CBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 5 Legislature NCERT Solutions

I disagree with Alok's thought. While an efficient government is crucial for public welfare, eliminating the legislature would undermine the principles of representative democracy and could lead to authoritarian rule. The executive and legislature have distinct and complementary roles. The legislature is a vital organ of government for several key reasons:

1. Law-making: The legislature is primarily responsible for framing laws that govern the country.
2. Executive Oversight: It holds the council of ministers accountable for their actions and policies, ensuring they act in the people's interest.
3. Representation: It serves as a platform for citizens to voice their concerns, hopes, and aspirations through their elected representatives.
4. Preventing Dictatorship: In the absence of a legislature, the executive could become unresponsive and potentially dictatorial, as there would be no formal body to question or check its power.

Therefore, a legislature is indispensable for a functioning, representative democracy.

Let's analyze each statement regarding the bicameral system:

• Regarding Neha's statement: I disagree with Neha. A bicameral legislature, especially in a large and diverse country like India, serves significant purposes. The two houses provide a system of checks and balances, preventing the hasty passage of laws and ensuring broader representation of different sections of society. It also allows for a more thorough review of legislation.
• Regarding Shama's argument: I agree with Shama. Nominating experts to the second chamber (like the Rajya Sabha in India, where the President can nominate 12 members) brings specialized knowledge and experience into the legislative process. These nominated members can contribute valuable insights from fields such as literature, art, science, and social services, enriching debates and policy-making.
• Regarding Tridib's statement: I disagree with Tridib. While a federal structure often benefits from a bicameral legislature to represent constituent units, the need for a second chamber is not limited to federations. Even in a unitary state, a second chamber can be beneficial for providing wider representation, ensuring a more deliberate legislative process, and acting as a check on the power of the first chamber. It helps in representing diverse geographical regions and societal groups, and provides a 'double check' on bills and policies.

The Lok Sabha can control the executive more effectively than the Rajya Sabha due to the following reasons:

• Direct Election: Members of the Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people, giving it a strong popular mandate.
• Formation of Government: The executive (Council of Ministers) is formed from the party or coalition that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha. This direct link means the executive is primarily responsible to the Lok Sabha.
• No-Confidence Motion: The Lok Sabha has the power to pass a no-confidence motion against the entire Council of Ministers, which can force the government to resign. The Rajya Sabha does not possess this power to remove the executive from office.

These factors make the Lok Sabha the primary body for holding the executive accountable in India.

I agree with the statement that the Lok Sabha serves as a platform for the expression of popular sentiments and people's expectations, in addition to its role in controlling the executive. Here are the reasons:

1. Expression of Views: Members of the Lok Sabha actively participate in debates, expressing the views and concerns of their constituents on various issues and proposed legislation.
2. Carrying Mandates: These elected members bring the sentiments and expectations of the people from their respective constituencies directly to the Parliament.
3. Policy Modification: Debates on bills allow for modifications based on public feedback and parliamentary discussion, reflecting popular expectations.
4. Financial Control: Crucially, all Money Bills must be introduced in the Lok Sabha, giving it significant power over financial matters, which directly impacts the government's ability to function and thus serves as a form of control.
5. Law-making Authority: The Parliament's power to frame laws on subjects in the Union and Concurrent Lists ensures that legislation aligns with national needs and public aspirations.

While the Lok Sabha does control the executive, its role as a conduit for popular sentiments is equally significant.

Here are my views on the proposals for making Parliament more effective:

1. Parliament should work for longer period: Yes, I agree with this proposal. In the current scenario, parliamentary sessions are often insufficient to thoroughly discuss all important bills and issues. Opposition boycotts and delays can lead to important legislation remaining pending. Extending the working period would allow for more comprehensive debates, effective scrutiny of the executive through discussions and censures, and reduce the pendency of bills, thereby ensuring a more responsible government.
2. Attendance should be made compulsory for members of Parliament: Yes, I agree with this proposal. Compulsory attendance ensures that there is always a quorum, preventing the suspension of house proceedings due to a lack of members. It also signifies that elected representatives are fulfilling their duty to their constituents and participating actively in governance. When members are present, discussions are more robust, and legislative work can proceed efficiently, preventing delays, especially on critical matters like Money Bills. It upholds the trust placed in them by the people they represent.
3. Speakers should be empowered to penalise members for interrupting the proceedings of the house: Yes, I agree with this proposal. Empowering the Speaker to penalize members who interrupt proceedings is crucial for maintaining order and decorum in the Parliament. Frequent interruptions disrupt debates, hinder the smooth functioning of the legislative process, and undermine the dignity of the house. Penalties can act as a deterrent, encouraging members to engage in constructive discussions and respect parliamentary rules, thereby ensuring that the Parliament can effectively carry out its duties.