MSBSHSE Class 8 Social Science Civics Chapter 5: The State Government Textbook Questions and Solutions

In the last chapters we understood the nature of Union Parliament and Union Executive. We were also introduced to the integrated Judicial System in India. In this chapter, we will study the government of constituent states or State Government. In the federal system, the government exists at two levels. Federal, that is the Central Government works at the national level and the State government works at the regional or State level. The solutions of MSBSHSE Class 8 Social Science Civics Chapter 5 will help you understand the chapter thoroughly. Students can utilize these MSBSHSE Class 8 solutions while solving the questions provided in the chapter.

MSBSHSE Class 8 Social Science Civics Chapter 5 Objective Questions: Textbook Important Questions and Solutions

MSBSHSE Class 8 Social Science Civics Chapter 5 Textbook Exercise Questions

Q1. Choose the correct option and complete the statements.

(1) The Winter session of Maharashtra Legislature takes place at …………. .

(a) Mumbai

(b) Nagpur

(c) Pune

(d) Aurangabad

(2) The …………… appoints the Governor.

(a) Chief Minister

(b) Prime Minister

(c) President

(d) Chief Justice

(3) The right to summon the state legislature lies with the ……………

(a) Chief Minister

(b) Governor

(c) President

(d) Speaker

Answer 1: The Winter session of Maharashtra Legislature takes place at Nagpur.

Answer 2: The President appoints the Governor.

Answer 3: The right to summon the state legislature lies with the Governor.

Q2. Complete the table.

Answer:

Q3. Write short notes on.

(1) Governor

(2) Functions of the Chief Minister

Answer 1: Governor – The President is a nominal head at the Centre while the Governor is the titular/nominal head at the state-level. The Governor is appointed by the President and holds the office during the tenure of the President. The Governor also enjoys certain legislative powers. For example, the Bills passed by the Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad are converted into laws only after receiving the assent of the Governor. The Governor has the right to summon the session of the state legislature. When the legislature is not in session but the need arises to make the law, then the Governor can issue an Ordinance for the same.

Answer 2: The functions of the Chief Minister are as follows:

• Creation of the State Executive: After proving the majority, the Chief Minister forms his/her Council of Ministers. This is a challenging task because in order to make the Council more representative, various regions and social groups (Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Castes, Women, and Minorities etc.) have to be accommodated. If no party secures a clear majority, different parties can come together to form the government. In such cases, the Chief Minister has to perform the difficult task of giving a place to all the constituent parties in the alliance.
• Distribution of portfolios: After the formation of the Council of Ministers, the Chief Minister has to distribute portfolios among the ministers. While distributing portfolios, he/she has to consider the political experience, administrative skills, awareness of public opinion, leadership qualities, etc.
• Coordination between Ministries/Departments: The Chief Minister, along with his Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly. The Chief Minister bears the ultimate responsibility for the efficient administration. Absence of cooperation and coordination between Departments can affect the working of the government. Therefore, the Chief Minister has to resolve conflicts between Departments and ensure that they work towards the same goal and in the same direction.
• Leader of the State: Just as the Prime Minister leads the country, the Chief Minister leads the state. The Chief Minister has to make new policies by taking note of problems and concerns of people and work towards the welfare of the people of the state. The people look at the Chief Minister as a problem solver. The Chief Minister intervenes in issues facing the state and comforts the people.

Q4. Answer the following in brief.

(1) Enumerate the functions of the Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly).

(2) Why did the Constitution adopt a federal system for India?

(3) What are the considerations of the Chief Minister while allocation of portfolios?

Answer 1: The proceedings of the Vidhan Sabha are carried out under the supervision and guidance of the Speaker. The elected members of the newly constituted Vidhan Sabha elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha from amongst themselves. The Speaker has many responsibilities which range from the power to prepare the order of business, to carry out the proceedings of the House in a disciplined manner, or to suspend members for misbehaviour or misconduct. In absence of the Speaker, the responsibility is taken over by the Deputy Speaker. Maharashtra’s legislature conducts minimum of three sessions in a year. The budget session and monsoon session is conducted in Mumbai while the winter session is conducted in Nagpur.

Answer 2: India has a large geographic expanse with a multicultural population. There is diversity in language, religion, ways of life and regional characteristics. It would not have been possible to govern from a centralised place; therefore the Constitution has adopted a federal setup for India. It was decided to form the States on the basis of language. Accordingly, linguistic reorganisation of states took place. The nature of government machinery in all states of India is the same. However, Jammu and Kashmir is an exception.

Answer 3: After the formation of the Council of Ministers, the Chief Minister has to distribute portfolios among the ministers. While distributing portfolios, he/she has to consider the political experience, administrative skills, awareness of public opinion, leadership qualities etc.

Q5. Write short notes on

(1) Vidhan Sabha

(2) Vidhan Parishad

Answer 1: Vidhan Sabha is the first House of the Maharashtra legislature and comprises 288 members. In case there is inadequate representation of the Anglo-Indian community, the Governor nominates one member from this community in the Vidhan Sabha. Some seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Maharashtra is divided into territorial constituencies for the purpose of elections. One member is elected from each of the constituencies. Tenure of Vidhan Sabha is 5 years. However, in exceptional circumstances elections can be held before the completion of 5 years. Any citizen residing in Maharashtra and who has completed 25 years of age can contest the elections to the Vidhan Sabha.

Answer 2: Vidhan Parishad is the second House of the Maharashtra legislature and members are indirectly elected from various sections of society. There are 78 members in the Vidhan Parishad of Maharashtra. Of these some members who are distinguished personalities from the fields of literature, science and social service are nominated by the Governor; remaining representatives are elected by the members of Vidhan Sabha, local government institutions, teacher-constituencies and graduate constituencies. The Vidhan Parishad is never fully dissolved. A specific number of members retire every 2 years and these vacant seats are filled again by conducting fresh elections for those seats. The proceedings of the Vidhan Parishad are conducted under the control and guidance of the Chairman. In absence of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman takes over the responsibility.