Class 8 Subject : Civics2.The Indian Parliament

Class 7 Subject : Civics

2.The Indian Parliament

Q. 1.Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct option.

1. Candidates to the Lok Sabha are elected through __________

(a) Territorial constituencies

(b) Religious constituencies

(c) Local bodies

(d) Proportional Representation System

Ans. Candidates to the Lok Sabha are elected through Territorial constituencies.

2. India's __________ is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

(a) President

(b) Vice-President

(c) Prime Minister

(d) Chief Justice

Ans. India's Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Q.2. Find and write.

1. Members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are known as __________

Ans. Members of Parliament (MPs)

2. The responsibility of making laws is with __________

Ans. Parliament

3. Explain following statements with reasons.

1. Rajya Sabha is a permanent House. Explain.

Ans. (1) The tenure of the members of Rajya Sabha does not get over at the same time.

(2) 1/3rd of the total membership of Rajya Sabha retire after every two years and an equal number of new members are elected.

(3) Because a limited number of members of Rajya Sabha retire step by step, it can function continuously. Since Rajya Sabha is never dissolved completely, it is called a permanent House.

2. Lok Sabha is known as the first House. Explain.

Ans. (1) Lok Sabha is the lower and the first House of the Parliament of India.

(2) Lok Sabha is the House of Representatives directly elected by the people. Hence, Lok Sabha is known as the first House.

4. Answer the following in 25 to 30 words.

1. How are members of the Lok Sabha elected?

Ans. (1) As per the Constitution, there can be a maximum of 552 members in Lok Sabha.

(2) General elections to Lok Sabha are held after every five years and members are directly elected by the people.

(3) To ensure equal representation to all sections of the community, some seats are reserved for members belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

(4) In case there is no representation from the Anglo-Indian community, the President can appoint two members from this community to the Lok Sabha.

(5) Thus, Lok Sabha is the representative body of the citizens of India.

2. Explain the functions of the Speaker of Lok Sabha.

Ans. The functions of the Speaker of Lok Sabha are:

(1) To conduct the business of the House in an unbiased manner.

(2) To take care of the rights and privileges of the members of Lok Sabha.

(3) To interpret the rules of daily functioning of the House and work accordingly.

(4) To maintain the decorum and dignity of the House.

5. Explain the steps involved in the lawmaking process.

Ans. The Bill undergoes the following process in order to be converted into a Law (Act):

(1) First reading: The minister of the concerned department/ministry or member of the Parliament presents the bill in the House. The objectives and the structure of the Bill are mentioned.

(2) Second reading: The positive and negative points of the bill are discussed. The defects and faults in the bill are stressed. After removing the defects and the faults, the bill is put to vote.

(3) Committee Stage: Sometimes, if required, the Bill is sent to the committee of the House. The Bill is discussed in the Committee in detail. The Committee report consisting of instructions and recommendations is sent to the House. The Bill is discussed clause by clause and then voting is taken.

(4) Third reading: The Bill is once again discussed in the House. Voting is taken for approving the Bill.

(5) Approval of the other House: The Bill has to undergo the same procedure even in the other House. The Bill is approved by majority.

(6) Assent by the President: After getting an approval from both the Houses, the bill is further sent for assent by the President. After the final assent and signature of the President, the Bill is converted into Law.