CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT

Introduction:
❖ Starting with the heading of the chapter only : Why do we need a parliament

Spirit of the Democracy It shows the idea of people's participation in decision making.

❖ What we are going to study in this chapter?

➢ Role of people and their participation, why should they decide.
➢ Representatives of the people.
➢ Parliament [function, people in the Parliament]
CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
Why Should People Decide:
❖ India Indian National Movement Learning from the past experiences and
inspirations with the ideas such as freedom,
equality and participation in decision making.

Some elected representative was allowed Indian National Congress demanded for the elected
through government of India act, 1909. members in the legislature far back in 1885.
[But not all adults were given voting rights]

❖ But after independence, there was no doubt left on the issue of giving voting to all.

Independent India should show the aspirations of freedom struggle.

Universal adult franchise

CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
People and Their Representatives:
❖ People are supreme in democracy ∴ In a democracy the government as well as other
public institution need to have the trust of the citizens.

People = Government

❖ But how does the individual [citizens] give approval to the government.

Through elections

People elect their representatives in the Parliament one group out of the representatives
forms the government [majority party]
CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
People and Their Representatives:
❖ Choosing representatives at different level.

Central level State level

● People elect their representatives ● MLA are elected for the state
from their constituencies. [MPs] legislative assembly.
member of Parliament.
● Majority party from the government.
CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
The Role of the Parliament:

1. The Parliament of India (Sansad) is the supreme law-making institution. It has two Houses, the Rajya Sabha and
the Lok Sabha.
2. Rajya Sabha (Council of States), with a total strength of 245 members, is chaired by the Vice-President of India.
3. Lok Sabha (House of the People), with a total membership of 545, is presided over by the Speaker.
CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
The Role of the Parliament:
❖ The parliament in our system has immense powers.

Representative of the people

● The Lok Sabha is usually elected once every five years.
● Country is divided into numerous constituencies.

● Each of these constituencies elects one person to the parliament.

● Each person belong to different political parties.

● The elected representatives to the parliament are known as

member of parliament or MP.
CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
The Role of the Parliament:
❖ The parliament performs the following functions:

A. Select the national government.

B. To control, guide and inform the government.
C. Law - making.
CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
To Select the National Government:
❖ After lok sabha elections, question arises who will form the government.

List is prepared showing how many MP’s Party having majority will from the
belong to each political party.[see the tables] government.

Party having the majority of MP’s form the

government [Total 543 + 2 (Anglo - Indian nominated)] What if no party has
∴ Majority = 272 or more. 272 or more MP’s
[as in 2009 election]
❖ Second largest party forms the opposition party.

Coalition Government
CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
To Select the National Government:
CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
To Select the National Government:
❖ One of the most important function of the Lok Sabha is to select the executive.
[Recall the executive from chapter - 1 Political Executive = PM]

❖ Parliament selects the National Government [Ruling Party]

Leader of ruling party is the Prime Minister.

[Executive]

Then prime minister select other executives.

[Minister for health, education, finance etc] from the
parliament.
❖ We have seen the working of Lok Sabha. But, what does the Rajya Sabha do.
CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
Rajya Sabha in Parliament:
❖ It functions primarily as the representatives of the states of India in parliament.
❖ Elected indirectly by the elected member of the Legislative Assembly of various states.
❖ Number of members of Rajya Sabha :
233 + 12 member nominated by the president.
❖ A bill is required to be passed in Rajya Sabha to become a law. [reviewing and altering]
❖ Rajya Sabha can also initiate legislation.
CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
To Control, Guide and Inform the Government:
❖ How can the parliament perform the above mentioned task?
Question Hour

● Important way through which the parliament

controls the executive.

● MP’s can ask questions on the working of the

government.
With this government gets valuable
● They can highlight the drawbacks in various
feedbacks and is kept on its toes.
policies and programmes.
● The opposition party play a critical role in the
healthy functioning of a democracy.
CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
To Control, Guide and Inform the Government:
❖ In the matter regarding finances, parliament’s approval is crucial for the government.

❖ MP’s are representative of the people. Plays a central role in controlling, guiding and
informing parliament.

❖ C. Law Making
❖ Another function of the parliament is making law for the country. [ Next chapter is all about
this only]
CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
Who are the People in Parliament:
❖ Parliament represent the nation.

➔ People from various background participate in the parliament [Rural areas, regional parties]

➔ There has been increase in political participation from Dalit and Backward classes.
∴ To ensure that communities that have been historically marginalised are given adequate
representation. [Reservation of seats in parliament for SCs and STs]

➔ Similarly, there has be demand for the reservation of seats for women. Why?

Due to very low presentation of women MP’s in parliament and to make parliament truly
representative.
CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
Who are the People in Parliament:

Reserved Constituency of the Lok Sabha [2004]

CLASS 8th - CIVICS - CHAPTER - WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT
Frequently Asked Question(FAQs):
Que 1. Define/Explain -
1. Parliament
2. Lok Sabha
3. Rajya Sabha
4. Coalition Government
5. Universal Adult Franchise
Que 2. How does the individual participate in decision making?
Que 3. Who is member of Parliament? How he/she is elected?
Que 4. Functions of the Parliament?
1. How parliament is responsible for selecting the nation government?
2. How parliament control, guide and inform the government?
Que 5. How the parliament can be made representative in true sense?