25.05.
2024
CLASS VII (POLITICAL SCIENCE)
CH.3 HOW THE STATE GOVERNMENT WORKS
Constituency: It refers to a particular area from which all the voters living there choose their representatives.
Majority: A political party whose MLAs have won more than half the number of constituencies in a state can
say to be in a majority.
Opposition party: The elected representatives who are not the members of the ruling party belong to the
opposition party. The representative together plays the role of questioning government decisions and actions.
They also raise new issues for consideration in the Assembly.
Ruling party: The political party that has the majority is known as the ruling party.
Press conference: A gathering of media persons who are invited to hear about and ask questions on a
particular issue and are then expected to report on this to the larger public.
GOVERNMENT- Government is the group of people with the authority to govern a country or
state; aparticular ministry in office.
How the State Government Works Class 7 Social Science (Political Science) Chapter 3 is all about the working
schedule of the state governments in India. Since the organizational structure of India is federal, the state
government plays a very crucial role in policymaking of a country.
The elected members of State Legislatures are known as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA). The council
of ministers is formed by the MLAs of the majority party and the Chief Minister leads it. The Chief Minister is
known as the real head of a state whereas the Governor is known as the nominal head of the state.
• Every state in India has a Legislative Assembly.
• Each state is divided into different areas or constituencies.
• From each constituency, the people elect one representative who then becomes a Member of the Legislative
Assembly (MLA).
→ These MLAs belong to different political parties.
• A political party whose 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 will elect their leader who will become the chief
minister.
• The chief minister then selects other people as ministers.
Three levels of government
1. Central government
2. State government
3. Local-self government
State Legislature and State Assembly headed by CM
Governor (A nominal head of the Elected by MLAs, governor etc. -
Elected by the people of the state -
state) appointed by the President of VIDHAN PARISHAD/LEGISLATIVE
VIDHAN SABHA/LEGISLATIVE India COUNCIL
ASSEMBLY
Size cannot be more than 1/3 of
Fixed seats for every state. / the seats reserved for MLAs.
Different number of seats for
different states.
Elected members called
MLC (Member of Legislative
Elected members called MLA
(Member of Legislative Council)
Assembly)
MLCs only in 6 states-UP, Bihar,
TelanganaMaharashtra, Andhra Pradesh
MLAs presents in all states of India. and Karnataka. (Bicameral)
(Unicameral)
No MLC can be member of Cabinet of ministers
Cabinet ministers of state made from amongst
these elected MLAs.
THREE ORGANS OF STATE GOVERNMENT
1. Executive
2. Judiciary
3. Legislature
Role of Executive in State: The members debate on the action taken or not taken by the government. This
is because the MLAs are together responsible for the work of the government. In common usage the word
‘government’ refers to government departments and various ministers who head them. The overall head is
the chief minister. More correctly, this is called the executive part of the government.
Role of Legislature in State: All the MLAs who gather together(assemble) in the legislative assembly
arecalled the Legislature. They are the ones who authorize and supervise their work.
Judiciary: State high courts have jurisdiction over the whole state. In the states, the judicial setup is headed
by the chief justice. He manages and controls the entire judicial system of the state pertaining to criminal,
civil and all other forms of litigation. State high courts have to, however, report to the Supreme Court of
India, which may override the high court’s findings and judgements.
MLAs
● The Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are elected by the people.
● After being elected by the people, they become the Members of Legislative Assembly and the government is
also formed by them.
● For the above-mentioned reasons, it can be said that people are represented by the MLAs.
● Each and every state in India consists of a Legislative Assembly.
● All the states are classified by separate areas or constituencies. West Bengal, for example, consists of 294
constituencies. ● One MLA is elected from one constituency by the people.
● All the MLAs belong to various political parties. In fact, each and every MLA stands in the election from a
particular political party.
Qualification to be the member of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)
He/ she must be a citizen of India.
He/ She must have completed the age of twenty-five years.
He/ she must not be mentally unstable or bankrupt.
He/ she must not hold any post of profit under the State or central Government.
DEBATE IN THE LEGILATIVE ASSEMBLY
The Legislative Assembly is building situated in the capital of the state where all the MLAs from ruling
and opposition parties meet to discuss and debate issues.
During debate time in the assembly, MLAs can express their opinions and ask questions related to the issue
or give suggestions about what should be done by the government.
Those who wish to, can respond to this.
The minister then replies to the questions and tries to assure the Assembly that adequate steps are being
taken.
The chief minister and other ministers have to take decisions and run the government.
Whatever decisions are being taken have to be approved by the members of the legislative assembly.
All the MLAs who gather together in the legislative assembly are called the Legislature.
WORKING OF THE GOVERNMENT
In a democratic country like India, it is the people who elect MLAs, and they have the
complete right to raise questions.
Moreover, chief ministers and other top ministers have the power to take action. They do so
through the hands of PWD, health departments, education department and others.
They also need to answer questions raised by the ruling party and people who elected them.
The Legislative Assembly is not the only place where opinions are expressed about the work of
the government and action is demanded. You will find newspapers, TV channels and other
organisations regularly talking about the government.
In a democracy, there are various ways through which people express their views and also take
action.
The government has the power to make new laws for the state regarding health and sanitation.
Laws for the state are made by the state Legislative Assembly.
Laws for the country are made by the Union Parliament.
Press Conference: Sometimes a press conference organised by the government. Large numbers of people from
different newspapers were present. The minister and some government officials were also present. The minister
explained the steps the government had taken. Reporters asked many questions at this meeting. These discussions
were then reported in different newspapers.
DUTIES OF THE GOVERNMENT
The government can also decide to make new laws for the state regarding sanitation and health
facilities. For example, it may make it compulsory for municipal corporations to ensure that there are
adequate toilets in every urban area.
It may also ensure that a health worker is appointed in every village.
The act of making laws on certain issues is done in the Legislative Assembly of each state. The various
government departments then implement these laws.
HOW, WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA POWERFUL IN DEMOCRACY?
In a democracy, it is the people who elect their representatives as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)
and, thus, it is the people who have the main authority. Government is also answerable to the people. The ruling
party members then form the government and some members are appointed ministers. These ministers are in
charge of various departments of the government such as health, development, defence, technology, child and
women welfare. Whatever work is done by these departments has to be approved by themembers of the
legislative assembly.
GOVERNOR
The Constitution endows the Governor with the executive power of the State. However, the Governor acts as a
nominal head, and the real executive powers are exercised by the Chief Minister along with the Council of
Ministers. The Governor of a State is appointed by the President of India.
Therefore, the state functionaries run under the name of the Governor whereas the Chief Minister is the main
executive body of the state.
Lt.Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh assumed the Charge of Hon'ble Governor of Uttarakhand on September
15, 2021.
Qualifications: -
A Governor of a state in India must:
be a citizen of India,
have completed the age of thirty-five years,
be mentally and physically sound,
should not be a member of either House of Parliament or the State Legislature.
possess the minimum qualification required for the membership of State Legislature.
Should not hold any office of profit.
Duties, Powers and responsibilities of the Governor
The Governor is responsible for all the appointments at high offices within the state. The Advocate
General of the state, Chairman and members of State PSC are also appointed by the Governor.
He/ She have the power to summon a session of the legislature.
He/ She can dissolve the Legislative Assembly on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
All bills passed by the State Legislature have to approved and signed by the governor.
On certain occasions, when the State Legislation is not in session, the Governor issues orders which are
known as Ordinances.
A finance bill can be presented in the Legislature only when the Governor has recommended it.
The Governor has the right to pardon, reduce or defer the sentence of a convict.
The Chief Minister of the state is appointed by the Governor. The other ministers are also appointed by
him on the advice of the Chief Minister.
