Ch- 3 HOW THE STATE GOVERNMENT WORKS (Text book and Skill book)

1. Use the terms ‘constituency’ and ‘represent’ to explain who an MLA is

and how is the person elected?
 A state is divided into several constituencies on the basis of population.
 Every constituency elects one representative for the Legislative Assembly.
 The person elected as representative represents that particular constituency.
He/she is called as a Member of Legislative Assembly i.e. MLA.
 An MLA is elected through a general election. He/she may be a member of a
recognized political party or independent.
 One who gets the maximum votes becomes the MLA of that constituency.
2. Why should decisions taken by the Chief Minister and other ministers be
debated in the Legislative Assembly?
The decisions taken by the Chief Minister and other ministers must be debated in
the Legislative Assembly:
 It is because during debate it is discussed whether a particular
decision is in interest of the people at large or not.
 It is also discussed whether it is urgent or not, how much would it cost
the government, is there anything objectionable for any particular
community, etc.
3. What was the problem in Patalpuram? What discussion/actions were
taken by the following? Fill in the table.
Patalpuram was facing acute crisis of water

4. What is the difference between the work that MLAs do in the Assembly
and the work done by government departments?
 Act of making laws on certain issues is done by MLAs in the
legislative Assembly of each state while the implementation of these
laws is done by various government departments.
 Whatever work is done by these governments has to be approved by
the members of the legislative Assembly or MLAs.

5. How is the government at the state level formed in India? Or

How do people who are MLA’s become ministers?
 A political party who’s 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.
 After the elections, the MLAs belonging to the ruling party elect their leader
who will become the chief minister of the state. The chief minister then
selects other people as ministers.
 After the elections, the Governor of the state appoints the chief minister and
other ministers.
6. How is an MLA elected?
 Every state in India has a Legislative Assembly. Each state in India is divided
into different areas called constituencies.
 From each constituency people elect one representative who then becomes
the member of the legislative assembly (MLA).
7. How do some MLAs have dual responsibility?
 Some MLAs have dual responsibilities, one as an MLA of his constituency
from where he won and as a minister of the department assigned to him.
8. How does the Legislative assembly work?
OR
Describe the functions of Legislative assembly?

 The Assembly has a debate on the current problem.

 During this time, MLAs express their opinions and ask questions related to
the issue and give suggestions about what should be done by the
government.
 Those who wish to, respond to this.
 The minister then replies to the questions and tries to assure the Assembly
that adequate steps are being taken.
9. How does the press conference help you get information on what the
government is doing?

 In a press conference a large number of people from different newspapers

are present along the minister and some government officials are also
present.
 The minister explains the steps the government has taken.
 Reporters ask many questions at this meeting.
 These discussions are then reported in different newspapers

10. Explain the functions of the Chief Minister and other ministers.
 One of the important functions of the CM is to select the other MLAs of his
party as ministers.
 The chief minister and the other ministers have the responsibility of running
various government departments or ministries.
 Ministers take actions and implement decisions through various departments
like the Public works department, health department, and education
department etc.
 The CM and the ministers can also decide to make new laws.
 The CM and the ministers also have to explain and answer the questions
raised by the press and the people.