Class 8 Civics Chapter 3 Important Question Answers - Why Do We Need Parliament

Ques 1: What are the basic ideals of a democracy?
Ans: The basic ideals of democracy are

• The participation of the citizens in the government’s decision-making.
• The government needs to have the consent of its citizens in all major issues it takes on.

Ques 2: What is the purpose of a Parliament?
Ans: The Parliament enables citizens of India to participate in decision-making and control the government.

Ques 3: What was the main principle of the Indian constitution?
Ans: The main principle of the Indian constitution was the Universal adult franchise. All adults in free India could vote and participate in decision-making.

Ques 4: How can all the citizens participate in the government's decision-making process?
Ans: In a democracy, general elections are held, and all adults have a right to vote. The citizens elect a few people to represent them in the Parliament. The Parliament is made up of all these representatives. These representatives are known as Members of the Parliament. One group from among these elected representatives forms the government. It is through these representatives that the citizens take part in the government's decision-making.

Ques 5: Who designed the Parliament House in India?
Ans: The Parliament House in India was designed by the British architect Herbert Baker.

Ques 6: What is an EVM?
Ans: An EVM is an Electronic Voting Machine used for elections in India. Indian voting machines use a two-piece system with a balloting unit presenting the voter with a button for each choice connected by a cable to an electronic ballot box.

Ques 7: What is a constituency?
Ans: The country is divided into many areas for election purposes. Each area is called a constituency. A representative is elected from each constituency to serve in the legislative body.

Ques 8: Mention the 2 houses of the Indian Parliament.
Ans: The 2 Houses of the Indian Parliament are
(i) The Rajya Sabha
(ii) The Lok Sabha

Ques 9: Write a brief note on the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.
Ans: Rajya Sabha- The Rajya Sabha functions primarily as the representative of the states of India in the Parliament. There are 233 elected members plus 12 members nominated by the President. The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of various states. The Rajya Sabha plays an important role in reviewing and altering the laws initiated by the Lok Sabha.
Lok Sabha- The Lok Sabha, known as the House of the People, with a total membership of 543, is presided over by the Speaker. The country is divided into 543 Lok Sabha constituencies. During a Lok Sabha election, people from different political parties stand for elections. Once elected, these candidates become Members of Parliament or MPs. These MPs together make up the Parliament.

Ques 10: What are the three major duties of the Parliament?
Ans: The three major duties of the Parliament are

• To Select the National Government
• To Control, Guide, and Inform the Government
• Law-Making

Ques 11: How is a National government selected?
Ans: After the Lok Sabha elections, a list is prepared showing how many MPs belonging to each political party have won the elections. The Political party, which has the majority of MPs, will form the National government.
A majority Party should have at least 272 MPs, that is, more than half of the total number of MPs in the Lok Sabha.

Ques 12: What is ‘Question hour’ in Parliament?
Ans: The first hour of every sitting during a Parliament Session is called the Question Hour. During ‘Question hour’, questions are posed by members of specific government ministries. The concerned Ministries have to answer these Questions on a fixed date.
The Questions asked during ‘Question Hour’ highlight the shortcomings of the Government and also bring to light the opinion of the citizen through their representatives, namely the MPs.
This Question Hour helps the Parliament to control the Executive (Government).

Ques 13: Write a brief note on the Members of Parliament.
Ans: The Members of Parliament are from different backgrounds. Many members are from rural areas and from regional parties.
Groups and people that were not unrepresented so far are beginning to get elected to the Parliament. Today, there are more people from the Dalit and backward castes and minorities in Parliament.
It is good to have representatives from all sections of society in Parliament so that every Indian will be represented in the decision-making body.