1. How are members elected to the Legislative Council?
Answer:
The members of Legislative council of the State legislature are indirectly elected. They are elected in the following manner:
1/3 are elected by the members of local bodies.
1/12 are elected by the graduates of three years within the state.
1/12 are elected by the teachers of three years standing and residing in the state(secondary school teachers)
1/3 are elected by the members of the legislative assembly from among persons who are not members of the assembly.
the rest of the members are nominated by the governors from among persons who have special knowledge or practical experience of literature, science, art, etc.
2. What are the steps involved in the process of a bill becoming an act?
Answer:
Step 1: The bill is drafted.
Step 2: The bill is introduced.
Step 3: The bill goes to committee.
Step 4: Subcommittee review of the bill.
Step 5: Committee mark up of the bill.
Step 6: Voting by the full chamber on the bill.
Step 7: Referral of the bill to the other chamber.
Step 8: The bill goes to the president.
3. What are the discretionary powers of a Governor?
Answer:
The governor can use the following discretionary powers:
- If no party gets an absolute majority, the governor can use his discretion in the selection of the chief minister.
- During an emergency he can override the advice of the council of ministers. At such times, he acts as an agent of the president and becomes the real ruler of the state.
- He uses his discretion in submitting a report to the president regarding the affairs of the state.
- He can withhold his assent to a bill and send it to the president for his approval.
4. What are the functions of a Chief Minister?
Answer:
Functions of the Chief Minister:
- They act as a link between the Governor and Council of Ministers and inform the Governor about policy-related decisions.
- They recommend names to the Governor, for appointments to major official posts in the state.
- Governor can summon or prorogue an Assembly session based on the recommendation of the Chief Minister and the Council of ministers.
- They can also recommend the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly to the Governor.
- They are also expected to maintain a friendly and warm relationship with the Union Government.
5. Write short notes on - Council of Ministers, Advocate-General.
Answer:
Council of Ministers: The Council of Ministers is a team of ministers who assist the chief minister in discharging the government's duties. The chief minister prepares the list of ministers and then they are appointed by the governor.
A minister should also be a member of a Legislative Assembly or become one within six months. They are responsible to the Legislative Assembly for their actions.
There are three categories of Council of Ministers namely. Council of Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Ministers of State.
Advocate-General: An Advocate-General is appointed in every state and gives advice to the Executive on legal matters and performs other legal functions assigned by the governor.
Person who is qualified to be the judge of the High Court can be appointed at this post.
He can participate in the proceedings of the State Legislature but does not have the right to vote.
6. Which candidate will have more power-elected or nominated? Why?
Answer:
An elected candidate will have more power because he/she is directly chosen by the people through elections and votes, whereas, a nominated candidate is chosen indirectly by Governor or President as the case may be.
The nominated members participate in the proceedings of the house just like other elected members, but they do not have the right to vote in the elections of the President of India.
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'?
Answer:
The chief minister is the 'head of the government' because he holds the responsibility of the government of the state. This is why he/she is regarded as the real head of the state.
Governor is the 'head of the state' because he/she is responsible for the smooth working of the state and is therefore regarded as the nominal head of the state.
