WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT?
To be done in Notebook
1. EVMs were used throughout the country for the first time in the 2004 general elections.
2. Democratic governments in our times are usually referred to as representative
democracies.
3. Universal adult franchise means that all adult citizens in the country are allowed to vote.
4. There are two houses in the Parliament, Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya
Sabha(Upper House)
5. The full form of MLA is Member of Legislative Assembly.
6. There are 543 elected (plus 2 Anglo-Indian nominated) members in Lok Sabha
7. In Lok Sabha, to have a majority, a party should have at least half the number (272
members) or more.
8. The Opposition parties play a critical role in the healthy functioning of a democracy.
9. There are 233 elected members in the Rajya Sabha and 12 members are nominated by the
President.
10. The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative
Assemblies of various states.
Q.1 Why do you think our national movement supported the idea that all adults
have a right to vote?
Ans. The nationalist movement supported the idea of the universal adult franchise because
● In our struggle for independence, people from different backgrounds came together to
fight against the British.
● The reason to fight for the freedom of the nation was to live in a country governed by the
leaders chosen by them.
● The right to vote by all adults gave the people a chance to take part in the decision
making of the country.
Q.2. Differentiate between a state Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and the Parliament (Lok
Sabha).
Ans.2.
STATE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY PARLIAMENT
(VIDHAN SABHA) (LOK SABHA)
Members of Vidhan Sabha are called Members of Lok Sabha are called MPs
MLAs
MLAs elect their leader who heads the MPs elect their leader who heads the
state government. Union
Q. 3.
Which is the significant way through which the Parliament controls the executive?
Ans. 3.
The Parliament, while in session, begins with a question hour. The question hour is an essential
mechanism through which MPs can elicit information about the working of the government
By asking questions the government is alerted to its shortcomings and also comes to know the
opinion of the people through their representatives in the Parliament
Q.4. Which act allowed some elected representation during colonial rule in India?
Ans. 4.
Government of India Act 1909, allowed for some elected representation.
Q. 5. Which is one of the most important functions of the Lok Sabha? Who are the executives?
Ans.5.
One of the most important functions of the Lok Sabha is to select the executive. The executives
are a group of persons who work together to implement the laws made by Parliament.
