Institutions of parliamentary democracy

Chapter- 14
Very short answer type questions:

1. What are the two houses of parliament?

Ans. The two houses of parliament are LokSabha and Rajya Sabha.

2. Give one reason why Lok Sabha is given a superior status by our constitution?

Ans. Lok Sabha, one of the houses of the parliament is the supreme institution if
the people and the symbol of freedom sovereignty and hence it is given a
superior status by the constitution.

2. Why does the will of the Lok Sabha prevail in a joint session of the parliament
to solve an issue when there is a deadlock?

Ans. In a joint session of the parliament the decisions of the majority is taken as
final. The members of the Lok Sabha are more than the number of Rajya Sabha.
So the will of Sabha prevails in a joint session of the parliament to solve an issue e
is a deadlock.

3. Give one proof that the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha do not have equal
powers in passing of thee budget.

Ans. Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.

After it is passed in the Lok Sabha it goes to the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha
cannot reject it but can only make suggestions which the Lok Sabha may or may
not accept it. Therefore they do not have equal powers in the passing of the
budget.
Short answer type questions.

1. Explains the difference:

I. The powers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha: The Lok Sabha prevails over the
Rajya Sabha in ordinary bills because of its large number of members. In
financial matter the Lok Sabha has more powers. The money bill can be
introduced only in Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha has the complete power to
control the executive.
The Rajya Sabha cannot reject a budget if it is passed by the Lok Sabha.
The Rajya Sabha has no power to start a ‘No confidence Motion’.
II. A money bill and ordinary bill: A money bill concerns the finance of a
country. Only the Lok Sabha can sanction any expenditure of the
government. All money bills are introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya
Sabha cannot reject any money bill passed by the Lok Sabha.
Whereas an ordinary bill is one that ask for change win the law or
passing of a new law on any other subject except finance. The Lok Sabha
and Rajya Sabha cannot reject any bill passed by the Lok Sabha.

2. Describe the powers and functions of the council of ministers.

Ans. The powers and functions of the council of mini9strers are as follows:

i. As the real executive, it acts as an advisor to the president.

ii. The cabinet mission formulates the national policies.
iii. The ministers of the state and deputy minister assist the cabinet ministers
in the affairs of the department.

3. How is the president of India elected?

Ans. The president of India is elected by the Electoral College which consists of
elected members of the state legislative assembly and the union territories.
3. Describe the powers and functions of the president.

Ans. The primary duty of the President is to preserve, protect and defend the
constitution and the law of India. The president is the common heads of all
independent constitutional entities. The president of India is the Head of the state.

Executive functions:

i. Head of the union

ii. Appointments. The president appoints the governors of the states, judges
of the Supreme Court and high courts, the auditor general of India and
many other high officials.
iii. Appointments of Prime Minister and other ministers.
iv. Can ask to prove majority in Lok Sabha.
v. Supreme commander:
Legislative powers and functions:
i. Pre4sident is a part of parliament.
ii. Summons and address Parliament.
iii. Nominations
iv. Powers in respect of bills

Long answer type questions.

1. The most [powerful office in the central government is that of the Prime
Minister. Discuss.

Ans. The most powerful office in the central government is that of the Prime
Minister because of the following reasons:

I. The Prime Minister is the real executive of the government of India.

II. He chooses his ministers.
III. The allocations of portfolios done by the Prime Minister.
IV. The Prime Minister as a budget between the president and the council of
ministers.
V. The prime minister acts as a chief spokesperson of the government on the
floor of the house.
VI. The prime minster also functions as the ex-officio chairperson of planning
commission.

2. Discuss the powers and functions of the parliament.

Ans. The powers and functions of the parliament are:

I. It makes laws on matters that fall in central list.

II. It approves and controls the income and expenditure of the central
government.
III. It makes amendments to provision laid down in the constitution.
IV. It has the power to impeach the president and the judge of the Supreme
Court.

3. Explain how ordinary a law becomes.

Ans. An ordinary bill proposal is worked out by the ministry concern of its
administration, financial and other implications. Then it is presented in either of
the two houses in the in the parliament. There it undergoes three readings. When
it is passed in both the houses it is sent to the president for his consent. When the
president gives his consent it becomes a law.

4. Discuss the collective responsibility of the council of ministers.

Ans. Collective responsibility means that the ministers are collectively responsible
to t5he Lok Sabha. T5he council of ministers continues their office only as long as
it has the support of the majority of members of Lok Sabha. Every minister is
individually responsible for what happens in the ministry under him. There have
been occasions when the minister has owned responsibility for something going
wrong in his ministry and resigned.