Political Science: Legislature Important Questions with Answer
Categories: NCERT Political Science Question Answer
Political Science: Legislature Important Questions with Answer
Q1: Alok thinks that a country needs an efficient government that looks after the welfare of the people. So, if we simply elected our Prime Minister and Ministers and left to them the task of government, we will not need a legislature. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
- I do not agree with Alok because leaving the whole task of government with Prime Minister and Ministers would hamper the essence of democracy.
- Such a set up would reduce the representation of people in the government. The members of the legislature who do not represent the majority would not have the opportunity to present their point of view.
- The decisions made by the cabinet would not be accountable as the ministers would not ha0ve to explain them to the legislature. Thus, the executive would become all-powerful.
- The task of the legislature also includes law making. It is a complex process that requires the opinion of all sections of society. A legislature is required for this purpose.
Q2: Why can the Lok Sabha control the executive more effectively than the Rajya Sabha can?
Answer: Lok Sabha exercises control over the executive more effectively than Rajya Sabha because it is a directly elected body. The Council of Ministers is responsible to Lok Sabha and not the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha has the power to make laws, ask questions and amend the Constitution.
The Lok Sabha can remove the government by expressing no-confidence but Rajya Sabha cannot remove any government.
Lok Sabha has crucial power in controlling the finances as it can reject money bill but Rajya Sabha cannot reject the money bill.
Q3: Rather than effective control of the executive, the Lok Sabha is a platform for the expression of popular sentiments and people's expectations. Do you agree? Give reasons.
Answer:
- I do not agree with the statement that the Lok Sabha is only a platform for the expression of popular sentiments and people's expectations.
- The members of the legislature are free to express their views and no action can be taken against any member for anything said inside the house.
- The main purpose of this parliamentary privilege is to enable the members to work for the people effectively as well as control the executive.
- While the Lok Sabha does provide an opportunity for elected representatives to express the expectations of their constituents, its powers are much more wide ranging.
- The Lok Sabha holds the Union Cabinet accountable for its decisions. It has the power to make laws, control finances and amend the Constitution.
- The Council of Ministers continues in office only as long as it enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
- Therefore, Lok Sabha functions as an effective control of the executive.
Q4: Arif wanted to know that if ministers propose most of the important bills and if the majority party often gets the government bills passed, what is the role of the Parliament in the law-making process? What answer would you give him?
Answer:
- Parliament is an important component of the law-making process even though most of the important bills are proposed by ministers.
- This is because the provisions of the proposed law are required to be debated and these debates can only be conducted in parliament.
- Various committees comprising members of parliament study these bills and present their recommendations.
- The opposition also participates in the framing of laws by suggesting changes and thus, it is necessary for legislative procedure to take
- place in parliament.
- Differences between the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha over proposed bills are only resolved through joint sitting of the two houses of parliament.
Q5: Dolly and Sudha are debating about the efficiency and effectiveness of the Parliament in recent times. Dolly believed that the decline of Indian Parliament is evident in the less time spent on debate and discussion and increase in the disturbances of the functioning of the House and walkouts etc. Sudha contends that the fall of different governments on the floor of Lok Sabha is a proof of its vibrancy. What other arguments can you provide to support or oppose the positions of Dolly and Sudha?
Answer: Dolly's position about the decline of Parliament is correct up to some extent. The time spent on debates has decreased and on many occasions, entire sessions of parliament have passed without discussions due to disruption by one party or the other. This has somewhat hindered the law-making process as many progressive legislations have been pending for a long period of time.
However, the effectiveness of Parliament as an institution is undiminished as it remains the supreme law-making body in the country. Crucial policy decisions like the nuclear agreement with the United States that was debated in the Parliament is proof of the relevance of the body. Thus, major decisions related to national interest still require the approval of the parliament. Sudha's position that the fall of different governments on the floor of Lok Sabha is a proof of its vibrancy is also partially correct. The fall of different governments on the floor of the Lok Sabha is a reminder that no government can afford to take its existence for granted. It has to be accountable for its actions. The Lok Sabha is the body that controls the finances of the government and scrutinises its every action. A government cannot survive by acting against the wishes of the majority of elected representatives.
This has checked the excess concentration of power in the Council of Ministers. However, instability must not be mistaken with vibrancy. In the age of coalition governments at the centre, stability is important for achieving the goal of development.
Q6: How has the system of parliamentary committee affected the overseeing and appraisal of legislation by the Parliament?
Answer:
- The system of the parliamentary committee has influenced the overseeing and appraisal of legislation by the Parliament as most of decisions regarding the technical points of legislation are referred to these committees. The Parliament rarely rejects any of the suggestions made by the committee.
- There are twenty Standing Committees related to various departments that work on the issues related to budget and its expenditure related to their respective departments. These committees also supervise the bills related to their department that come in the house. The Joint Parliamentary Committees investigate financial irregularities.
- Thus, parliamentary committees have reduced the burden on the legislature and saved time as the Parliament meets only for a limited time during its sessions. However, on most occasions, the Parliament makes only minor alterations to the draft of the bills while approving them. This has diluted the Parliament's appraisal of legislations to a large extent.