CIVICS (VII)-LESSON- 3 HOW THE STATE GOVERNMENT WORKS (LESSON NOTES)

CIVICS (VII)-LESSON- 3

HOW THE STATE GOVERNMENT WORKS

LESSON NOTES

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v INTRODUCTION

Ø As you know that there are three levels of Government -National, State and Local. In this chapter, we examine the work of the government at the state level. How does this take place in a democracy? What is the role of a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Ministers? How do people express their views or demand action from government? We look at these questions through the example of health.

v DESCRIPTION OF THE STORY

Ø There is water shortage in many villages of Patalpuram district. Many children died due to unclean water or water borne disease as diarrhoea. This news spread through newspapers, TV Channels etc. People gathered and organized a rally and gheraoed the MLA’s residence. The opposition party leader was also with them.

v STATE GOVERNMENT

Ø The second level of government which includes Governors, MLAs (Member of Legislative Assemblies) and Ministers is known as State government.

Ø The election of legislative assemblies is held in every five years in which people elect their representative from different constituencies which are known as MLAs.

v CONSTITUENCY:

Ø A particular area from which all the voters living there choose their representatives is known as constituency. The number of constituencies depends on the population of the state. Every state has different number of constituencies. Like Rajasthan-200, Haryana-90, UP-403, Delhi-70 etc.

SEE THE NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES IN YOUR STATE

v POLITICAL PARTIES

Ø A group of persons who come together to participate in the election and to form the government is called as political parties. There are different political parties as INC, BJP, AAP, RJD, BSP, SP, etc.

v RULING PARTY

Ø A political party or an alliance which have the majority (at least half or more member) in the election is known as Ruling party.

v OPPOSITION PARTY

Ø The political party which secures second position in the election is known as opposition party. It may join by other political parties also.

Ø The Opposition parties play a critical role in the healthy functioning of a democracy.

Ø They highlight drawbacks in various policies and programmes of the government and mobilise popular support for their own policies.

v COALITION GOVERNMENT:

Ø When one party does not get a clear majority, a group of political parties form a coalition and elect and forms a government, known as a coalition government. For example in 2014 In Delhi AAP and Congress join together to form the government.

v MLAs BECOME MINISTERS

Ø The leader of the ruling party who forms the government is the Chief Minister.

Ø After that the chief minister prepares the list of some Minister from their MLAs and sends to Governor.

Ø Then, the Governor of the state appoints the chief minister and other ministers. These have dual responsibility as Minister and MLA.

Ø The head of the state is the Governor while the head of the government is Chief minister.

v DEBATE IN ASSEMBLY

Ø The debate is generally held in the Assembly to discuss current problems.

Ø During debate time MLAs can express their opinions and ask questions related to the issue or give suggestions about what should be done by the government.

Ø The minister then replies to the questions and assures the Assembly that adequate steps are being taken.

v HOW THE STATE GOVERNMENT WORKS

Ø The Legislative Assembly is a place where leaders debate and discuss on important issues and make important bills.

Ø The government also decides to make new laws for the state regarding sanitation and health facilities.

Ø These laws are implemented through various departments like public works department, agriculture, health and education.

v PRESS CONFERENCE

Ø A gathering of media persons who are invited to hear about and ask questions on a particular issue and are then expected to report on this to the larger public.

Ø After the discussion in the assembly, a press conference is generally held by a particular minister who explains the steps taken by the government.

Ø Whenever the government fails to satisfy people’s needs, they organize meetings to voice their opinions and protest against the government.

v TERMS

Ø Constituency: It refers to a particular area from which all the voters living there choose their representatives.

Ø Majority: A political party whose MLAs have won more than half the number of constituencies in a state can say to be in a majority.

Ø Opposition party: The elected representatives who are not the members of the ruling party belong to the opposition party. The representative together plays the role of questioning government decisions and actions. They also raise new issues for consideration in the Assembly.

Ø Ruling party: The political party that has the majority is known as the ruling party.

Ø Press conference: A gathering of media persons who are invited to hear about and ask questions on a particular issue and are then expected to report on this to the larger public.

Ø Legislature :All the MLAs who gather together in the legislative assembly are called the Legislature.