NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science - How the State Government Works

Q1. Use the terms 'constituency' and 'represent' to explain who an MLA is and how is the person elected?
Ans: MLAs are the members of the legislative assembly who represent the people and also form the government.
(i) Each state has a legislative assembly.
(ii) Each state is divided into different areas or constituencies.
(iii) From each constituency, the people elect one representative who then becomes a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).
(iv) MLA is elected by the people who contest the election by voting.

Q2. How did some MLAs become Ministers? Explain.
Ans:
(i) After the elections, a political party whose MLAs have won more than half the number of constituencies in a state became the ruling party.
(ii) The MLAs belonging to the ruling party will elect their leader, who will become the chief minister.
(iii) The chief minister then selects other people as ministers.
(iv) The Governor of the state then appoints the chief minister and other ministers.

Q3. Why should decisions taken by the Chief Minister and other ministers be debated in the Legislative Assembly?
Ans:
(i) In a democratic government, participants are important from each and every section.
(ii) Thus, whatever decisions are being taken have to be approved by the members of the legislative assembly.
(iii) These members then ask questions, debate an important issue, decide where money should be spent, etc.
(iv) After that, they have the main authority to finalize the decision.

Q4. What was the problem in Patalpuram? What discussion/ action was taken by the following? Fill in the table.

Ans: There was a lack of proper sanitation and clean drinking water in Patalpuram. It resulted in the death of people due to the water-borne diseases that are spreading from filth. The shortage of proper medical facilities has made the condition worse. 

• Public Meeting: The outcome of the meeting was that MLAs should take responsibility for the provision of proper healthcare.
• Legislative Assembly: The MLA requested the government to take adequate steps to provide proper sanitation and healthcare to the public.
• Press Conference: The Minister explained the steps taken towards healthcare and proper sanitation. They made water tankers available to provide clean drinking water.
• Chief Minister: He promised the proper sanctioning of funds for the healthcare and sanitation of the people.

Legislative AssemblyQ5. What is the difference between the work that MLAs do in the Assembly and the work done by government departments? 
Ans: 

(i) The core difference between the work done by MLAs in the assembly and the government departments is that every government department is headed by a minister, who is also an MLA.

(ii) The minister approves any work done or proposed by the department. 

(iii) The department is responsible for the completion of the work, while the MLAs coordinate between the Legislative Assembly and the various government machinery that will be involved in the completion of any projects undertaken.