Chapter – 4
State Government
C) Give short answers for the following questions.
Que 1) Why is the Legislative Council called a permanent body?
Ans The Legislative Council is called a permanent body because it cannot be dissolved. Members are elected for a
term of six years. Every second year one-third of its members who complete their term retire.
Que 2) How are representatives to the Vidhan Sabha elected? How have the territorial constituencies for
Assembly seats been set up?
Ans The representatives of Vidhan Sabha are directly elected by the people from Assembly constituencies within
the state. These territorial constituencies have been set up in such a way as to ensure proportional representation
of the population in the Assembly. States with a large population will have a proportionately larger Assembly.
Que 3) What do you understand by ‘the Governor can hold office during the pleasure of the President’? What
qualifications are needed to become the Governor of a state?
Ans The Governor of a state is the nominal head of the Executive. She or he is appointed by the President and holds
office for a term of five years, ‘during the pleasure of the President’. It means that a Governor can be removed by
the President at any time. The term can be extended as well.
To be eligible for the post of a Governor, a person must be a citizen of India and at least 35 years of age. She or he
cannot be a member of Parliament or State Legislature or hold any salaried government post.
Que 4) Name the civil servants who carry out the administrative work in a state.
Ans The Chief Secretary heads the civil service in a state. Secretaries in charge of various departments work under
her or him. Deputy Secretaries, Under Secretaries, Directors and Deputy Directors assist them. The state is divided
into administrative units called divisions, which are looked after by Divisional Commissioners. These in turn are
divided into districts, administered by District Magistrates.
. Give long answers for the following questions.
Que 1) How are members elected to the Legislative Council?
Ans
1. The Legislative Council is a part-nominated and part-elected body. Nearly five-sixths of the Members of
the Legislative Council (MLCs) are elected and the remaining one-sixth are nominated.
2. The electoral college for the Council elections comprises local authorities, teachers, graduates and MLAs.
Each of these groups makes up different Council constituencies.
3. Thus, the Local Authorities’ constituencies elect one-third of the members, the Graduates’ and Teachers’
constituencies elect one-twelfth each, and the MLAs elect one-third of the Council members.
4. The remaining seats are filled by people nominated by the Governor.
5. The Council elects its Chairman and Deputy Chairman from amongst its members.
Que 2) What are the steps involved in the process of a bill becoming an act?
Ans
1. A bill or the draft of a proposed law is introduced either in the Legislative Assembly or in the Legislative
Council of the state.
2. It is discussed in the House and amendments are made, if necessary, before it is put to vote.
3. If the bill is passed, it is sent to the Governor for approval.
4. It becomes an Act only after the Governor signs it.
Que 3) What are the discretionary powers of a Governor?
1. Ans The Governor also possesses certain discretionary powers.
2. She or he can make some decisions without consulting the Council of Ministers.
3. If the ruling government has lost the confidence of the Legislative Assembly or the government
machinery has broken down, the Governor can recommend President’s rule in the state.
4. In such cases the Governor runs the state administration on the instructions of the President.
Que 4) What are the functions of a Chief Minister?
Ans The main functions of a Chief Minister include the following :
1) To advise the Governor on the selection of the Council of Ministers and its size.
2) To preside over Cabinet meetings.
3) To distribute portfolios among ministers.
4) To appoint a Deputy Chief Minister, if needed.
5) To retain charge of some portfolios, if needed.
As the head of the State Legislature and the Council of Ministers, the Chief Minister holds the responsibility for
the government of the state.
6) It is the responsibility of the Chief Minister to maintain good relations with the Central Government.
Que 5) Write short notes on—Council of Ministers, Advocate-General.
Ans Council of Ministers
The total number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, cannot be more than 15 per cent of the total
strength of the Legislative Assembly. Ministers are chosen by the Chief Minister from among the legislators.
There are three categories of ministers at the state level- Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy
Ministers. A Cabinet Minister holds the overall charge of one or more portfolios and may be assisted by the
Ministers of State or Deputy Ministers. The Cabinet makes all important decisions. The Council of Ministers is
collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly.
The Advocate – General
Each state has an official called the Advocate general who gives advice to the Executive on legal matters and
performs other legal functions assigned by the Governor. She or he is appointed by the Governor and holds
office ‘during the pleasure of the Governor’. Only a person qualified to be a High Court judge is eligible for the
post. The Advocate – General can take part in the proceedings of the State Legislature but does not have the
right to vote. It is necessary for the smooth working of these bodies that all citizens cooperate in the
administrative process.
HOTS
Que 6) Which candidate will have more power – elected or nominated? Why?
Ans The elected candidates are directly elected by the people of the country while the nominated candidates
are nominated by the President or Governor. The nominated candidates enjoy all the power and privileges
available to an elected candidate. They take part in the proceedings of the house as any other member. But they
are not entitled to vote in the election of the President of India. The elected candidates have the right to vote in
the election of the President of India.
Que 7) Why is it that at the state level the Chief Minister is the ‘Head of the Government’ and the Governor is
the ‘Head of the State’?
Ans The chief minister is elected by the people. He or she is the head of the government of the state. The
governor of the state is the nominal head of the government. It is appointed by the Central government to
ensure that state government works within the rules and regulations of the constitution. So governor is the Head
of State.
