class 8: history: The Nationalist Movement

MAPPING SKILL

Given below are the years  in which important sessions of the Indian National Congress were held. Find the places and mark them on India Map. Also say in what way those sessions were important.
(a) 1885
(b)1905
(c) 1906
(d) 1907
(e) 1916
(f)1919

REPORT WRITING

Imagine yourself as a press reporter and write a press report on an incident that took place during the Swadeshi and Boycott Movements...

class 9 civics chapter 5: working of institutions

Working of Institutions

A Government Order:

An order announces a major policy decision taken by the government for immediate implementation.

The Decision Makers

1.      President is the head of the state and is the highest formal authority in the country.
2.      Prime Minister is the head of the government and actually exercises all governmental powers. He takes most of the decisions in the Cabinet meetings.
3.      Parliament consists of two Houses,Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The parliament makes important laws to be followed by everyone.

A long chain of events before the passing of Government Order for OBC reservation.

1.      The Government of India had appointed the Second Backward Classes Commission in 1979. It was headed by B.P. Mandal. Hence it waspopularly called the Mandal Commission.
2.      The Commission gave its Report in 1980 and made many recommendations. One of these was that 27 per cent of government jobs be reserved for the socially andeconomically backward classes.
3.      For several years, many parliamentarians and parties keptdemanding the implementation of theCommission’s recommendations.
4.      Then came the LokSabha electionof 1989. In its election manifesto, theJanata Dal promised that if voted topower, it would implement theMandal Commission report.
5.      TheJanata Dal did form the governmentafter this election. Its leader V. P.Singh became the Prime Ministerand he implemented it.

Involvement of several political institutions in implementing OBC reservation (Mondal Commission recommendations):

1.      The President of India in hisaddress to the Parliamentannounced the intention of thegovernment to implement therecommendations of the MandalCommission.
2.      On 6 August 1990, the UnionCabinet took a formal decision toimplement the recommendations.
3.      Next day Prime Minister V.P. Singhinformed the Parliament aboutthis decision through a statementin both the Houses of Parliament.
4.      The decision of the Cabinet wassent to the Department of Personneland Training. The senior officers ofthe Department drafted an order inline with the Cabinet decision andtook the minister’s approval.
5.       Anofficer signed the order on behalf ofthe Union Government. This washow OBC reservation bill wasborn on August 13, 1990. Many approached the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court judgesin 1992 declared that this order of the Government of India was valid.

What are political Institutions? Need for Political Institutions in India

Several arrangements to provide social security, education, health and basic needs are made inall modern democracies. Sucharrangements are called institutions.A democracy works well whenthese institutions perform functionsassigned to them.
1.      The Parliament makes important laws foe the entire nation.
2.      The Prime Minister and theCabinet are institutions that takeall important policy decisions.
3.      The Civil Servants, workingtogether, are responsible for takingsteps to implement the ministers’decisions.
4.      Supreme Court is an institutionwhere disputes between citizensand the government are finallysettled.

What is Parliament?Why do we need a Parliament?

An assembly ofelected representatives which exercisessupreme political authority onbehalf of the people. In India such anational assembly of electedrepresentatives is called Parliament.

1.      Parliament is the final authority formaking laws in any country.Parliamentsall over the world can make newlaws, change existing laws, orabolish existing laws and makenew ones in their place.
2.      Parliaments all over the worldexercise some control over thosewho run the government. In somecountries like India this control isdirect and full.
3.      Parliaments control all the moneythat governments have. In mostcountries the public moneycan be spent only when theParliament sanctions it.
4.      Parliament is the highest forum ofdiscussion and debate on publicissues and national policy in anycountry. Parliament can seekinformation about any matter.

Two Houses of Parliament

1.      In our country, the Parliamentconsists of two Houses. The twoHouses are known as the Council ofStates (RajyaSabha) and the Houseof the People (LokSabha).
2.      The total number of elected members of LokSabha is 543+2 Anglo Indian nominated members.The total number of members of RajyaSabha is 238+12 nominated members.
3.      Members of LokSabha are electedby the people. Members of RajyaSabha are elected by the MLAs and MPs.
4.      The length of the term of LokSabha members is 5 years.The length of the term of RajyaSabha members is 6 years
5.      LokSabha can be dissolved but Raya Sabha is permanent and only the members retire.

How does LokSabha exercise supreme power than RajyaSabha?

1.      Any ordinary law needs to bepassed by both the Houses. But ifthere is a difference between thetwo Houses, the final decision istaken in a joint session in whichthe view ofthe LokSabha is likely to prevail.
2.      LokSabha exercises more powersin money matters. Once the LokSabha passes the budget of thegovernment or any other moneyrelated law, the RajyaSabhacannot reject but can only delay it by 14 days.
3.      Most importantly, the LokSabha controls the Council of Ministers. Only a person who enjoys the support of the majority of the members in the LokSabha is appointed the Prime Minister.
4.       If the majority of the LokSabha members say they have ‘no confidence’ in the Council of Ministers, all ministers including the Prime Minister, have to quit. theRajyaSabha does nothave this power.

Executive

At different levels of anygovernment we find functionarieswho take day-to-day decisions and implement those decisions onbehalf of the people. All thosefunctionaries are collectively knownas the executive.

Political and Permanent Executive

1.      Politician who is elected by the people for a specific period is called thepolitical executive. Political leaderswho take the big decisions fall in thiscategory.
2.      Officers who are appointed on a long-term basis based on their qualification and experience. They are called the permanentexecutive or civil servants. They remain in officeeven when the ruling party changes.

Why does the political executive have more power than the non-political executive? OR
Why is the minister more powerful than the civil servant?

1.      In a democracy the will of the people is supreme. The minister is elected by the people and thus empowered to exercise the will of the people on their behalf.
2.      The Minister is finallyanswerable to the people for all theconsequences of her decision. Thatis why the minister takes all the finaldecisions.
3.       The minister decides theoverall framework and objectives inwhich decisions on policy should bemade.
4.      The minister is notexpected to be an expert in thematters of her ministry. The ministertakes the advice of experts on alltechnical matters.
5.      The experts can tell the route, but the minister with a larger view decidesthe destination.

Council of Ministers and Types of ministers:

Council of Ministers is the officialname for the body that includes allthe Ministers. It usually has 60 to80 Ministers of different ranks.

1.      Cabinet Ministers are usually top-level leaders of the ruling party or parties who are in charge of themajor ministries. Usually theCabinet Ministers meet to takedecisions in the name of theCouncil of Ministers.
2.      Ministers of State with independentcharge are usually in-chargeof smaller Ministries. Theyparticipate in the Cabinet meetingsonly when specially invited.
3.      Ministers of State or Deputy ministersare attachedto and required to assist CabinetMinisters in their work.

CLASS 9 CIVICS CHAPTER 5 : WORKING OF INSTITUTIONS (WORKSHEET)

DEAR STUDENTS

COMPLETE THIS WORKSHEET AND SHOW ME ON MONDAY.

Class 9 Civics Worksheet - Working of Institutions

1. Name the three main democratic institutions that play a key role in major decisions.

2. Who is the head of the state?

3. Who is the head of the government?

4. Which events preceded the Government order of 13th August, 1990?

5. Why did PM V.P.Singh have to implement Mandal Commission recommendations?

6. What reasons were given in support of the Government order?

7. Why was the order dated 13th August, 1990 opposed?

8. What was Supreme Court judgement on Government Order of 13th August, 1990?

9. What is the need for political institutions in a democracy?

CLASS 8 INDIAN JUDICIARY

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class 9 homework

GATHER INFORMATION ON BIHAR ELECTIONS OF 2015 FOR A DISCUSSION IN THE CLASS TOMORROW I.E., ON 10TH NOVEMBER...

Class 8: What is the judiciary?

The judiciary (also known as the judicial system or court system) is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes.

Some More info about it...

Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the judiciary generally does not make law (that is, in a plenary fashion, which is the responsibility of the legislature) or enforce law (which is the responsibility of the executive), but rather interprets law and applies it to the facts of each case. This branch of the state is often tasked with ensuring equal justice under law. It usually consists of a court of final appeal (called the "Supreme court" or "Constitutional court"), together with lower courts.

In many jurisdictions the judicial branch has the power to change laws through the process of judicial review. Courts with judicial review power, may annul the laws and rules of the state when it finds them incompatible with a higher norm, such as primary legislation, the provisions of the constitution orinternational law. Judges constitute a critical force for interpretation and implementation of a constitution, thus de facto in common law countries creating the body of constitutional law.

Class IX: Process of Election

Dear Students

Kindly go through the given information and get ready for tomorrows class:

Most important steps involved in election Procedure in India are: 1. Formation of Constituencies 2. Filling of Nominations 3. Scrutiny of Nominations 4. Election Campaign 5. Polling Personnel and the Polling 6. Counting of Votes and Declaration of Results 7. Submission of Account Relating to Election Expenses 8. Election Disputes!

1. Formation of Constituencies:

The Constitution lays down that after the completion of each census the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha to States shall be readjusted. Similarly, the constituencies for elections to the legislative assemblies are also readjusted.

However, 42nd Amendment Act (1976) provided that until the figures for the first census after the year 2000 have been published, it shall not be necessary to readjust the allocation of seats to the States in the Lok Sabha.

2. Filling of Nominations:

The nomination of candidates is an important part of the election process. The regulations require that the candidate or the person who proposes his name files the nomination papers with the Returning Officer. In order to be chosen a member of the Rajya Sabha or the State Legislative Council, a person must be not less than 30 years of age.

For election to the Lok sabha or the State Legislative Assembly, a person should have attained an age of 25 years. A person is disqualified for being chosen as a member of any House, (i) if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or of any State (The offices of Ministers or Deputy Ministers are not regarded as offices of profit for this purpose); (ii) if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; (iii) if he is an un-discharged insolvent; (iv) if he has ceased to be a citizen of India; and (v) if he is so disqualified under any law made by Parliament.

The Representation of the People act, as amended from time to time disqualifies a person from the membership of a Legislature:

(i) if he has been found guilty of certain election offences or corrupt practices in election; (ii) if he has been convicted and sentenced to transportation or to imprisonment for not less than two years; and (iii) if he has been dismissed from government service for corruption or disloyalty to the State.

In 1988 many other offences, such as cruelty towards women, were in­cluded among those which would cause disqualification for standing for election. But none of these disqualifications operates for a period of more than six years from the date of such conviction.

3. Scrutiny of Nominations:

The Returning Officer scrutinizes the nomination papers very carefully. When someone is dissatisfied, he is officially stopped from contesting election for six years. The candidates can withdraw their nomination papers even after they have been found in order.

Every candidate standing for election to the Lok Sabha or to State Legislative Assembly has to make a security deposit of Rs. 10,000 arid Rs. 5,000 respectively. In case the candidate belongs to any of the Scheduled Castes or Tribes, the security deposit is reduced by half.

The security deposit of such candidates as have obtained less than one-sixth of the total number of valid votes polled is forfeited.

4. Election Campaign:

Techniques of election campaign and the tools employed by the parties and the independent candidates are many: 

(i) Election Manifesto:

The parties issue their Election Manifestoes. A Manifesto is a Statement of great significance. It is “a formal Statement of the programme and objectives of a political party” It deals with issues such as restructuring of Centre-State relations, guarantees to religious or linguistic minorities, justice and judicial reforms, fiscal reform, economic growth, social justice, problems of the handicapped, health, nutrition, education, defence and world peace. The Mani­festo contains programmes and promises, with a view to attract the largest number of voters.

(ii) Electioneering (Activities and Techniques to Persuade Voters):

The parties and the candi­dates usually make use of these techniques in order to carry their message to the voters (a) public meetings and rallies are organised and processions taken out. The party leaders, espe­cially the crowd pullers, are assigned the task to address public meetings; (b) the street corner meetings are held; (c) the candidates, along with the influential persons of the area, do door-to- door canvassing; (d) new slogans are coined to attract the masses; (e) advertisements are re­leased to the press (the popular daily and weekly newspapers); and (f) the Radio and the Televi­sion are pressed into service to broadcast the speeches and panel-discussions of leaders of various parties.

Now-a-days electronic media plays the most effective role in creating people’s awareness about programmes of the political parties. The party leaders give a series of interviews to newspapers and television agencies. Wide coverage is being given to all these events at regular intervals.

5. Polling Personnel and the Polling:

The election campaign must be stopped 48 hours before the time when poll concludes on the polling day.

Presiding Officer supervises the whole of the polling process and ensures that all persons working under him adhere to the electoral norms and practices.

The voter records his vote either by placing the seal-mark against the name of the candidate he wants to vote for or by pressing the button of the voting machine.

6. Counting of Votes and Declaration of Results:

After the polling has ended the ballot boxes or the voting machines are sealed and carried under custody to the counting stations. Then the process of counting the votes begins. In 1979, the practice of booth-wise counting of ballot paper was revived.

It was done on the instance of the parties which insisted on knowing the voting pattern so that they could woo the voters and work vigorously in the areas where they were weak. Booth-wise counting was preferred for one more reason.

The parties felt that by doing so it would be easier to detect rigging and take necessary action. However, there is no hard and fast rule as to the counting of votes and the Election authorities are free to mix up the ballot papers from all the booths, if the feel that it ensured secrecy with regard to the pattern of voting. The candidate who obtains the highest number of votes is declared elected.

7. Submission of Account Relating to Election Expenses:

The law fixes the maximum limit of the expenses to be incurred by various contenders on their election. In 1998, the limit of election ex­penses for an Assembly election in most States was raised from Rs. 1.50 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh.

It was enchanced from Rs. 4.50 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh for a Parliamentary contest. The candidates are required to file an account of the election expenses. It is a corrupt practice for a candidate to spend more money than the prescribed amount on his election.

8. Election Disputes:

The Constitution had originally provided for the appointment of Election Tribunals for deciding disputes arising in connection with elections. The Nineteenth Amendment Act (1966) abolished this provision and laid down that the election disputes would be decided by the High Courts.