Ryan International School, Sanpada

Grade 8th
Subject S.S.T
Ch. Role of parliament and Law-making bodies

Let’s Recall
I. Select the new terms you have learnt in this lesson from the help box and
fill in the blanks.
1. Universal Adult Franchise 2. prorogue 3. arbitrary 4. consent of the citizens

II. Complete the following sentences.

1. Participation of the people in the decision-making processes and consent
of the citizens are two of the guiding principles of India’s parliamentary
form of government.
2. The opposition in the Parliament is formed by the parties opposed to the ruling
political party or coalition forming the government.
3. The President is elected by an Electoral College comprising of the elected
members of the two houses of Parliament, members of legislatures of all states
and of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and Puducherry.
4. A controversial law is a law that the general public finds unacceptable even
after the Parliament has passed it.
5. Leaders of the Indian national movement dreamt of a nation which would be free
from the arbitrary use of authority by the government.

Explain the following terms

1. Presidential democracy – In a presidential democracy like that of USA, the executive
organ of the government is led by the President and is distinct from the
legislature or Parliament. The President serves as the head of the state as well
as the head of the government. He/she is the supreme law-making authority
and is not responsible to the legislative body of the government.
2. Ordinary bill – The Parliament has an important role in making new laws and
changing the existing ones. A proposal to pass a new law or change an existing one is
called a bill. Those bills that deal with the day-to-day life of people are called ordinary
bills.
 3. money bill – The Parliament has an important role in making new laws and
changing the existing ones. A proposal to pass a new law or change an existing
one is called a bill. Those bills that deal with government income or expenditure
are called money bills.
4. adjournment motion – An adjournment motion is used as a tool to keep the
government accountable. It takes place when a proposal by a member of the
House is accepted to discuss some urgent matter of public importance,
suspending the normal business of the House.
5. no-confidence motion – A no-confidence motion can be passed by the
Parliament against the government. It can cause the fall of that government if it
loses confidence on the floor of the House.

IV. Answer the following questions

1. What does the phrase ‘Consent of the people’ means?

Ans.1 The phrase, ‘Consent of the people’ means the citizen's ability to elect
representatives in a free and fair election. The results of the elections would represent
the mood of the nation and its citizens.
2. What is the current strength of the Lok Sabha?
Ans.2 The current strength of the Lok Sabha is 545.
3. What is the term of Rajya Sabha?
Ans.3 The term of the Rajya Sabha is six years.
4. What are the executive powers of the President of India.
Ans.4 The executive powers of the President of India include the appointment of
the Prime Minister and other members of the Council of Ministers.
5.What does the Article 74 of the Constitution lays down.
Ans.4 Article 74 of the Constitution lays down that a Council of
Ministers with the Prime Minister as its head would aid and advise
the President.
erthfolw
ns
A
V

Answer the following questions

 1. Why was parliamentary form of Government chosen in India?
Ans.1 The Parliamentary form of government was chosen in India because of the
following reasons:
Participation of the people in the decision-making processes:
Before India became independent in 1947; the Indians had been forced to obey the
laws imposed by the British government in which they had little or no role in the
decision-making process.
The leaders of the Indian freedom struggle wanted a system in which
everyone would be treated equally and allowed to participate in the
governance of the country, without fear or intimidation. The people would
enjoy the right to raise issues that mattered to them and make their
governments accountable.
The consent of the citizens: The quest for participation in a democratic setup
meant the ability to elect representatives in a free and fair election, with the
people’s participation in the same. The results of the elections would
represent the mood of
the nation and its citizens. The elected representatives would form
governments and represent the people in the Parliament. In other words, the
citizens would form the government and control it through their chosen
representatives.

2. Write about any two powers that president of India enjoys.

Ans.2 The two powers that the President of India enjoys are financial powers, which
include the power to give assent to money bills and approve the presentation of annual
and supplementary budgets before the Parliament, and legislative powers, which
include summoning both houses of the Parliament and proroguing them to give assent
to bills.

3. Briefly explain the meaning of the ‘Rule of Law’

Ans.3 The ‘Rule of Law’ states that all laws apply equally to all citizens of the
country. Neither wealthy nor the influential citizens are above the law—not even
the Prime Minister or the President of India.

4. How does an ordinary bill becomes an act?

4. An ordinary bill becomes an act through the following steps:
Step 1: First Reading/Introduction
The bill can be introduced in either House of the
Parliament.
Step 2: Second Reading
A detailed discussion on the bill takes place amongst the MPs and suitable
changes are suggested.
Step 3: Third Reading/Voting
It is drafted again with suitable changes and put to vote.
Step 4: Bill in the Second House
• Bill is sent to the second House, where it goes through the same procedure.
• The House may return the bill with suggestions.
• In case of a deadlock, the President summons a joint session of the two
Houses

Step 5: President’s Consent

• The President signs the bill, upon which it becomes an Act.
• The President may send the bill back to the Parliament for reconsideration.
• If passed again and returned to the President, he/she must sign it.
5. Explain the term ‘controversial law’.
5. A controversial law is a law that the general public finds unacceptable even
after the Parliament has passed it. Such a law arouses controversy as the
people may feel that although the law is constitutional, or in conformity with
the constitution, the idea behind it is unfair and harmful to a particular
section of society.
In the case of such laws, the public can bring them to the notice of the Parliament.
They can also put pressure on the Parliament to change it. They can do this by
writing about it in the newspapers, reporting it to the TV news channels, holding
public meetings, writing about it to the concerned ministry, and finally
approaching the judiciary which has the power to modify the law.

_____________