party gains a majority in the Lok Sabha, the President of India can exercise discretionary powers. These powers allow the President to invite the leader of the largest party or coalition to form the government. The decision is based on assessing who is most likely to secure the confidence of the house.

Key Concept: Bicameral and Unicameral Systems, Legislative Responsibilities

b) The Vidhan Sabha considers the suggestions of the Vidhan Parishad
[Solution Description] In bicameral states, when the Vidhan Parishad rejects a money bill, the Vidhan Sabha must reconsider it. However, unlike ordinary bills, the Vidhan Parishad can only suggest amendments to a money bill and cannot reject it outright. The final decision rests with the Vidhan Sabha. Hence, the Vidhan Sabha’s approval is deemed final for money bills.

Key Concept: Process of Lawmaking

c) Presidential assent
[Solution Description] After a bill is passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, it requires the President’s assent to become a law. Once the President gives assent, the bill is notified in the Gazette, making it an official law.

Key Concept: Indirect election in Rajya Sabha

c) Population
[Solution Description] The composition of the Rajya Sabha is determined based on the population of each state. This means that states with larger populations are entitled to have more representatives in the Rajya Sabha compared to those with smaller populations.
Therefore, the primary factor determining the number of MPs from each state in the Rajya Sabha is the state’s population.

Key Concept: The Judiciary — Role of Checks and Balances

a) Interpreting and applying laws to resolve disputes
[Solution Description] The Judiciary interprets and applies the laws to ensure they align with the Constitution, acting as a check to verify that both the Legislature and Executive operate within constitutional boundaries. It resolves disputes and safeguards fundamental rights, maintaining the democratic nature of society and governance.

Key Concept: Role of Consent in Governance, Universal Adult Franchise, Parliamentary System

c) By enabling all adults to vote for their representatives
[Solution Description] The Universal Adult Franchise ensures that every adult citizen has the right to vote, irrespective of their social or economic background, gender, race, or religion. This empowers citizens to elect representatives who align with their views and interests. In India, these elected representatives form the Lok Sabha, which is critical in making laws and policies. A majority from among them forms the government. Since the government is formed by representatives chosen through universal suffrage, it inherently functions with the people’s consent.

Key Concept: Financial accountability

c) By approving and monitoring the budget
[Solution Description] The Parliament ensures financial accountability by approving and monitoring government expenditure through the annual budget. It examines how funds are distributed to different ministries and expects the government to provide necessary information in a timely and accurate manner.

Key Concept: Separation of Powers

c) By interpreting and enforcing constitutional limits on other branches
[Solution Description] The Judiciary maintains separation of powers by checking any overreach by the Legislative and Executive branches through interpretation and enforcement of constitutional limits. This process prevents any single branch from accumulating excessive power, thus preserving democratic checks and balances.

Key Concept: Election of President and Vice President

b) Electoral college comprising Parliament and State Assemblies
[Solution Description] The President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both houses of Parliament, as well as the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union territories, according to Article 54 of the Indian Constitution.

Key Concept: Union List, State List, and Concurrent List

c) Concurrent List
[Solution Description] According to the Constitution of India, there are three lists that distribute legislative powers between the Union and State governments: the Union List, the State List, and the Concurrent List. The Concurrent List is the set of subjects on which both the Union and State governments have the power to make laws. However, if there is a conflict between the two, the law made by the Union government prevails.

Key Concept: Bicameral System, Presiding Officers

a) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has no voting rights, while the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha votes only in case of a tie
[Solution Description]
The presiding officer in the Lok Sabha is called the Speaker. The primary function of the Speaker is to maintain order during debates, ensure that parliamentary procedures are followed, and manage the business of the House. In contrast, the Rajya Sabha is presided over by the Vice President of India, who serves as its Chairperson. The role here is mainly ceremonial, with a focus on maintaining decorum and facilitating discussions. Unlike the Speaker, the Chairperson does not have voting rights except in the case of a tie.

Key Concept: Standing Committee

b) To evaluate and suggest changes to the bill
[Solution Description]
The Standing Committee is tasked with scrutinizing government activities and making recommendations on various aspects of the bill. It reviews the details and suggests modifications or asks questions about the actions taken by the government related to the bill.

Key Concept: Lawmaking process: Presidential Assent

b) Assenting to the bill after passage in both Houses
[Solution Description]
After a bill has been passed by both Houses of Parliament, it is sent to the President of India for assent. The President can give assent or withhold it, but generally, the bill becomes an act once the President gives their assent.
Therefore, the role of the President is crucial in converting a passed bill into an official act by giving assent.

Key Concept: Significance of Representative Government

c) By having elected representatives make decisions
[Solution Description] A representative government ensures the concept of people’s consent by having elected officials who represent the will of the citizens. These representatives are chosen through elections, which allow the populace to express their preferences and influence decision-making processes. By electing members to bodies such as the Lok Sabha, the government reflects the people’s choices and ensures that their voices are heard within the legislative framework.

Key Concept: Executive Powers, Council of Ministers

b) Inviting the leader of the largest coalition to form the government
[Solution Description]
The President holds certain discretionary powers during political crises, notably when no party has a majority in the Lok Sabha elections. In such a scenario, the President can decide whom to appoint as the Prime Minister. This decision is not bound by the advice of the outgoing council and is a significant executive function.