Class 7 Civics Chapter 3 Question Answers - How the State Government works

Q1. Which party is called the ruling party?
Answer:

• Political party whose gets more than half of the seats of Legislative Assembly is the majority party. 
• This party is called the ruling party and all other members are called opposition.

For example: In 2003 in Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, The Indian National Congress won 43 seats (required no. was 34) and became the ruling party. All the other MLAs became the opposition. Here BJP was the major opposition party having the largest number of MLAs after INC. There were independent MLAs as well.

Q2. Define: Government, Legislature, Executive.
Answer:
Government

• MLAs are together responsible for the work of the government.
• In common usage the word ‘government’ refers to government departments and various ministers who head them. The overall head is the Chief Minister.

Legislature

• All the MLAs who gather together (assemble) in the Legislative Assembly are called the legislature.
• They are the ones who authorise and supervise the work.

Executive

• The work of the Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs is called the executive part of the government.

Notes: Examples of discussions in the Assembly

• MLA of Akhandagaon highlighting the deaths in his constituency due to diarrhoea. He is drawing the attention of health minister to take control of the situation.
• Another MLA raises questions on lack of doctors and medical staff and government steps
• in this direction.
• MLA from Tolpatti raises the issue to water supply. He wanted to know about the disinfecting process of wells and ponds.
• MLA from ruling party outlines the steps taken by the government to control the situation.
• He talks about water tankers and ORS packets being distributed.
• Another member brings the point of doctors on long leave or no medical staff for years in certain hospitals. He asks about the process of distributing ORS packets.
• Ruling party member blames the poor sanitation condition on the previous government. And informs about the sanitation drive in process.

Q3. Where else work of government is discussed other than the legislature?
Answer:

• Besides Legislative Assembly there are other places {means) where opinions are expressed about the work of the government and action is demanded.
• The newspapers, T.V. channels and other organisations regularly talking about the government.
• In a democracy there are various ways through which people express their views and also take action.
• One such way is the Press Conference.
• Large numbers of people from different newspapers come to the Press Conference.
• The minister and some government officials explain the steps that the government has taken.
• There were many questions asked by news reporters at this meeting. These discussions were then reported in different newspapers.

Q4. What did the Chief Minister and the Minister for Health do in the next week of the Assembly Session?
Answer:

• During the next week the Chief Minister and the Minister for Health went to
• Patalpuram district to visit the families who had lost their relatives.
• They also visited people in the hospitals. They announced a compensation for these families.
• The Chief Minister thought the problem was not only one of sanitation but also one of a lack of clean drinking water.
• He announced a high-level enquiry committee to suggest ways to provide sanitation facilities. He also requested the Minister for Public Works to care for proper water supply in the region.

Q5. How does government in a state function? Or How do Chief Minister and cabinet work?
Answer:
Government in a state is headed by Chief Minister. He appoints ministers at various levels.

• These ministers head different departments like public works, agriculture, health etc.
• The bureaucracy is responsible for the functioning of the departments.
• The Chief Minister and cabinet is answerable to the people. They do so in the Assembly by answering the questions and through media by holding press conferences.
• Laws are made in the Legislative and the government departments implement these.

Q6. What is a wall-paper project? Discuss its various aspects.
Answer:
A wall-paper project is research activity done on various topics.

• The class is divided into groups. Children work in pairs or individually.
• Discussion on topic is held.
• Children collect information and write their observations or experiences.
• This may be in form of photographs, poems, stories, case studies etc.
• Each group finalises the layout for the wall-paper and present it to the class.
• Each group is allotted same time. More than one member presents their group’s work.
• After presentation there is a feedback session on what more could have been done.

Q7. Who takes the decisions about running of the government?
Answer:

1. The chief minister and other ministers have to take the decisions about running the government. JjThese decisions have to be approved by the members of Assembly.
2. In democracy these members (MLAs) can ask questions, debate an issue or take decision about spending the money. 
3. They have the joint authority. 
4. We see or listen about these discussions from the newspapers or news channels.

Q8. How does Assembly work?
Answer:

• Current issues are discussed in the Assembly and decisions are taken on various issues.
• During this time MLAs can express their opinion and ask questions related to the issues. 
• They may give suggestions about running of the government.
• Those who wish can respond to the same. 
• The concerned ministers replies to the questions and assure the assembly about the step taken by the government about a issue.

Q9. Who is a MLA and How is MLA elected?
Answer:

• MLA’s are elected by the people. They become the members of Legislative Assembly and form the government or opposition. Thus they represent the people.
• Every state has a Legislative Assembly. Each state is divided into constituencies. For example Himachal Pradesh is divided into 68 constituencies.
• From each constituency one representative is elected by the people who then becomes a MLA.
• Candidates belong to different political parties or may be independent.

Q10. What are the responsibilities of the chief minister and other ministers?
Answer:
Chief Minister:

• Head of the State Government: The Chief Minister is the head of the state government and is responsible for its overall functioning and administration.
• Leader of the State Cabinet: The Chief Minister leads the state cabinet, which is a group of selected ministers responsible for different portfolios.
• Policy Formulation: The Chief Minister plays a crucial role in formulating and implementing policies that govern the state.
• Budget Preparation: The Chief Minister, along with the finance minister, is involved in preparing the state budget, which outlines the allocation of funds for various government programs and initiatives.
• Representation: The Chief Minister represents the state in various national and international forums.

Other Ministers:

• Ministry Management: Each minister is in charge of a specific government department or ministry, such as finance, education, health, agriculture, etc. They are responsible for managing and overseeing the functioning of their respective departments.
• Policy Implementation: Ministers are responsible for implementing policies and programs in their departments to achieve the government's objectives and serve the public interest.
• Decision Making: They are involved in making critical decisions related to their ministry's functions and resolving issues that arise in their respective areas of responsibility.
• Legislative Role: Ministers participate in legislative proceedings in the state assembly or parliament, presenting and debating bills related to their ministry's domain.
• Public Representation: Ministers act as representatives of the government and interact with the public, addressing their concerns and grievances related to their respective ministries.
• Interdepartmental Coordination: Ministers collaborate with each other to address cross-cutting issues and ensure smooth functioning across different government departments.