How the State Government Works

Q31. How does a government function in a state?

Ans. In a democracy, it is the people who elect their representatives as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and, thus, it is the people who have the main authority. The ruling party members then form the government and some members are appointed as ministers. These ministers are in charge of various departments of the government such as health. Whatever work is done by these departments has to be approved by the members of the legislative assembly.

Q32. How do the people in power like the chief minister and the minister take action?

Ans. They do so through various departments like the Public Works Department, the Agriculture Department, the Health Department, the Education Department and so on. They also have to answer questions that are asked in the Legislative Assembly and convince people asking the questions that proper steps are being taken. At the same time, newspapers and the media widely discuss the issue and the government has to respond, for example, by holding the press conferences.

Q33. How did some MLAs become Ministers? Explain.

Ans. After the elections, a political party whose MLAs have won more than half the number of constituencies in a state can be said to be in a majority. The political party that has the majority is called the ruling party and all other members are called the opposition. The MLAs belonging to the ruling party will elect their leader who will become the chief minister. The chief minister then selects other people as ministers. After the elections, it is the Governor of the state who appoints the chief minister and other ministers.

Q34. What is the difference between the work that MLAs do in the Assembly and the work done by government departments?

Ans. Difference between the work that MLAs do in the Assembly and the work done by government departments are:

                      i.        Act of making laws on certain issues is done by MLAs in the Legislative Assembly of each state while these laws are implemented by the various government departments.

                     ii.        Whatever work is done by these government departments has to be approved by the members of the legislative assembly (i.e. MLAs).

Q35. What is the process of formation of government in a state?

Ans. Every state in India has a Legislative Assembly. Each state is divided into different areas or constituencies. From each constituency, the people elect one representative who then becomes a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). People stand for elections in the name of different parties. These MLAs, therefore, belong to different political parties. A political party whose MLAs have won more than half the number of constituencies in a state can be said to be in a majority. The political party that has the majority forms the government. In case no party gains the majority, in that case the party with maximum elected members tries to get support from different parties or candidates. The party that proves to have maximum supporters is allowed to form the government. If no party proves the majority then there would be re-election.

Q36. What was the problem in Patalpuram? What discussion/action was taken by the following? Fill in the table.

Ans. Patalpuram was facing acute shortage of water supply and sanitation problem.The District Hospital was overflowing with patients – a large number of whom were children with acute diarrhoea.

Public meeting – Condemned the government and protested for the improvement of healthcare and sanitation facilities.

Legislative Assembly – Discussed the issue and decided the course of action. They intend to supply drinking water to every village through tanker trucks. They also explained the steps the government had taken (i.e. collection of garbage).

Press conference - The minister explained the steps the government had taken. Reporters asked many questions at this meeting. These discussions were then reported in different newspapers.

Chief Minister – They went to visit the families who had lost their relatives and also visited people in the hospitals. The government announced a compensation for these families. Promised to provide sanitation facilities and proper water supply in the region.