16 Questions
What is the main function of a legislature according to the text?
Making and passing laws
What is described as the centre of all democratic political process in the text?
Legislature
What is inconceivable without a representative, efficient, and effective legislature?
Genuine democracy
What does the text mention as the basis of representative democracy?
Holding representatives accountable
What helps in maintaining democratic government?
Elected legislatures
Apart from lawmaking, what other functions are highlighted as significant for the legislature in the text?
Overseeing government actions
What is the central focus of the passage?
The democratic potential of the Parliament
In what way does a strong leader have to interact with the Parliament?
By facing the Parliament and answering to its satisfaction
What happened when the Finance Minister proposed an increase in fertilizer prices?
The opposition staged a walkout, leading to a rollback of the price increase
What was the significance of the Lok Sabha's unanimous decision to suspend official business and prioritize a debate on Assam?
It demonstrated the power of the Lok Sabha to influence government priorities
What is one of the key functions of the Parliament mentioned in the passage?
To choose and dismiss the government
How did the opposition respond when there was a proposed hike in urea prices in 1998?
They staged a walkout, leading to the rollback of the proposed hike
What does the passage suggest about the power balance between the Cabinet and the Parliament?
Even strong cabinets must retain majority in the legislature
What role does the Finance Minister play in relation to parliamentary decisions?
To propose policies and face intense opposition from Parliament
What power does Parliament hold according to the passage?
The power to choose and dismiss the government
What did intense opposition pressure result in regarding urea prices?
A rollback of proposed urea price increases
Study Notes
Legislature and Democracy
- The main function of a legislature is to represent the people and make laws.
- A representative, efficient, and effective legislature is essential for democracy, and democracy is inconceivable without it.
Functions of the Legislature
- Apart from lawmaking, the legislature also has other significant functions, including exercising control over the executive, budget, and government expenditure.
Parliament's Power
- Parliament holds the power to shape the government's policies and decisions.
- The power balance between the Cabinet and the Parliament suggests that Parliament can counterbalance the Cabinet's decisions.
Effectiveness of Parliament
- A strong leader must interact with Parliament to ensure the government's policies are implemented.
- Parliament can influence government decisions, as seen when intense opposition pressure resulted in the rollback of the proposed hike in urea prices.
Notable Events
- In 1998, the opposition responded to the proposed hike in urea prices by intense opposition, which resulted in the rollback of the price hike.
- The Lok Sabha made a unanimous decision to suspend official business and prioritize a debate on Assam, highlighting the importance of Parliament's role in addressing national issues.
Key Roles
- The Finance Minister plays a key role in proposing financial decisions, such as the increase in fertilizer prices, which must be approved by Parliament.
Test your knowledge of the functioning and importance of the parliament and State legislatures in India, and their role in maintaining democratic government. This quiz covers the composition and functioning of elected legislatures, their significance, and the electoral methods adopted in India.
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