9th Standard, Social, Political Science CHAPTER – 6
THE UNION GOVERNMENT
EXERCISES
I. Fill in the blanks with suitable words.
1. India has a Federal or Parliamentary form of government.
2. The Union Legislature is called Parliament.
3. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is the Vice President.
4. One has to complete 25 years to become a member of the Lok Sabha.
5. The Commander-in-Chief of the three Armed Forces is the President.
6. The process for electing the President is explained under Articles 54 and 55 of the Constitution.
7. The Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission is appointed by President.
II. Discuss in group and Answer the following questions.
8. Name the two Houses of the Parliament.
Answer: The two Houses of the Parliament are Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. The Upper House is called Rajya Sabha and the Lower House is called Lok Sabha.
9. Explain the composition of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer: The number of seats in the Rajya Sabha is 250, of which 238 members are elected by the members of the State Assemblies and Union Territories. The remaining 12 members, who are experts from various fields like literature, art, science and social work are nominated by the President. This House is also known as the House of Elders. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not dissolved like the Lok Sabha. The term of the members is six years. One-third of its members retire on completion of six years term every second year. In their place new members are elected. The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Deputy Chairman is chosen from among the members. The House should meet at least twice a year. The members may request for a special session.
10. What are the qualifications needed to become a member of the Lok Sabha?
Answer: The qualifications needed to become a member of the Lok Sabha are as follows.
1. Should be a citizen of India.
2. Must not be less than 25 years of age.
3. Should not hold any office of profit under the Government.
4. Should not have been punished under law.
5. Should not be bankrupt.
6. Should not be a person of unsound mind.
7. Should possess qualifications as specified by Parliament from time to time.
11. Explain the election process for the post of President.
Answer: The President is elected by an electoral college of elected members of both Houses of Parliament, all elected members of the legislative assemblies of all States, New Delhi and Pondicherry. The Supreme Court judge administers him the oath of office. His term of office is five years. He is eligible for re-election. When he goes against the Constitution, he can be removed from office by the Parliament through a Motion of Impeachment.
12. List out the powers and functions of the Prime Minister.
Answer: The Constitution has provided for a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as its Head to assist and advise the President in the administration of the country. The powers and functions of the Prime Minister are as follows.
- Appointment and Removal of Ministers, and Allocation of Port folios
- 2. Head of Government: The Prime Minister is responsible for all actions of the Government. He co-ordinates the activities of the various Ministers.
- Head of Union Cabinet: The meetings of the Union Cabinet are held under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. All discussions of issues of national and international importance are discussed and decisions are taken under his chairmanship.
- Power to advice to dissolve the Loka Sabha: The Prime Minister has the power to advice the president to dissolve the Lok Sabha. When there are serious disagreement in the cabinet and when the cabinet losses the confidence of Lok Sabha.
13. Explain the composition of the Union Cabinet and its responsibilities.
Answer: The union cabinet headed by the Prime Minister is the real executive and manages the entire administration of the nation. The union cabinet formulates and implements public policies and plans. Central ministry can be classified in to three types. They are
1. Cabinet grade minister
2. Ministers of the state
3. Deputy Ministers
According to the constitution, the size of the union cabinet cannot exceed 15% of the total number of Lok Sabha members including the prime minister. This cabinet has two types of responsibilities. Each minister is personally responsible for the progress, success and failure of his portfolio and the council of ministers is collectively responsible to parliament (Lok Sabha) for its administration, policy, discussion and programmes. The Lok Sabha can remove the council of ministers from power by passing a no-confidence motion.
Additional Questions and Answers:
1 . Through what does the central government exercise its powers?
Answer: the Central Government has been given more powers in view of the unity, Integrity and security of the nation. It exercises these powers through the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.
2. What are the qualifications required to become a Member of Rajyasabha?
Answer: The qualifications required to become a Member of Rajyasabha are as follows.
1. Should be a citizen of India.
2. Should not be less than 30 years of age.
3. Should not hold any office of profit under the government.
4. Should not have been punished under law.
5. Should not be bankrupt.
6. Should not have been declared to be a person of unsound mind by a court of law.
7. Should possess the qualifications specified from time to time by the Parliament.
3. What is called quorum in Rajyasabha?
Answer: At least 10% of the members (a minimum of 25 members) should be present during the sessions of the Rajya Sabha. This is called quorum.
4 . The maximum number of seats is 543 at present in Lok sabha.
5 . What are the responsibilities of Lok sabha Speaker?
Answer: The responsibilities of Lok sabha Speaker are as follows.
(i ) After being elected as speaker, he has to function in the house in a non-partisan manner.
(ii) He presides over the proceeding of the meeting and maintains peace and order in the house.
(iii) The speaker is responsible for conducting debate voting, resolution in the house according to the rules.
(iv) Clarity about the rules and the authority to give decision will also be the responsibility of Speaker.
6 . What are the role and work of opposition leader?
Answer: 10% of the total number of members of the concerned houses (Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha) that political party gets the seats is called the opposition party. The role and work of opposition leader are,
(i ) Highlight the wrong doings of the ruling government.
(ii ) Examine thoroughly the policies of the government.
(iii) Keep the government, council of ministers and officials alert.
(iv) Opposition party leader has a respectable position.
7. What are the powers and functions of the Parliament?
Answer: The powers and functions of the Parliament are as follows.
Legislative powers and functions: The main function of the Parliament is to make laws. It can frame laws on subjects mentioned in the Central list.
Administrative powers and functions: Parliament has control over the executive. If the Lok Sabha expresses no confidence in the government policies and plans, the executive (the cabinet headed by the Prime Minister) will have to resign.
Financial powers and functions: Lok Sabha exercises total control over the financial matters of the country.
Judicial powers and functions: Both the Houses of the Parliament have the authority to remove the President as well as the judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts through a Motion of Impeachment.
Power and functions to amend Constitution: According to article 368 of the Indian constitution the parliament has power to amend the constitution of India.
Other powers and functions:
1. To frame laws relating to the powers and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
2. To establish one High Court for two or more States.
3. To create new States, rename them or to determine the boundaries of States.
4. To discuss the reports of committees like the Public Services Commission, Finance Commission, Election Commission, National Backward Classes Commission etc.
5. To approve the declaration of Emergencies like the National Emergency, State Emergency and Financial Emergency.
8. Explain briefly about ‘Union Executive’.
Answer: The Executive implements the laws framed by the Union Legislature. It also implements the Programmes and policies of the Union Government. The Union Executive consists of the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers. The President is the head and Attorney General of India, whereas the Prime Minister and his Cabinet form the actual Executive.
9 . Mention the qualifications of the President.
Answer: The qualifications of the President are,
1. He should be a citizen of India.
2. He should have completed the age of 35 years.
3. He should be qualified for election as a Member of the Lok Sabha.
4. He should not hold any office of profit under the Government.
10 . Name the Powers and functions of the President.
Answer: The Powers and functions of the President are as follows.
Executive Powers and Functions: The administration is carried out in the name of the President.
Legislative Powers and Functions: The President has the power to summon the Parliament or postpone its sessions.
Judicial Powers and Functions: The President has the power to reduce the term of imprisonment of criminals, and to cancel the capital punishment.
Financial Powers and Functions: A finance bill can be introduced in the Lok Sabha without the permission of the President.
Military Powers and Functions: The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Emergency Powers and Functions: 18 schedule of our constitution describes 3 types of emergency.
Discretionary Powers: The President can exercise certain powers without waiting for approval of the Union Cabinet. They are called discretionary powers. They are,
1. He may invite the leader of any party to form the government when no single party has got a majority after an election.
2. When the Parliament approves a Bill and sends it to him for assent, he may return the Bill for re-consideration.
III. Activities:
1. Conduct a school Parliament in your school.
2. Meet the legislator of your constituency and discuss his work.
IV. Project:
1. Prepare a model of the Parliament house and display in your school.
