Class 7 Social Science Notes Chapter 3 (How the State Government Works) – Social and Political Life Book

Alright class, let's focus on Chapter 3, 'How the State Government Works'. Understanding this is crucial, not just for your exams, but also to grasp how our country functions at the state level. Many government exam questions test these fundamental concepts. Pay close attention.

Detailed Notes: Chapter 3 - How the State Government Works

1. Introduction: Why State Governments?

• India is a vast country, and managing it effectively requires governance at different levels.
• We have a government at the Centre (Union Government) and governments at the State level for each state.
• This chapter focuses specifically on the structure and functioning of the State Government.

2. Who is an MLA?

• MLA stands for Member of the Legislative Assembly.
• Election: MLAs are directly elected by the people.
• Constituency: For election purposes, each state is divided into different areas called constituencies. From each constituency, the people elect one representative who then becomes an MLA.
• Political Parties: MLAs belong to different political parties (like Congress, BJP, regional parties, etc.) or can be Independents (not belonging to any party).
• Role: MLAs represent the people of their constituency in the State Legislative Assembly. They voice the concerns and needs of their area.

3. The Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha)

• This is the place where all the MLAs, from both the ruling party and the opposition, meet.
• It is the primary law-making body for the state.
• Functions:
  • Discussing various issues and problems faced by the state.
  • Making new laws or changing existing ones on subjects mentioned in the State List of the Constitution (e.g., police, public health, agriculture).
  • Approving the state's budget (money matters).
  • Holding the government (Council of Ministers) accountable through questions and debates.

4. Forming the Government

• Majority: After the state assembly elections, the political party whose MLAs have won more than half the number of constituencies in the state is said to be in a majority.
• Ruling Party: The political party that has the majority is called the Ruling Party.
• Opposition: All other MLAs who do not belong to the ruling party form the Opposition. The largest party among the opposition often forms the main opposition.
• Coalition Government: If no single party gets a clear majority, two or more parties may come together to form a government. This is called a Coalition Government.

5. The Governor

• The Governor is the Head of the State (like the President is the Head of the Country).
• Appointment: The Governor is appointed by the President of India (acting on the advice of the Central Government) for a term of five years.
• Role:
  • Acts as the representative of the Central Government in the state.
  • Ensures that the State Government works according to the provisions of the Constitution.
  • Appoints the Chief Minister.
  • Appoints the Council of Ministers on the advice of the Chief Minister.
  • Gives assent (approval) to bills passed by the State Legislature to make them laws (Acts).

6. The Chief Minister (CM) and Council of Ministers

• Chief Minister: The leader of the ruling party (or coalition) is appointed as the Chief Minister by the Governor. The CM is the real executive head of the State Government.
• Council of Ministers: The Chief Minister selects other ministers from among the MLAs of the ruling party/coalition. The Governor appoints these ministers.
• Portfolios: Each minister is usually given charge of specific government departments (e.g., Health, Education, Finance, Public Works Department - PWD, Agriculture). These areas of responsibility are called portfolios.
• Collective Responsibility: The Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly. This means if the Assembly loses confidence in the government (e.g., by passing a no-confidence motion), the entire ministry has to resign.
• Dual Role: Ministers have a dual role:
  • As MLAs, they represent their constituencies and participate in law-making.
  • As Ministers, they run their respective government departments and implement government decisions and laws.

7. How Laws are Made

• Issues are debated in the Legislative Assembly. MLAs express opinions, ask questions, give suggestions.
• The minister in charge of the relevant department responds to questions and outlines the steps being taken by the government.
• Proposals for new laws are introduced as Bills.
• Bills are discussed, debated, and voted upon.
• If passed by the Legislative Assembly (and the Legislative Council, if the state has one), the Bill goes to the Governor for assent.
• After the Governor's assent, the Bill becomes an Act (Law).

8. Working of the Government (Executive Functions)

• The government's work is not limited to making laws in the Assembly.
• The major part is the implementation of these laws and running various government schemes and programmes.
• This work is carried out by various government departments headed by the respective ministers.
• Civil Servants/Bureaucracy: Ministers are assisted by civil servants (like IAS, IPS, state service officers, and other government employees) who are responsible for the day-to-day execution of tasks.
• Accountability: The government is answerable for its actions.
  • Within the Assembly: Through questions, debates, motions.
  • To the Public: Through media (press conferences, news reports), public meetings, and ultimately, elections.
• Role of Media: Newspapers, TV channels, and other media play a vital role in discussing government work, highlighting issues, and shaping public opinion. Governments often use press conferences to inform the media (and thereby the public) about important decisions or actions taken.

Key Terms for Revision:

• MLA, Constituency, Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha), Majority Party, Ruling Party, Opposition, Coalition Government, Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, Portfolio, Bill, Act, Press Conference, State List.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Here are 10 MCQs based on the chapter for your practice:

1. An MLA is elected by the:
   a) Governor
   b) Chief Minister
   c) People of a specific constituency
   d) Members of the Legislative Assembly

2. The body where all MLAs meet to discuss issues and make laws for the state is called the:
   a) Parliament
   b) State Secretariat
   c) Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha)
   d) Governor's Office

3. A political party needs to win more than ______ of the total constituencies in a state election to form the government on its own.
   a) One-third
   b) Two-thirds
   c) Half
   d) One-fourth

4. Who appoints the Chief Minister of a state?
   a) The President of India
   b) The Prime Minister of India
   c) The Governor of the state
   d) The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

5. The nominal head of the State Executive is the:
   a) Chief Minister
   b) Governor
   c) Chief Justice of the High Court
   d) Speaker of the Assembly

6. If no single party gets a clear majority after elections, two or more parties might join together to form a:
   a) Minority Government
   b) Presidential Government
   c) Coalition Government
   d) Unitary Government

7. Ministers in the State Government are responsible for:
   a) Only making laws in the Assembly
   b) Only representing their constituency
   c) Running specific government departments
   d) Appointing the Governor

8. A proposed law introduced in the Legislative Assembly is called a:
   a) Bill
   b) Act
   c) Ordinance
   d) Regulation

9. Who among the following forms the 'Opposition' in the State Legislative Assembly?
   a) All MLAs who do not belong to the ruling party/coalition
   b) Only independent MLAs
   c) All nominated members
   d) Only the members of the second-largest party

10. A press conference is often held by ministers to:
    a) Debate laws with the opposition
    b) Inform the media and public about government decisions or actions
    c) Appoint civil servants
    d) Conduct elections

Answer Key:

1. c
2. c
3. c
4. c
5. b
6. c
7. c
8. a
9. a
10. b

Study these notes carefully. Remember the roles of different functionaries like the MLA, Governor, and Chief Minister, and understand the process of law-making and government formation at the state level. Good luck with your preparation!