Ch3: Parliamentary Government

State how the following terms are different (Ordinary Bill and Money Bill)

*Ordinary Bill* 1. Can be introduced in either house of Parliament 2. Can be introduced by Minister or any private member of the house. 3. Considered several times in both houses 4. Process of considering a bill is called reading. 5. Usually three readings are held. 6. If passed by a simple majority, it is sent to the other House, where same procedure is followed. 7. In case of disagreement between the houses, the final decision is a joint session of both Houses presided by the Speaker of Lok Sabha. 8. The Bill is then passes by a majority of members of both Houses present and voting. 9. Sent to the President for his/her assent. 10. After the President's assent it becomes a law or an act. *Money Bill* 1. Are proposals related to imposition, abolition or remission of taxes or any expenditure. 2. Only originates in Lok Sabha with the consent of President of India. 3. When passed by the Lok Sabha, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. 4. Rajya Sabha to return the Bill within 14 days, with or without its recommendations. 5. The Lok Sabha may or may not accept these changes. 6. The Bill is then sent to the President for his assent who cannot retain it.

Define Calling Attentions notices and Adjournment motion.

1. An Adjournment Motion seeks to delay the work of the House so that some matters of urgent public importance can be discussed. 2. During a Calling Attention Notice, a member of the legislature may call the attention of the minister to any matter of urgent public importance which needs immediate attention.

What are the three organs of democratic government? What functions does each of them perform?

1. Legislature -frames laws -consists of Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha 2. Executive -Executes laws -Comprises of President; Prime Minister; Council of Ministers (Cabinet Minister, Minister of State, Deputy Ministers) 3. Judiciary -resolves arguments and maintains order -Consists of Supreme Court, High Courts & other subordinate courts

How is the government accountable to the Parliament? Mention the ways in which the government's accountability to the Parliament is manifested.

A key element of parliamentary democracy is that the executive (Council of Ministers) is a part of the legislature. Parliament exercises control over the executive through various ways: 1. The government has to give an account of its policies in Parliament. It is the highest platform where government policies or politics of the country can be discussed. 2. Whenever a bill is moved, the members can discuss the advantages and flaws of the government policies. The opposition parties can criticise the government inside Parliament if they think that certain government measures pose a threat to the rights of citizens. 3. Through different types of motions, Parliament controls the Council of Ministers. The most important motion is called the No-Confidence Motion. If the opposition moves a motion that the Lok Sabha does not have confidence in the Council of Ministers and if the majority of the members votes for the motion, all ministers including the Prime Minister have to resign. 4. The members can also discuss matters of urgent public importance by moving Calling Attention Notices and Adjournment Motions. 5. A part of Parliament's time, called the Question Hour, is kept for asking questions to ministers about issues regarding their respective departments.

Define Bicameral Legislature. Describe its structure.

Bicameral Legislature is a Legislature which consists of two houses-the Lok Sabha or the house of people and the Rajya Sabha-the Council of States. *Central Government* 1. Executive Vice President; Prime Minister; Council of Ministers (Cabinet Ministers, Minister of State, Deputy Ministers) 2. Legislature Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha Although the president is not a member of any house, he is considered a part of legislature because no bill become law without his/her assent.

Define Electoral College.

It is a body of MLAs and MPs (Members of Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament). They together account for the elections of the President.

Briefly throw light on why our country has adopted parliamentary democracy instead of any other form of government.

Our country has adopted parliamentary democracy instead of any other form of government because: 1. During the British rule, educated Indians observed the working of the British Parliamentary System. This system was approved and desired for Independent India. 2. The Parliamentary System is both responsible and responsive to the people. 3. There are fewer chances of government becoming arbitrary as the ruling party might lose the Support of Majority in the Parliament. 4. The Parliamentary System leaves no scope for the appearance of dictator. The Head of the State possesses only nominal powers while the real power rests with the council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

Explain the relationship between two houses of the parliament.

The parliament in India is a bicameral legislature meaning it has two houses. The Lok Sabha (House of People) and Rajya Sabha (The council of states). 1. Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of the parliament while the Lok Sabha is the Lower House of the parliament. 2. The members of Rajya Sabha are elected indirectly by members of the State Legislature, while the members of Lok Sabha are elected directly by the people. 3. There can be maximum of 250 members in Rajya Sabha (238 elected +12 nominated by President) whereas in Lok Sabha there can be a maximum of 552 members. 4. Rajya Sabha is a permanent house which never gets dissolved while Lok Sabha gets dissolved after every 5 years with the completion of the tenure of the government. 5. Rajya Sabha is considered to be less powerful than Lok Sabha as Lok Sabha is a body comprising of the members directly elected by the people. Hence, this house is answerable to the people and is more active than Rajya Sabha.

What is impeachment? Who all can be impeached and why? How?

The special process of removal of the President before the expiry of his full term is called impeachment. 1. The President can be impeached for the violation of the Constitution. The Vice President can also be removed from his office by the majority members of the Rajya Sabha agreed by the members of Lok Sabha. 2. The process of impeachment can initiate in any of the House of the Parliament. The Parliament can recommend the removal of judges of Supreme Court and High Courts.

define Cabinet Ministers

They are a part of the Council of Ministers. They are the core of the Executive and in charge of very important ministries such as defence, finance, foreign affairs, etc