Question 1.
Why do we need Parliament?
Or
What are the various ways by which parliament exercises authority.
Answer:
In India, a national assembly of elected representatives is called Parliament. It exercises
political authority on behalf of the people.
1. Parliament is the final authority for making laws in a country. This task of law-
making or legislation is so crucial that these assemblies are called legislatures.
Parliaments all over the world can make new laws, change existing laws, or abolish
existing laws and make new ones in their place.
2. Parliaments all over the world exercise some control over those who run the
government. In some countries like India, this control is direct and full. Those who
run the government, can take decisions only so long as they enjoy support of the
Parliament.
3. Parliaments control all the money that governments have. In most countries, the
public money can only be spent when the Parliament sanctions it.
4. Parliament is the highest forum of discussion and debate on public issues and
national policy in any country. Parliament can seek information about any matter.
Question 2.
What are the powers and functions of the President of India?
Answer:
The powers and functions of the President of India are given below :
5. All governmental activities take place in the name of the President. All laws and
major policy decisions of the government are issued in his/her name.
6. All major appointments are made in the name of the President. These include the
appointment of the Chief Justice of India, the Judges of the Supreme Court and the
High Courts of the states, the Governors of the states, the Election Commissioners,
ambassadors to other countries, etc.
7. All international treaties and agreements are made in the name of the President.
8. The President is the supreme commander of the defence forces of India.
9. A bill passed by the Parliament becomes a law only after the President gives assent
to it. If the President wants, He/she can delay this for sometime and send the bill
back to the Parliament for reconsideration. But, if the Parliament passes the bill
again, he/she must sign it.
Question 3.
What are the functions of the Supreme Court?
Answer:
The functions of the Supreme Court are :
10. It can take up any dispute between the citizens of the country. :
11. It can take up any dispute between the citizens and government.
12. It can take up any dispute between two or more state governments.
13. It can take up any dispute between the governments at the Union and state level,
14. It can determine the Constitutional validity of any legislation or action of the
executive in the country, when it is challenged before them. This is known as the
judicial review.
15. The Supreme Court and the High Courts have the power to interpret the
Constitution of the country. They can declare invalid any law of the legislature or the
actions of the executive, whether at the Union level or at the state level, if they find
such a law or action is against the Constitution. (Any five)
Question 4.
What are the functions and powers of the Prime Minister?
Answer:
The Constitution does not say very much about the powers of the Prime Minister or the
Ministers or their relationship with each other. But, as the head of the government, the
Prime Minister has wide-ranging powers.
