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Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 11 Party System in India Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 11 Party System in India

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Describe the characteristics of Indian Party System.
Or
Explain in detail six features of Indian Party System.
Or
Describe any six features of Indian Political Party System.
Answer:
Present age is an era of democracy. Political parties are inevitable in democracy and thus both are inseparable. India is the biggest democratic country in the world and hence the existence of political parties here is natural one. But political parties haven’t developed on the same pattern as they have grown in England, America and other western countries. Political parties in India didn’t originate to dethorne the ruling aristocratic group but to fight against foreign imperialism by starting a national movement for freedom.

Another aim of the National Congress was to eliminate those elements from Indian society which hampered the social progress. Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 and afterwards, in 1906, Muslim League came into being and then in 1916 All India Hindu Mahasabha was established. Communist Party was founded in 1924 but it was banned during the Second World War. But when Russia joined hands with Allied nations in the Second World War, the Communist Party got a chance to develop. After independence, several political parties came into being. When first general elections were held in 1952, there were fourteen national political parties and fifty parties at the state level.

In January, 1977 four political parties Jan Sangh, Congress (O), Socialist Party, Bharatiya Lok Dal and rebel Congressmen formed Janata Party. But Janata Party was formed properly on May 1, 1977. The Congress faced a split in January, 1978 and Congress (I) came into existence. Bharatiya Janata Party was established on 6th April, 1980 and Bahujan Samaj Party on 14th April, 1984.

The Election Commission at present, recognised eight national and 53 state parties.
Indian party system has its own characteristics. Some of the main features are as follows:
1. Multiple Party System:
India has neither single party system as in China nor two party system as in England and America. We have multiple party system as Switzerland has. At Prerent the Election Commission recognized Seven National Parties and 59 state level parties. Seven National Parties are: Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, C.P.I., Marxist Party, Trinmool Congress Party, Nationalist Congress Party, and Bahujan Samaj Party.

2. End of Dominance of a Single Party:
India’s Multiple Party System differs from the Multiple Party System in Western countries like France and others. Several political parties participate in election in India but The Congress dominated the scene at the centre as well as the states before 1967.

The Congress secured 364, 371, 261 and 283 seats in the elections of 1952, 1957, 1962 and 1967 respectively. The Congress didn’t succeed much in states in the elections of 1967, which resulted in the formation of non-Congress ministries in many states. But the non-Congress ministries didn’t avail of this golden opportunity and they tried to achieve their vested interests instead of serving the people.

Consequently these ministries could not stay for long. Mrs. Indira Gandhi held mid-term polls in 1971 and Congress swept the elections and it secured 352 seats in Lok Sabha. Out of 19 states, elections were held in eight states and Congress secured majority in all the eight states. Due to the dominance of the Congress some perceptive students of Indian Politics have expressed the view that India has a ‘One party dominance system’ (Rajni Kothari) or ‘One dominant party system’ (W.H. Morris Jones).

But the dominance of Congress came to an end in November, 1989 when Congress was badly mauled in the 9th general elections and the other parties entered the 9th Lok Sabha with sufficient strength. It was repeated. From 1991 to 2019 elections. The present position clearly indicates that the era of one party dominant system has come to an end.

3. Rise of Effective Opposition:
Another feature of the Indian party system is the rise of organised opposition as it exists in England. There was no effective opposition before the fourth general elections.

In 1977 an organised opposition originated with the defeat of the Congress. There was no recognised offical opposition in 1980 and in 1984. But in 1989 with the defeat of the Congress (I) a strong organised opposition came into existence. In the Lok Sabha elections of 1991 BJP was recognised as opposition party. In the eleventh Lok Sabha elections in 1996, BJP emerged as the single largest party.

In March 1998 Sharad Pawar of the Congress party was recognised as leader of the opposition in the twelfth Lok Sabha. The elections to the 13th Lok Sabha held in Sept.-Oct. 1999 returned the Congress with sufficient strength and it emerged as a strong opposition party. In the 16th and 17th Lok Sabha no party has been given recognition of the opposition party.

4. Communal Parties: Another characteristic of Indian Party system is the existence of communal parties.

5. Existence of Regional Parties:
Another very distinct peculiarity of Indian Party system is the existence of regional parties. At present Election Commission recognised 53 regional political parties. Major regional political parties are Shiromani Akali Dal, Indian National Lok Dal, Assam Gana Parishad, Jharkhand Party, Telugu Desham, National Conference, ADMK and DMK etc. The importance of regional political parties is increasing day by day. It seems as if an era of dependence of national parties on the regional parties has begun.

6. Registration of Political Parties:
The Representation of People’s Act, 1951 was amended in December, 1998 under which registration of political parties with the Election Commission is obligatory.

7. Lack of Discipline:
Lack of discipline among the party members is an important feature of the Indian Party system. Those who fail to get the party ticket to contest the election leave the party and either join the other party or contest the election as independent candidates. Lack of party discipline has been a source of defection, split, factionalism, groupism and poiltical turn-coatism in Indian politics.

8. Politics of Populism:
Almost all political parties adopt and follow populistic policies and raise populistic slogans for securing their vote banks. ‘Garibi Hatao’, ‘Rozgar Yojnas’, ‘Power to the people’, “Vote for Mandir’, ‘Protection of Panth’ are used as election slogans, as ploy for securing votes. In 1995 Telugu Desham party won a big majority in the State Legislative Assembly elections by promising to sell rice at Rs. 2 per kg.

9. Less Contact with the Masses:
Another feature of Indian party system is that parties do not always remain in touch with the masses. In India many political parties come into existence at the time of election and disappear with the end of election. Even permanent political parties organise themselves at the time of elections and try to establish contact with the public. The leaders of the political parties realise the importance of public contact during the election but they forget it as soon as the election ends. According to Dr. P.V.R. Rao, no political party except Communist Party can claim to have direct contact with the masses. In such circumstances Indian party system cannot work successfully.

10. Lack of Internal Democracy within the Political Parties:
The political parties lack internal democracy and are built from above around hierarchical frames. Majority of the political parties have not held elections of the party organisation at different levels for a long time.

11. Lack of Ideological Commitment:
Most political parties in India lack ideological commitment. In fact political parties are interested to capture power and for that they have been too willing to sacrifice their ideologies. Even the CPI (M) and the BJP have started addressing to current issues than to their ideologies.

12. Dissidents:
Another important aspect of Indian party system is the presence of dissidents. Generally speaking, Congress or Janata Dal or B.J.P. in every state has two groups ministerialists and dissidents. Dissidents work in full swing as the leaders are always in competition to grab power. During Janata Party regime even at the centre there was dissident group led by Charan Singh and Raj Narayan. Due to revolt by dissidents against B.J.P. leadership, President’s rule was imposed in Gujarat in Sept. 1996.

13. Groupism within the Parties:
In every political party there is groupism and groupism leads to split in the party. There was a split in the Congress Party thrice in 1969, 1978 and 1995. Janata Dal was divided six times-in 1990, 1992,1993, 1994, 1997 and 1999. Groupism found in Akali Dal, D.M.K., Telugu Desam and many other political parties is responsible for split in these political parties.

14. Defections:
Indian party system is known for defections. There are many examples of defections from the first to fourth general elections but the number of defections after the fourth general elections increased so much that parliamentary form of government seemed to be an utter failure in India. Prime Minister Shri Morarji Desai had to resign in July, 1979 as many members left the Janata Party.

Defections took place abundantly before and after the Lok Sabha elections in 1980 and all was in favour of Congress (I). In January 1980, Haryana Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lai joined Congress (I) by leaving the Janata Party along with 35 members. The Himachal Chief Minister Shri Shanta Kumar had to resign in February 1980, because of heavy defection. But in Jan. 1985, the 52nd Amendment in Constitution was passed to remove the evil of defections. But the evil of defections is not removed. Even now we find many examples of defections.

15. More Emphasis on Leadership than on Programme:
Generally, political parties in India attach more importance to leadership than to their programmes.

16. Non-Principled Alliance of Political Parties:
Another important feature and defect of Indian Party System is that parties are always prepared to have non-principled alliance to achieve their vested interests.

Conclusion:
The detailed analysis of the Indian Party System clearly brings out the shortcomings of party system. The Indian party system lacks many important qualities which are essential for the success of the party system of government. Multiple party system, lack of organised political parties, presence of regional and communal parties, defections etc. are not healthy things for the success of parliamentary form of government in India.

Question 2.
Describe the Policies and Programmes of The Congress Party.
Or
Write in detail the Foreign Policy of The Congress (I).
Answer:
Indian National Congress is the oldest, well-organised and very important political party of India. After Independence, Congress Party dominated from 1947 to 1967 and from 1971 to 1977 as well as from 1980 to 1989. First split of the Congress took place in 1969 and second split in 1978 and third split in 1995. After the split of 1978 the Congress under the leadership of Mrs. Indira Gandhi was called The Congress (I). On March 12, 1996, the Election Commission recognised Congress (I) as the real Congress Party and it was allowed to
use ‘Hand’ as its party symbol. At present this party is known as Indian National Congress.

Policies And Programmes of Congress. At the time of 17th Lok Sabha election, Congress released the election manifesto in 2019. The manifesto asserted that the Congress is the only party which could govern and serve.
Following are the main policies and programmes mentioned in the election manifesto:
1. Congress pledges to give the highest priority to protecting existing jobs and creating new jobs.

2. Congress promises that all of the 4 lakh vacancies as on 1 April, 2019 in the Central Government, Central Public Sector Enterprises, Judiciary and Parliament will be filled before the end of March 2020.

3. Congress will work with State Governments to create new Seva Mitra positions (estimated at 10 lakh) in every Gram Panchayat and every Urban Local Body to ensure the effective delivery of government services to citizens.

4. Congress will link the definition of MSME to employment A business employing 10 persons or less will be ‘micro’; between 11 and 100 will be ‘small’; and between 101 and 500 will be ‘medium’.

5. Congress promises regulatory forbearance for Micro and Small Enterprises.

6. Congress promises to increase the share of India’s manufacturing sector from the current level of 16 per cent of GDP to 25 per cent within a period of 5 years and to make India a manufacturing hub for the world.

7. Congress will work with State Governments to set up New Industrial Towns with the required infrastructure and turn them into manufacturing hubs for a variety of industrial products.

8. Congress will announce a ‘Make for the World’ policy under which foreign and Indian companies will be invited to invest in ‘Exclusive Export-only Zones’, manufacture and export their entire production, pay no indirect taxes and pay a low rate of corporate tax.

9. Congress promises to augment the total length of national highways and increase the pace of construction.

10. Congress promises to massively modernise all outdated railway infrastructure.

11. Congress will formulate a policy on Clean Energy in existing power plants that use fossil fuels and promote Green Energy to enhance the share of solar and wind energy in the total supply of energy.

12. Congress promises to formulate a comprehensive policy on Urbanisation after wide consultation. We will address the issues concerning towns and cities including city governance, livelihoods, housing, habitat, pollution, climate change, urban transport and disaster management.

13. Congress will support State Governments to build new towns and cities as well as satellite towns.

14. Congress will introduce a new model of governance for towns and cities through a directly elected mayor with a fixed term of 5 years, an elected council and a separate administrative structure for each urban body.

15. Congress will enforce the 74th Amendment to the Constitution and ensure the devolution of powers, functions and funds to the Municipalities and Corporations, making them financially independent.

16. Congress promises the Right to Housing for the urban poor and protection from arbitrary eviction. We will build night shelters for the homeless so that no one will sleep in the open.

17. Congress will launch a Slum Upgradation and Transformation Scheme to ensure basic services such as drinking water, electricity and sanitation to slum dwellers. Slums will be transformed by replacing huts and kuccha dwellings with proper houses, roads and other public facilities.

18. Congress will launch MGNREGA 3.0 to address issues of water security, soil quality and similar issues that aggravate farmers’ distress. To this end, Congress will:

• Increase the guaranteed days of employment up to 150 days in cases where 100 days have been achieved in a block/district;
• Use MGNREGA labour in the Waterbodies Restoration Mission and the Wasteland Regeneration Mission; and
• Use MGNREGA funds to build public assets such as primary health centres, classrooms, libraries etc.

19. Congress promises to connect all villages and habitations with a population of 250 with a road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Boradband connectivity will be provided to all village Panchayats by the year 2021.

20. Congress will encourage and support micro and small enterprises that collectivise unorganised sector workers including waste pickers and scrap collectors.

21. Congress will ensure that notified minimum wages are paid to workers in the unorganised sector.

22. Congress will ratify ILO Convention 87 (Freedom of Association) and ILO Convention 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining).

23. The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 will be implemented in letter and spirit.

24. Debt is a civil liability and Congress will not allow criminal proceedings to be instituted against a farmer who is unable to pay his/her debt.

25. In order to ensure priority to the issues affecting the agriculture sector, we will present a separate “Kisan Budget”.

26. Congress promises to establish a permanent National Commission on Agricultural Development and Planning consisting of farmers, agricultural scientists and agricultural economists to examine and advise the government on how to make agriculture viable, competitive and remunerative. The recommendations of the Commission shall be ordinarily binding on the government. The Commission will subsume the existing Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices and recommend appropriate minimum support prices.

27. Congress also promises to establish a Commission on Marginal Farmers and Agricultural Labour to advise on policies and programmes that will help them earn income from higher wages and from non-crop based agriculture such as horticulture and floriculture, dairying and poultry.

28. Congress will completely re-design the BJP government’s failed Fasal Bima Yojana (Crop Insurance Scheme) that has only enriched the insurance companies at the cost of the farmers. We will direct insurance companies to offer crop insurance and charge premiums on the principle of ‘no profit, no loss’.

29. Congress promises to reverse the BJP Government’s fiddling with the target of fiscal deficit. Congress promises to achieve the target of 3 per cent of GDP by 2020-21 and remain .under that limit.

30. Monetary policy is the province of the Reserve Bank of India. Congress promises to reverse the unwarranted and illegal interference by the BJP government into the functioning of the RBI.

31. Congress will adopt a policy on foreign trade that will ensure that exports become once again a key driver of economic growth.

32. Congress believes that the size of India’s GDP and the level of Total Expenditure (Central and State Governments) allow us to undertake an ambitious programme of cash transfer to the poorest sections of the people without in anyway affecting the goal of fiscal prudence. The main features of the Minimum Income Support Programme (MISP) or Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) will be:

• The target population will be 5 crore families who constitute the poorest 20 per cent of all families. They will be the beneficiaries of MISP or NYAY.
• Each family will be guaranteed a cash transfer of 72,000 a year.
• As far as possible, the money will be transferred to the account of a woman of the family who has a bank account or who will be urged to open a bank account;
• There will be a Design phase (3 months) followed by a Pilot and Testing phase (6-9 months) before roll-out.
• The rollout will be implemented in phases.
• The estimated cost will be < 1 per cent of GDP in Year 1 and < 2 per cent of GDP in Year 2 and thereafter.
• As the nominal GDP grows and families move out of poverty, the cost will decline as a proportion of GDP.

33. Congress promises to enact the Direct Taxes Code in the first year of our government. It will usher in an era of simplicity, transparency, tax equity, easy compliance and impartial administration.

34. Congress promises that the Direct Taxes Code will levy taxes at reasonable and progressive rates having regard to the level of current incomes, income inequalities and the principles of tax equity.

35. Congress promises to review and replace the current GST laws with the GST 2.0 regime that will truly reflect the intent and purpose of a non-cascading, value-added, indirect tax.

36. The GST 2.0 regime will be based on a single, moderate, standard rate of tax on all goods and services.

37. The GST 2.0 regime will levy a special rate of duty on demerit goods.

38. Congress promises that Real Estate (all sectors), Petroleum Products, Tobacco and Liquor will be brought within the ambit of GST 2.0 in a manner and time period not exceeding 2 years agreed to in the GST Council.

39. Congress promises a comprehensive review of the concept, role and functions of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in order to make PSBs robust and competitive with healthy balance sheets.

40. Congress will amalgamate 2 or more PSBs so that there will be only 6-8 PSBs with a national presence and reach. Each of the amalgamated PSBs will be adequately capitalised.

41. Congress promises to work with industry to increase the expenditure on science and technology to 2 per cent of GDP.

42. Congress will establish a separate Ministry of Fisheries and Welfare of Fisherfolk.

43. Congress will constitute a National Fisherfolk Commission to promote fishing and the welfare of fisherfolk. It will address indebtedness and appropriate funding mechanisms for fishing.

44. Congress will reverse the trend of declining defence spending under the NDA government, and will ensure that defence spending is increased to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces. We will expedite all modernisation programmes of the armed forces in a transparent manner.

45. The key to internal security is intelligence, analysis and quick response. Congress will put in place the Multi-Agency Centre and the NSG regional hubs. Congress also proposes to establish the National Counter-Terrorism Centre and NATGRID.

46. Congress affirms its firm belief in the continued relevance of the policy of friendship, peaceful co-existence, non-alignment, independence of thought and action, and increased bilateral engagement in its relations with other countries of the world.

47. Congress promises to establish a National Council on Foreign Policy consisting of members of the Cabinet Committee on Security, scholars, domain experts and diplomats to advise the Government on matters concerning foreign policy.

48. Congress will work closely with all countries of the world, and particularly India’s neighbours and the G-20 countries, in various multi-lateral forums and institutions.

49. Congress will re-double the efforts to win for India permanent membership in the UN Security Council and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

50. Congress will work with SAARRC and ASEAN countries to enhance the volume of trade, investments, tourism and cultural exchanges and reap the benefits of geographical proximity.

51. Congress will increase the strength of border guarding forces—BSF, SSB, ITBP and Assam Rifles—and post them on or close to the border to prevent infiltration, illegal immigration and smuggling.

52. Under the UPA Governments, Congress accepted the principle of One Rank One Pension (OROP) and took 3 steps in 2006, 2010 and 2013 towards implementing the same. In February 2014, the UPA Government decided to close the gap for all retirees in all ranks. Ex-servicemen believe that the BJP Government has not implemented OROP to their satisfaction. Congress promises to remove the anomalies in the implementation of OROP.

53. Congress promises to re-establish the Ministry of Overseas Indians that will be asked to address the concerns of NRIs including their safety, conditions of work, social security and health benefits, education of their children, need for financial services and safe return to India.

54. Congress promises to re-constitute the National Integration Council to promote unity, solidarity, communal harmony, fraternity and reconciliation. Congress promises to work with the Council to fight divisive and communal forces that are a danger to the unity and solidarity of the country.

55. Congress will review the Right to Information Act, 2005 in the light of its working in the last 14 years and omit provisions that may have diluted the Act and add provisions to strengthen the Act. In accordance with the letter and spirit of the Act, Congress promises to appoint as Information Commissioners qualified persons drawn from different sections of the society.

56. Congress promises to take forward the idea of the GST Council of Ministers and establish such Councils for Agriculture, Education and Healthcare.

57. Congress will implement the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission and will urge the States to implement the recommendations of their respective State Finance Commissions.

58. Congress, as the author of the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendments, will prevail upon the States to implement those provisions in letter and spirit and devolve funds, functions and functionaries upon the Panchayats and Municipalities.

59. Congress will give Special Category status to Andhra Pradesh as promised by Dr. Manmohan Singh on 20 February 2014 in the Rajya Sabha.

60. Congress will enhance representation at all levels of the judiciary for women, SC, ST, OBC minorities and other under-represented sections of society.

61. Omit Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (that defines the offence of ‘sedition’) that has been misused and, in any event, has become redundant because of subsequent laws.

62. Amend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in order to strike a balance between the powers of security forces and the human rights of citizens and to remove immunity for enforced disappearance, sexual violence and torture.

63. Congress promises to set up a National Election Fund to which any person may make a contribution. Funds will be allocated at the time of elections to recognised political parties in accordance with criteria laid down by law.

64. Congress will ensure that EVMs and WPATs are tamperproof.

65. ‘Police’ and ‘Law & Order’ are State subjects. Congress promises to consult State Governments and reach a consensus on the police reforms directed by the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case. Based on the consensus, Congress will pass a Model Police Act and the States will be advised to adopt and enact in the State Legislatures.

66. Congress will scrap the Niti Aayog, which has proved to be a noisy and incompetent intermeddler. Congress promises to constitute a Planning Commission with re-defined responsibilities such as to formulate medium and long-term perspective plans and to function as an independent expert body to perform crucial functions in a federal system.

67. Congress promises to pass the Constitution (Amendment) Bill to provide for reservation of 33 per cent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies in the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha and in the Rajya Sabha.

68. Congress promises a holistic agenda of affirmative action for SCs, STs and OBCs who constitute a little more than 75 per cent of the population. Hence, Congress promises to set up an Equal Opportunities Commission, which will recommend affirmative action strategies and policies to achieve equality and equity in education, employment and in economic opportunities. We will implement the recommendations of the Equal Opportunities Commission.

69. Congress affirms that the whole of Jammu & Kashmir is part of India. We also acknowledge the unique history of the State and the unique circumstances under which the State acceded to India that led to the inclusion of Article 370 in the Constitution of India. Nothing will be done or allowed to change the Constitutional position.

70. Congress promises to restore the Special Category status to the NES.

71. Congress promises to enforce strictly the provisions of the Maintenance and Welfare of Senior Citizens Act, 2017.

72. Congress promises that the total government expenditure on healthcare will be doubled to 3 per cent of GDP by the year 2023-24. The Annual Budgets will indicate the step up in each year in order to achieve the target in 2023-24.

73. Congress promises to double the allocation for Education to 6 per cent of GDP in the 5 years ending 2023-24. A path forward will be laid down in the regular Budget for 2019-20 and specific annual targets will be set.

74. Congress promises universal access to potable drinking water. The National Drinking Water Mission will be reviewed and strengthened. Budget allocations will be substantially increased.

75. Congress will constitute, by law, an independent, empowered and transparent Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to establish, monitor and enforce environmental standards and regulations. The EPA will replace all other bodies that currently exercise jurisdiction and powers.

76. Congress promises to re-visit the National Disaster Management Act, 2005 and incorporate changes, based upon the experience gained in the working of the Act and in managing natural disasters that have occurred over the last 14 years.

77. Congress promises to respect the autonomy of the Indian Olympic Association and the Apex Body of each sport. Government will work with each body to promote the sport concerned.

Election Successes:
In the Lok Sabha elections of 1980, Congress (I) secured 351 seats out of 525 seats and thus won two-thirds majority in the House. But Congress (I) got 43% votes of the total votes polled. The election statistics reveal the fact that Congress (I) mostly lost those seats where the opposition parties could organise the people on social and economic basis. Congress (I) formed the government under the leadership of Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

Congress (I), under the leadership of Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, won an impressive victory in the eighth general elections to the Lok Sabha. It got 401 seats out of 508 for which elections were held in December 1984. It was a great personal triumph for Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, an unprecedented sweep for the Congress (I).

In the Lok Sabha elections of 1989, Congress (I) secured 194 seats and Mr. Rajiv Gandhi resigned from the Prime Ministership. In the ninth State Assemblies elections in Feb. 1990, Congress (I) was defeated badly in M.P., Rajasthan, Bihar, Himachal, Gujarat and Orissa. Congress (I) was able to form governments only in Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh. In the tenth Lok Sabha elections in May-June 1991, Congress (I) secured 225 seats and its leader P.V. Narsimha Rao formed the government.

In April-May 1996, eleventh Lok Sabha elections were held and Congress Party secured only 140 seats. In February-March, 1998 Congress secured 142 seats in the 12th Lok Sabha elections. In the 14th Lok Sabha election Congress secured 145 seats. Dr. Manmohan Singh led the 19-party ruling coalition of United Progressive Alliance.

In the 15th Lok Sabha election held in 2009, Congress Party secured 206 seats and UPA formed government under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh. In the 16th Lok Sabha election held in 2014, Congress Party secured only 44 seats. In the 17th Lok Sabha election held in 2019, Congress Party secured only 52 seats.

Question 3.
Describe the policies and functions of Bhartiya Janata Party.
Or
Evaluate policies and programme of Bharatiya Janata Party (B.J.P.).
Answer:
Though Janata Party faced a split in July 1979 on the issue of dual membership, this controversy didn’t end even after the split. On 19th March, 1980, the Parliamentary Board of Janata Party decided by majority vote that “no legislator or office-bearer of the Janata Party shall participate in the day-to-day activities of the R.S.S.” But the leaders of the erstwhile Jana Sangh Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, Mr. L.K. Advani and Nanji Deshmukh—expressed their strong reservation on it and recorded their dissent.

On 4th April, 1980, the National Executive of the Janata Party endorsed by a narrow majority the Central Parliamentary Board’s decision that legislators and office-bearers should not participate in the day-to-day activities of the R.S.S. With this decision of the national executive, split in the Janata Party was imminent. Soon after the decision was made known, some of the Jana Sangh leaders said: “We cannot help it. How can we remain in the party now?’

On 5th April, 1980, the members of former Jana Sangh group called a two-day national convention at Delhi and decided to form a new party. The conference was presided over by Mrs. Vijaya Raje Scindia. On 6th April, a new political organisation the Bharatiya Janata Party was born under the presidentship of former foreign minister Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee. On April 24, 1980 the Election Commission granted recognition to the group led by Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee as a ‘national party’ with the distinct name of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The B.J.P. was also allotted the symbol of ‘lotus’.

Policies and Programme of the Bharatiya Janata Party. At the time of 17th Lok Sabha elections B.J.P. released the election Sanklap Patra.
Following is the programme which the B.J.P. offers to the people for taking India to its destiny— a modern, peaceful and prosperous nation on the road to an exciting future.

1. B.J.P. believes that our security doctrine will be guided by our national security interest only. This is exemplified by the Surgical Strikes and the Air Strike carried out recently. We will firmly continue our policy of‘Zero Tolerance’
against terrorism and extremism and will continue to follow our policy of giving a free hand to our security forces in combating terrorism.

2. B. J.P. will speed up the purchases of outstanding defense related equipments and weapons.

3. In order to ensure self-reliance in procurement of defence equipment B.J.P. have taken several effective steps in the last five years. For instance, the most modern AK-203 automatic rifles are being manufactured at Amethi under our “Make in India in Defence’ initiative. B.J.P. is committed to focus on “Make in India in Defence’ to enable indigenous production of defence equipment. This will also generate employment and encourage investment in the defence sector.

4. B.J.P. will continue to take forward the process of modernizing the Central Armed Police Forces to further increase their capacity and readiness and enable them to effectively combat internal security challenges.

5. There has been a huge change in the cultural and linguistic identity of some areas due to illegal immigration, resulting in an adverse impact on local people’s livelihood and employment. B.J.P. will expeditiously complete the National Register of Citizens process in these areas on priority. In future B.J.P. will implement the NRC in a phased manner in other parts of the country.

6. B.J.P. is committed to the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Bill for the protection of individuals of religious minority communities from neighbouring countries escaping persecution.

7. B.J.P. reiterates its position since the time of the Jan Sangh to the abrogation of Article 370. B.J.P. is also committed to annulling Article 35A of the Constitution of India as the provision is discriminatory against non¬permanent residents and women of Jammu and Kashmir. On 5-6 August 2019, Article 370 and 35-A were abrogated from Indian Constitution.

8. B.J.P. launched Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana to ensure financial support to farmers owning land up to 2 hectares.

9. B.J.P. will launch a pension scheme for all small and marginal farmers in the country so as to ensure social security to them on reaching 60 years of age.

10. B.J.P. is committed to making an investment of? 25 lakh crore to improve the productivity of the farm sector.

11. B.J.P. will provide short-term new agriculture loans up to? 1 lakh at a 0% interest rate for 1-5 years on the condition of prompt repayment of the principal amount.

12. B.J.P. will work towards reducing all agricultural imports and institute a predictable export and import policy with a built-in mechanism for encouraging exports and discouraging imports.

13. B.J.P. will ensure timely availability of improved seeds of promising varieties at affordable rates with doorstep testing facilities.

14. B.J.P. recognizes the role Cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can play in ensuring better market linkages and opportunities in the agricultural sector.

15. On the lines of Aadhaar project, B.J.P. will complete digitization of land records on a mission mode.

16. B.J.P. will launch ‘Matsya Sampada Yojana’ with an allocation of? 10,000 crores to ensure availability of storage and marketing tools and infrastructure like ice-boxes, cold storages, ice-plants etc. for small and traditional fishermen.

17. B.J.P. will ensure a pucca house to every family who are either living in a kuchha house or have no access to housing by 2022.

18. B.J.P. will launch ‘Jal Jivan Mission’ under which to introduce a special program, ‘Nal se Jal’ to ensure piped water connection to every household by 2024.

19. B.J.P. will ensure 100% disposal of liquid waste water and reuse of waste water.

20. To make India the third largest economy of the world by 2030. This implies that B.J.P. commits to make India a US$ 5 trillion economy by 2025 and US$ 10 trillion economy by 2032.

21. B.J.P.’s economic policy has been guided by the principle of lowering the tax rate and improving compliance; thereby broadening of the tax base. With improved compliance and increased tax base, the tax to GDP ratio has reached 12%, highest in the recent past, up from 10.1% in 2013-14. This increased revenue has been deployed for benefits to the poor and creation of infrastructure at an unprecedented level. We will continue with our policy in the similar manner – lowering of tax rate thereby rewarding honest tax payers and improving compliance.

22. B.J.P. will continue with the simplification of GST process by engaging in dialogue with all stakeholders.

23. B.J.P. will further continue its efforts to promote Yoga globally as the world celebrates 21st June as the International Yoga Day.

24. By 2024, B.J.P. will make capital investment of? 100 lakh crore in the infrastructure sector.

25. With the aim of developing India into a knowledge based, skill supported and technology driven society, B.J.P. has launched the ‘Make in India’ campaign. To bring in fast and inclusive growth, we have also carried out substantial reforms in the last few years in terms of de-regulation and de-licensing, with an aim to improve ease of doing business.

26. B.J.P. will continue to promote and encourage Startups through creation of a ‘Seed Startup Fund’ of? 20,000 crore.

27. B.J.P. will aim at next generation infrastructure which will include gas grids and water grids, i-ways, regional airports and wayside amenities along National highways.

28. B.J.P. has constructed over 9 crore toilets under the flagship programme, Swachh Bharat Mission. B.J.P. will take the Mission to a new level through sustainable Solid Waste Management in every village.

29. B.J.P. will ensure that all habitations attain open defecation free status and those that have attained the status sustain the behavioural change.

30. Water is a critical resource but its management is spread across various departments, even at the Central level. B.J.P. will form a new Ministry of Water unifying the water management functions to approach the issue of water management holistically and ensure better coordination of efforts.

31. B.J.P. will launch ‘Jal Jivan Mission’ under which it will introduce a special programme, ‘Nal se Jal’ to ensure piped water for every household by 2024.

32. B.J.P. will ensure sustainability of water supply through special focus on conservation of rural water bodies and ground water recharge.

33. B.J.P. will construct 60,000 kms of National Highways in the next five years.

34. B.J.P. will make all efforts to make the experience of rail journey safe, smooth, clean and satisfying to achieve great results.

35. In 2014 there were 65 functional airports and there are a total of 101 functional airports today. In the next five years, B.J.P. will double the number of functional airports.

36. B.J.P. will further work towards completing any unfinished task in regard to electrificiation.

37. Every Gram Panchayat will be connected with high speed optical fibre network by 2022.

38. While providing annual health cover of? 5 lakh to 10.74 crore poor families under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana under
Ayushman Bharat, B.J.P. also initiated a programme to set up 1,50,000 Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) by 2022.

39. B.J.P. is committed to the idea of simultaneous elections for Parliament, State assemblies and local bodies to reduce expenditure, ensure efficient utilisation of government resources and security forces and for effective policy planning.

40. In order to curb corruption, the Modi government has taken many effective steps and will continue to make efforts to ensure more effective governance and transparent decision making.

41. B.J.P. has ensured that the insurgency in the Northeastern States is brought under control and the security situation in these states has improved significantly.

42. B.J.P. will create new opportunities of employment by providing more support to the 22 major ‘Champion Sectors’ identified as the main drivers of Indian economy.

43. B.J.P. will take all necessary steps to increase the number of seats in Central Law, Engineering, Science and Management institutions by at least 50% in the next five years.

44. B.J.P. will formulate a ‘National Policy for Reskilling and Upskilling’ to evolve a flexible and industry-responsive workforce which is capable of accessing new opportunities and to insulate it from technological shocks.

45. The gains made under B.J.P.’s pioneering ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme have been impressive. We are committed to continue to build on these gains to provide accessible and affordable quality education to all women. We will ensure that ample financial support is available to girls throughout their education and subsidised education loans are provided for higher education.

46. To generate better work opportunities for women, 10% material to be sourced for government procurement will be done from MSMEs having at least 50% women employees in their workforce.

47. Women’s welfare and development will be accorded a high priority at all levels within the government, and the B. J.P. is committed to 33% reservation for women in parliament and state assemblies through a constitutional amendment.

48. To ensure that quality education is available and easily accessible, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons will have an Eklavya Model Residential School.

49. B.J.P. is committed to bringing down the percentage of families living below the poverty line to a single digit in the next five years.

50. B.J.P. will ensure pucca houses for families either living in kuchha houses or without access to housing by 2022.

51. To take forward the gains achieved under Sugamya Bharat, B.J.P. will put in place a system of continuous accessibility audits and ratings for cities, public infrastructure including airports, railway stations and public transport systems, to ensure that they are fully accessible, with collaboration with industry and civil society organisations.

52. B.J.P. will expand the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Scheme to cover all small shopkeepers.

53. B.J.P. reiterates its stand on Ram Mandir. B.J.P. will explore all possibilities within the framework of the Constitution and all necessary efforts to facilitate the expenditious construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

54. B.J.P. is committed to ensure a clean and uninterrupted flow of river Ganga from Gangotri to Ganga Sagar.

55. B.J.P. will undertake every effort to ensure that the subjects of faith, tradition and worship rituals related to Sabarimala are presented in a comprehensive manner before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. It will endeavour to secure constitutional protection on issues related to faith and belief.

56. B.J.P. will further promote Yoga globally as the world celebrates 21st June as the International Yoga Day.

57. Article 44 of the Constitution of India lists Uniform Civil Code as one of the Directive Principles of State Policy. BJP believes that there cannot be gender equality till such time India adopts a Uniform Civil Code, which protects the rights of all women, and the BJP reiterates its stand to draft a Uniform Civil Code, drawing upon the best traditions and harmonizing them with the modern times. .

58. B.J.P. will create an. institutional mechanism to deepen the relationship of culture and heritage with people of Indian origin, and to regularly engage with them. B.J.P. will simultaneously launch ‘Bharat Gaurav’ campaign to increase interaction among the Indian diaspora and enable their continuous engagement with the Indian missions.

59. B.J.P. is committed to taking concrete steps on international forums against countries and organizations supporting terrorism, and will take all necessary measures to isolate such countries and organisations on the global stage.

60. B.J.P. will effectively pursue co-operation against global evils, such as terrorism and corruption through forums like UN, the G20, BRICS, SCO, Commonwealth, etc. Significant interactions such as Russia-India-China (RIC) and Japan-America-India (JAI) will be strengthened. To forward our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, B.J.P. will extensively leverage forums such as
BIMSTEC, to accelerate regional coordination and economic co-operation with countries in our neighbourhood. Act East Policy, cooperation with ASEAN and ensuring an open, inclusive, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific will be pursued vigorously.

61. B.J.P. is committed to seeking permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council so that the body reflects the contemporary geopolitical realities of the world. It is determined to intensify its efforts towards these objectives.

Election Successes:
The Election Commission recognised the Bharatiya Janata Party as national party and its election symbol was Kamal flower (lotus). In the Lok Sabha elections of December 1984, the B.J.P. secured only two seats. In the 11 States Assembly Elections of March 1985 the party did not succeed much. In the ninth Lok Sabha elections of November, 1989 the B.J.P. secured 86 seats. The B.J.P. decided to support National Front government from outside.

In the eighth State Assembly elections in Feb, 1990, the B.J.P. secured absolute majority in Himachal and M.P. In the tenth Lok Sabha election in 1991, B.J.P. secured 119 seats and in U.P. it formed the government. In 1991 the B.J.P leader L.K Advani was recognised as leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. In the elections held for 11th Lok Sabha in 1996 the B.J.P. emerged as the largest party securing 161 seats. Its leader Atal Behari Vajpayee was appointed Prime Minister and he was asked to prove his majority up to 31st May, 1996 but Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee resigned on May 28,1996 because he failed to prove his majority in the Lok Sabha.

Atal Behari Vajpayee was the recognized opposition leader in the 11th Lok Sabha. In the 12th Lok Sabha elections held in Feb- March 1998, the B.J.P. secured 182 seats. The B.J.P. and its allies secured 252 seats in the 12th Lok Sabha elections. Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee was elected as the Party leader by the newly elected B.J.P. Lok Sabha members. Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee was appointed the Prime Minister.

In the 13th Lok Sabha elections held in Sept.-Oct. 1999, the B.J.P. secured 182 seats whereas B.J.P and its allies secured 297 seats. On 10th Oct 1999, National Democratic Alliance elected Atal Behari Vajpayee as its leader and he was appointed the Prime Minister. In the 14th Lok Sabha elections B.J.P. secured 147 seats. In the 15th Lok Sabha elections B.J.P. secured 116 seats.

In the 16th Lok Sabha elections held in 2014, B.J.P secured 282 seats (N.D.A. 334) and formed the government under the leadership of Sh. Narender Modi. In the 17th Lok Sabha election held in 2019, B.J.P. Secured 303 seats (N.D.A. 355 seats) and again formed the government under the leadership of Sh. Narendra Modi.

Question 4.
Discuss the policies and programme of the Communist Party of India.
Evaluate the policies and programme of the Communist Party of India.
Answer:
The Communist Party of India is a national political party. It was founded in 1924. Shri M.N. Roy played a vital role in its foundation.
The party progressed enormously after Independence. In 1957, this party got an opportunity to form Government in Kerala. This was the first non-Congress State

Government in India. This party had differences in 1959 and was divided into two groups. In 1962, when India had conflict with China, one group of the party supported the Indian Government whereas the other group sided with China and suggested the Indian Government to initate peaceful dialogue with China. This party was divided into two groups because of the differences between Russian and Chinese ideologies. In 1964 leftist members of the Communist Party left the Party and organised a separate party known as Marxist Party.

Programme of the C.P.I. The Communist Party in fact is a party of labourers and farmers. It aims at the elimination of capitalism through Labour movements and then to establish the control of labour class on the Government.
On the eve of general elections to the 17th Lok Sabha held in April-May 2019 the CPI released the Election Manifesto. The party will strive to build the third front in defence of secularism, democracy, federal polity, development with social justice, and other issues affecting the country.
1. Political Programme:
(i) The C.P.I. attaches the utmost priority to safeguarding the integrity, security and sovereignty of India.

(ii) The C.P.I. favours the preservation and strengthening of the secular democratic set up of the country in the struggle against all types of divisive forces.

(iii) The manifesto calls for 10 per cent job reservation for the economically weaker sections of forward castes in addition to the implementation of the Mandal Commission report.

(iv) The Party is for the speedy implementation of comprehensive measures for social justice.

(v) The Party has demanded restructuring of Centre-State relations in the true spirit of federalism. The states should be given more powers as recommended by the Sarkaria Commission.

(vi) The Party called for the abrogation of Article 356 of the Constitution, and enlarging democratic and civil rights of the people.

(vii) The fate of state government is to be decided on the floor of the house.

(viii) The Party has demanded real decentralisation to be carried out by conferring more powers and financal resources to elected bodies at district, block and Panchayat levels.

(ix) The Party favours effective steps for the elimination of corruption. Lok Pal Bill, which included within its scope legislators and also the Prime Minister, should be adopted. Transfers and postings which are a fertile source of corruption should be done by a committee of senior officials.

(x) All legislators, MPs, MLAs, ministers and high officials must disclose their assets and place them before parliament and assemblies.

2. Economic Programme:
The Economic Programme of the Communist Party of India is as below:
(i) The Indian economy needs reforms for ending bureaucratic control and cutting red tape, but not by introducing liberalisation, globalisation and privatisation. The public sector has to be defended from the wholesale attack of privatisation. Cure for the ills of the public sector enterprises should be sought within the public sector itself and not by automatically privatising them.

(ii) The party wanted an integrated plan for rural development with 50 per cent of budget allocation, radical agrarian reforms, correction of land records and ban on evictions.

(iii) Popular Committees should be formed to bring about land reforms. It suggests that the Land Ceiling Act and Land Reforms Act should be implemented.

(iv) The party has demanded the nationalisation of Textile Industry, Sugar and Jute Mills and Bank-business.

(v) It has demanded to strenghten the Public Distribution System to control the rising prices and regularise the supply of essential goods.

(vi) The wholesale grain business should be nationalised and the Bank facilities should not be provided to hoarders.

(vii) The party demands that quick industrial and employment opportunities should be provided to strengthen economy.

(viii) The election-manifesto stresses that the privileges given to big industrial houses should be withdrawn and industries in the backward regions should be developed.

(ix) Democratic progress in the public sector should be encouraged and the labourers should be given shares in it.

(x) Need-based minimum wage for low-paid factory workers.

3. Social Programmes:
(i) Right to Work:
The party wanted the right to work to be included as a fundamental right in the Constitution and an unemployment allowance for the jobless. Employment guarantee schemes should be for a minimum of 200 days in a year at national minimum wage.

(ii) For Jawans And Ex-Servicemen:
The legitimate demands of army Jawans in regard to their working conditions and also just demands of ex-servicemen should be settled through negotiations.

(iii) Housing and Medical Aid for the People:
The party is for People’s Housing Policy by giving housing the status of a basic right. The party is also for an extensive free health programme, increasing the budget allocations for health and radically improving the health services in all districts.

(iv) Language Policy:
All languages shall be encouraged to develop as modern languages, and due recognition be given to the rights of Urdu and Sindhi under article 345 or 347 of the Constitution.

(v) Women’s Rights:
Equal rights should be given to men and women and the laws barring women of their rights should be negated. Women should be given same wages for same work as given to their male counterparts. Vital programmes for family welfare should be planned to ensure the welfare of mothers and children. Special vocational training programme for women should be started. The party is committed to reservation of women in panchayats and other local bodies.

(vi) Family Planning:
The Communist Party of India has demanded that the Family Planning Programme shouldn’t be implemented forcibly.

(vii) Education Policy:
The party has demanded implementation of compulsory primary education, mid-day meals for children in primary schools; free education upto the secondary stage; stipends and hostel facilities for students from low income groups and for girls, time bound programme of abolition of illiteracy and providing adequate funds to fulfil this aim.

(viii) Rights of the Minorities:
The administration should take such steps which can safeguard the interests of Muslims, other minority groups and backward classes. The party favours giving priority to the genuine grievances of the minority community regarding discrimination in the matters of jobs and other economic spheres.

(ix) Ram Temple:
All cases related with Ram Temple-Babri Masjid dispute shall be referred to the Supreme Court and its decision shall be binding.

4. Foreign Policy:
The election manifesto states that the Indian Policy against imperialism should be strengthened. The policy of non-alignment should be vigorously adhered to. The party will improve relations with Bangala Desh, Pakistan and other SAARC countries and Russia and China. The party will also ensure that all nuclear weapons are removed from the US military base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

Economic ties with China and Russia will be strengthened. India is to remain firm in her principled refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. Positive and active role is to be played for developing south co-operation among all developing countries, and extending co-operation among the SAARC countries.

Election Successes:
In the first general elections in 1952, this party won 26 seats out of 489 in Lok Sabha. In the second general elections in 1957, the party got 29 seats out of 494 seats in Lok Sabha. The Party was divided at the time of general elections in 1967 and so it secured only nineteen seats.
In 1971 the party won 20 seats out of 518 seats in Lok Sabha. The party faced a crushing defeat in State Assembly elections in June 1977.

After the Kerala Assembly elections in March, 1977, the party made a coalition government. The Communist Party of India won 11 seats in Lok Sabha elections in 1980 wheares it got 54 seats in the nine State Assembly elections in May, 1980. The party secured only 8 seats in Lok Sabha elections of December 1984. In the ninth Lok Sabha elections of 1989 C.P.I. secured 12 seats wheares in the tenth Lok Sabha elections of 1991 it secured 13 seats.

C.P.I. secured 11 seats in the elections of 11th Lok Sabha held in 1996. C.P.I secured only 9 seats in the 12th Lok Sabha elections held in 1998. In the 13th Lok Sabha elections held in 1999, C.P.I. secured only 4 seats. In the 14th Lok Sabha elections C.P.I. secured 10 seats. In the 15th Lok Sabha elections C.P.I. secured 4 seats. The influence of the party is confined to the seats of Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura. In the 16th Lok Sabha elections held in 2014, C.P.I. secured only one seat. In the 17th Lok Sabha elections held in 2019, C.P.I. Secured only 2 seats.

Question 5.
Write an essay on the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
Or
Discuss the Policies and Programme of Communist Party of India (Marxist).
Answer:
The Communist Party of India was divided into two groups on the issue of Indo-China relations in 1952. These differences became all the sharper when China attacked India in 1962. One group of party called the Chinese attack an invasion and promised to support the Indian Government to face it vigorously, whereas the other group which was under the influence of China, called it a territorial dispute. Consequently, the leftist members having one-third majority separated from the Communist Party in 1964 and founded the Marxist Communist Party.

Soon thereafter, this party was again divided in 1967-68. Some members of the Marxist Communist Party expressed their viewpoint that socialism should not be established through peaceful means, rather they should resort to the means of peasant revolt as it occurred in China. In March, 1967 the peasant revolt took place in Naxal Bari and Khari-Bari towns in Darjeeling and they forcibly possessed the non-government lands and robbed things everywhere. These rebels were called Naxalites. The Marxist Communist Party expelled such members from the party, but naxalite activities increased. These members formed their separate party which is called Marxist Leninist Communist Party (C.P.I.M.L.), but this group didn’t get much support and it harmed Marxist Communist Party also.

Aims:
According to Article II of the party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is the revolutionary vanguard of the working class of India. Its aim is socialism and communism through the establishment of the state of dictatorship of the proletariat. In all its activities the party is guided by the philosophy and principles of Marxism- Leninism which shows to the toiling masses the correct way to the ending of exploitation of men, their complete emancipation. The party keeps high the banner of proletarian internationalism.

Policies and Programmes of the Marxist Party:
At the time of 17th Lok Sabha elections CPI (M) released the manifesto of the party, The Marxist Party put forward the following programme before the people:
1. Political Programme:
(i) The CPI (M) is to strengthen secular foundation of democracy. The party advocates legislation for separation of religion and politics in light of the Supreme Court’s judgement in the Bommai case. The Party favours effective prohibition of the use of religious issues for electoral purposes.

(ii) The CPM favours the restructuring of centre-state relations with more powers to the states for legislative measures to ensure balanced economic development to overcome regional imbalances.

(iii) The CPM promises devolution of finances to the states ending over-centralisation of resources at the centre.

(iv) The CPM favours the protection of the Rajya Sabha as the ‘Council of States’ to defend the federal structure of our Constitution; its members must belong to the states they are elected from.

(v) The CPM is committed for decentralisation of democracy to the grass-roots; proper devolution of power to the Panchayats; strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions; financial assistance to Panchayats to flow through state governments.

(vi) The party advocates maximum autonomy for the state of Jammu & Kashmir by revising article 370 of the Constitution. Regional autonomy is to be provided to Jammu and Ladakh regions within the state framework.

(vii) The party favours negotiation with all those groups in the North-East who are advocating separatism while firmly defending the integrity of the Indian Union.

(viii) The party advocates special provision for the development of the North-Eastern region.

(ix) National Security. The CPI (M) stands for halting nuclear weaponisation; revert to nuclear policy of developing India’s independent technological potential while not signing any international treaty which is discriminatory. The party is not in favour of signing CTBT. The party advocates cancellation of the Indo-US military cooperation agreement which links up India with the US global strategy. The party favours removal of nuclear weapons from the US military base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

(x) Electoral Reforms.

• Amendment of the Representation of People’s Act to plug loopholes in enforcing ceiling on election expenditure.
• Proportional representation with partial list system.
• Effective steps to prohibit persons with criminal background from contesting elections.
• State funding in the form of material for recognised political parties.
• Amendment of the Anti-Defection Law.

(xi) Corruption. To check corruption, the CPM wants the immediate setting up of Lok Pal bringing in its purview the Prime Minister.

(xii) Judicial Reforms. The CPM favours reforms in judicial system to provide easy and speedy relief to the common people.

(xiii) The party is for the defence of national unity against secessionism, communal and divisive forces by mobilising the people and vigilance against imperialist agencies’ attempt at destabilisation.

2. Economic Programme:
(i) Land Reforms:
The party favours vigorous implementation of land reforms; distribution of land to the tiller; breaking of land concentration; correction of land records, security for tenants and issuance of joint pattas for women.

(ii) Agriculture:
Prohibit sale of agricultural lands to foreign companies; increase public investment in agriculture; ensure self-sufficiency in foodgrains production; cancellation of the debts of agricultural workers and poor peasants; remunerative prices for peasants’ produce; cheap credit and subsidised inputs for peasants.

(iii) Economic Sovereignty:
Safeguard the country’s economic sovereignty and Strengthen its self-reliance; reverse the policies of unbridled liberalisation which undermine its sovereignty.

(iv) Industries:
Stop privatisation of public sector; revise telecom, power policies, stop privatisation of financial sector, streamline public sector enterprises, provide them autonomy from bureaucratic controls and ensure workers’ participation in management.

(v) Price and Public Distribution System:
Curb price rise and ensure food security by expanding the public distribution system bringing into its ambit 14 essential commodities and reduce prices by 50 per cent; reduce issue price of foodgrains.

(vi) Reverse the present industrial policy;new policy to strengthen indigenous industry and domestic capacities; end of preferential treatment to foreign investors; entry of foreign capital to be decided on national priorities and technological needs.

(vii) Private sector to be encouraged to invest in new productive areas, R & D and the service sector like tourism.

(viii) Encouragement to small scale industries with adequate incentives and sufficient credit from bank.

(ix) Protection of traditional industries such as handloom, coir etc.

(x) Minimum fair wage for industrial and agricultural workers and middle class employees with dearness allowance to neutralise the rise in the cost of living and bonus as deferred wage. Full trade union rights to central and state government employees.

(xi) Employment or unemployment allowance for the unemployed in the urban and rural areas.

(xii) The CPM favours recognition of Trade Unions through secret ballot.

(xiii) The CPM wants granting of pension to working people as a third benefit, one-rank-one pension for ex-servicemen; upgrading pensions of all categories of pensioners in consonance with the cost of living.

(xiv) The CPM promises the protection of the rights of handicapped employees.

(xv) The CPM will provide yarn at control rate for weavers and provide adequate infrastructure for the marketing of their goods.

(xvi) The CPM favours greater plan allocation for spread of irrigation; proper schemes for crop insurance.

(xvii) The CPM is committed to central legislation protecting the rights of agricultural workers, their wages, living conditions and social benefits.

(xviii) Expansion of credit facilities for the poor peasantry and agricultural labour.

(xix) No licences for deep sea fishing to foreign companies and joint ventures to protect right of fishing people.

(xx) The CPM guarantees right to work as a fundamental right.

3. Social Programme:
(i) Education
(i) Introduction of compulsory primary education accompanied by free mid day meals, provision of text books and other education materials.
(ii) Free and universal education to be guaranteed for all children upto the age of 14 years. Constitutional Amendment to make education a basic right for children upto the age of 14.
(iii) Rapid expansion of primary school network.
(iv) Upgradation of the salaries of elementary school teachers.
(v) Support to mass literacy programmes.
(vi) Democratisation of the higher education system and development of vocational education.
(vii) The allocation must be atleast 10 per cent of the national budget and 30 per cent of the state budgets.

(ii) Health:
The CPI (M) advocates:
(i) Increasing the expenditure on public health upto 5 per cent of the G.D.P.
(ii) Provision of adequate network of primary health centres with sufficient stocks of medicines.
(iii) Ensuring supply of essential drugs at prices affordable to the common people.

(iii) Water Sources: The party advocates control on indiscriminate use of ground water. The party favours provision of potable drinking water to all villages as a priority task.

(iv) Employment:

• Guarantee right to work as a fundamental right.
• Provide food-for-work programme to generate employment.
• Ensure adequate credit for self-employment scheme for educated unemployed.
• Scrap freeze in recruitment in the government sector.

(v) Pensions: Grant of pension to working people as a third benefit; one rank one pension for ex-servicemen.

(vi) Social Justice for Dalits and Adivasis.

• Vigorous action against those who indulge in atrocities against the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other backward communities.
• Ensuring that quotas of reservation for Scheduled castes and tribes be filled up.
• OBC reservation to be implemented.
• Reservation to be extended to Dalit ChristiAnswer:
• The CPM favours reforms in judicial system to provide easy and speedy relief to the common people.

(vii) Women:
The status of women will be improved and they will be given equal property and other rights. To expand employment opportunities and equal legal rights for women of all communities. Registration of marriages to be made compulsory. One-third of the seats in legislatures and parliament will be reserved for women. Equal pay for equal work will be given.

(viii) Housing:
Housing will be accorded the status of a basic right for all citizens. Housing schemes for the urban and rural poor will be given top priority.

(ix) Ayodhya Dispute: The Ayodhya dispute is to be referred to the Supreme Court for a speedy judicial verdict.

(x) Rights of Minorities: Muslim and other religious minorities are to be protected against Hindu revivalism and Chauvinism.

4. Foreign Policy:
Strengthen the foreign policy of non-alignment and vigorous support for world peace and fight against the danger of nuclear war. The party is committed to support the people of neighbouring nations fighting for democratic rights. The party is for the improvement of relations with our neighbours. The party favours firm resistance against US imperialist attempts to impose its New World Order.

The party will ensure that all nuclear weapons are removed from the US military base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The party will improve relations with Bangla Desh, Pakistan and other SAARC countries and Russia and China. Economic ties with China and Russia will be strengthened.

Election Successes. In the general elections of 1967 the Marxist Party secured 19 seats in the Lok Sabha. In Kerala E.M.S. Namboodripad led the coalition of leftist parties. In 1971 elections of Lok Sabha the Marxist Party secured 25 seats out of 518 seats. In 1980 elections of Lok Sabha it secured 35 seats. In the Dec. 1984 elections of Lok Sabha the CPI (M) won 22 seats. In the Ninth Lok Sabha election in November, 1989 the CPI (M) secured 33 seats whereas in the Tenth Lok Sabha elections it secured 35 seats.

CPI (M) secured 33 seats in the 11th Lok Sabha elections, 32 seats in the 12th Lok Sabha elections and 33 seats in the 13th Lok Sabha elections in 1999. In the 14th Lok Sabha elections CPI (M) secured 43 seats. In the 15th Lok Sabha election C.P.M. secured 16 seats. In the 16th Lok Sabha election held in 2014, (CPI) (M) secured only 9 seats. West Bengal and Kerala are the strongholds of the party. In the 17th Lok Sabha elections held in 2017 C.P.I. (M) secured only 3 seats.

Question 6.
Discuss the main problems of the political parties in India.
Or
Discuss the problems faced by Party System in India.
Answer:
The political parties in India face problems. The three major problems of political parties in India are:
1. Organisational Problem.
2. Defections.
3. Problem of Finance.

1. Organisational problem:
The first major problem of political parties in India is organisational problem. Almost all national parties have a well- knit and disciplined organisation right from the local to the national level. Even the regional political parties like the A.D.M.K. and the Shiromani Akali Dal also have well-knit organisation. The political parties with specific ideology are more organised than parties without ideology. Access to governmental power and authority helps a party to organise its ranks in an effective manner.

Almost all political parties are facing the problems of factionalism and dissidence. The Congress Party has witnessed two major splits in three decades. In 1969 the Congress Party split took place and Congress was divided into Congress (O) and Congress (R). The Congress (R) maintained its organisational strength until the Janata Party unseated it from power in 1977 elections. On 1st January, 1978, split in Congress (R) took place and Congress (I) was established.

There are three Communist parties the C.P.I., the C.P.I. (M) and the C.P.I. (M.L.) which arose out of factional politics in the Communist Party of India. Factionalism was the most marked feature of the Janata Party’s functioning. The Party’s organisational weakness was compounded by personal ‘funds’ among its top three leaders (Morarji Desai, Charan Singh and Jagjivan Ram) and the ‘extra Constitutional RSS connection’ which the Jana Sangh component was not willing to discard. In July 1979, Chaudhary Charan Singh delivered the first major blow to the party when he walked out along with his followers and revived the Lok Dal. In April, 1980 the former Jana Sangh elements, along with a few others, broke away from the Janata Party and formed a new party, the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Regional Parties like D.M.K., Shiromani Akali Dal and National Conference are also not free from factionalism. The D.M.K. split led to the formation of A.D.M.K. In May 1984, split in the National Conference took place. Akali Dal was split into two factions in 1962. In August 1980, Akali Dal was divided into Akali Dal (Longowal) and Akali Dal (Talwandi). In June 1985, United Akali Dal was formed under the chairmanship of Mr. Joginder Singh. In January 1995, there were two main Akali Dais—Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and Akali Dal (Badal), and efforts were made to unite both the Akali Dais. Thus all political parties face the problem of factionalism.

2. Problem of Defections:
Defection is another major problem of Indian political parties. There are many examples of defections from the first to fourth general elections but the number of defections after the fourth general elections increased so much that Parliamentary form of government seemed to be an utter failure in India. Prime Minister Shri Morarji Desai had to resign in July 1979 as many members left the Janata Party.
Defections took place abundantly before and after the Lok Sabha elections in 1980 and they were all in favour of the Congress (I). In January 1980, Haryana Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lai joined the Congress (I) by leaving the Janata Party along with 35 members. The Himachal Chief Minister, Shri Shanta Kumar, had to resign in February 1980 because of heavy defections.

Greater civic awareness against defections should be inculcated through mass media in order to provide a check on the practice of defections. In January 1985 defection was banned by 52nd Amendment. 91st amendment was also passed for this purpose. But the problem of defection still exists.

3. Problem of Finance:
Another major problem of political parties is the problem of finance. The political parties receive a substantial amount by way of membership fees. A common source of income for almost all the political parties is the levy on members of Parliament and of State Assemblies. At the time of election the persons who apply for party tickets also pay some fees along with the applications. Moreover, the candidates contribute substantially towards the party election fund.

But sometimes the parties completely underwrite the candidate’s entire election expenses. Donations, purses and fund drives have also been the main sources of income for practically all the political parties. Income is also got from purses presented to party leaders. Ruling party has no problem of finances whereas opposition parties are generally faced with financial problems.

Question 7.
Evaluate the policies, programmes and performance of Akali Dal in India.
Or
Make a critical evaluation of the policies, programmes and performance of Shiromani Akali Dal.
Answer:
Shiromani Akali Dal is a regional or provincial party and holds a prominent place in Punjab politics. Akali Dal is the oldest political party of the Punjab and the second oldest party in India. Akali Dal came into being in 1920 due to the efforts of Master Tara Singh and Baba Kharak singh. In fact the party was established with religious motives rather than with political aims. It aimed at maintaining the sanctity of Gurudwaras. Shiromani Akali Dal also enjoys some influence in Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan. But it has stronghold in Punjab as it is the only organisation which represents the Sikhs.

Policies and Programmes of Shiromani Akali Dal
The Assembly elections which took place in Punjab in February 2017, Shiromani Akali Dal had declared its ‘election manifesto’. The main/key features of this manifesto are as follows:

1. For every 100 kms range, a new airport shall be made/built.
2. The party had declared in its manifesto that all the lanes and highways of Punjab shall have CCTV cameras installed.
3. The declaration of the manifesto stated that all businessmen whose turnover is upto 2 crores need not maintain books.
4. The party will be creating 20 lakh new job opportunities in the next 5 years.
5. The limit of the free electricity from existing 8 hours to 10 hours will be increased.
6. According to the manifesto, the toppers of the XII standard of govt, schools will have opportunity of availing free education in foreign countries.
7. All towns/cities in Punjab shall have sports schools opened.
8. The girls of the XII standard will be given sewing machines.
9. The manifesto stated that within two months after the formation of their govt, all families below the poverty line will be given gas connections and gas stoves.
10. According to the manifesto, all express projects shall be completed within a year.
11. All cities/towns shall have wi-fi facility.
12. For the safety of 12,000 villages in Punjab, CCTV cameras shall be installed.
13. Shiromani Akali Dal had promised in its manifesto that new IT hubs will be opened in Amritsar and Mohali.
14. Malva zone will be transformed into a textile belt.
15. According to the manifesto, every lane of the village in Punjab shall have solar lights installed.
16. The manifesto stated that the link roads’ breadth shall be increased upto 18 feet.
17. Shiromani Akali Dal had promised that every constituency in Punjab shall have a government byre made (goshala).
18. According to the manifesto, 2500 skill development centres shall be opened. For every 5 villages one such centre shall be opened. The youth trainees of these centres shall be given a loan of 10 lakh rupees.
19. According to the mainfesto, the blue card holders will be given pure ghee @ Rs. 25 per kg and sugar @ Rs. 10 per kg.
20. Free electricity will be given to people below the poverty line.
21. The manifesto stated that amount of old age pension and widow pension will be increased to Rs. 2000/- p.m. from Rs. 500/- p.m.
22. The Shiromani Akali Dal had promised that the grant given in Shagun Yojana will be increased upto Rs. 51,000/- from Rs. 15,000/-
23. According to the manifesto of the party, the scheme amount of the Bhagat
    Puran Scheme Medical Insurance will be increased from Rs. 50,000/- to Rs. 1 lakh.
24. The party manifesto said that in the next 5 years for providing the housing facility for 5 lakh people, Rs. 2,000 crore will be assigned.
25. According to the party manifesto, farmers will be given Rs. 100/- minimum as bonus and support price.
26. The party had promised the farmers an interest free loan of Rs. 2 lakhs annually.
27. Poor farmers will be provided one time debt redemption.
28. Compensation will be given in case of occurrence of any natural calamity/disaster.
29. New pucca houses will be given to 5 lakh persons who are living in kuccha houses.
30. In the next 5 years, 50,000 youths will be given taxis without any down payment.
31. According to the party manifesto, the amount of scholarship under Dr. Hargobind Singh Khurana, will be increased from Rs. 30,000/- to Rs. 50,0001/-.
32. The manifesto includes one stop shops with daily consumer needs like atta, dal, medicines at lower prices.

Election Successes:
In 1967, a coalition government under the leadership of Akali leader Justice Gurnam Singh was formed in Punjab. In the Punjab assembly election in June 1977, the Akali Dal got 58 seats and formed a coalition government with Janata Party under the leadership of Sardar Parkash Singh Badal. In the Punjab assembly election in September 1985, the Akali Dal got 73 seats and it formed the government under the leadership of S. Surjit Singh Barnala.

In the Punjab assembly election in Feb. 1997, the Akali Dal secured 76 seats and it made a coalition government with the B.J.P. under the leadership of Sardar Parkash Singh Badal. In the 12th Lok Sabha election held in Feb. March 1998 the Akali Dal secured 8 seats and even Janata Dal candidate Prime Minister I.K. Gujral won the Jalandhar seat with the support of Akali Dal. Akali Dal’s ally B.J.P. secured 2 seats. In the 13th Lok Sabha election held in 1999 Akali Dal (B) secured only two seats.

In 14th Lok Sabha elections held in 2004 the party won 8 seats. In 15th Lok Sabha election held in 2009 Akali Dal secured 4 seats. In 2012 Akali Dal secured absolute majority in the Punjab Legislative Assembly election with the support of BJP. Therefore, Akali Dal formed the Govt, under the leadership of Sardar Prakash Singh Badal. In the 16th Lok Sabha election held in 2014, the party won 4 seats.
In Punjab Assembly elections held in Feb 2017, Shiromani Akali Dal secured only 15 seats.

Question 8.
Discuss the policies and programmes of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Answer:
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was born in the context to Movement against corruption. This movement was started in 2008 by the great social worker Shri Anna Hazare which continued till 2012. Along with Shri Anna Hazare the other members of this movement were Shri Arvind Kejriwal, Shri Prashant Bhushan, Sh. Yogendra Yadav, Sh. Sanjay Singh, Sh. Kumar Vishwas, Mrs. Kiran Bedi and Sh. Kapil Mishra.

The main aim of the movement was to abolished the corruption which was existing at a high level and to create a strong law known as Jan Lokpal. Under the leadership of Anna Hazare, this movement achieved huge popularity and success. Even after the movement Arvind Kejriwal along with few others formed a political group to fight further against corruption. Anna Hazare was not in favour of a political party formation but Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan, Sanjay Singh, Kumar Vishwas, Kapil Mishra decided to form a political party.

Since Anna Hazare did not support in formation of such political party he was not a part of this. Therefore, a political party was formed. This party was launched on 26th November, 2012. It was recognized at a state level by the Election Commission of India. The party a majority influenced in Delhi and Punjab. The party’s election symbol is a ‘broom’. In February, 2015 Delhi’s Legislative Assembly elections AAP got a historic win and Arvind Kejriwal become the Chief Minister.

In the mean time two founders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra YadaV left AAP due to differences in governance operations among them. After some time even Kapil Mishra left the party. Again in February 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, AAP got a historic win and again Arvind Kejriwal “became the Chief Minister of Delhi.

Policies and Programmes of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP):
AAP Party declared its Election Manifesto during 2017, Punjab Assembly election: Following are the policies and programmes of AAP Party.
1. AAP will launch a massive drive to set the state as a pre-eminent destination for setting business and industry. The anti-corruption enforcement wings of Punjab will be given powers to make it a corruption free state.

2. Punjab Overseas Employment Corporation will be set up to promote employment of youth overseas. Foreign Employment Youth Board shall be created to train youth for foreign jobs. Punjab Launch pools will be set up to help the youth become entreprenuers.

3. Traditional forms of medicine practitioners will be registered as health workers. Reformation of nursing homes for independent a powerful health care system to rehabilitate patients good health implementation of ‘Nursing Act’, opening of ‘Pendu Sehat Clinics’ in villages with an aim of ‘Free Health for AH’.

4. Employment and entreprenuership opportunities for both rural and urban areas. Private and public health care services will be created to ease access to free medicine and check-ups for its citizens.

5. ₹5 lakhs health insurance will be provided to all Punjabis.

6. Old age, handicapped and widow pensions will be increased from ₹500 to ₹2500.

7. “Aam Aadmi Canteen” will provide ₹5 meals in all districts and sub-divisional towns.

8. The state shall be made drug-free within a month of govt, formation. Drug victims will be rehabilitated within six months of govt, formation. Politicians involved in drug trade will be jailed and their properties will be confiscated.

9. ₹5 lakh cashless health insurance scheme for treatment in private hospitals.

10. 25 lakh employment opportunities will be created.

11. Involvement in religious desecraters shall be given exemplary punishment.

12. Opening of “Mata Gujri training” academy for girls.

13. Creation of free Wi-Fi hotspots in all villages, cities and government colleges.

14. By December 2018 all farmers shall become debt-free.

15. Abolishment of application fee applying for government jobs.

16. ‘Kanshi Ram Youth Skill University’ will be set up in Doaba Region, with regional campuses in Malwa and Majha.

17. No direct relatives of MP, MLA Minister will be eligible for government contracts.

18. Existing Theka’ system under the control of politicians and cortels will be dismantled.

Achievements of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP):
Election Success:
In Delhi Assembly election, held in Nov-Dec, 2013, party wins 28, and formed the government under the leadership of Sh. Arvind Kejriwal with the support of Congress Party. But only after 49 days, he regins from his post.

• In the 16th Lok Sabha election held in April-May, 2014 party wins 4 seats.
• In Delhi Assembly, election held in Feb, 2015 Party win historic 67 seats and formed the government under the leadership of Sh. Arvind Kejriwal.
• In Punjab Assembly, election held in Feb, 2017 party win 20 seats.
• In 17th Lok Sabha election held in April-May 2019, party win only one seat.
• In Delhi Assembly election held in Feb, 2020, party again win historic 62 seats and formed the government under the leadership of Sh. Arvind Kejriwal.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is called National Political Party?
Answer:
1. A Political Party is recognised as All India Party if it secures at least 6 per cent of the valid votes polled in any four or more states, at a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the State Assembly and in addition if it also wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha from any State or States.
Or
2. A political party is recognised as All India Party if it wins at least 2 percent seats in the Lok Sabha (11 Seats in the existing House having 543 members) and these members are elected from at least three different states.
Or
3. A political party is recognised as national party if a party is recognised as state party in a minimum of four states.

Question 2.
When did Indian National Congress Party come in existence?
Answer:
Indian National Congress was formed in 1885. Indian National Congress was established under the guidance and direction of A.O. Hume. The first session of the Indian National Congress was held at Bombay which was presided over by W.C. Bannerji while A.O. Hume acted as its secretary.

Question 3.
Discuss any four features of Indian Party System.
Or
Write down any three characteristics of Political Party System in India.
Answer:
1. Multiple Party SystemIndia has a Multiple Party System. Election Commission has recognised eight national and 53 state parties. Seven National Parties are : Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, C.P.I., CPI (M), Nationalist Congress Party, Trinmool Congress Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and National Peoples party.

2. Communal Parties-An important feature of Indian party system is the existence of communal parties.

3. Factionalism-Factionalism and groupings are present in most of the political parties.

4. Lack of discipline among the party members is an important feature of the Indian Party System.

Question 4.
What type of Party System is in India?
Answer:
There is multi-party system in India. But India’s multi-party system differs from the multiple party system of western countries. Congress Party dominated at the centre as well as in states before 1967. It was only in 1977 that the monopoly of the Congress Party ended for a short period and Non-Congress government was formed at the centre for the first time. But after 1989 Congress Party has not been dominating either at the centre or at the state level. The Election Commission has recognised eight National Parties and 53 state level parties.

Question 5.
Write a short note on the political programme of the Congress.
Answer:

• The highest priority for the Congress is to fulfil its pledge of giving power to the people.
• The Congress will resume the struggle against terrorism, secessionism, and fanaticism.
• The Congress will restore law and order, re-establish peace and rebuild democratic process in Punjab.
• Freedom of Information is a precious right. The Congress will make a law on this behalf.

Question 6.
Write four points of political programme of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Or
Write four important policies of the Bhartiya Janta Party.
Answer:
1. The B.J.P. has pledged to defend the unity and integrity of India. It believes that all Indians irrespective of their language, caste or creed, are one people.

2. The B.J.P. is committed to remove all sorts of corruption. The B.J.P. will make it obligatory on elected representative to make public his entire income and wealth within 90 days of election. The B.J.P. will appoint a Lok Pal to entertain complaints of corruption against anybody holding public office, including the Prime Minister.

3. The B.J.P. favours restructuring of centre-state relations in view of the quick economic development and decentralization.

4. The B.J.P. is pledged to defend the unity and integrity of India.

Question 7.
What is the policy of the B.J.P. (Bharatiya Janta Party) towards ending corruption?
Or
What is the policy of the Bhartiya Janta Party to abolish corruption?
Answer:
The B.J.P. holds that roots of all corruption lie in political and electoral corruption. The party is committed to remove all sorts of corruption. The party promises to appoint a Lok Pal to inquire into allegations of corruption against anybody holding public office including the Prime Minister.

Question 8.
Mention Foreign Policy of the B.J.P.
Answer:
The B.J.P’s foreign policy will be guided by the following agenda :
1. Sovereign equality amongst nations.

2. Promotion of Asian solidarity ; development of South Asian Regional Cooperation and emphasis on improved relations with neighbouring countries.

3. The BJP will launch a vigorous campaign for a permanent membership for India in the U.N. Security Council.

4. The BJP believes in improving relations with all neighbouring states. The BJP pledges to maintain friendly relations with Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka etc. India’s relations with the USA will be based on mutual respect and the BJP will endeavour to maintain friendly relations with Russia.

Question 9.
Write about the Economic policy of Marxist Communist Party.
Answer:

1. The party favours vigorous implementation of land reforms ; distribution of land to the tiller ; cancellation of the debts of agricultural workers and poor peasants etc.
2. The party favours that full trade union rights be given to central and state govt, employees.
3. The cotton textile and jute industry should be nationalised. Powerloom and handloom workers will be afforded relief and workers will be allowed to participate on an equal footing with management.
4. The CPM favours recognition of trade unions through secret ballot.

Question 10.
Write down Economic Policy of Communist Party of India.
Or
Mention four policies of Communist Party of India.
Answer:

1. Party promises to keep fifty per cent of the budget for development of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and so forth.
2. The party will prevent the dilution of government equity in banks, privatization of insurance sector and transfer of pension and PF funds into speculative markets.
3. A rational land and water management shall be undertaken through a national water policy which safeguards agriculture from droughts and floods and helps to solve inter-state disputes on water sharing.
4. The party guaranteed remunerative prices for peasants’ produce and comprehensive crop insurance scheme.

Question 11.
Write about the economic policies and programmes of Indian National Congress.
Answer:
The Congress promises speedy removal of poverty and development of agriculture and industry on scientific lines.

1. Cheap Food: The Congress has promised to provide all families below the poverty line, rice or wheat every month.

2. Employment: Employment is the major concern of government policy. The Congress is committed to achieve the target of full employment.

3. Agriculture: The party promises implementation of a policy that would add value to agricultural produce and that would create new markets for farm output. The emphasis would be more on the food processing and agro-based industries.

4. The party promises to accelerate economic growth and new investment and make India truly self-reliant.

Question 12.
Explain the role of Opposition Parties in democracy.
Answer:
1. Opposition parties act as a check on the anti-people policies of the government. One of the most important functions of the opposition parties is to criticise the wrong policies of the government.

2. The opposition parties point out the drawbacks in the laws, policies, plans, programmes of the government and the implementation thereof, so as to caution the people against the impending dangers.

3. The opposition parties give political education to the people.

4. The opposition parties criticise the Government in the House just to unmask the government before the nation and tries to win the public opinion for the next election by exposing the lapses and lacunae in the Govt, policies.

Question 13.
Write a short note on Economic Policy of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Answer:
1. The B. J.P. will make our economy truly Swadeshi by promoting native initiatives. It will be an economy of the people, by the people and for the people.

2. The B.J.P. will liberate the economy from the clutches of the bureaucratic controls.

3. The B.J.P. is committed to an economy that enables India to achieve its destiny in the forefront of the nations of the world. Foreign investment will be required and encouraged for world class technology. However, the BJP will strive to minimise India’s dependence on foreign savings.

4. The party promises to raise the income tax exemption.

Question 14.
Explain briefly political policies and programmes of Shiromani Akali Dal.
Answer:
1. Shiromani Akali Dal promises that true federalism as contained in the Anandpur Sahib Resolution alone can broaden and deepen the bonds of Unity and Integrity of the great Indian nation. The states ought to enjoy genuine autonomy – political, legislative, fiscal and administrative within the federal framework. Strengthening of states will strengthen the union.

2. Shiromani Akali Dal believes in the concept of peace and prosperity with honour and dignity.

3. Philosophy of Shiromani Akali Dal is based on eternal democratic, humane and egalitarian principles of “Kirt Karo, Nam Japo and Wand Chhako”.

4. Shiromani Akali Dal believes in the concept of peace and prosperity with honour and dignity.

Question 15.
Write any four weaknesses of Indian Party System.
Answer:
1. The first major problem of political parties in India is organisational problem. Almost all the political parties are facing the problems of factionalism and dissidence.

2. Defection is another major problem of Indian political parties. There are many examples of defections from first to fourth general elections but the number of defections after the fourth general elections increased so much that Parliamentary form of government seemed to be an utter failure.

3. Another major defect of the Indian party system is the existence of communal parties.

4. Another major problem of political parties is the problem of finance.

Question 16.
By whom, when and why Bahujan Samaj Party was formed in India?
Or
Who established Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)? Write down any three policies of this party.
Answer:
Bahujan Samaj Party is known as B.S.P. This party represents the ‘Dalits’. B.S.P. was formed on April 14, 1984 by Mr. Kanshi Ram.
Policies of BSP. Following the policies of B.S.P.

• Opposition to every type of discrimination based on caste, birth, religion and race etc.
• To provide homes to the SC’s and ST’s.
• To make public sector profitable and to strengthen it.

Question 17.
There is lack of inner democray in Indian Political Parties. Prove it.
Or
Why is it said that there is lack of inner democracy in Political Parties?
Answer:
The political parties lack internal democracy and are built from above around hierarchical frames. Majority of the politcal parties have not held elections of the party orgnisation at different levels for a long time. Moreover, High Command of the political parties have complete control over the party and there is very less freedom of expression within the parties.

Question 18.
Write down the names, symbols and Presidents of National Political Parties.
Answer:

Name of Party	Symbol	President
1. Bharatiya Janata Party	Lotus	Sh. J.P. Nadda
2. Indian National Congress	Hand	Mrs. Sonia Gandhi
3. Bahujan Samaj Party	Elephant	Miss Mayawati
4. Nationalist Congress Party	Watch	Sh. Sharad Pawar
5. Trinmool Congress Party	Flowers and Grass	Miss Mamata Banerjee
6. Communist Party of India	Ears of Corn and Sickle	Sh. D. Raja
7. Communist Party of India (Marxist)	Sickle, Hammer and Star	Sh. Sitaram Yechury.
8. National People Party	Book	C.Sangma

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
How many total State Parties are there in India?
Answer:
In India there are National Political Parties as well as State Political Parties. Election Commission has recognised 53 state parties.

Question 2.
When did Indian National Congress Party come in existence?
Answer:
Indian National Congress was formed in 1885. Indian National Congress was established under the guidance and direction of A.O. Hume. The first session of the Indian National Congress was held at Bombay which was presided over by W.C. Bannerji while A.O. Hume acted as its secretary.

Question 3.
Mention any two features of Indian Party System.
Answer:

• Multiple Party System-India has a Multiple Party System. Election Commission has recognised eight national and 53 state parties.
• Communal Parties-An important feature of Indian party system is the existence of communal parties.

Question 4.
What type of Party System is in India?
Answer:
There is multi-party system in India. The Election Commission has recognised eight national parties and 53 state level parties.

Question 5.
Write a short note on the political programme of the Congress.
Answer:

• The highest priority for the Congress is to fulfil its pledge of giving power to the people.
• The Congress will resume the struggle against terrorism, secessionism, and fanaticism.

Question 6.
Write two points of political programme of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Answer:

• The B.J.P. has pledged to defend the unity and integrity of India. It believes that all Indians irrespective of their language, caste or creed, are one people.
• The B.J.P. is committed to remove all sorts of corruption.

Question 7.
Explain the Industrial Policy of any National Political Party.
Answer:
The Congress Party emphasised modernisation, upgradation of technology, improvement in productivity and significant enhancement of the capabilities of management system. Special emphasis is on the development of agro-based industry.

Question 8.
Write the names of two political parties in India which are formed on the basis of caste.
Answer:

• D.M.K.
• AIADMK.

Question 9.
Write about the Economic policy of Marxist Communist Party.
Answer:

• The party favours vigorous implementation of land reforms; distribution of land to the tiller; cancellation of the debts of agricultural workers and poor peasants etc.
• The party favours that full trade union rights be given to central and state govt, employees.

Question 10.
What is the Agricultural Policy of Communist Party of India?
Answer:
The Agricultural Policy of C.P.I. is as under:

• The Party has demanded that the farmers, agricultural labourers and adivasis should be provided agricultural goods on cheap rates, and should be given loan facilities.
• Radical land reforms, distribution of surplus and government lands to the landless and poor peasants.

Question 11.
Write down Economic Policy of Communist Party of India.
Answer:

• Party promises to keep fifty per cent of the budget for development of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and so forth.
• The party will prevent the dilution of government equity in banks, privatization of insurance sector and transfer of pension and PF funds into speculative markets.

Question 12.
Explain briefly political policies and programmes of Shiromani Akali Dal.
Answer:
1. Shiromani Akali Dal promises that true federalism as contained in the Anandpur Sahib Resolution alone can broaden and deepen the bonds of Unity and Integrity of the great Indian nation. The states ought to enjoy genuine autonomy-political, legislative, fiscal and administrative within the federal framework. Strengthening of states will strengthen the union.

2. Shiromani Akali Dal believes in the concept of peace and prosperity with honour and dignity.

Question 13.
Explain economic policies and programmes of Shiromani Akali Dal.
Answer:

• Agriculture: Electricity will be supplied free of cost to all tubewells.
• Irrigation: The entire state’s cultivable land will be brought under irrigation, and new techniques of irrigation will be introduced.

Question 14.
Why is the number and importance of Regional Parties increasing in India?
Answer:
Very distinct peculiarity of Indian Party System is the existence of regional parties and regional parties are becoming very popular these days. Regional parties are becoming popular because these parties generally articulate a regional identity and particularism based on religion, language or culture.

Question 15.
Write down the names of Seven National Political Parties in India.
Answer:
The Election Commission has recognized Seven All India Parties. These are: The Indian National Congress, B.J.P., C.P.I., C.P.M., Bahujan Samaj Party, Trinmool Congress Party and Nationalist Congress Party.

Question 16.
Write down any two defects of Indian Political Party System.
Answer:

• The first major problem of political parties in India is organisational problem. Almost all the political parties are facing the problems of factionalism and dissidence.
• Defection is another major problem of Indian political parties.

Question 17.
By whom, when and why Bahujan Samaj Party was formed in India?
Answer:
Bahujan Samaj Party is known as B.S.P. This party represents the ‘Dalits’. B.S.P. was formed on April 14, 1984 by Mr. Kanshi Ram. Ms. Mayawati is the Supreme Leader of the BSP. The BSP has originated from the DS4 transforming itself into its political wing.

Question 18.
Write down the names of two National and two Regional Political Parties of India.
Answer:
National Political Parties: 1. Bharatiya Janata Party, 2. Indian National Congress.
Regional Political Parties: 1. Shiromani Akali Dal 2. National Conference.

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What kind of party system exists in India?
Answer:
India has a multi-party-system.

Question 2.
At present how many National Parties exist in India?
Answer:
At Present eight National Parties exist in India.

Question 3.
At present how many state level parties exist in India?
Answer:
At present 53 state level parties exist in India.

Question 4.
In India who registers political parties?
Answer:
In India, the registration of political parties is done by Election Commission.

Question 5.
Who recognizes political parties in India?
Answer:
Election Commission.

Question 6.
When was Indian National Congress born?
Answer:
28 December, 1885.

Question 7.
When was Muslim League founded?
Answer:
Muslim League was founded in 1906.

Question 8.
When was Communist Party formed in India?
Answer:
Communist Party was formed in 1924.

Question 9.
When did division erupt in Communist Party of India?
Answer:
Communist Party was divided on 8 December, 1964.

Question 10.
Write down any one principle of Bhartiya Janata Party.
Answer:
Bhartiya Janata Party believes in secularism.

Question 11.
When was Janata Party founded?
Answer:
Janata Party was formally formed on 1 May, 1977. But practically it came into existence in January, 1977.

Question 12.
Which organisation was founded by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee?
Answer:
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee had founded Bhartiya Janasangh in 1951.

Question 13.
Name any one national political party of India and its election symbol.
Answer:
Bharatiya Janata Party is a National Political Party and its election symbol is ‘Lotus’.

Question 14.
In which year was Anti-defection Law enforced?
Answer:
Anti-defection Law was enforced in 1985.

Question 15.
In which state, D.M.K. is related?
Answer:
D.M.K. is related to Tamilnadu.

Question 16.
After Congress, name the oldest political party in India.
Answer:
After Congress, the oldest political party in India is the Muslim League which was founded in 1906.

Question 17.
Write down names of two National Political Parties in India.
Answer:
1. Indian National Congress.
2. Bhartiya Janata Party.

Question 18.
Write names of any two state parties in India.
Answer:
1. National Conference.
2. Shiromani Akali Dal.

Question 19.
Mention any one salient feature of Indian party system.
Answer:
As in Switzerland, India too has a multi-party system.

Question 20.
Mention anyone problem of political parties in India.
Answer:
The organisational elections in almost all political parties are not held in time. There have been elections in Congress Party after about ten years.

Question 21.
Mention any one principle of the policy of Congress Party.
Answer:
Congress Party believes in secularism.

Question 22.
What is meant by left parties?
Answer:
The parties which support revolutionary social and economic changes are called as the left parties.

Question 23.
When was Bahujan Samaj Party established?
Answer:
Babujan Samaj Party, was established on 14th April, 1984.

Question 24.
Who is the present President of the B. J.P.?
Answer:
Sh. J.P. Nadda.

Fill in The Blanks

1. There is …………… party system in India.
Answer:
Multi

2. Election Commission has recognised …………… National Parties.
Answer:
8

3. Indian National Congress was founded in …………… .
Answer:
1885

4. Sh …………… is the President of the B.J.P.
Answer:
J.P. Nadda

5. Shiromani Akali Dal is an important Regional Party of …………… .
Answer:
Punjab.

True Or False Statement

1. Communist Party of India is based on the ideology of capitalism.
Answer:
False

2. Sh. Gopal Krishan Gokhle was founder of Congress Party.
Answer:
False

3. Bahujan Samaj Party was established by Mayawati.
Answer:
False

4. ‘Lotus’ is the election symbol of B.J.P.
Answer:
True

5. ‘Watch’ is the election symbol of Nationalist Congress Party.
Answer:
True

6. There is one party system in India.
Answer:
False

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
The Communist Party of India was formally founded in the year:
(a) 1924
(b) 1931
(c) 1925
(d) 1947.
Answer:
(a) 1924

Question 2.
In India there prevails:
(a) Single Party System
(b) Bi-party System
(c) Multi Party System
(d) Single as well as Bi-Party System.
Answer:
(c) Multi Party System

Question 3.
Bharatiya Janata Party was founded in:
(a) 1952
(b) 1977
(c) 1980
(d) 1984.
Answer:
(c) 1980

Question 4.
The Communist Party of India was divided in two Political Parties in …………. .
(a) 1957
(b) 1960
(c) 1962
(d) 1964.
Answer:
(d) 1964.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 10 Democracy at Grassroots Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 10 Democracy at Grassroots

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Describe the structure of Panchayati Raj System in India.
Or
Discuss the composition and functions of the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj System.
Answer:
Late Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India, in the course of his speech at Rajpura in Punjab on December 4, 1960 said that three revolutions are at root in the whole of the country

More and more education
Use of new tools and methods of Agriculture and
Establishment of Panchayati Raj.

He said that Panchayati Raj is being established in the villages. The people will themselves make efforts to develop the villages and they will run the local administration themselves. In Dec, 1992 two houses of Parliament approved the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Bill which is considered as a landmark legislation in the process of decentralisation of power to the grassroot levels. A new part IX relating to Panchayats has been added in the Constitution of India by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.

India is a land of villages and 70 per cent of population lives in the villages. It was but natural that government should pay more attention to the development of villages after Independence. Article 40 of the Constitution reads, “The state shall take steps to organise Village Panchayats and endow them to function as units of self government.” In 1952 the government started Community Development Projects and made plans for the development of villages.

In 1957 Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was set up to review the Community Development Programme. Mehta Committee recommended for a three-tier local self-government system in India to ensure decentralisation of power. The Panchayati Raj scheme was introduced first by Rajasthan on October 2, 1959. Then it was adopted by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Assam, Punjab, U.P. etc. At present Panchayati Raj system has been adopted almost in all the states.

What is Panchayati Raj?
Panchayati Raj may be described as a complex system of rural local self-government in India. Panchayati Raj is that system of administration in which the village people are given the right to manage their own local affairs and to satisfy their needs themselves. The villagers use their right through the Village Panchayats and it is called Panchayati Raj.

Structure of Panchayati Raj:
The Panchayati Raj system as recommended by Balwant Rai Mehta Committee has been organised on a three-tier structure Gram
Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the Block level and Zila Parishad at the district level. But there are some states where Panchayati Raj is organised on a two-tier basis. These states are: Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim.

1. Panchayats:
Panchayats have been established in the villages. In Punjab a village with a population of 200 or more than this can have a panchayat of its own. If the population of a village is less than 200 it can have a common Panchayat with some other village. All the adults of a village are the members of Gram Sabha. Gram Sabha elects members of the Panchayat. According to Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, every Gram Panchayat consists of 5 to 13 Panches and one Sarpanch.

The membership of a Panchayat is fixed on the basis of the population of the village. The Village Panchayat runs the village administration and tries to improve the lot of the villages. Its main function is to make all out efforts for the overall development of village life. The Gram Sabha meets at least once in six months and the Village Panchayat presents to it a report of its functions and it also gets its future programme approved by the Gram Sabha. The Village Panchayat is responsible for all its actions and policies to the Gram Sabha.

2. Panchayat Samiti:
In 1952 Development Blocks were made and each Block was placed under a Block Development Officer. In Panchayati Raj each Block has a Block Samiti known as Panchayat Samiti. According to Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, every Panchayat Samiti consists of 6 to 10 members. In Punjab 60 percent of the total seats of Panchayat Samities are indirectly elected from the electoral colleges of Sarpanches. 40 percent of the total seats are directly elected. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women are given special representation.

The members of the Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council and Lok Sabha elected from the Block are the associate members of Panchayat Samiti. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate and the Block Development Officer are the coopted members of the Samiti. The term of Panchayat Samiti is five years. The Panchayat Samities are expected to help in the execution of development programmes, encourage agriculture and small-scale industry. The Block Development Officer is the executive officer of the Panchayat Samiti. He executes the decisions and orders of the Samiti. The Panchayat Samiti looks after the working of Panchayats and gives them every possible assistance whenever required.

3. Zila Parishad:
Zila Parishad is the third and highest tier of Panchayati Raj. A Zila Parishad has been established in each district. The members of Zila Parishad are directly elected by the people and some are elected by the Panchayat Samities and President of each Panchayati Samiti is the member of Zila Parishad. MPs, MLAs and MLCs of the district are also its members. Certain seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women candidates.

According to Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, every Zila Parishad consists of 10 to 25 members. The membership of a Zila Parishad is fixed on the basis of the population of the Zila Parishad area. Representatives of co-operative societies and municipalities of the district are also its members. The Zila Parishad looks after the working of Panchayat Samities and co-ordinates their working. It makes efforts for the development of the whole district.

Question 2.
What changes have been made in Panchayati Raj System under 73rd Constitutional Amendment?
Answer:
The Seventy-third amendment passed by the Parliament in December 1992 constitutes a major milestone in the history of rural local government in India. Seventy-third amendment became operative from 24 April 1993. In the Constitution, Part-IX and Schedule XI have been inserted which contains certain provisions for Panchayat bodies at village, intermediate and district level. Some of the important provisions contained in the Act are:

1. Constitutional Sanction to democracy at the grass-root level:
The 73rd Amendment Act has sought to provide constitutional Sanction to democracy at the grassroot level by inscribing in the Constitution a new part and a new schedule relating to Panchayats in the Constitution. Before the passage of this act, the Panchayats in India did not enjoy constitutional sanction.

2. Definition of Gram Sabha:
The 73rd Amendment Act provides the definition of Gram Sabha. According to it “Gram Sabha means body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village comprised within the area of Panchayat at the village level.”

3. Definition of Panchayat:
According to 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, Panchayat means an institution of self-government constituted by the government for the rural area.

4. Constitution of Panchayati Raj Institutions:
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act provides that the state government shall consitute Panchayati Raj institutions in its territory as under:

• A village Panchayat in every village at village level in rural area.
• Panchayat Samiti at the intermediate (Tehsil or Development Block) level.
• A Zila Parishad at the district level.

5. Direct Election of the Members:
According to 73rd Amendment, all members of the Gram Panchayat are directly elected by the voters of the Gram Sabha. For this purpose the territorial area of each Gram Panchayat is divided into territorial constituencies—and one member is elected from each constituency. Minimum age of members of Panchayat is fixed at 21.

6. Reservation of Seats:
(i) According to 73rd Amendment Act, seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes in proportion to their population in the Gram Panchayat. Not less than one-third of the total number of the elected seats reserved for the Scheduled Castes shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes.

(ii) One seat is reserved for Backward Classes in a Gram Panchayat where population of Backward Classes in the Gram Sabha area is more than twenty per cent of the total population of the Gram Sabha area.

(iii) Not less than one-third (including the number of elected seats reserved for women belonging to the scheduled castes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Gram Panchayat shall be reserved for women. .

7. Tenure of Panchayat:
According to 73rd Amendment Act, the tenure of Panchayats in all the states is 5 years. If a Panchayat is dissolved or superseded before the expiry of its tenure, it is obligatory to hold election within six months. Next elections of the Panchayat must be held before its term is over.

8. Powers and Functions of the Panchayati Raj Institutions:
According to 73rd amendment the state governments shall give the Panchayats powers and functions relating to subjects mentioned in the 12th Schedule.

9. Sources of Income of Panchayats:
The 73rd Amendment Act provides for the evolution of resources to local bodies and also empowers them to raise some resources of their own. Panchayats may be empowered by the State legislature to impose taxes and fees and duties and may be assigned a share in state government taxes and grants-in-aid.

10. State Election Commission:
For the supervision, superintendence and control of election staff of Panchayati Raj instittions, provision for the establishment of independent election commission at the state level has been made. The State Election Commission shall be appointed by the Governor and can be removed only in the manner prescribed for the Judge of the High Court.

11. Finance Commission:
According to 73rd Amendment Act, the Governor of a state shall appoint Finance Commission to review the financial position of the Panchayats and to make recommendation to the governor to improve the financial position of the Panchayats. The Finance Commission shall make recommendations for distribution of income of the state between the government and the municipalities and Panchayati Raj Institutions.

12. District Planning Committee:
The 73rd Amendment provides for the constitution of a District Planning Committee. District Planning Committee is responsible for the consolidated development plan for the district on the basis of development plans of municipalities and Panchayati Raj institutions of the district.

13. Audit of Accounts of Panchayats:
The Legislature of a state may by law, make provision with respect to the maintenance of accounts by the Panchayats and the auditing of such accounts.

14. Metropolitan Planning Committee:
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act also provides for the constitution of Metropolitan Planning Committee for making development plan for a metropolitan area consisting of two or more municipalities and Panchayati Raj institutions.

15. Election Petitions:
The 73rd amendment has provided that the state legislature shall make law for the hearing of election petition pertaining to the election of municipalities and Panchayati Raj institutions.

16. Part not to apply to Certain Area:
Nothing in this part shall apply to scheduled areas referred to in clause

• and the tribal areas referred to in Clause
• of Article 244.

17. Bar to interference by Court in Electoral Matters:
The 73rd Amendment Act puts a bar to interference by courts in electoral matters of Panchayats. According to 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act the state government will have to amend their existing Panchayat acts accordingly. All the state governments have enacted the fresh Panchayat legislations.

The Panchayati Raj, today, is functioning in all the states though there are inevitable variations from state to state. Following states have a three-tier structure- Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Assam, Haryana, Manipur, Orissa, and Kerala have a three-tier structure of Panchayati Raj while Jammu-Kashmir, Sikkim, Tripura and Goa have only one-tier. The northeastern states of Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland have each a traditional council of village elders and thus he outside the network of modern Panchyati Raj institutions.

Conclusion:
New Panachayati Raj system as introduced by the 73rd Constitutional Amendement Act is a historical development in the Indian Political System. The most distinctive feature of the new system is that an election to constitute a Panchayat has to be completed before the expiry of its normal tenure of five years.

Question 3.
Write a note on Gram Sabha.
Answer:
The Gram Sabha is the general body consisting of all the voters residing in the jurisdiction of Gram Panchayat which extends over one village or a group of villages. In some states the Gram Sabha is a statutory body while in some others it is a non-statutory body.

Office bearers:
The Gram Sabha elects a Gram Pradhan for five years. He is also the Pradhan or Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Sabha also elects executive council known as Gram Panchayat.

Meetings:
The Gram Sabha meets at least twice a year. One meeting is held in December after the harvesting of the Sawni crop and the second meeting is held in June after the Harhi Crop. The Gram Pradhan has a right to call special meetings of the Gram Sabha. Quorum of the Gram Sabha meeting is one-fifth of the total members of the Gram Sabha.

Functions of Gram Sabha:
Following are the main functions of the Gram Sabha:

• The Gram Sabha decides the broad policies for the development of the village.
• The Gram Sabha approves the annual budget of the village and it deliberates on the taxes proposed by the Gram Panchayat and votes on impositions of taxes or tolls.
• The Gram Sabha considers the audit report of the Gram Panchayat and also considers administrative report of the Gram Panchayat.
• The Gram Sabha elects the Pradhan and the Panches of the Panchayat.
• The Gram Sabha can remove the Pradhan and Panches of the Panchayat by passing a resolution by two-thirds majority.
• The Gram Sabha promotes programme of adult education and family welfare within the village.
• The Gram Sabha promotes unity and harmony among all sections of society in the village.

The Gram Sabha is supposed to work as a watchdog of the Gram Panchayat. But in practice it is not functioning effectively and it also does not meet regularly. People show little or no interest in attending the meetings of the Gram Sabha. The microscopic minority dominates the show when Gram Sabha meetings are held. Iqbal Narain and P.C. Mathur observed that the Gram Sabha is yet to emerge as a forum of constructive criticism of the working of the Panchayati Raj institutions. Diwakar Committee has suggested that the Gram Sabha will have to be gradually brought into the picture by assigning to it a definite status.

Question 4.
Describe the composition and functions of Gram Panchayat.
Or
Write down the powers and functions of the Gram Panchayat.
Answer:
The Village Panchayat is the main institution for running the administration of local affairs of the village. At present more than 2,50,000 Village Panchayats are working in India. In the past also the Panchayats were attached great importance. The village administration was run by these Panchayats. The Panchayats peformed their functions efficiently even in small villages. With the advent of the Britishers the Panchayats got a big setback. After 1880, the British rule in India made efforts to revive the local self-government system.

It was only in cities that local selfgovernment institutions were established. After Independence our Government paid special attention towards this end. Eighty per cent of India lives in the villages and if the condition of the villages does not improve, the country cannot make any progress. Mahatma Gandhi stressed the need of establishment of Panchayats and of giving more powers to them. In 1952, the Punjab government established Panchayats in all the villages by passing a law to this effect. Steps were taken to establish Panchayats in other States also. At present there are more than two lakh and fifty thousand Panchayats in India.

Composition:
In Punjab Panchayats have been established in all the villages whose population is two hundred or more than this. If the population of a village is less than 200 then a joint Panchayat of two villages is established. The size of the membership of the Gram Panchayat varies from 5 to 31. In Haryana membership of the Panchayat is between 6 and 20 while in Punjab it is between 5 and 13. The membership of a Panchayat is fixed on the basis of the population of the village. In Punjab every Gram Sabha elects a Sarpanch and such number of Panches is as indicated below against each slab of population-

S. No.	Population	No of Panches
1.	For population exceeding 200 but not exceeding 1,000	Five
2.	For population exceeding 1,000 but not exceeding 2,000	Seven
3.	For population exceeding 2,000 but not exceeding 5,000	Nine
4.	For population exceeding 5,000 but not exceeding 10,000	Eleven
5.	For population exceeding 10,000	Thirteen

According to Punjab Panchayati Act 1994, seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes in proportion to their population in the Gram Panchayat.Reservation of Seats:

• One seat is reserved for Backward Classes in a Gram Panchayat where population of Backward Classes in the Gram Sabha area is more than twenty per cent of the total population of the Gram Sabha area.
• In Punjab 50% seats are reserved for women in Gram Panchayat.

Election:
The members of the Gram Panchayat are elected by the members of the Gram Sabha directly by secret ballot. Every adult who is a resident of the village has got the right to vote in the Panchayat elections. Any voter who is 21 years of age or more can contest the election and become a member of the Village Panchayat.

Tenure:
Before 73rd Amendment the tenure of Panchayat in all the states was not uniform. Usually the members of a Panchayat were elected for a five year term. But according to 73rd Amendment the tenure of Panchayat in all states is five years. If a Panchayat does not perform its functions properly, the Director of Panchayat can dissolve it. But election to the dissolved Panchayat must be held within six months.

Chairman:
There is the head of the Panchayat who is called the Sarpanch. Other members of the Panchayat are called the Panches. In Punjab Sarpanch is elected directly by the voters. Offices of Sarpanches of Gram Panchayat in the district are reserved for Scheduled Castes in proportion to the population of Scheduled Castes to the total population of the district.

Not less than one-third of the offices of Sarpanches of Gram Panchayat belonging to the Scheduled Castes shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Caste. Not less than one third of the total number of offices of Sarpanches in the district shall be reserved for women including the seats reserved for women belonging to Scheduled Castes. The offices of Sarpanches reserved shall be allotted by rotation to the different Gram Panchayats in such a manner as may be prescribed. The tenure of the office of the Sarpanch co-terminates with the term of the Gram Panchayat.

Functions of the Sarpanch: Following are the main functions of the Sarpanch:

• The Sarpanch is responsible for convening the meetings of the Gram Sabha and presides over its meetings.
• The Sarpanch is responsible for convening the meetings of the Gram Panchayat and presides over its meetings.
• The Sarpanch is responsible for the maintenance of the records of the Gram Panchayat.
• The Sarpanch has the general responsibility for the financial and executive administration of the Gram Panchayat.
• The Sarpanch exercises administrative supervision and control over the work of the staff of the Gram Panchayat.

Quorum: The majority of the members of Gram Panchayat constitute the quorum for the meetings.

Procedure of Taking Decision: All the decisions of the Panchayat are taken by an ordinary majority. The Sarpanch has got the right to exercise a casting vote.
Meetings: The Panchayat must hold its meetings at least once a month and the Sarpanch presides over the meeting of the Panchayat.

Powers and Functions of the Village Panchayat:
Following are the main functions of the Village Panchayat-

• Administrative Functions.
• It maintains peace and order in the village.
• It helps the police in the prevention of crimes and in the arrest of criminals.
• It can oppose the sale of wine in its jurisdiction by passing a resolution by 2/3 majority.
• It keeps a watch on the work of the government officials in the village. The Village Panchayat can lodge a complaint to the Deputy Commissioner against the Patwari, Lambardar and Chowkidar if they do not perform their duties properly.

2. Functions of Public Welfare:

1. It makes sanitary arrangements in the village.
2. It makes efforts for improving the health of the people, and for this purpose it opens hospitals and dispensaries. It also establishes child welfare and maternity centres.
3. It makes arrangements for giving small pox and cholera injections to the people.
4. It makes arrangements for pure drinking water and for pouring medicine in the wells, tanks etc.
5. It makes arrangement for street and road light.
6. It also makes arrangements for providing primary education to the children.
7. It opens libraries and reading rooms in the village.
8. It looks after the public places and makes arrangements for their sanitation.
9. It makes arrangements for cremation and burial grounds.
10. It gets trees planted and looks after them.
11. It tries for the promotion of animal husbandry.
12. It is also the duty of the Panchayat to work for the promotion of agriculture. It makes arrangements for good seeds and acquaints the villagers with improved and scientific methods of agriculture.
13. It tries for the development of cottage industry so that unemployed villagers get employment.
14. It tries to improve the social life of the people by eradicating social evils in society.
15. It helps people economically in case of floods, famine and drought.
16. It makes arrangements for fairs, exhibitions, wrestling matches and kabaddi matches for providing recreation to the people.
17. It constructs and maintains streets, roads and bridges in the village.
18. It formulates and implements development programmes of the village.
19. It works for the welfare of the backward sections of the village communities, especially the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes.

3. Judicial Powers:
It decides minor civil and criminal cases within its areas. Now the villagers need not go to the tehsil or the District headquarters to get their disputes decided. In criminal sphere the Panchayats can hear petty cases involving mischief, assault, theft of property etc. on payment of prescribed fee. These fees are of a nominal nature. They can hear civil cases of the value of 200 rupees. They can impose a fine upto Rs. 200.

One thing is to be noted that the lawyers cannot appear before the Panchayats. Both the parties are to appear before the Panchayat to plead their case. In criminal cases the Panchayat can only impose a fine and it cannot sentence anybody to imprisonment. It can impose a fine up to Rs. 25 upon those who defy its orders. Normally the decisions of the Panchayats are final but an appeal can be made to the court of District Magistrate with its prior sanction.

Sources of Income:
The Panchayat needs money for the performance of its functions. It gets this amount from the following sources:

1. It gets 10 per cent of the total revenue collected from the village.
2. It imposes house tax.
3. Anybody who approaches the Panchayat for deciding a case is to pay a nominal fee. This fee is to be given in cash.
4. It imposes fines on the criminals and keeps that amount with it.
5. It gets profit from the sale of fertilizers.
6. It imposes tax on animals, vehicles, profession etc.
7. Income from water, if provided.
8. Fees for use of rest houses.
9. Drainage fee.
10. It can get subscription from villagers for performing some important duty.
11. It imposes tax on village fairs, markets and exhibitions.
12. The Panchayats are given financial aid by the government annually.
13. The Panchayats issue various types of licences and get a fee for the same.
14. It takes money by selling the skin of dead animals.

Question 5.
Describe the composition, powers and functions of the Panchayat Samiti or Block Samiti.
Or
Discuss the composition, functions and powers of the Panchayat Samiti.
Answer:
The intermediate tier in the Panchayati Raj System is known in several states as the Panchayat Samiti. In Madhya Pradesh it is known as Janapad Panchayat while in Gujarat it is known as Taluka Panchayat. In a majority of states, its jurisdiction is co-extensive with the block while in some states it is co-extensive with that of Taluka.

Composition of Panchayat Samiti:
A Panchayat Samiti consists of the following four types of members:
1. Elected or Primary Members. In Punjab every Panchayat Samiti consists of six to ten directly elected members.

2. Representatives of the Sarpanches are directly elected from amongst the Sarpanches of the Gram Panchayats in the Panchayat Samiti area provided that ratio of the representatives of the Sarpanches and that of the directly elected members shall be sixty: forty.

3. Members of the Legislative Assembly State of Punjab, major portion of whose constituency falls in the Panchayat Samiti area.

4. Members of the Legislative Council of the State of Punjab, who are registered as electors within the Panchayat Samiti area.

Right to Vote:
The members of the Panchayat Samiti whether or not chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the Panchayat Samiti shall have the right to vote in the meetings of the Panchayat Samiti except for election and removal of its Chairman or Vice-Chairman.

Reservation of Seats:
According to Punjab Panchayat Raj Act 1994, in every Panchayat, seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes, women and the Backward Classes. In every Panchayat Samiti seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes in proportion to their population in Panchayat Samiti area. One-third of the total number of the seats reserved for Scheduled Castes are reserved for the women of the Scheduled Castes. In Punjab 50% seats are reserved for women in Panchayat Samiti. One seat is reserved for Backward Classes in a Panchayat Samiti in which the population of Backward Classes is not less than twenty percent of the total population of the Panchayat Samiti area.

Tenure:
Before 73rd Amendment the tenure of the Panchayat Samiti was fixed by the State government and it was not the same in all the States. But 73rd Amendment has fixed the tenure of the Samiti 5 years for all the states. In Punjab tenure of Panchayat Samiti is five years.

Chairman:
The members of the Panchayat Samiti elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman from amongst the elected members. He presides over the meetings of the Samiti. The Chairman discharges all duties imposed and exercises all the powers conferred on him under the Act. The Chairman exercises supervision and control over the executive officer of the Panchayat Samiti for securing implementation of the decision of the Panchayat Samiti. The Chairman exercises over all supervision over the financial and executive administration of the Panchayat Samiti.

Meetings:
A Panchayat Samiti must hold a meeting atleast once in two months. One-third of the members of Panchayat Samiti may make a written request to the Chairman for calling a special meeting of the Panchayat Samiti. The Chairman shall have to convene special meeting of the Panchayat Samiti.

Quorum:
The majority of the total members of Panchayat Samiti constitute a quorum for the meeting of the Panchayat Samiti.

Executive Officer:
The Block Development Officer is the Executive Officer of the Panchayat Samiti. He runs the day-to-day administration of the Samiti. Besides this, there is a Panchayat Officer also. The Executive Officer and the Panchayat Officer work in co-operation with each other.

Powers and Functions
The Panchayat Samiti performs the following functions:
1. The Panchayat Samiti looks after the working of Panchayats in its area.

2. It tries to promote agriculture in its area and distribute among the farmers good seeds, fertilizers and scientific instruments. It makes propaganda of scientific methods of agriculture among the farmers. It advances loans to the farmers for the promotion of agricultural production. It tries to make better arrangements of irrigation in its area.

3. It tries to promote cottage industries in its area.

4. It takes steps for the promotion of animal husbandry.

5. It makes sanitary arrangement in its area. It takes steps for improving the health of the people. It opens hospitals, child welfare centres and maternity centres.

6. It makes arrangements for getting the people injected against various diseases. It also takes steps for the prevention of diseases.

7. It makes efforts to protect crops from rats, locusts and other insects.

8. It constructs and maintains roads and bridges in its area.

9. It extends co-operation to the Co-operative Societies in its area.

10. It makes arrangements for village fairs, exhibitions and markets.

11. It also attends to the promotion of education in its area and it opens reading- rooms and libraries in its area.

12. It starts Community Development Projects and makes every possible effort for the development of the area.

13. It tries to give relief to the people in case of famine, drought and floods in its area.

14. It maintains a record of births and deaths in its area.

15. It maintains and looks after the government’s property.

16. It can acquire property in the interest of public welfare.

17. It maintains playgrounds and gardens.

18. Panchayat Samiti promotes social welfare programme including welfare of handicapped, mentally retarded and destitutes.

19. Panchayat Samiti promotes programmes relating to development of women and children.

20. Panchayat Samiti promotes the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and other weaker sections of society. Panchayat Samiti also protects Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes and other weaker sections from social injustice and exploitation.

21. Panchayat Samiti is responsible for the public distribution system of essential commodities.

22. Panchayat Samiti promotes social education through Youth Clubs and Mahila Mandals.

23. Panchayat Samiti promotes rural electrification including distribution of electricity.

24. Panchayat Samiti promotes co-operative activities.

Source of Income or Panchayat Samiti Fund:
Panchayat Samiti Fund is created for every Panchayat Samiti and following items are placed in this fund-

1. All proceeds of local rate allocated to the Panchayat Samiti by the State Government.
2. The proceeds of all taxes, cesses, duties and fees imposed by the Panchayat Samiti under this Act.
3. All funds allocated to the Panchayat Samiti and income arising from all sources of income placed at its disposal.
4. All rents and profits accruing from property vested in or managed by the Panchayat Samiti.
5. All sums contributed to the Fund by the Central Government or any State Government or by any local authority including Gram Panchayat or any private person.
6. All sums received by the Panchayat Samiti in the discharge of functions exercised by it under this Act.
7. All sums paid by the State Government or Central Government for the implementation of Community
8. Development Programmes.
9. All sums paid by the State Government to the Panchayat Samiti to meet expenses for the performance of agency functions.
10. The proceeds of all sources of income which the State Government may order to be placed at the authority of the Panchayat Samiti.

Question 6.
Discuss the composition, functions and financial resources of Zila Parishad.
Or
How is the Zila Parishad organised? Discuss its functions.
Answer:
Zila Parishad is at the apex of the Panchayati Raj System. Zila Parishad is established at the district level. It is known by different names. In Assam it is known as Mahakuma Parishad. In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka it is known as the District Development Council and in Gujarat as the District Panchayat.

Composition:
Zila Parishad comprises the following categories of members:

1. The members are directly elected from territorial constituencies in the district, each constituency electing one member. Directly elected members are between 10 and 25.
2. All Chairmen of Panchayat Samities.
3. The members of the Lok Sabha and members of the Legislative Assembly of the district.
4. Those members of the Rajya Sabha who are registered as voters within the district.

All members of a Zila Parishad whether elected or not from territorial constituencies in the Zila Parishad area enjoy right to vote in the meetings of the Zila Parishad except in the election of its Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

Reservation of Seats:
In every Zila Parishad seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and women. Seats reserved for Scheduled Castes are in the some proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in that Zila Parishad as the population of the Scheduled Castes in the district bears to the total population in the district. In Punjab, 50% seats are reserved for women in Zila Parishad. One seat is reserved for backward classes in a Zila Parishad in which the population of backward classes is not less than 20 percent of the total population of the district.

Tenure:
Before 73rd Amendment, tenure of Zila Parishad was not the same in all the states. In the majority of the states the tenure of Zila Parishad was five years. In Assam, Karnataka and West Bengal it was four years while in Bihar it was three years. But 73rd Amendment has fixed the tenure of 5 years in all the states. If it is dissolved before the expiry of this term elections must be held within six months. The government can dissolve the Zila Parishad at any time.

Chairman and Vice-Chairman:
Directly elected members of the Zila Parishad and Chairman of the Panchayat Samities of the district elect the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Zila Parishad from amongst the elected members.

Reservation for the office of Chairman and Vice-Chairman:
The Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 provides for the reservation of seats for the offices of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Zila Parishad, for the persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes. The number of such offices should be in the same proportion to the total number of offices in the State of Punjab as the population of the Scheduled Castes in the state bears to the total population of the State.

Not less than one-third of the total number of offices of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Zila Parishad are reserved for women.
Tenure of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman. The tenure of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be co-terminus with that of Zila Parishad. However, the elected members of the Zila Parishad can remove the Chairman and Vice-Chairman by two-third majority.

Powers and Functions of Chairman:
The Chairman convenes, presides and conducts the meetings of the Zila Parishad. The Chairman exercises administrative supervision and controls over the Chief executive officer and through him all officers and other employees of the Zila Parishad. He exercises full supervision over the financial administration of Zila Parishad.

Secretary:
Each Zila Parishad has a Secretary who runs the day-to-day administration of the Zila Parishad. He is paid his salary every month. The government makes appointment of the Secretary on the recommendations of the Zila Parishad.

Meetings:
The meetings of the Zila Parishad must be held at least four times in a year. The quorum for holding the meetings of Zila Parishad has been fixed as the presence of l/3rd members of its total membership.

Functions of The Zila Parishad
Following are the functions and powers of the Zila Parishad-

1. Zila Parishad tries to promote agricultural production and it opens and maintains agricultural seed farms and commercial farms.
2. It establishes and maintains godowns and gives training to farmers.
3. Zila Parishad takes steps for development of irrigation and for this purpose it constructs, renovates and maintains minor irrigation works and lift irrigation.
4. Zila Parishad establishes veterinary hospitals and dispensaries; poultry farms, duck farms and goat farms; common cold storage facility for dairy, poultry and fishery products.
5. It tries to co-ordinate the working of Panchayats and Panchayat Samities in the district.
6. The Panchayat Samities pass their annual budget and send it to the Zila Parishad. The Zila Parishad gives its approval to the budget after considering it thoroughly.
7. It keeps a watch on the working of Panchayat Samities in its area.
8. If a Panchayat Samiti does not perform its functions properly, the Zila Parishad can assist it in the performance of its duties.
9. It makes efforts to improve the living standard of the village life. It also tries for the development of village life.
10. It can give suggestions to the government regarding the development of villages.
11. If two or more than two villages have common project, the Zila Parishad tries to co-ordinate their working and helps in making the plana success.
12. The government can shift responsibility of making any plan or project a success on the Zila Parishad.
13. The Zila Parishad with the approval of the government can collect money from the Panchayat Samities.
14. The Zila Parishad can advise the government on the issues of distribution of powers and co-ordination of work among the Panchayat Samities.
15. The Zila Parishad adopts measures to increase agricultural production.
16. The Zila Parishad do construction, renovation and maintenance of minor irrigation works and lift irrigation.
17. The Zila Parishad promotes educational activities, Social Welfare activities and works for the welfare of weaker sections of society.
18. Zila Parishad is responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads other than national and state highways; identification of major link roads connecting markets, educational institutions, health centres and link roads.
19. Zila Parishad is responsible for planning, supervision, monitoring and implementation of-poverty alleviation programmes.
20. Zila Parishad maintains Social Welfare Institutions such as Poor Home Orphanages, Rescue Shelters and the like.
21. Zila Parishad encourages community marriages and inter-caste marriages; identifies free and rehabilitates bonded labour; organises cultural and recreational activities; encourages sports and games and construction of stadium.

Sources of Income:
For every Zila Parishad, Zila Parishad Fund is constituted and fallowing items are included in this fund:

1. Contribution and grants, if any, made by the Central government or by the state government including such part of land revenue collected in the state as may be determined by the state government.
2. Contributions and grants, if any made by a Panchayat Samiti or any other local authority.
3. Loans if any granted by Zila Parishad on security of its assets.
4. The proceeds of road tax and public work tax levied in the district.
5. All receipts on account of taxes, tolls, rates, cess and fee imposed by the Zila Parishad.
6. All receipts in respect of any schools, hospitals, dispensaries, buildings, institutions or works vested in, constructed by or placed under the control and management of the Zila Parishad.
7. The total amount received as gift or contribution and all income from any trust or endowment made in favour of Zila Parishad.
8. Fine and penalties imposed and realized under the provisions of this Act.

Question 7.
Explain the problems of Panchayati Raj.
Or
Explain any six problems of Panchayati Raj.
Answer:
In 1952 Village Panchayats were established and municipal committees were given more powers. Afterwards Panchayati Raj was introduced in the villages. But after so many years of the establishment of Panchayati Raj, it has not been successful in achieving its objectives. The Panchayati Raj System suffers from various defects which are given as follows:

1. Illiteracy:
The majority of the villagers are uneducated and most of the members of a village Panchayats are also uneducated. The Sarpanches of most of the Panchayats are also uneducated and they do not know even how to put their signatures. The people also do not take interest in the working of the Panchayat. As a result of all this incompetent and uneducated people are elected as the members of the Panchayat. No local self-government institution can be a success unless both the electors and the elected are educated.

2. Ignorance:
As majority of the villagers are illiterate, they are ignorant about the aims of the Panchayati Raj. Only one-fifth of the men who run these institutions are aware that the ultimate goal of Panchayati Raj is to make the rural masses more self-reliant. Unfortunately, one-eighth of the rural leadership is conscious that one of the goals of Panchayati Raj is to improve the lot of weaker sections.

3. Communalism:
The villagers have developed the evil spirit of communalism. The villagers not only believe in communalism but they also practise it. During elections to the Village Panchayat, the people are always divided on the basis of religion and caste. The village society is very much caste-ridden and they always vote on the basis of caste. Even after the elections the caste system always remains at the forefront. The Panchayat always remains a divided house and all its decisions are made on the basis of caste of the contending parties. The members of the Panchayat cannot work as a team because each one of them is caste conscious.

4. Groupism:
The people form their groups on the eve of Panchayat elections. The whole mass of the villagers is faction-ridden. The elections of the Panchayats are contested by the people on the basis of their affiliations to political parties. The political parties should have no place in Panchayat elections. People in the village form groups and factions on the basis of caste, religion and creed. As a result of all this, the Panchayats and the municipal committee cannot function successfully.

5. Excessive control of the Government:
The Government exercises a greater degree of control in the working of Panchayats and Municipal Committees. It can interfere in the working of these institutions any time it likes. As a result of this these institutions feel discouraged. The government can reject the resolutions passed by these institutions. It also controls the budget of these institutions. These institutions do not develop the spirit of responsibility because of undue interference in their working by the government. These elected representatives of the institutions always remain at the mercy of the government officials.

6. Want of funds:
These institutions do not have enough funds to meet its needs. Their sources of income are rather very poor and the heads of expenditure are many. This imbalance usually hampers progress. Many of the vital programmes cannot be executed for want of funds. In some cases for their very existence these bodies are to depend on the local government. It is, therefore, essential that efforts should be made to provide more funds to these bodies.

7. Poverty:
The people of India are very poor. The villagers suffer from the social evil of poverty to a very great degree. People cannot pay excessive taxes due to poverty and, therefore, the Panchayats cannot increase their income by imposing more taxes on the people. The poor people are always worried about making their both ends meet and they cannot afford to think about the problems of the village, city and the country. That is why the people do not take interest in their local problems.

8. Urbanisation;
Urbanisation is another problem confronting Panchayati Raj. There is tendency among the educated people to migrate from villages to cities. These educated people may otherwise contribute a lot for the success of Panchayati Raj.

Question 8.
Suggest methods to remove the defects of Panchayati Raj System.
Answer:
The defects of the Panchayati Raj can be removed by following the ways given below:
1. Spread of Education:
The spread of education is most essential for making the Panchayati Raj System a success. The institutions of Panchayati Raj cannot function successfully unless the people are educated and do not perform their duties sincerely. An educated person will make the proper use of his vote and will be above caste and religion. The educated persons can run the administration of their village or city in a better way than the uneducated persons. The educated persons will promote the national interests of the country. The Village Panchayat can be a great success at the hands of educated persons.

2. Less Governmental Interference:
The Panchayati Raj institution should be given more independence and autonomy in the discharge of their duties. Unfortunately governmental control over these bodies is rather excessive. This control is usually very much resented. The government officials do not come with the object of improving the working of these bodies, but with a view to impose their authority, which is resented. This type of control kills initiative. The government, instead of interfering in the working of local bodies, should give them proper guidance.

3. More Financial Aid:
The Panchayati Raj institutions always run short of funds. The government should give liberal financial aid to these institutions. The government should give adequate funds to these institutions for all their schemes which aim at raising the living standard of the people and as eradicating poverty. The government should not at all attach any strings to the financial aid given to these institutions. These institutions should have the power to impose more taxes to increase their income. Efforts should be made to make these institutions quite independent of the financial aid of the government .

4. Ban on Political Parties in the Elections of Local bodies:
The elections to the local bodies should not be held on the basis of political parties. The political parties are responsible for the growth of groupism and communalism among the members of these institutions. In the elections to the local bodies the individuals should contest elections only as independent candidates. This way capable persons would be elected to these bodies and people will not be obliged to cast their votes on party basis. The local self-government institutions will function successfully only when educated and intelligent persons are elected as its members.

Training for the members:
The procedure of working of Panchayati Raj institutions is very complex and complicated. To make Panchayati Raj successful it is essential that the members of the Panchayati Raj institutions should be given proper training so that they become conversant with their duties and responsibilities.

The 73rd Amendment has provided decentralisation of power down to the village level. The 73rd amendment has provided constitution of Panchayats at the village and other levels, direct elections to all seats in Panchayats and reservation of seats for the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes and fixing of tenure of five years for Panchayats. The 73rd Amendment is considered a landmark legislation in the process of decentralisation of power to the grass-roots level. Unlike in the past when the Panchayat Raj institutions were dominated by the money and muscle power, now the under-privileged classes, including rural women, would be able to play more effective role and the people’s democracy would become more genuine.

Question 9.
Explain the achievements of Panchayati Raj in India.
Or
Write down the achievements of Panchayati Raj System.
Answer:
Panchayati Raj has a great importance. Late Pt. Jawahar Lai Nehru had called it a revolution. It is a revolution which will help in building up a new India. The significance of the Panchayati Raj is clear from the following facts:
1. People’s Raj:
The most important thing about the Panchayati Raj is that it is a people’s Raj. People’s administration had been established in the villages. There is no good administration than the administration by the people themselves.

2. Direct Democracy:
Panchayati Raj is not in any way less than the establishment of a democratic government in the village. The villagers themselves control the administration of their village. All the adult citizens of the village in their capacity, as the members of Gram Sabha, meet twice a year and discuss the problems of the village and find their solutions.

3. Self-sufficiency:
Panchayati Raj aims at making every village self-dependent for the purpose of making and executing their development plAnswer: It should decide on its own, it should even solve its own problem and it should run the local administration itself. Panchayats and Panchayat Samities are the people’s own institutions and they impose and collect taxes to meet the requirement of the villagers. Before the establishment of Village Panchayats, the government officials used to make development plans for the villages and they executed them according to their own sweet will. But now the people themselves run the whole show. The Block Development Officer now executes the decisions taken by the Panchayat Samiti.

4. Self-confidence:
Panchayati Raj helps in the development of the spirit of self-confidence among the people, and it helps in building up a great and
grand nation. The villagers themselves make development plans and execute them in their own way. The Panchayats have been given independence in the judicial sphere also. The lawyers cannot appear before the Panchayats. Everybody can have his say freely before the Panchayat. There are no fixed rules for deciding cases by the Panchayat. Each Panchayat decides cases according to its own sweet will. The villagers now need not go to the tehsil and district headquarters for getting their minor disputes decided. The villagers can get all their things in the village itself. They gain confidence by doing everything by themselves.

5. Less outside interference:
With the establishment of Panchayati Raj there is less outside interference in the affairs of the villages. The government officials now cannot interfere in the working of the Panchayats, Panchayat Samities and Zila Parishad. The people decide all the issues of their own sweet accord. Panchayati Raj has helped a great deal in developing the spirit of independence among the people.

6. Training in Administration to the people:
In India there is democratic government and each and every citizen is expected to be ready to shoulder the responsibility of running the government. Panchayati Raj is the best means of giving training in administration to the people. In cities the local self-government institutions provide training in making laws to the people but they do not give training in deciding cases to the people.

The Panchayati Raj provides an opportunity to the people of making and executing development plan, of deciding cases and running the day-to-day administration of the local affairs. This training of running the village administration stands in good stead to the people when they are called upon to run the administration of their State.

7. Rapid development of Rural life:
When Panchayati Raj was introduced in Punjab, the then Development and Panchayat Minister Sh. Gurbanta Singh had remarked that the day is not far when every citizen because of democratic decentralisation will become the architect of his own future. Everybody will have a share in the administration and he will have the power of removing his own illiteracy, ignorance and poverty. Now every villager has the right to develop himself to the fullest extent possible, Panchayati Raj has proved to be boon from heaven for the villagers.

Question 10.
Describe organisation and functions of City Corporation in India.
Or
Describe the functions of Municipal Corporation.
Answer:
Municipal Corporation is the topmost of urban local government. A Municipal Corporation is set up under a special statute passed by the state legislature, except in Delhi. The Union Parliament is empowered to set up the corporation of Delhi. First of all in 1849 a Municipal Corporation was established in Bombay (Mumbai).

Organisation:
Organisation of Municipal Corporation in different cities is not the same. The members of the corporation called councillors are elected on adult franchise. The number of members is determined by law on the basis of population of the city. In addition to the elected councillors some dignified residents of the city are elected by the councillors. In Punjab the total number of elected councillors for a corporation is not less than fifty and not more than seventy. Members of the State Legislative Assembly representing the constituencies in which the city or any part thereof falls, or ex-officio members of the Municipal Corporation.

Reservation of Seats:
In every Corporation seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and women.

1. The ratio of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes is in proportion to the total population of Scheduled Castes in the Municipal Corporation area. In Punjab, 50% seats are reserved for women in Municipal Corporations.

2. In every Municipal Corporation two seats are reserved for backward classes.

3. One-third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election are reserved for women and such seats are alotted by rotation to the different wards in the city.

Tenure:
Before 74th Amendment, the tenure of the Municipal Corporation varies from three to five years. The Punjab Municipal Corporation Act 1994 provides that every corporation save as otherwise provided in this Act shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and to longer. New election shall take place before the expiry of five years term.

An election to constitute a Municipal Corporation shall be completed before the expiry of period of six months from the date of its dissolution. A corporation constituted upon the dissolution of a Municipal Corporation before the expiration of its duration, shall constitute only for the remainder of the period for which the dissolved corporation would have constituted. But by 74th Amendment, tenure is fixed as five years.

Qualifications:
Following qualifications are necessary for becoming the member of Municipal Corporation:

• The person should be a citizen of India.
• He must have completed the age of 21 years.
• His name should be in the voter list of the city concerned.
• He should not hold any office of profit under the government of India or any State government of local authority.
• He should not be insolvent and he should not be of unsound mind.
• He should not be held ineligible to contest election for committing a crime.

Officers of the Municipal Corporation:
Following are the main officers of the Municipal Corporation:
1. Mayor:
The Mayor is the first citizen of the city. The Mayor is the political executive of the municipal corporation. In the first meeting of the Municipal Corporation the members elect one of its members to be the Mayor and other two members to be the Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Corporation. The term of the office of a Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor is five years. The Mayor holds office from the time of his election until the election of his successor in office.

Mayor or Senior Deputy Mayor or Deputy Mayor can be removed from his office if a resolution is passed by a majority of the total membership of the Corporation by majority of not less than two-third of the members of the Corporation and present and voting in a meeting of the Corporation. When the Mayor is absent from duty on account of illness or any other cause, the Senior Deputy Mayor and in his absence the Deputy Mayor act as Mayor.

The Mayor is honoured as the first citizen of the city. He presides over the meetings of the corporation and maintains order in the meetings. He has access to all the records of the corporation. The Chief Administrative Officer or the Commissioner submits report on administrative matters to him. He is the proper channel of communication between the Commissioner and the State Government.

2. Chief Administrative Officer:
For running the administration of the Corporation, Chief Executive Officer or Commissioner is responsible. He is appointed by the state government. His salary and service conditions are fixed by the state government. His salary is paid out of municipal funds. He performs all the duties imposed or conferred upon him under the Act and, in times of emergency, may take any action he deems necessary. All municipal employees are subject to his supervision and control. He inflicts punishments for offences committed by the employees. He acts as a secretary to the corporation in furnishing the necessary information.

Functions of Corporation:
The functions of Municipal Corporation are of two types: 1. obligatory and 2. discretionary. The obligatory functions include those functions which must be performed by the corporation. The discretionary functions are those which are not compulsory but may be taken up depending upon its financial resources.

Obligatory Functions:

1. Supply of water and maintenance of water works.
2. Scavenging, removal and disposal of filth and rubbish.
3. Supply of electricity.
4. Construction and maintenance of roads and streets.
5. Lighting, watering and cleaning of public streets and public places.
6. Maintenance of fire-brigade.
7. To establish, manage and supervise schools.
8. Arrangement of transport facilities.
9. The removal of obstructions and projections in or upon streets, bridges and other public places.
10. Prevention of epidemic diseases and distribution of medicines.
11. Checking food adulteration in markets.
12. Regulation of places for disposal of dead bodies.
13. Registration of births and deaths.
14. Vaccination and inoculation.
15. Prevention of water pollution in the city area and air pollution from poisonous gases in industrial area within the city.
16. Publication of annual reports and returns on administration of the corporation.
17. Demolition of dangerous buildings.
18. The naming and numbering of streets and premises.
19. The maintenance of Municipal Offices.
20. The maintenance and development of the value of all properties vested in or interested to the management of the Corporation.
21. To undertake the tasks of slum clearance and rehabilitation of slum dwellers.

Discretionary Functions:

1. Construction of public parks, gardens, libraries, museums, theatres etc.
2. The construction and maintenance of rest houses, poor houses, children’s home, houses for the deaf and dumb and for disabled and handicapped children, shelters for destitutes and disabled persons.
3. Relief to destitute and disabled persons.
4. Planting and care of trees on road sides and elsewhere.
5. Civic reception of V.I.Ps.
6. Registration of marriages.
7. Survey of buildings and lands.
8. Organisation and management of fairs and exhibitions.
9. Playing of music for masses.
10. Opening of orphan houses.
11. Destruction or detention of mad dogs, ownerless dogs etc.
12. The organisation, construction, maintenance and management of swimming pools, public wash houses and bathing places.
13. The construction and maintenance of cattle ponds.
14. The organisation and management of cottage industries, handicraft centres and sales emporium.
15. The establisment and maintenance of veterinary hospitals.
16. The establishment and maintenance of hospitals, dispensaries and maternity and child welfare centres and the carrying out of other measures necessary for public medical relief.
17. The improvement of the city in accordance with improvement schemes approved by the corporation.
18. The construction and maintenance of ware houses and godowns.

Sources of Income:
Following are the sources of income of Municipal Corporation:

1. Water tax
2. Sanitary tax.
3. Taxes for the consumption of electricity
4. Property tax
5. Theatre tax
6. Tax on vehicles and animals
7. Professional tax
8. Entertainment tax
9. Tax on deeds of transfer of immovable property.
10. Betterment tax.
11. Advertisement tax
12. Grants-in-aid from the government.

Question 11.
Write down the functions and sources of Income of Municipal Council/Committee.
Or
Explain the composition and functions of Municipal Council.
Answer:
Municipal Committee or Council is the most important institution of urban government. The Municipal Committees are governed by the Municipal Acts of the states.

Composition:
The membership of the Municipal Committee is fixed by the state government on the basis of the population of the city. In U.P. the total members of the Municipal Committees vary from 20 to 45 according to population. Members of the Municipal Committee are elected on the basis of adult franchise. Every adult citizen who lives within the Municipal jurisdiction has the right to vote.

There is a provision for reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in that Municipality, as the population of the Scheduled castes, in the Municipal area according to 74th Amendment. In Punjab, 50% seats are reserved for women in Municipality. One seat is reserved for the Backward classes. All members of the Legislative Assembly of the state representing constituencies comprising wholly or partly the Municipal area are members of the Municipal Committee.

Qualifications:
Only that person can contest the Municipal elections who possesses the following qualifications:

• He should be a citizen of India.
• He should have completed 21 years of age.
• He should not hold any office of profit under the government or a Municipal Committee.
• He should be a resident of that city and his name should exist in the voters’ list of that area.

Tenure:
Before 74th Amendment, the tenure of Municipal Committee varied from three to five years. In Punjab and Haryana the tenure of Municipality is five years. The government can suspend or supersede the Municipal Committee even before the expiry of its term and can appoint an administrator to run the municipal administration.

President:
The members of the Municipal Committee elect a President from among themselves. The members of the Municipal Committee can remove the President from office by a majority vote. There are two Vice-Presidents of the Municipal Committee the Senior Vice-President and the Junior Vice-President.

Secretary:
There is a Secretary of the Municipal Committee who is given a fixed salary. He runs the day-to-day administration of the Municipal Committee. He is appointed by the Municipal Committee. In some Municipal Committees there is an Executive Officer instead of a

Secretary:
Besides this, there are many permanent officials in the Municipal Committee. For example, the Engineer, Health Officer, Sanitary Inspector and Octroi Inspector etc.

Functions of the Municipal Committee:
The local bodies run the administration of local affairs. The Municipal Committee is to perform the following functions:

1. Sanitation:
The municipal administration is to look after the sanitary condition of the city. It is to ensure that the public roads are properly swept, cleaned and watered. Suitable arrangements are made for drainage and conservancy. For discharge of these functions a Municipality maintains sanitary staff under a Chief Sanitary Inspector. The Municipalities have also the power to examine and approve the plans of houses proposed to be built in the town. It sees that houses are built according to scientific and sanitary principles. It is the fundamental duty of the Municipal Committee to look after the sanitary conditions of the city.

2. Public Health:
The preservation of public health is a very important function of the Municipal Committee. The Municipal Committee makes arrangements for giving injection of small pox to the people. Functions performed by it are establishment and maintenance of hospitals and dispensaries, vaccination, prevention of the outbreak of diseases, provision of public lavatories, prevention of the sale of adulterated food stuffs, provision of maternity and child welfare facility etc. Every Municipality runs a medical department under the charge of a Health Officer.

3. Roads and Bridges:
It makes arrangements for the construction of roads and bridges within its area. Pucca roads are constructed in the bazaars and the streets. It also gets the roads and the bridges repaired whenever necessary. It provides every facility to the people for the purpose of movement.

4. Education:
The Municipal Committee also makes arrangements for providing education to the people. The establishment and maintenance of primary schools is one of the most important function of the Municipalities. Many Municipalities run colleges also. Reading rooms and libraries are also opened by the Municipal Committees. The Committees also give financial aid to the privately managed schools. Adult Education Centres are also opened by the Municipalities for educating the adults.

5. Water and Electricity:
It is another important function of the Municipal Committee to make arrangement of pure drinking water of the area. Previously the Municipal Committees used to dig wells for this purpose but now water is supplied in the houses of the people. Arrangement of water pumps is made in streets, bazaars and on public places. The municipality also makes arrangement of providing street lights. The arrangement of supply of electricity now-a-days is made by the State Government, but previously the Municipal Committee used to do all this.

6. Transport:
People experience great difficulty in big cities in going from one place to other. The Municipal Committee makes arrangement of tramways to remove this difficulty of the public. It issues licences to rickshaws, tongas and auto-rickshaws.

7. Other Functions:

• The Municipal Committee makes arrangements for cremation grounds,
• It makes arrangements for extinguishing the fire and maintains fire brigade stations for this purpose,
• It makes arrangements for killing the mad dogs and wild animals,
• It makes arrangements for playgrounds, parks and gardens,
• It approves plans for constructing houses,
• In big cities it makes arrangements for providing pure milk, vegetable oil and butter to the people,
• It also pays attention to the recreational activities of the people and makes arrangements for fairs, exhibitions and games for the people.

Sources of Income;
The Municipal Committee requires a huge sum of money for the performance of its functions. It gets the money from the sources given below:
1. Octroi:
The main source of the income of a Municipal Committee is the octroi tax. This tax is imposed on all those things which come to the city from the village. This tax is imposed only upon those things about which the Municipality already decided. The rate of octroi tax is different on different things.

2. House Tax: The Municipal Committee imposes house tax on all the houses in its jurisdiction.

3. Licence Fees:
The Municipality imposes tax on the possession of certain things, for example, tonga, cycle, rickshaw, tempo and other vehicles. The Committee issues licences to this effect.

4. Toll Tax: In certain cities a tax is imposed on the use of a bridge or a stream. Such tax is very much imposed in Uttar Pradesh.

5. Water and Electricity Tax:
The Municipal Committee makes arrangements for the supply of water and electricity in the streets and bazaars and for this purpose it imposes water and electricity tax on the owners of the house. It charges separately for the consumption of water and electricity in homes.

6. Professional Tax: It imposes tax on trade professions in its jurisdiction.

7. Entertainment: The Municipal Committee imposes tax on theatres, cinemas and wrestling matches.

8. Tax on Animals: It imposes tax on the possession of animals by the people.

9. Income from its Property: The Municipal Committee has its own property also which is given on rent. The rent from property is a great source of income.

10. Grants-in-aid from the State Government:
The income of the Municipal Committee is not enough by which all its needs can be satisfied. Every year the State Government gives grants-in-aid to the Municipal Committees.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the meaning of Panchayati Raj System.
Or
What do you understand by Panchayati Raj?
Answer:
Panchayati Raj may be described as a complex system of rural local self-government in India. Panchayati Raj is that system of administration in which the village people are given the right to manage their own local affairs and to satisfy their needs themselves. The villagers use this right through the Panchayats and it is called Panchayati Raj. The three-tier structure of Panchayati Raj is working in India.

Question 2.
Describe three tier system of Panchayati Raj as provided under the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.
Or
Write down the composition of Panchayati Raj System in India.
Answer:
The Panchayati Raj system as recommended by Balwant Rai Mehta Committee has been organised on a three-tier structure : Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the Block level and Zila Parishad at the district level. In Punjab and Haryana, Panchayati Raj is organised on three-tier basis. In Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad are directly elected. But there are some states where Panchayati Raj is organised on two-tier basis. States with less than 20 lakh j population have been given the option to set up or not to set up Panchayat Samiti.

Question 3.
Explain the composition of Village Panchayat.
Or
Describe the composition of Gram Panchayat.
Answer:
Both in Punjab and Haryana, Panchayats have been established in all the villages whose population is five hundred or more than this. In Punjab, if the population of a village is less than 200 then a joint Panchayat of two villages is established. The size of the membership of the Gram Panchayat varies from 5 to 31. In Haryana, membership of the Panchayat is between 6 and 20 while in Punjab it is between 5 and 13.

The membership of a Panchayat is fixed on the basis of the population of the village. In Punjab if the population of a village is between 200 to 1000 then the number of Panches is five ; if the population is between 5000 to 10,000 then number of Panches is eleven and if the population is more than 10,000 then the number of Panches is thirteen. There is a provision for the reservation of seats for scheduled castes and backward classes in proportion to their population in the Gram Panchayat. In Punjab 50% seats are reserved for women.

Question 4.
What is Gram Sabha?
Or
Write down the composition of Gram Sabha.
Answer:
The state govt, may by notification establish a Gram Sabha by name for every area declared as Gram Sabha area. The Gram Sabha is the general body consisting of all the voters residing in the Gram Sabha area. The Gram Sabha elects a Gram Pradhan for five years. Gram Pradhan is also a Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat. Every Gram Sabha holds two general meetings in each year, one in the month of December and another in the month of June. The Gram Sabha approves annual budget and plan of development programme and it renders assistance in the implementation of development schemes pertaining to the village.

Question 5.
How is Panch elected?
Answer:
Panch is directly elected by the members of the Gram Sabha by secret ballot. Every adult who is a resident of the village has got the right to vote in the Panchayat election. Any voter who is 21 years of age or more can contest the election and become a Panch.

Question 6.
How is Sarpanch elected?
Answer:
Sarpanch is the head of the gram panchayat. In Punjab Sarpanch is elected directly by the voters.

Question 7.
Who is the Head (Sabhapati) of Gram Panchayat? Write his three functions.
Answer:
Gram Pradhan or Sarpanch is the head of the Gram Panchayat. According to 73rd amendment in all states Sarpanch is directly elected by all the members of the Gram Sabha. In Punjab Sarpanch is elected for a period of five years. Following are the main functions of a Sarpanch :

• The Sarpanch is responsible for convening the meetings of the Gram Sabha and presides over its meetings.
• The Sarpanch is responsible for convening the meetings of the Gram Panchayat and presides over 1 its meetings.
• The Sarpanch is responsible for the maintenance of the records of the Gram Panchayat.
• The Sarpanch has the general responsibility for the financial and executive administration of the Gram Panchayat.

Question 8.
Describe any four sources of income of Gram Panchayat.
Answer:
Following are the main sources of income of Gram Panchayat:

• Taxes: In most of the states, Gram Panchayats have been empowered to levy a number of taxes optional or compulsory.
• Fees and Fines: In almost all the states, Panchayats are authorised to impose certain types of fees, fines or penalties.
• Grants and Contributions: In all the states, Gram Panchayats depend heavily upon the grants from the state governments. Panchayats having other but very poor sources almost totally depend upon grants.
• It can get fees for use of rest-houses.

Question 9.
Write four sources of income of Panchayat Samiti.
Answer:
Panchayat Samiti, generally, collects the money by way of taxes, fees, grants and contributions and some other minor sources.

1. Taxes: A Panchayat Samiti in Punjab and Haryana can levy any tax which the legislature of the state has power to impose under the Constitution of India.
2. Local Rate: In Punjab the most important source of income of the Panchayat Samitis is the local rate. It is a cess levied on land at the rate of 25 paise per rupee of annual value.
3. Fees: In Punjab and Haryana, a Panchayat Samiti may levy fees, with the previous permission of Zila Parishad and Deputy Commissioner respectively and subject to the general direction and control by the government.
4. All rents and profits occurring from property vested in or managed by the Panchayat Samiti.

Question 10.
Write any four public functions of a Gram Panchayat.
Or
Describe any four functions of Gram Panchayat.
Answer:
Following are the main functions of the Village Panchayat:
1. Village Panchayat maintains peace and order in the village. It helps the police in the prevention of crimes and the arrest of criminals.

2. It makes efforts for improving the health of the people, and for this purpose it opens hospitals and dispensaries. It also establishes child-welfare and maternity centres. It makes arrangements for giving small pox and cholera injections to the people.

3. It constructs, repairs and maintains public wells, ponds and tanks. It makes arrangements for drinking water and for pouring medicine into the wells, tanks etc.

4. It constructs and maintains streets, roads and bridges in the village.

Question 11.
Write any four functions of Panchayat Samiti.
Or
Mention three important functions of Block Samiti.
Answer:
The Panchayat Samiti performs the following functions:
1. The Panchayat Samiti looks after the working of Panchayats in its area.

2. It tries to promote agriculture in its area and distributes among the farmers good seeds, fertilizers and scientific instruments. It makes propaganda of scientific methods of agriculture among the farmers. It advances loans to the farmers for the promotion of agricultural production. It tries to make better arrangements for irrigation in its areas.

3. It makes sanitary arrangement in its area. It takes steps for improving the health of the people. It opens hospitals, child-welfare centres and maternity centres.

4. Panchayat Samiti promotes Co-operative activities.

Question 12.
Discuss the composition of a Panchayat Samiti.
Answer:
In Punjab, a Panchayat Samiti consists of the following types of members :

• Six to ten directly elected members from territorial constituencies in the Panchayat Samiti area.
• Representatives of the Sarpanches are directly elected by them from amongst the Sarpanches of the Gram Panchayats in the Panchayat Samiti area.
• Members of the Legislative Assembly of the state whose constituency falls in the Panchayat Samiti area.
• Members of the Legislative Council, who are registered as electors within the Panchayat Samiti area.
• There is a provision for the reservation of seats for scheduled castes and backward classes in proportion to their population in the Panchayat Samiti area. In Punjab 50% seats are reserved for women.

Question 13
What is Panchayat Samiti?
Answer:
The intermediate tier in the Panchayati Raj System is known in several states as the Panchayat Samiti. In Punjab each block has a Block Samiti known as Panchayat Samiti. According to Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 every Panchayat Samiti consists of 6 to 10 members. The Panchayat Samitis are expected to help in the execution of development programmes, encourage agriculture and small scale industry.

Question 14.
Write the composition of Zila Parishad.
Answer:
In Punjab, Zila Parishad comprises the following categories of members :

• The members directly elected from territorial constituencies in the district, each constituency electing one member.
• All Chairmen of Panchayat Samitis.
• Members of the Lok Sabha and members of the State Legislative Assembly representing a part or whole of the district.
• Members of the Rajya Sabha and members of the State Legislative Council, who are registered as voters within the district.In every Zila Parishad seats are reserved for scheduled castes, backward classes and women. In Punjab 50% seats are reserved for women.

Question 15.
Write down the four weaknesses of Panchayati Raj System.
Answer:

• The majority of the villagers are uneducated and most of the members of a Village Panchayat are also uneducated.
• The government exercises a greater degree of control in the working of Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads.
• The Panchayati Raj institutions do not have sufficient funds to meet their needs.
• Due to poverty and unemployment people do not take interest in their local problems.

Question 16.
Give any four changes incorporated in the Panchayati Raj Act to improve the Panchayati Raj.
Answer:
73rd constitutional amendment has incorporated the following three important provisions in the constitution to improve the Panchayati Raj :
1. Direct Election of the Members:
According to 73rd amendment all members of the Gram Panchayat are directly elected by the voters of the Gram Sabha. For this purpose the territorial area of each Gram Panchayat is divided into territorial constituencies—and one member is elected from each constituency.

2. Tenure of Panchayat:
According to 73rd Amendment Act, the tenure of Panchayats in all the states is 5 years. If a Panchayat is dissolved or superseded before the expiry of its tenure, it is obligatory to hold election within six months.

3. State Election Commission:
For the supervision, superintendence and control of election staff of Panchayati Raj institutions, provision for the establishment of independent election commission at the state level has been made.

4. The members of the Panchayati Raj Institutions should be given proper training so that they become conversant with their duties and responsibilities.

Question 17.
Write down the importance of Panchayati Raj in India.
Answer:
According to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Panchayati Raj is a new revolution which will help in the building of a new India.

1. People’s Raj: The most important thing about the Panchayati Raj is that it is the people’s raj. People’s administration has been established in the villages.
2. Direct Democracy: Panchayati Raj is not in any way less than the establishment of a democratic government in the village. The villagers themselves control the administration of their village.
3. Self-sufficiency: Panchayati Raj aims at making every village self-dependent for the purpose of making and executing its development plAnswer: The Panchayati Raj institutions make people self-dependent and self-reliant.
4. Panchayati Raj helps in the development of the spirit of self-confidence among the people.

Question 18.
Mention three methods to remove the defects of Panchayati Raj System.
Answer:
1. Education: The spread of education is most essential for making the Panchayati Raj System a success.

2. Autonomy: The Panchayati Raj institutions should be given more independence and autonomy in the discharge of their duties.

3. More Financial Aid:
The Panchayati Raj institutions always run short of funds. The government should give liberal financial aid to these institutions. Efforts should be done to make these institutions quite independent of the financial aid of the government.

4. Training for the members. To make Panchayati Raj successful it is essential that the members of the Panchayati Raj institutions should be given proper training so that they become conversant with their duties and responsibilities.

Question 19.
Write any four functions of Zila Parishad.
Answer:
Following are the main functions of Zila Parishad:

1. A Zila Parishad keeps a watch on the working of Panchayat Samitis in its area. It tries to co-ordinate the working of Panchayat and Panchayat Samitis in the district.
2. The Panchayat Samitis pass their annual budget and send it to the Zila Parishad. The Zila Parishad gives its approval to the budget after considering it thoroughly.
3. If two or more than two villages have a common project, the Zila Parishad tries to co-ordinate their working and helps in making the plan a success.
4. It can give suggestions to the government regarding the development of villages.

Question 20.
Who can contest election to a Municipality?
Answer:
Only that person can contest the Municipal elections who possesses the following qualifications :

• He should be a citizen of India.
• He should have completed 21 years of age.
• He should not hold any office of profit.
• He should be a resident of that city and his name should exist in the voters’ list of the area.

Question 21.
Give the composition of a Municipal Committee.
Or
Write down the composition of Municipal Council.
Answer:
The membership of the Municipal Committee is fixed by the state government on the basis of the population of the city. The total number of members of the Municipal Committees varies from 5 to 50 according to population. Members of the Municipal Committee are elected on the basis of adult franchise. Every adult citizen who lives within the Municipal jurisdiction has the right to vote. There is a provision for reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes. In Punjab 50% seats are reserved for women. There is also a provision for the election of Aldermen. The Aldermen are elected by the elected members and ex-officio members.

Question 22.
Describe any four sources of income of a Municipal Committee.
Answer:
Following are the main sources of income of a Municipal Committee :

1. Octroi: The main source of income of a Municipal Committee is the octroi tax.
2. House Tax: The Municipal Committee imposes house tax on all the houses in its jurisdiction.
3. Licence Fees: The Municipality imposes tax on the possession of certain things, for example, tonga, rickshaw, tempo and other vehicles. The Committee issues licences to this effect.
4. Toll Tax: In certain cities a tax is imposed on the use of a bridge or a stream.

Question 23.
Mention any four important functions of a Municipality.
Answer:

• The Municipal Committee is responsible for sanitary conditions of the city. It is the function of the Committee to see that public roads are properly swept, cleaned and watered.
• The Municipal Committee makes arrangements for the construction of roads and bridges within its area.
• The Municipal Committee makes provisions for the supply of clean drinking water in its area.
• The Minicipal committee also makes arrangements for providing education to the people.

Question 24.
Who is the Mayor? Write down the role of Mayor in a Corporation.
Or
Who is Mayor? How Mayor of Municipal Corporation is elected?
Answer:
Mayor is the political executive of the Municipal Corporation. In the first meeting of the corporation, Mayor is elected for five years from among the members of the corporation. The Mayor is honoured as the first citizen of the city. He presides over the meetings of the corporation and maintains order in the meeting. He has access to all the records of the Corporation.

He is the proper channel of communication between the commissioner and the state government. Members of the Municipal Corporation can remove the Mayor by passing a resolution to that effect by two third majority. If Mayor does not perform his duties in a proper manner or abuses his powers, then the state government has the right to remove him from office before the expiry of his term.

Question 25.
Explain the local bodies of Urban areas.
Answer:
In order to bring about uniformity in constituting Urban Local Bodies three tier structure of Urban Local Bodies has been envisaged under Article 243 of the Constitution inserted by the Constitution Amendment Act of 1992. These Urban Local Bodies are:

• Nagar Panchayat for a transitional area.
• Municipal Council for a smaller urban area.
• Municipal Corporation for a larger urban area.

Question 26.
What is called Corporation?
Answer:
The term Corporation means the complete entity which embraces both deliberative and executive wings. Municipal Corporation is the topmost of urban local government. It is the topmost, not in the sense that it exercises control over other forms of urban local bodies. The municipal corporation as an institution is more respectable and enjoys more autonomy than other forms of urban local bodies. A Municipal Corporation is set up under a special statute passed by the state legislature, except in Delhi. Municipal Corporation is meant for bigger towns where civil problems acquire a high degree of complexity.

Question 27.
Explain the composition of a Municipal Corporation.
Answer:
Organisation of Municipal Corporation in different cities is not the same. The members of the Municipal Corporation called councillors are elected directly on the basis of adult franchise. The government determines the number of elected councillors for a corporation. But the total number of elected councillors shall in no case be less than forty and more than seventy. The number of elected councillors of the corporation of Amritsar is sixty and Ludhiana is seventy.

All members of the Legislative Assembly of the state representing constituencies comprising wholly or partly the Municipal Corporation are ex-officio members of the Municipal Corporation. In every corporation seats are reserved for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Two seats in each corporation are reserved for members of the Backward Classes. In Punjab 50% seats are reserved for women. The tenure of the Municipal Corporation is five years. If Municipal Corporation is dissolved earlier then election must be held within six months.

Question 28.
Mention any three sources of income of Municipal Corporation.
Or
Write any four important sources of income of Municipal Corporation.
Answer:
Following are the main sources of income of Municipal Corporation:

1. Water Tax
2. Sanitary Tax.
3. Taxes for consumption of electricity
4. Property Tax
5. Theatre Tax
6. Tax on vehicles and animals.

Question 29.
Write down the names of urban local bodies.
Answer:
The names of urban local bodies are as under:

1. Municipal Corporation
2. Municipal Council
3. Municipal Committee
4. Cantonment Board
5. Improvement Trust
6. Port Trust.

Question 30.
What is City Improvement Trust? Explain its functions in brief.
Or
What do you mean by Improvement Trust and what are its functions?
Answer:
Improvement Trust is an urban local body established in big cities. Some members of the Improvement Trust are elected by Municipal Committee and some are nominated by state government. The Chairman of Improvement Trust is nominated by the government. He is also the executive of the Improvement Trust. He has the power to appoint certain employees drawing salary below a particular limit. He also executes the decisions taken by the Improvement Trust. The main purpose of this body is to improve the condition of the city. For this purpose this body plans for new colonies, opens up the congested areas, makes bye-laws etc. The Improvement Trust also has some sources of income. State government has the right to control this body.

Question 31.
Write down any four objectives of Panchayati Raj.
Answer:
Following are the main objectives of the Panchayati Raj System:

• To strengthen the democracy at grass-root level.
• To encourage the spirit of community development and self-reliance among the villagers.
• To provide opportunities to the villagers to solve their problems themselves.
• To promote mutual harmony among the people at village level.

Question 32.
What is Cantonment Board?
Or
What is Cantonment Board? How is it working?
Or
Write a note on Cantonment Board.
Answer:
Cantonment Board is always established in military area. It is formed for the fulfilment of different necessary needs of military personnel. Contonment Board is under the supervision of Command Officer of army. Fifty percent members of Cantonment Board are appointed or nominated and rest fifty percent are elected by the people of military area. Cantonment Board facilitates water-supply, education, health, cleanliness, electricity services etc. for the people of military area.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you understand by Panchayati Raj?
Answer:
Panchayati Raj may be described as a complex system of rural local self-government in India. Panchayati Raj is that system of administration in which the village people are given the right to manage their own local affairs and to satisfy their needs themselves.

Question 2.
Describe the composition of Village Panchayat.
Answer:
Both in Punjab and Haryana, Panchayats have been established in all the villages whose population is five hundred or more than this. In Punjab, if the population of a village is less than 200 then a joint Panchayat of two villages is established. The size of the membership of the Gram Panchayat varies from 5 to 31.

Question 3.
What is Gram Sabha?
Answer:
The Gram Sabha is the general body consisting of all the voters residing in the Gram Sabha area. The Gram Sabha elects a Gram Pradhan for five years. Gram Pradhan is also a Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat. Every Gram Sabha holds two general meetings in each year, one in the month of December and another in the month of June.

Question 4.
How is Panch elected?
Answer:
Panch is directly elected by the members of the Gram Sabha by secret ballot. Every adult who is a resident of the village has got the right to vote in the Panchayat election. Any voter who is 21 years of age or more can contest the election and become a Panch.

Question 5.
How is Sarpanch elected?
Answer:
Sarpanch is the head of the gram panchayat. In Punjab state Sarpanch is elected directly by the voters.

Question 6.
0Which part and which schedule is incorporated in Indian Constitution for the establishment of rural self government?
Answer:
Part-IX and schedule 11th is incorporated in Indian Constitution for the establishment of rural self government.

Question 7.
Describe any three sources of income of Gram Panchayat.
Answer:
Following are the main sources of income of Gram Panchayat :

1. Taxes: In most of the states, Gram Panchayats have been empowered to levy a number of taxes—optional or compulsory.
2. Fees and Fines: In almost all the states, Panchayats are authorised to impose certain types of fees, fines or penalties.

Question 8.
Mention any two sources of income of Panchayat Samiti.
Answer:
Panchayat Samiti, generally, collects the money by way of taxes, fees, grants and contributions and some other minor sources.

1. Taxes: A Panchayat Samiti in Punjab and Haryana can levy any tax which the legislature of the state has power to impose under the Constitution of India.
2. Local Rate: In Punjab the most important source of income of the Panchayat Samitis is the local rate. It is acess levied on land at the rate of 25 paise per rupee of annual value.

Question 9.
Write down any two functions of Gram Panchayat.
Or
Describe any two common functions of Panchayats.
Answer:
Following are the main functions of the Village Panchayat:
1. Village Panchayat maintains peace and order in the village. It helps the police in the prevention of crimes and the arrest of criminals.

2. It makes efforts for improving the health of the people, and for this purpose it opens hospitals and dispensaries. It also establishes child-welfare and maternity centres. It makes arrangements for giving small pox and cholera injections to the people.

Question 10.
Write any two functions of Panchayat Samiti.
Answer:
The Panchayat Samiti performs the following functions:
1. The Panchayat Samiti looks after the working of Panchayats in its area.

2. It tries to promote agriculture in its area and distributes among the farmers good seeds, fertilizers and scientific instruments. It makes propaganda of scientific methods of agriculture among the farmers. It advances loans to the farmers for the promotion of agricultural production. It tries to make better arrangements for irrigation in its areas.

Question 11
What is Panchayat Samiti?
Answer:
The intermediate tier in the Panchayati Raj System is known in several states as the Panchayat Samiti. In Punjab each block has a Block Samiti known as Panchayat Samiti. According to Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 every Panchayat Samiti consists of 6 to 10 members.

Question 12.
What are the aims of Panchayati Raj?
Answer:

• The aim of Panchayati Raj is to establish true democracy in rural areas.
• Socio-economic development of rural India is the main aim of Panchayati Raj.

Question 13.
Mention any two weaknesses of Panchayati Raj System.
Answer:

• The majority of the villagers are uneducated and most of the members of a Village Panchayat are also uneducated.
• The government exercises a greater degree of control on the working of Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads.

Question 14.
Give any two changes incorporated in the Panchayati Raj Act to improve the Panchayati Raj.
Answer:

1. Direct Election of the Members: According to 73rd Amendment, all members of the Gram Panchayat are directly elected by the voters of the Gram Sabha.
2. Tenure of Panchayat: According to 73rd Amendment Act, the tenure of Panchayats in all the states is 5 years. If a Panchayat is dissolved or superseded before the expiry of its tenure, it is obligatory to hold election within six months.

Question 15.
Write down the importance of Panchayati Raj in India.
Answer:

1. People’s Raj: The most important thing about the Panchayati Raj is that it is the people’s raj. People’s administration has been established in the villages.
2. Direct Democracy: Panchayati Raj is not in any way less than the establishment of a democratic government in the village. The villagers themselves control the administration of their village.

Question 16.
Write down any two methods to remove the defects of Panchayati Raj System.
Answer:

• Education: The spread of education is most essential for making the Panchayati Raj System a success.
• Autonomy: The Panchayati Raj institutions should be given more independence and autonomy in the discharge of their duties.

Question 17.
Mention any two functions of the Zila Parishad.
Answer:
Following are the main functions of Zila Parishad:

1. A Zila Parishad keeps a watch on the working of Panchayat Samitis in its area. It tries to co-ordinate the working of Panchayat and Panchayat Samitis in the district.
2. The Panchayat Samitis pass their annual budget and send it to the Zila Parishad. The Zila Parishad gives its approval to the budget after considering it thoroughly.

Question 18.
Who can contest election to a Municipality?
Answer:
Only that person can contest the Municipal election who possesses the following qualifications:

• He should be a citizen of India.
• He should have completed 21 years of age.

Question 19.
Discuss the composition of a Municipal Committee.
Answer:
The membership of the Municipal Committee is fixed by the state government on the basis of the population of the city. The total number of members of the Municipal Committees varies from 5 to 50 according to population. Members of the Municipal Committee are elected on the basis of adult franchise. Every adult citizen who fives within the Municipal jurisdiction has the right to vote. There is a provision for reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes.

Question 20.
Which part and which shedule is incorporated in Indian Constitution for the establishment of urban local self government?
Answer:
Part-IX-A and Schedule 12th is incorporated in Indian Constitution for the establishment of urban local self government.

Question 21.
Write down any two sources of income of a Municipal Committee.
Answer:
Following are the main sources of income of a Municipal Committee:

• Octroi: The main source of income of a Municipal Committee is the octroi tax.
• House Tax: The Municipal Committee imposes house tax on all the houses in its jurisdiction.

Question 22.
Mention any two important functions of a Municipality.
Answer:

• The Municipal Committee is responsible for sanitary conditions of the city. It is the function of the Committee to see that public roads are properly swept, cleaned and watered.
• The Municipal Committee makes arrangements for the construction of roads and bridges within its area.

Question 23.
Who is Mayor?
Answer:
Mayor is the political executive of the Municipal Corporation. In the first meeting of the Corporation, Mayor is elected for five years from among the members of the Corporation. The Mayor is honoured as the first citizen of the city. He presides over the meetings of the Corporation and maintains order in the meeting. He has access to all the records of the Corporation.

Question 24.
Explain the composition of a Municipal Corporation.
Answer:
The members of the Municipal Corporation called councillors are elected directly on the basis of adult franchise. The government determines the number of elected councillors for a Corporation. All members of the Legislative Assembly of the state representing constituencies comprising wholly or partly the Municipal Corporation are ex-officio members of the Municipal Corporation. In every Corporation seats are reserved for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Question 25.
Describe the sources of income of Municipal Corporation.
Answer:
Following are the main sources of income of Municipal Corporation:

1. Water Tax
2. Sanitary Tax
3. Taxes for consumption of electricity
4. Property Tax

Question 26.
Write the names of institutions (Bodies) under urban self government.
Answer:
The names of urban local bodies are as under:

1. Municipal Corporation
2. Municipal Council
3. Municipal Committee
4. Cantonment Board
5. Improvement Trust
6. Port Trust.

Question 27.
What do you mean by improvement trust and what are its functions?
Answer:
Improvement Trust is an urban local body established in big cities. Some members of the Improvement Trust are elected by Municipal Committee and some are nominated by state government. The chairman of Improvement Trust is nominated by the government.

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Who is considered the father of local self-government in India?
Answer:
Lord Ripon is the father of local self-government in India.

Question 2.
What do you mean by ‘Nyaya Panchayat’? Mention its function.
Answer:
The Nyaya Panchayat is a Judicial Panchayat. Its main objective is to provide a speedy and inexpensive system of justice to the people of rural areas.

Question 3.
Give any one function of a Zila Parishad.
Answer:
It examines and approves the budget of Panchayat Samitis.

Question 4.
What are grass root organisations?
Answer:
Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad are the grass root organisations.

Question 5.
Namy two local self-governing institutions in the urban area.
Answer:

• • Municipal Corporation.
  • Municipal Committee.

Question 6.
Who is the Chairman of Municipal Corporation?
Answer:
Mayor is the Chairman of the Municipal Corporation.

Question 7.
Who is the head of a Municipal Corporation? What is his normal term of office?
Answer:
The head of the Corporation is Mayor or Mahapour. The normal term of his office is five years.

Question 8.
By what name is the elected head of a Municipal Corporation known?
Answer:
The elected head of a Municipal Corporation is known as Mayor of the Corporation.

Question 9.
Who is the elected head of a city Corporation?
Answer:
The elected head of a city Corporation is generally known as Mayor.

Question 10.
Mention any one function of Municipal Corporation.
Answer:
Municipal Corporation makes arrangement for the supply of pure and wholesome water and maintenance of water works.

Question 11.
Write the name of top and bottom level of Institution under Punjab Panchayati Raj.
Answer:

• Top Level Institution – Zila Parishad.
• Bottom Level Institution – Gram Sabha.

Question 12.
How is the Municipal Corporation formed?
Answer:
The Municipal Corporation is set up under a special statute passed by the State Legislature. Its members are elected by the people on the basis of the principle of adult franchise.

Question 13.
How are the members of a Corporation elected?
Answer:
The members of a Corporation are elected directly by the people of the city on the basis of the principle of adult suffrage. Apart from the Councillors, some Corporations have Aldermen also who are elected by the Councillors.

Fill in The Blanks

1. Sh …………….. had recommended the three tier Panchayati Raj.
Answer:
Balwant Rai Mehta

2. 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments give the …………….. status to local bodies institutions.
Answer:
Constitutional

3. Local Self-government is a …………….. subject.
Answer:
state

4. Tenure of Municipality is …………….. years.
Answer:
five years

5. Highest unit of Urban Local bodies is …………….. .
Answer:
Municipal Corporation

6. Tenure of Gram Panchayat is …………….. years.
Answer:
five.

True or False Statement

1. There should be centralization for the offective governance.
Answer:
False

2. 73rd Constitutional Amendment defines the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat.
Answer:
True

3. There is a Five Tier Panchayati Raj system according to 73rd Amendment.
Answer:
False

4. Municipality is the supreme unit of urban local bodies.
Answer:
False

5. Local bodies institutions do not have enough funds to meet their needs.
Answer:
True

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
The new urban local self government system was introduced:
(a) by 71st Constitutional Amendment
(b) by 73rd Constitutional Amendment
(c) by 61st Constitutional Amendment
(d) by 74th Constitutional Amendment.
Answer:
(d) by 74th Constitutional Amendment.

Question 2.
Which constitutional amendment was passed for rural local self government?
(a) 8th
(b) 11th
(c) 73rd
(d) 85th.
Answer:
(c) 73rd

Question 3.
For whom are the seats reserved under 73rd Amendment regarding rural democracy?
(a) Only for ladies
(b) Only for scheduled castes
(c) Only for children
(d) For ladies and scheduled castes.
Answer:
(d) For ladies and scheduled castes.

Question 4.
Which of the following is not an institution of rural Local Government?
(a) Panchayats
(b) Zila Parishad
(c) Muncipal Corporation
(d) Gram Sabha.
Answer:
(c) Muncipal Corporation

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 9 Indian Democracy: Problems and Challenges Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 9 Indian Democracy: Problems and Challenges

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is meant by Parliamentary system? Explain any four features of a Parliamentary System of Government.
Or
What is Parliamentary System? Discuss its essential features.
Answer:
What is a Parliamentary form of government? Parliamentary type of government is also called Cabinet government or Responsible government. In this form of government there is a nominal head of the State and all executive powers are exercised by a Cabinet of ministers. These ministers are usually members of the legislature. They are individually and collectively responsible to the legislature for their action and policies. They attend the meetings of the legislature and answer the questions put to them by the members of the legislature.

If the legislature passes a vote of no-confidence against them, they resign their offices. Other members who possess the confidence of the legislature are then appointed as ministers. The members of the Cabinet are usually selected from among the legislators or the party or parties which command a majority in the legislature. Each minister is incharge of one or more departments.

Garner observes, “Cabinet government is that system in which the real executive the Cabinet or Ministry is immediately and legally responsible to the legislature or one branch of it. (usually the more popular chamber) for its legislative and administrative act and ultimately or politically responsible to the electorate, while the titular or nominal executive the chief of the State occupies a position of irresponsibility.

Parliamentary system had its origin in Britain and now most of the countries have adopted it. India, England, Canada, Denmark, Australia, Belgium, Japan, Bangla Desh and so many other countries have adopted parliamentary form of government.

Features of Parliamentary Government:
The important features of Parliamentary government are as follows:
1. Head of the State is a Nominal Executive:
There is a titular executive head of the state either elected for a definite time or a hereditary monarch. Almost all the executive powers of the government are vested with the head of the State but it is only in theory and in practice all these powers are exercised by the real executive. The nominal head of the State always acts on the advice of the council of ministers. The head of the State cannot do anything at his own initiative. In fact, it is the council of ministers which exercises the power of the head of the State. The head of the State cannot do anything without taking the council of ministers into confidence.

2. Close Relationship between Executive and Legislature:
There exists a close relationship between the Cabinet and the Legislature. All the members of the cabinet are the members of the legislatures. They attend the meetings of the legislature and answer questions put to them by the members of the legislature. If an outsider is oppointed a minister he must become the member of the legislature within a definite period otherwise he ceases to be the member of the council of ministers. The ministers pilot the bills and see that they are passed. They are legislators as well as administrators.

3. Responsibility of the Cabinet:
The responsibility of the Cabinet means that so long as it enjoys the confidence of the legislature, it remains in power. Whenever the majority party is turned into minority or a vote of no-confidence or a vote of censure is passed against the government, it must go out and give place to the party which can then command majority. The council of ministers always acts in accordance with the wishes of the legislature.

4. Tenure of the Cabinet is not fixed:
The tenure of the council of ministers is not definite. They can remain in office till the legislature wishes them to remain in office. The legislature can remove the members of the council of ministers from their office. If the majority of the members of the legislature passes a vote of no-confidence against the cabinet, then cabinet will have to resign.

5. Leadership of the Prime Minister:
In parliamentary system, Cabinet works under the leadership of the Prime Minister. Leader of the majority party in the Lower Chamber is appointed as the Prime Minister of the country and all other ministers are appointed by him. The head of the State neither appoints ministers of his own accord nor he can ask them to quit the office. The Prime Minister selects his colleagues from among the members of his party and the President approves them. He forms the Cabinet, he can alter it, he can destroy it altogether. If he resigns, the whole Council of Ministers goes out of office. He summons the meetings of the Cabinet and presides over them. He can ask any minister to resign.

6. Political Homogeneity:
Cabinet works as a unit. But it can work as a unit only when all ministers in the Council of Ministers are taken from the single political party. The Prime Minister includes all the “big guns’ of his party in the Council of Ministers. .

7. Secrecy:
Proceedings of the Cabinet are confidential. No minister can give publicity to the proceedings of the Cabinet. The decision of the Cabinet can be disclosed only by a minister authorised by the Prime Minister. At the time of the assumption of the office, every minister takes the oath of secrecy.

8. Dissolution of the Lower House:
One of the important features of the Indian and British parliamentary government is the right of the council of ministers to dissolve the Lower House of the Parliament.

Question 2.
Explain any six characteristics of Parliamentary Governing System in India.
Or
What is Parliamentary form of Government? Explain any four characteristics of Indian Parliamentary Government in detail.
Answer:
Meaning of Parliamentary form of Government:
What is a Parliamentary form of government? Parliamentary type of government is also called Cabinet government or Responsible government. In this form of government there is a nominal head of the State and all executive powers are exercised by a Cabinet of ministers. These ministers are usually members of the legislature. They are individually and collectively responsible to the legislature for their action and policies. They attend the meetings of the legislature and answer the questions put to them by the members of the legislature.

If the legislature passes a vote of no-confidence against them, they resign their offices. Other members who possess the confidence of the legislature are then appointed as ministers. The members of the Cabinet are usually selected from among the legislators or the party or parties which command a majority in the legislature. Each minister is incharge of one or more departments.

Garner observes, “Cabinet government is that system in which the real executive the Cabinet or Ministry is immediately and legally responsible to the legislature or one branch of it. (usually the more popular chamber) for its legislative and administrative act and ultimately or politically responsible to the electorate, while the titular or nominal executive the chief of the State occupies a position of irresponsibility.

Parliamentary system had its origin in Britain and now most of the countries have adopted it. India, England, Canada, Denmark, Australia, Belgium, Japan, Bangla Desh and so many other countries have adopted parliamentary form of government.

Features of Parliamentary Government:
The important features of Parliamentary government are as follows:
1. Head of the State is a Nominal Executive:
There is a titular executive head of the state either elected for a definite time or a hereditary monarch. Almost all the executive powers of the government are vested with the head of the State but it is only in theory and in practice all these powers are exercised by the real executive. The nominal head of the State always acts on the advice of the council of ministers. The head of the State cannot do anything at his own initiative. In fact, it is the council of ministers which exercises the power of the head of the State. The head of the State cannot do anything without taking the council of ministers into confidence.

2. Close Relationship between Executive and Legislature:
There exists a close relationship between the Cabinet and the Legislature. All the members of the cabinet are the members of the legislatures. They attend the meetings of the legislature and answer questions put to them by the members of the legislature. If an outsider is oppointed a minister he must become the member of the legislature within a definite period otherwise he ceases to be the member of the council of ministers. The ministers pilot the bills and see that they are passed. They are legislators as well as administrators.

3. Responsibility of the Cabinet:
The responsibility of the Cabinet means that so long as it enjoys the confidence of the legislature, it remains in power. Whenever the majority party is turned into minority or a vote of no-confidence or a vote of censure is passed against the government, it must go out and give place to the party which can then command majority. The council of ministers always acts in accordance with the wishes of the legislature.

4. Tenure of the Cabinet is not fixed:
The tenure of the council of ministers is not definite. They can remain in office till the legislature wishes them to remain in office. The legislature can remove the members of the council of ministers from their office. If the majority of the members of the legislature passes a vote of no-confidence against the cabinet, then cabinet will have to resign.

5. Leadership of the Prime Minister:
In parliamentary system, Cabinet works under the leadership of the Prime Minister. Leader of the majority party in the Lower Chamber is appointed as the Prime Minister of the country and all other ministers are appointed by him. The head of the State neither appoints ministers of his own accord nor he can ask them to quit the office. The Prime Minister selects his colleagues from among the members of his party and the President approves them. He forms the Cabinet, he can alter it, he can destroy it altogether. If he resigns, the whole Council of Ministers goes out of office. He summons the meetings of the Cabinet and presides over them. He can ask any minister to resign.

6. Political Homogeneity:
Cabinet works as a unit. But it can work as a unit only when all ministers in the Council of Ministers are taken from the single political party. The Prime Minister includes all the “big guns’ of his party in the Council of Ministers.

7. Secrecy:
Proceedings of the Cabinet are confidential. No minister can give publicity to the proceedings of the Cabinet. The decision of the Cabinet can be disclosed only by a minister authorised by the Prime Minister. At the time of the assumption of the office, every minister takes the oath of secrecy.

8. Dissolution of the Lower House:
One of the important features of the Indian and British parliamentary government is the right of the council of ministers to dissolve the Lower House of the Parliament.

Features of Indian Parliamentary Government:
Following are the features of Indian Parliamentary System or democracy:
1. Distinction between the Real and the Nominal Executive:
It is the first characteristic of Indian Parliamentary System that it recognises a distinction between the real and the nominal executive. Indian President is only a nominal head, while Council of Ministers is the real executive. No doubt he has been vested with many powers and is empowered to use them in person or through officials subordinate to him. Theory is, however, not practice. He does nothing by doing everything. It is the Cabinet which exercises the powers given to the President. Under the Constitution, he has the right to be informed about the decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation.

He may even exercise his influence over the decisions of the Council of Ministers. But it should be understood that influence is not power. To what extent he can influence the policy of the Cabinet depends upon his personality and his relations, particularly with the Prime Minister. According to 42nd Amendment, President is bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers. But according to 44th Amendment bill, the President may require the Council of Ministers to reconsider any advice tendered by them and that the President shall act in acccordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration.

2. President remains outside the Cabinet:
Another feature of Indian Parliamentary System is that the President is not a part of the Cabinet and remains outside it. President cannot attend the meetings of the Cabinet. He is only informed of the decisions taken in the meeting.

3. Close relation between the Executive and Legislature:
The Indian Parliamentary System, works on the principle of close relationship between the executive and legislature. On the one hand, in India, the Ministers are entrusted with a portfolio and on the other they are members of either House of Parliament. According to the provision of the Constitution, the President may appoint a person as a Minister for six months even if he is not a member of either House.

Such a Minister will have to quit office if during the period of six months he has not been able to become a member of either House. A minister can be taken from either House the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. The Cabinet is the connecting link between the executive and the legislature. A Minister, under the Cabinet form of Government, works in a dual capacity.

He is in-charge of one of the departments of the Government. He also shares in the law-making function. Each Minister has a right to sit in either House and take part in its discussions. He can vote in a House of which he is a member. Since each Minister holds charge of a particular department, therefore, he is responsible for the efficient conduct of that department. He is responsible for the acts of his subordinates. He cannot escape responsibility.

4. Leadership of the Prime Minister:
The Council of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister and not by the President. The President appoints the Prime Minister and, on the advice of the Prime Minister, other ministers are appointed. The Ministers are, thus, the nominees of the Prime Minister and not of the President. Whatever the prejudices of the President, he must accept and endorse the list prepared by the Prime Minister. The Cabinet is a team and plays the game of politics under the captaincy of the Prime Minister. Rightly, it has been said that “Government is the master of the Country and Prime Minister is the master of the Government.”

He forms the Cabinet, he can alter it or he can destroy it altogether. He summons the meetings of the Cabinet and presides over them. He exercises complete control over the agenda of the Cabinet. It is he who distributes portfolios among his colleagues. He can re-allocate departments among his colleagues any time he wishes. He can ask any Minister to resign. He can get him dismissed from office by the President.

If a Minister is unable to accept the lead or policy of the Prime Minister it is the Minister who will go. The Prime Minister is the connecting link between the President and the Cabinet. He is also the link between the Council of Ministers and the Parliament. Equally, he is the link between Parliament and the people. The decisions of the Council of Ministers are communicated to the President by the Prime Minister. It is his constitutional right as well as duty.

5. Political Homogeneity:
Another feature of the Indian Parliamentary Government is that the Cabinet is formed on the basis of Political Homogeneity. It works as a unit. However, it can work as a unit only when all ministers in the Council of Ministers are taken from a single political party. The leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha is appointed the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister includes all the big guns of his party in the Council of Ministers. For the efficient working and success of the Cabinet form of Government it is essential that all the ministers in the Council of Ministers must be drawn from a single political party. It is only in this way that the unity of purpose and unity of thought of the Cabinet can be maintained.

Political homogeneity does not mean that the Prime Minister cannot go out of the party rank. To the advantage of the nation or the expediency of his party, he may appoint a person as minister not belonging to his own party. Moreover when coalition government is formed then ministers are taken from the partners of the coalition government.

6. Unity of the Cabinet:
“Cabinet is a unit a unit as regards the sovereign and a unit as regards the legislature.” It means the cabinet is a team. All the ministers come and go together, they stand and fall together. In the meeting of the Cabinet, the Ministers have the right to express their opinions and views freely. But once the Cabinet takes a decision, it commits every minister. Whatever opinion they might have expressed in the meeting of the Cabinet, the decision of the Cabinet is the decision of the whole Council of Ministers.

Every Minister has to support that decision though personally he might have been opposed to it. A Minister, not agreeable to the decision of the Cabinet, must quit. Though all the Ministers do not take part in the formulation of the policy, yet it binds every Minister. Under the Cabinet Government, the ministers are responsible not only for the conduct of their department but also for the policy and performance of all departments of Government. Mistakes committed by one minister may cause the fall of the whole Government.

7. Secrecy:
Proceedings of the Cabinet are confidential; they are not meant for public consumption. No minister can give publicity to the proceedings of the Cabinet. The decision of the Cabinet can be disclosed only by a Minister authorised by the Prime Minister. A minister who indulges in loose talk may invite punishment for himself. At the time of the assumption of the office every minister takes the oath of secrecy.

But from the point of view of efficient administration as well as from the point of unity of the Cabinet, it is imperative that discussion of the Cabinet should not leak out. Otherwise mutual confidence shall not be attained. When a minister resigns on a difference of opinion, under Rule 218 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Parliament, he can make a personal explanation to the House without raising a debate.

8. Responsibility of the Cabinet:
The Council of Ministers is responsible to Parliament for its actions and policies. The ministers are required to answer to questions put to them in either House. The Council of Ministers has no fixed term of office. It remains in office so long as it enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha can oust the Council of Ministers from office by passing a resolution of no-confidence in the Council of Ministers by rejecting a Money Bill or rejecting a Government Bill. The members of Parliament can put the Government in the dock by putting questions, supplementaries, adjournment motions, call attentions, etc.

According to the Constitution, the responsibility of the Council of Ministers is collective. As said earlier, collective responsibility means that ministers are responsible for the efficient performance of the department allotted to them as well as for the policy and performance of all departments of Government. No-confidence in one minister means no-confidence in the whole of the Council of Ministers.

9. No fixed term of the Cabinet:
It is another feature of Indian Parliamentary Government that the Cabinet has no fixed tenure. It remains in office only during the pleasure of the Parliament. Only that party which has an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha is asked to form ministry and so long it retains its majority it remains in office. The Cabinet with a majority support cannot be voted out. It is only when the Cabinet loses its majority in the Lok Sabha that it has to resign. Thus the executive depends upon the will of the legislation for its office.

10. Dissolution of the Lok Sabha:
Another important feature of Indian Parliamentary Government is the right of the Prime Minister to dissolve the Lok Sabha. In Dec., 1970, President V.V. Giri dissolved the Lok Sabha on the advice of Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. In January, 1977, President Ahmed also dissolved the Lok Sabha on the advice of Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. Similarly, on 6 Feb. 2004, President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam dissolved the Lok Sabha on the advice of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Question 3.
Briefly discuss various social and economic factors conditioning Indian democracy.
Or
Examine the social factors which affect the Indian Democracy.
Answer:
Democracy has been adopted in India and every effort has been made to strengthen it. In the preamble India is declared ‘A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic.’ In the preamble it is mentioned that the aim of the Constitution is to provide social, economic and political justice to all citizens. Adult franchise is introduced in India. In April-May 2019, the number of voters in the election of the 17th Lok Sabha were 90 crores.

The Part III of the Constitution describes Fundamental Rights of the citizens. In Part IV of the Constitution, Directive Principles are mentioned so that economic democracy can be established in India. It has been tried in the Constitution to establish a system of ideal democracy in principle. But in practice, Indian democracy is suffering from various social and economic evils which have proved a curse. These evils are as under:
1. Social and Economic Inequality.
2. Poverty.
3. Illiteracy.
4. Unemployment.
5. Casteism.
6. Untouchability.
7. Communalism.
8. Regional Imbalances.
9. Feudal Values.
10. Social Tension and Violence.

1. Social and Economic Inequality:
To make democracy a success, social and economic equality is essential, social and economic inequality is still found here. All the citizens of society are not treated equally and they are discriminated on the basis of caste, colour, creed and sex. Economic inequality • also exists in India. Some people in India are millionaires while millions don’t get two square meals-a day. People cannot use their rights properly because of social and economic inequality.

2. Poverty:
Most of the people in India are poor. A poor citizen can neither use his rights to vote independently nor can he contest elections.

3. Illiteracy:
About 35 percent of the people in India are illiterate. An illiterate person can neither understand his rights and duties properly nor can he co-operate in solving the problems confronting the country. An illiterate person can’t use his right to vote.

4. Unemployment:
Thousands of educated and uneducated people are unemployed in India. They remain indifferent to democracy and do not take interest in elections.

5. Casteism:
Though all the political parties speak against casteism yet in practice it plays an important role in politics. All the parties give importance to caste in the selection of party candidates in elections and even the voters think in terms of caste while casting their votes.

6. Untouchability:
Though Constitution has abolished untouchability, yet it is prevalent in practice. Atrocities against the Harijans are still committed.

7. Communalism:
Communalism is the greatest hurdle in the success of democracy. The communal feelings lead to clashes which threaten national integrity. Several communal riots took place in India during 1990-91 and in Dec., 1992-93.

8. Regional Imbalances:
India is a vast country and people belonging to various religions and castes live here. Many regions in the country are developed while others are underdeveloped. The standard of living of the people of Himachal Pradesh, U.P., Bihar, Assam and Nagaland is very low than the people of Punjab and Haryana. The regional feeling and regional imbalances pose a great threat to democracy.

9. Feudal Values:
Feudal values still exist in India. Feudal system is traditional and orthodox in which social and economic equality are least important. The members of Indian Administrative Services consider themselves superior to other citizens. The elected representatives and ministers are also victims of feudalism. Rajputs, Thakurs and other people of high castes living in villages hate HarijAnswer: Thus feudal values are antidemocratic.

10. Social Tension and Violence:
Social co-operation and peace are essential for democracy. But in India social tension and violence always exist in one part of the country or the other because of economic inequality and regional feelings.

Conclusion:
If future of Indian democracy is not dark, it is also not very bright. The above mentioned social and economic evils are to be eradicated to brighten the future of democracy.

Question 4.
Write a short note, indicating three main causes of illiteracy in India. Also explain the impact of illiteracy on democracy.
Answer:
Illiteracy is a curse. That person is called illiterate who cannot read or write at all. At the time of independence only 14 per cent people in India were literate. But the progress in literacy is miserably slow. Even today, only about 65 percent people are literate. Illiteracy is widespread among women. Following are the main causes for the illiteracy in India:
1. Poverty:
Poverty is the main cause of illiteracy. According to an estimate 20 to 25 percent people of India are living below the poverty line. During 1990-91 about two crore people were unable to get two square meals a day. It is not possible for a poor man to send his children to school.

2. Over Population:
Over population is another cause of illiteracy. There were about 30 crore people in India after independence. At present population of India is more than 130 crores. Thus, on an average more than one crore people increase every year. It is not possible for an under-developed country like India to provide education to such a huge population.

3. Agricultural country:
India is mainly an agricultural country and more than 70 percent people are dependent on agriculture. Farmers instead of sending their children to school, prefer to send them to the farm.

4. Orthodox customs:
In Indian society, there are many orthodox customs, like spending money on marriages and mundan and other religious ceremonies. Big amount of money is spent on the ceremonies connected with death. Illiterate people spend their money on these orthodox customs and do not realise the importance of literacy in life. Orthodox parents borrow money for the marriage of their daughter and do not prefer to educate her. Thus, illiterate mothers give birth to illiterate society due to orthodox customs.

5. Lack of sufficient funds:
espite the fact that a large number of professional institutions have been set up after independence, still there is lack of sufficient funds to fight a battle against illiteracy. Government is unable to open school in every village and give free primary education. In remote villages, people do not have sources to literate their wards due to inadequate facilities of education.

Impact of Illiteracy on Democracy:
Education is the very basis of good life and it is all dark in the absence of literacy. Democracy survives on the basis of the support from rational minded citizens and rational minded intelligent citizens are prepared through education. But in India seventy per cent people are illiterate. Our survey has established the fact that half of the eighty crores of illiterate people of the world live in India. According to official statistics, about 10 crore of people are illiterate from 15 to 35 years of age.

An uneducated person lacks confidence and possesses no capacity to understand and solve the problems facing the country. He can neither understand his rights nor duties. He can’t safeguard his rights if they are encroached upon unreasonably and at the same time he can’t perform his duties properly. Besides this, an illiterate person has a narrow outlook towards life and believes in casteism, communalism and regionalism.

Because of illiteracy of Indian provincialism, casteism and communalism are widespread in the country these days. In democracy, only public opinion can control the unreasonable tendencies of the government and only out of the fear of unfavourable public opinion the government frames policies for public welfare. But in India, healthy public opinion can’t be developed because of illiteracy.
The ruling party too exploits this weakness of the masses and does not bother to fulfil its promises it held out to the people at the time of elections. An uneducated individual is fascinated by the catching slogans pertaining to religion, caste, language and casts his vote accordingly. So the masses in India should be literate and alert for the success of democracy.

Question 5.
Explain the impact of casteism on Indian Democracy.
Or
Write a short note on casteism in India.
Answer:
Casteism is vital and integral part of Indian society and it has immensely influenced Indian politics. Casteism is still prevalent in Indian society and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi has expressed deep concern over the rising number of caste-disputes. The politics of all the states in India suffers from the abuse of casteism. Prof. Morris Jones has rightly pointed out that the prominent leaders of the country may raise catching slogans of casteless society, but the new voters of rural areas are acquainted only with casteism. Democracy is deeply affected by casteism in India. The following are ways of casteism:

1. Generally the candidates are selected for election only on the basis of caste. In the election of 2019 almost all the political parties selected their candidates on the basis of caste.
2. Election propaganda is also carried out on the basis of caste.
3. The voters usually cast votes in favour of candidate of their caste.
4. Caste factor is very important in the formation of government.
5. Caste considerations are determining policies and decisions at the national level. Sometimes caste interest gets priority and national interests are ignored.
6. Casteism has led to violence and extremism in Indian politics. There are clashes between the Brahmins and the Sudras, the Shias and the Sunnis weakening of foundation of democracy.

The basis of caste in elections must be removed to make democracy successful in India. Following steps should be taken to eliminate this factor:

• The names of educational institutions referring to castes should be given up.
• All the political parties should decide to discourage casteism.
• The political parties based on caste should be removed from political horizon.
• The facilities provided by government on the basis of caste should be immediately stopped.

Question 6.
Examine the five adverse effects of Communalism on the democratic system of India.
Or
Write a short note on Communalism.
Answer:
Communalism is a legacy of British rule in India. Britishers followed the policy of divide and rule. They introduced Communal Suffrage in 1909. Communalism means discriminatory feelings of an individual against others on the basis of caste and religion. Religion has always influenced Indian politics. Narrow outlook towards religion turned Indian politics into an arena of communal riots before independence.

Hindus and Muslims kept on fighting in the name of religion and it ultimately resulted into India’s partition. But this partition couldn’t eliminate communalism and communal disharmony is growing strong again. In recent years, religious fundamentalism and fanaticism have raised their head again, leading to religious intolerance, riots, ill-will, hatred and even violence. Communalism has affected Indian polices in the following ways:
1. Several political parties in India have been formed on the basis of religion.

2. Communal feelings play a vital role in elections. Generally speaking, almost all the political parties nominate their candidates on the basis of caste and community. This communal basis aims at mustering maximum votes of same caste.

3. Not only political parties but voters are also influenced by religion while casting their votes. Usually, the Muslim or Sikh voters vote in
favour of the candidates belonging to their religion.

4. Communal riots and political clashes take place in the name of religion. About 304 communal riots took place in 1979-80. On Dec. 6, 1992 the three domes of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya were destroyed. There was a country¬wide rioting and within days the rioting left over 1200 dead and 5000 wounded.

Question 7.
Discuss the role of regionalism in Indian Politics.
Or
‘Regionalism is a curse.’ How can it be curbed? Give any four suggestions.
Answer:
Regionalism has played a very important role in Indian politics. Role of Regionalism in politics can be proved thus-
1. The states bargain with the Central Government on the basis of regionalism at times for economic development and to solve many other problems. Haryana state came into being owing to such pressures.

2. The political parties strengthen their stand by sticking to regionalism. The Akali Dal in Punjab and Dravida Munnetra Kazgham in Tamil Nadu turned out to be powerful on the basis of regionalism.

3. The members of cabinet work for the development of their own regions to have their stronghold in future. Shri Bansi Lai did wonders in Bhiwani and Shri Sukhadia dedicated his powers to the development of Udaipur.

4. Regionalism is widely talked of even in elections. The political parties select their candidates on the basis of regionalism and they again try to get votes by provoking the regional sentiments of the people.

5. Regionalism, to some extent, has inflamed violent activities in Indian politics. Some political parties make it a medium of their popularity.

6. Regional tendencies are fully exhibited in the formation of Cabinets. Representatives of different regions quite often are inducted into the cabinet.

In fact, the solution to the problem of regionalism doesn’t lie in the formation of small states, but it depends upon economic development of backward areas, elimination of corruption and to work for the welfare of people.

Regionalism is a curse:
Regionalism has enormously affected Indian politics and democracy. In fact regionalism is a curse because people are so much dominated by regional and provincial sentiments that they are ready to sacrifice national interests for the sake of regional or provincial welfare. Various regional movements have been launched from time to time for secession from Indian Union. Many selfish politicians raised the bogey of a demand for separate statehood in different parts of the country from time to time.

Suggestions to Check Regionalism:

• Progress of Different States: Attempt should be made to have balanced progress of all the States in India.
• Spread of Right Type of Education: In school and colleges such type of education should be imparted which promotes national feelings.
• Secular Politics: Politics should be kept free from the influence of language, caste, religion and region.
• Strict Action: Activities and movements of regionalism and separatists should be curbed by force.
• Minorities’ Interest: Minorities’ interest should be protected and their grievances should be redressed.

Question 8.
What do you understand by Separatism? Describe the causes of emergence of separatism in India.
Answer:
India is a country of diversities. People of different religions, castes, values, customs reside here. They have their different cultures, language and socio-economic status. These diversities lead to separatism. Separatism means to secede from the country and become an independent state. Separatism is an extreme form of regionalism. Following are the reasons that cause separatism in India:
1. Geographical and Cultural Causes:
After independence the states were reorganised on the basis of old boundaries and so the people living in one state couldn’t develop the feeling of oneness. Generally, language and culture lead to regional sentiments. The inhabitants of Tamil Nadu consider their language and culture to be superior to Indian culture. They are very critical of Rama and Ramayan and burnt effigies of Rama and Lakshaman in 1975. They demanded secession from Indian Union in 1960 only on this basis.

2. Historical Causes:
History has contributed to the origin of regionalism doubly i. e. positively and negatively. Origin of Shiv Sena is a proof of positive contribution and Dravida Munnetra Kazgham a negative one.

3. Language:
Norman D. Palmer believes that much of the politics concerns the question of regionalism and language. He opines that problem of regionalism is candidly connected with language. India is a multi-lingual country and people speaking various languages initiated intense movements for separate states. Indian Government, by organising states on linguistic basis, has created a never ending problem.

4. Caste:
Caste, too, has, contributed significantly to the origin of regionalism. Domination of a single caste at a place leads to violent form of regionalism. That is why regionalism is at its worst in Haryana and Maharashtra and is absent in Uttar Pradesh.

5. Religious Causes:
Religion, at times, heightens regionalism. The Akalis’ demand for ‘Punjabi Suba’ was largely the result of religious influence.

6. Economic Causes:
Economic causes play a vital role in the origin of regionalism. There has been an unequal economic development in India because individuals in power paid attention to the development of their own regions. Therefore people belonging to backward areas inspired for power to make some development. So the feeling of regionalism originated and they demanded separate states.

7. Political Causes:
The politicians have a hand in inflaming regional feelings among the people. The politicians think in terms of grabbing power to satisfy their political ambitions in case their areas are declared separate states.

Question 9.
What are the factors responsible for emergence of violence? What threat it poses to democracy?
Answer:
The phenomenon of violence in our country has been widespread for a long time. Violence is a threat to Indian democracy. Communalism, casteism, linguism and separatist tendencies all account for growing violence in our society.
Factors Responsible for emergence of violence. Many factors collectively worked in the favour of violence. The reasons for the emergence of violence are as following:
1. Caste:
Caste system has divided society in many groups. The tendency of upper and lower caste leads to violence. There are clashes between the Brahmins and Shudras, the Shias and the Sunnis. Caste wars have taken a heavy toll on lives in the states of Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana and Tamil Nadu etc. In December, 1997 the Ranveer Sena, a private army of upper caste Landowners killed about one hundred Dalits at Lakshmanpur in Bihar.

2. Separatist Elements:
Various separatist elements encourage violence. They follow the path of violence and kill innocent people. Pak inspired separatist elements such as Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Hurriyat Conference, Lashkar-e- Toiba etc. are very active in Kashmir.

3. Linguism: Linguism also causes violence. People of South India opposed Hindi as a national language. This dispute leads to violence.

4. Communalism:
Various communal differences lead to violence. In Meerut, Muradabad, Indore occassionally communal differences has caused violence. Communal riots are encouraged by the political parties.

5. Linguistic State:
The demand of linguistic state leads to violence. In 1952, Telugu speaking people demanded for a separate state. In 1966 Punjab and Haryana were divided on the basis of language.

6. Political Power:
Politics is the root cause of violence. The tendencies such as communalism, Linguism, separatism, casteism are all encouraged by politics. Political leaders for their own personal reasons provoke violent tendencies. To get power they encourage communal wars, caste wars and linguistic wars. Thus, all the tendencies caused by politics encourage violence in society.

7. Terrorist gangs:
Various terrorist gangs are spreading violence in the country. To achieve their aims they kill people and thus encourage violence tendencies in society.

8. Illiteracy:
Violence is spreading because people in large number are illiterate. They are unable to understand the complicated problems of nation and unknowingly encourage violence.

9. Socio-Economic Reasons:
There is a great disparity among people on socio-economic basis. In India, on one hand exists highly influential and rich people and on the other hand poor and illiterate people. This socio-economic disparity causes violence, because to safeguard their existence the poor people adopt the way of violence.

Violence is a serious threat to Indian democracy. Violence weakens the foundation of democracy and gradually people are loosing faith in the constitutional methods which will be dangerous for democracy. Democracy can develop only in a peaceful atmosphere and if violence will remain in the society and people will do what¬ever they think beneficial for them then government will fail to give equal rights and liberty to the people. If government does so then it will be a failure of democracy because it is a system by and for the people.

Question 10.
Examine the different patterns of violence in India.
Or
Analyse the various forms of violence in Indian politics.
Or
To what extent the steps taken have been able to curb it?
Answer:
Violence is becoming a dominant aspect of political life of our country. Although the phenomenon of violence has been with us for long, the decade of the eighties has been quite dismal. By violence we mean the use of physical force including the deployment of bombs, arms, ammunition and other means of inflicting physical injury to human beings and destruction of property. In extreme form, violence may cause death of individuals, either targeted or totally unconnected with the perpetrators of violence. Destruction of property through arson, looting, bombing of buildings and installations etc., also forms part of physical violence.

Forms of violence. There are many forms of violence in India. Some of the major forms of violence are given below:
1. Caste Wars and Caste promoted violence:
In the early time Hindu society was divided into four major castes—Varnas. But with the passage of time four castes (Varnas) have been divided into hundreds of castes. Caste conflicts and caste violence are increasing day by day. Caste wars have often taken a heavy toll of lives in the states of Bihar, Southern part of Uttar Pradesh, Northern part of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Tamil Nadu etc. In December, 1997 the Ranveer Sena, a private army of upper caste landowners, killed about one hundred Dalits at Lakshmanpur in Bihar. There are many other Caste Senas in Bihar.

2. Inter-communal violence:
Inter-communal violence took its most horrible form at the time of partition of India in 1947. Inter-communal riots is increasing day-by-day and the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Kashmir etc. are prone to communal riots.

3. Violence by Terrorist Gangs:
Violence by terrorist organisations is increasing day-by-day. These days terrorist organisations are spreading violence for achieving different objectives in different parts of the country.

4. Violence by Separatist Elements:
Separatist elements follow the path of violence and they oppose the government weapons and killed innocent people. Pak inspired separatist elements have been very active in Punjab and Kashmir for the last many years, Jammu-Kashmir Liberation Front, Harkat-ul- Mujahidden, Lashkar-e-Toiba etc. are very active in Kashmir.

5. Violence by left Insurrectionary Elements:
The ultra-left elements Naxalite spread violence in West Bengal, Andhra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa.

6. Political Violence:
Though political violence has no place in democratic set up but selfish interest of politicians and political parties gave birth to political violence in the country. Political violence is used to achieve political objectives. The political violence is committed by organised gangs or adhoc groups to influence governmental decisions, to settle scores with political opponents and to ventilate the deep-rooted grievances.Violent activities of the north eastern states in India, violence due to the demand for the reorganisation of states etc. are the examples of the political violence.

7. Violence by Interest groups and Professional groups:
Strikes, demonstrations, Bandh etc. resorted to by pressure groups and professional unions sometimes take violent form.

8. Individual or Group Violence:
Individual or group violence committed for personal gains by the anti-social elements and goondas of the society are increasing day-by-day in many cities.

Methods to Curb Violence:
Violence like communalism, casteism, illiteracy, linguism, poverty etc. is an evil and is danger to democracy. The acts of violence are increasing day-by-day. Whatever the form or motive of violence may be, its use is vitiating the democratic atmosphere of our country. Because of the increasing role of violence in the political life of our country, it is generally felt that the politics of our country is being criminalised. In a system where violence prevails, there can be no social, economic and political reconstruction. There is a great need to curb violence because people are losing faith in the constitutional and peaceful methods which will be dangerous for democracy.

Government has enacted a number of laws to curb various types of violence in our country. There is no doubt that caste prompted violence has sufficiently been controlled but it has not been completely eliminated. Caste-wars often take place in various parts of the country and they disturb the democratic equilibrium in India. Same is the case with terrorist related violence. Militancy has been curbed in various parts of the country through different means but the government has failed to eliminate terrorist violence completely. The prevalent political, economic and social circumstances indicate the fact that violence in our country cannot be completely eliminated.

Question 11.
Write down about the problems and challenges to Indian Democracy.
Or
Discuss the main problems of Indian Democracy.
Or
Explain six weaknesses or defects of Parliamentary Democracy in India.
Answer:
No doubt the Constitution established a system of ideal democracy in principle. But in practice Indian democracy is suffering from various social, economic and political evils which have proved a curse. These evils are as under:
1. Social and Economic Inequality:
To make democracy a success social and economic equality is essential, social and economic inequality is still found here. All the citizens of society are not treated equally and they are discriminated on the basis of caste, colour, creed and sex. Economic inequality also exists in India. Some people in India are millionaires while millions don’t get two square meals a day. People cannot use their rights properly because of social and economic inequality.

2. Poverty:
Most of the people in India are poor. A poor citizen can neither use his right to vote independently nor can he contest elections.

3. Illiteracy:
Majority of the people in India are illiterate. An illiterate person can neither understand his rights and duties properly nor can he cooperate in solving the problems confronting the country. An illiterate person can’t use his right to vote properly.

4. Unemployment:
Thousands of educated and uneducated people are unemployed in India. They remain indifferent to democracy and do not take interest in elections.

5. Casteism:
Though all the political parties speak against casteism, yet in practice it plays an important role in politics. All the parties give importance to caste in the selection of party candidates in elections and even the voters think in terms of caste while casting their votes.

6. Communalism:
Communalism is the greatest hurdle in the success of democracy. The communal feeling leads to clashes which threaten national integrity. Several communal riots took place in India during 1992-93.

7. Regional Imbalances:
India is a vast country and people belonging to various religions and castes live here. Many regions in the country are developed while others are underdeveloped. The standard of living of the people of Himachal Pradesh. U.P., Bihar, Assam and Nagaland is very low than the people of Punjab and Haryana. The regional imbalances pose a great threat to democracy.

8. Feudal Values:
Feudal values still exist in India. Feudal system is traditional and orthodox in which social and economic equality are least important. The members of Indian Administrative Services consider themselves superior to other citizens. The elected representatives and ministers are also victims of feudalism. Rajputs, Thakurs and other people of high caste living in villages hate HarijAnswer: Thus feudal values are antidemocratic.

9. Social Tension and Violence:
Social co-operation and peace are essential for democracy. But in India social tension and violence always exist in one part of the country or the other because of economic inequality and regional feelings.

10. Multiple Party System:
Another defect of Indian democracy is the multiple party system. Election Commission recognised seven national political parties and 59 state level parties. Multiple party system poses a threat to Parliamentary form of Government as it endangers national unity. It is not possible to maintain national unity at a critical time because of numerous political parties.

11. Dominance of a Single Party:
Another important defect of Indian democracy is the dominance of Congress. The Congress secured 364, 371, 361 and 283 seats in the elections of 1952, 1957, 1962 and 1967 respectively. The Congress didn’t succeed much in states in the election of 1967, which resulted in the formation of non-Congress ministries in many states. But the non-Congress ministries didn’t avail of this golden opportunity and they
tried to achieve their vested interests instead of serving the people.

Consequently these ministries could not stay for long. Mrs. Indira Gandhi held mid-term poll in 1971 and Congress swept the elections and it secured 352 seats in Lok Sabha. Out of 19 States, elections were held in eight states and Congress secured majority in all the eight states. Due to the dominance of Congress party, some preceptive students of Indian politics have expressed the view that India has a ‘One party dominance system’ (Rajni Kothari) or ‘One dominant party system.’ (W.H. Morris Jones).

In 1977, with the formation of Janata Party, the monopoly of the Congress party ended for a short period. But in the elections of January 1980 and Dec. 1984, Congress (I) won big majority in the Lok Sabha. There was no official opposition in the Lok Sabha. But the dominance of Congress came to an end in November, 1989 when the Congress was badly mauled in the 9th General elections and the other parties entered the 9th Lok Sabha with sufficient strength. It was repeated from 1991 to 2019 elections of Lok Sabha. The present position clearly indicates that the era of one party dominant system has come to an end.

12. Lack of Effective Opposition: Another problem of Indian democracy is lack of organised opposition as it exists in England.

13. Less Contact with the Masses:
Another defect of Indian democracy is that the legislators do not maintain proper contact with the masses. The leaders of the political parties realise the importance of public contact during the elections but they forget it as soon as the elections end. According to Dr. P.V.C. Rao, no political party except Communist party claims to have direct contact with the masses.

14. Defections:
Indian democracy is known for defections. Defection is posing a threat to Parliamentary Democracy in India. There are many examples of defections from first to fourth general elections but the number of defections after the fourth general elections increased so much that parliamentary form of government seemed to be an utter failure in India.

Question 12.
Discuss the effects of violence and population explosion on Indian Democracy.
Answer:
1. Violence:
Though political violence has no place in democratic set up but selfish interest of politicians and political parties gave birth to political violence in the country. Political violence is used to achieve political objectives. The political violence is committeed by organised gangs or adhoc groups to influence governmental decisions, to settle scores with political opponents and to ventilate the deep-rooted grievances. Violent activities of the north eastern states in India, violence due to the demand for the reorganisation of states etc. are the examples of the political violence.

2. Population explosion:
Population explosion is another problem of Indian Democracy. There were about 30 crore people in India after independence. At present population of India is more than 130 crores. Thus, on an average more than one crore people increase every year. It is not possible for an under-developed country like India to provide education and food to such a huge population.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you mean by Parliamentary government?
Answer:
In a parliamentary government there is a close relationship between the legislature and the executive. The Cabinet (Executive) is the real executive and it is responsible to the legislature for its functions and policies. The Cabinet can remain in office as long as it enjoys the confidence of the legislature. If legislature passes a vote of no confidence then cabinet has to resign. Parliamentary government is also called responsible government because government is responsible to the legislature. It is also known as Cabinet form of government because in this form of government executive powers are exercised by the Cabinet.

Question 2.
Discuss any four characteristics of Parliamentary System.
Answer:
Following are the three main features of parliamentary government:
1. Head of the State is a Nominal Executive:
In a parliamentary form of government executive powers are vested with the Head of the State but it is only in theory and in practice all these powers are exercised by the real executive. Head of the State is a nominal head and he always acts on the advice of the council of ministers.

2. Close Relation between the Executive and the Legislature:
All members of the cabinet are the members of the legislature. They attend the meetings of the legislature and they answer those questions which are put to them by the members of the legislature.

3. Responsibility of the Cabinet:
Cabinet is collectively responsible to the legislature for its policies and functions. If a vote of no-confidence is passed by the legislature against the Cabinet then the Cabinet must resign.

4. The Council of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister and not by the President.

Question 3.
Explain any four characteristics of a Parliamentary Government in India.
Answer:

1. President is only a nominal head whereas Prime Minister is the real head of the government. All the powers vested in the President are exercised by the council of ministers.
2. Another feature of Indian Parliamentary system is that the President is not a part of the cabinet and he remains outside it.
3. One more feature of Indian Parliamentary system is that the Cabinet has no fixed tenure.
4. In India Cabinet is collectively responsible to the Parliament.

Question 4.
Who is the Real Executive in India?
Answer:
Indian President is only a nominal head, while Council of Ministers is the real executive. It is the Cabinet which exercises the power given to the President. According to 42nd Amendment, President is bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers. But according to 44th Amendment, the President may require the Council of Ministers to reconsider any advice tendered by them and that the President shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after reconsideration.

Question 5.
Write down about Nominal Executive in India.
Answer:
Indian President is only a Nominal Executive head, while Council of Ministers is the real executive. No doubt, he has been vested with many powers and is empowered to use them in person or through officials subordinate to him. Theory is, however, not practice. He does nothing by doing everything. It is the Cabinet which exercises the powers given to the President.

Under the Constitution, he has the right to be informed about the decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation. He may even exercise his influence over the decision of the Council of Ministers but it should be understood that influence is not power. To what extent he can influence the policy of the Cabinet depends upon his personality and his relations, particularly with the Prime Minister.

Question 6.
Mention four demerits of Indian Parliamentary System.
Answer:
1. Multiple Party System:
For the success of parliamentary system two party system is the best. But in India multiple party system exists. Due to multi-party system coalition govt, and weak govt, is formed at the Centre.

2. Defections: Defection is another drawback of Indian Parliamentary System.

3. Indiscipline: Indiscipline among the members of Parliament is another demerit of the Indian parliamentary system.

4. Communalism is the greatest hurdle in the success of Indian Parliamentary system.

Question 7.
How does Economic inequality influence Indian Democracy?
Answer:
Economic inequality exists in India. Some people in India are millionaires while millions don’t get a square meal a day. A poor citizen can neither use his right to vote independently nor can he contest election. The poor man sells his vote. Poverty adversely affects working of democracy in India.

Question 8.
How has illiteracy affected Indian democracy?
Or
How does the illiteracy affect Indian Democracy?
Answer:
In India 47 per cent people are illiterate. One survey has established the fact that half of the eighty crore of illiterate people of the world lives in India. According to official statistics, about 10 crore of people are illiterate from 15 to 35 years of age. An uneducated person lacks confidence and possesses no capacity to understand and solve the problems facing the country. He can neither understand his rights nor duties.

He can’t safeguard his rights if they are encroached upon unreasonably and at the same time he can’t perform his duties properly. Besides this, an illiterate person has a narrow outlook towards life and believes in casteism, communalism and regionalism. Because of illiteracy of Indians, provincialism, casteism and communalism are widespread in the country these days.

Question 9.
Why is Communalism considered a serious problem for Indian Democracy?
Or
Write the effects of Communalism on Indian Democracy.
Answer:
Communalism has affected the Indian democracy in the following manner:

• Several political parties in India have been formed on the basis of religion.
• Communal feelings play a vital role in elections. Almost all the political parties field their candidates on the basis of caste and community.
• Voters are also influenced by religion while casting their votes. Generally the Muslim or Sikh voters vote in favour of the candidates belonging to their religion.
• Communal riots and political clashes take place in the name of religion.

Question 10.
How has poverty been a threat to the working of democracy in India?
Or
What is the impact of poverty on Indian Democracy?
Answer:
Working of Indian democracy has been adversely affected by poverty of the masses. The poor citizen cannot develop physically and mentally as he can’t get a square meal a day. He remains worried about earning his livelihood and has no time to think over the problems facing the country. A poor person does not even think about the elections. He can’t even use his right to vote independently. He can’t cast his vote against his employer. During elections the rich distribute blankets, cycles, sewing machines and other things among the poor so that they can get the votes of the poor. The poor person sells even his vote. Every political party tries to take political advantage of the people’s poverty.

Question 11.
What is the effect of casteism on Indian Democracy?
Or
How Casteism affects Indian democracy?
Answer:
Indian democracy is deeply affected by casteism. Casteism has affected the Indian democracy in the following ways:
1. Selection of Candidates on the basis of Caste:
Caste considerations are given great weight in the selection of candidates. Generally a candidate of that caste is fielded which dominates a particular constituency. All the political parties attach great importance to casteism while selecting their candidates in the general elections.

2. Election Propaganda:
Caste plays a vital role in election propaganda. Victory or defeat of a candidate largely depends upon caste based propaganda.

3. Casteism has led to violence and extremism.

4. Formation of Government: Caste plays a significant role even in the formation of government. Caste politics carries on its process in the formation of cabinet. Generally a state has its Chief Minister belonging to a caste enjoying majority in the state.

Question 12.
Mention four social, political factors which affect the Indian democracy.
Answer:

• Multi-Party System: In India Multi-Party System exists. Due to this, Government becomes unstable.
• Illiteracy: An illiterate person cannot use properly his right to vote.
• Casteism: The increasing role of casteism is polluting Indian Democracy.
• Unemployment: Unemployed people remain indifferent to democracy and do not take interest in election.

Question 13.
Which of the social factors influence Indian democracy?
Answer:
Indian democracy is suffering from various social evils which have proved a curse. These social evils are as under:

• • Social and economic inequality.
  • Illiteracy
  • Casteism.
  • Unemployment.

Question 14.
How do the prevailing social inequalities affect democracy in India?
Answer:

1. Social inequality has increased despair and discontent among the people. People of low castes many times demanded protection through movements. Women also held demonstrations to improve their social status.
2. The violent activities of the Naxalites were the result of social inequality.
3. The attitude of the people has become narrow because of social inequality. Every class thinks in terms of its own interest and not of national interest.
4. The upper castes have their monopoly established in administration.

Question 15.
Explain the meaning of the term ‘Regional Imbalance’ -and give any two causes thereof.
Answer:
Regional Imbalance means vast disparities in standard of living of people between one region and the other region. Following factors are responsible for Regional Imbalance:

• Benefits of planning do not reach every region.
• The geographical factors are also responsible for the backwardness of some regions.

Question 16.
Suggest any four measures to remove Regional Imbalance which you think can be implemented by the Govt, of India.
Answer:

• There is need of preparing different programmes for the development of different areas.
• Development programmes should be taken up with the support and cooperation of the people.
• Benefits of planning should reach every person and all areas.
• In school and colleges such type of education should be imparted which promotes national feelings.

Question 17.
Write about the hindrances which come in the way of success of Indian Parliamentary democracy.
Answer:

• Social and economic inequality is the major hindrance in the smooth functioning of democracy in India.
• Poverty is another hindrance. Most of the people in India are poor.
• Majority of the people in India are illiterate.
• The regional imbalances pose a great threat to democracy.

Question 18.
Give any three suggestions to solve the problems of Indian democracy.
Answer:

• • Economic inequality should be minimised.
  • Social equality should be established.
  • Illiteracy should be removed. Steps should be taken for mass education.
  • Democracy cannot flourish best without the freedom of press. The government should not impose restrictions on newspapers.

Question 19.
What is meant by Collective Responsibility under Parliamentary Government?
Or
What do you mean by Collective Responsibility?
Or
What do you mean by collective responsibility of executive in Indian Parliamentary System?
Answer:
In a parliamentary government the council of ministers is collectively responsible to the parliament for its actions and policies. Collective responsibility means that ministers are responsible for the efficient performance of the departments allotted to them as well as for the policy and performance of all departments of government. No confidence in one minister means no confidence in the whole of council of ministers.

The council of ministers works as a unit. All the ministers stand and fall together. The decisions of the cabinet are binding on all the ministers. It is immaterial even if any minister is opposed to the decision which has emerged at the cabinet meeting. No minister can run his department as he wishes. He must work in unity with his colleagues. It is the only way by which the principle of collective responsibility can be enforced.

Question 20.
Give economic factors influencing Indian Government.
Answer:
1. Majority of the people in India are poor:
Poor people are worried about their meals and have no time to think about the problems of the country. A poor person can neither contest election nor even vote independently. The poor man sells his vote. Poverty adversely affects the working of democracy in India.

2. In India more than 4 crore people are unemployed:
Unemployment has greatly affected Indian democracy. An unemployed person does not care for his rights and performance ‘of his duty. He readily even sells his vote.

3. Economic inequality is an important hinderance in the working of Indian democracy.

4. Some people in India are millionaires while millions do not get two square meals a day.

Question 21.
Describe the effects of unemployment on Indian democracy.
Answer:

1. Unemployed persons are so much involved in their own problems that they have no time to ponder over problems facing the society and the country.
2. An unemployed person does not care for his rights and performance of his duties. He readily sells even his vote.
3. The character of the citizens has also declined because of unemployment. It has resulted in dishonesty, corruption and theft. An unemployed person is prepared to resort to immoral means to get a job.
4. Unemployment has led to violence in Indian politics.

Question 22.
Write down three problems of Indian Democracy.
Or
Write down four main problems of Indian Democracy.
Answer:
1. Poverty:
Most of the people in India are poor. A poor citizen can neither use his right to vote independently nor can he contest election.

2. Dliteracy:
24% of Indian population in India is illiterate. An illiterate person can neither understand his rights and duties properly nor can he cooperate in solving the problems confronting the country. An illiterate person can’t use his right to vote.

3. Unemployment:
Thousands of educated and uneducated people are unemployed in India. They remain indifferent to democracy and do not take interest in elections.

4. Communalism:
Communalism is another problem of Indian democracy. The communal feelings lead to clashes which threaten National Integrity.

Question 23.
How do Regional imbalances affect Indian Polity? Explain.
Answer:
All the regions in India are not on equal footing, rather sharp diversities are found and hence the problem of regional imbalance exists. Regional imbalances have greatly affected Indian democracy.

• Regional imbalance creates a psychological tension among the people of different regions. People belonging to various regions develop an attitude of laying much stress on regional interests ignoring the national interest.
• Many political parties have been formed under the spell of regionalism.
• The voters cast their votes under the urge of regionalism and don’t bother about national interests.
• Regional imbalance creates tensions between centre and states.

Question 24.
Mention any three conditions essential for the success of Indian Democracy.
Or
Write down four conditions necessary for the success of democracy.
Answer:

• Enlightened citizenship is very essential to strengthen democratic traditions.
• Education is very essential to strengthen democratic traditions. Education makes people responsible and responsive.
• Political consciousness among the people is very essential for the success of democracy.
• Economic equality is very essential for the success of democracy.

Question 25.
What is meant by the term Political Homogeneity?
Answer:
Political Homogeneity is one of the important features of Parliamentary form of government. In Parliamentary form of government ministers are taken from that party which has majority in the Lower House of the Parliament. In this system all ministers work as a unit. Because they belong to a single party, so question of arising differences among members of the council of ministers is very nominal. Notable thing is that in a coalition government Political Homogeneity is not quite possible. That is why coalition governments are not stable.

Question 26.
How is linguism a danger to India?
Answer:
Linguism means the influence and impact of the factor of language. The factor of language has added another fissiparous tendency in the Indian body politic and it is influencing our democracy in the following ways:

• The factor of language is an emotive issue. Because of its emotional nature it has given rise to lingual fanaticism in some parts of our country.
• Linguism is a threat to unity of country.
• The opposition to Hindi as the official language of the Indian Union is causing bitterness between the Hindi and the non-Hindi speaking people of our country.
• The problem of language is responsible for the rise of regionalism in our country.

Question 27.
What is meant by ‘Regionalism’?
Answer:
Regionalism in the ordinary usage refers to particularism of regional patriotism. Regionalism is derived from the word ‘region’. A region is a homogeneous area with physical and cultural characteristics distinct from those of other areas. Whereas Communalism means the love of the Community in preference to nation, regionalism means the love of a particular region in preference to the country and in certain cases, in preference to the state of which the region is a part. This feeling may arise due to continuous neglect of the region by the ruling authorities. It may also spring up as a result of increasing political awareness of the henceforth backward people that they have so far been discriminated against.

Question 28.
How does regionalism come in the way of bringing about unity in diversity?
Answer:
Regionalism hampers the growth of unity in diversities in the following ways

1. It encourages the growth of fissiparous and divisive tendencies in the society and thus the cause of unity in diversities receives a serious setback.
2. Regional loyalties overwhelm individuals so much that they forget their obligation towards the nation as a whole and prefer their regional interests to national interests.
3. Regionalism sometimes takes the form of communalism or linguism which hampers the path of unity among diversities.
4. Regionalism, to some extent, has inflamed violent activities in Indian politics.

Question 29.
What are the two bases of separatist tendencies in India today?
Answer:
The bases of separatist tendencies in India are:
1. Communalism:
Communalism is the greatest hurdle in the success of democracy. The communal feelings lead to clashes which threaten national integrity. Religion has always influenced Indian politics.

2. Casteism:
Caste has always been a significant and decisive factor in Indian politics. Though all the political parties speak against casteism yet in practice it plays an important role in politics. All the parties give importance to caste in the selection of party candidates in elections and even the voters think in terms of caste while casting their votes.

Question 30.
Describe the impact of violence on Indian democracy.
Answer:
Violence is becoming a dominant aspect of political life of our country. Its effects on Indian democracy are:

1. The violent atmosphere stifles the voice of truth. Because of the fear of violence a great majority of political leaders even do not express the voice of their conscience.
2. The democractic institutions work under the fear of violence. Elections do take place but in many cases, the results thereof do not represent the real will of the voters.
3. Violence is a threat to Election Process also.
4. Political parties do not work independently, rather sometimes they are constrained to take decisions to appease the perpetrators of violence.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is Parliamentary model of government?
Answer:
In a parliamentary government there is a close relationship between the legislature and the executive. The Cabinet (Executive) is the real executive and it is responsible to the legislature for its functions and policies. The Cabinet can remain in office as long as it enjoys the confidence of the legislature. If legislature passes a vote of no confidence then cabinet has to resign.

Question 2.
Discuss any two characteristics of Parliamentary System.
Answer:
Following are the three main features of parliamentary government:
1. Head of the State is a Nominal Executive:
In a parliamentary form of government executive powers are vested with the Head of the State but it is only in theory and in practice all these powers are exercised by the real executive. Head of the State is a nominal head and he always acts on the advice of the council of ministers.

2. Close Relation between the Executive and the Legislature:
All members of the cabinet are the members of the legislature. They attend the meetings of the legislature and they answer those questions which are put to them by the members of the legislature.

Question 3.
Discuss any two characteristics of a Parliamentary Government in India.
Answer:

1. 1. President is only a nominal head whereas Prime Minister is the real head of the government. All the powers vested in the President are exercised by the council of ministers.
   2. Another feature of Indian Parliamentary system is that the President is not a part of the cabinet and he remains outside it.

Question 4.
Write down about Nominal Executive in India.
Answer:
Indian President is only a Nominal Executive head, while Council of Ministers is the real executive. It is the Cabinet which exercises the powers given to the President. Under the Constitution, he has the right to be informed about the decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation.

Question 5.
Mention two demerits of Indian Parliamentary System.
Answer:

• Multiple Party System: For the success of parliamentary system two party system is the best. But in India multiple party system exists. Due to multi-party system coalition govt, and weak govt, is at the Centre.
• Defections: Defection is another drawback of Indian Parliamentary System.

Question 6.
How does economic inequality influence Indian Democracy?
Answer:
Economic inequality exists in India. Some people in India are millionaires while millions don’t get a square meal a day. A poor citizen can neither use his right to vote independently nor can he contest election. The poor man sells his vote. Poverty adversely affects working of democracy in India.

Question 7.
How has illiteracy affected Indian democracy?
Answer:
An uneducated person lacks confidence and possesses no capacity to under-stand and solve the problems facing the country. He can neither understand his rights nor duties. He can’t safeguard his rights if they are encroached upon unreasonably and at the same time he can’t perform his duties properly.

Question 8.
Write any two ill-effects of communalism on Democracy.
Or
Write any two impacts of communalism on Indian Democracy.
Answer:
Communalism has affected the Indian democracy in the following manner:

• Several political parties in India have been formed on the basis of religion.
• Communal feelings play a vital role in elections. Almost all the political parties field their candidates on the basis of caste and community.

Question 9.
Write any two effects of Poverty on Indian Democracy.
Answer:
1. Working of Indian democracy has been adversely affected by poverty of the masses. The poor citizen cannot develop physically and mentally as he can’t get a square meal a day. He remains worried about earning his livelihood and has no time to think over the problems facing the country.

2. A poor person does not even think about the elections. He can’t even use his right to vote independently. He can’t cast his vote against his employer.

Question 10.
What is the effect of casteism on Indian Democracy?
Answer:
1. Selection of Candidates on the basis of Caste:
Caste considerations are given great weight in the selection of candidates. Generally a candidate of that caste is fielded which dominates a particular constituency. All the political parties attach great importance to casteism while selecting their candidates for the general elections.

2. Election Propaganda:
Caste plays a vital role in election propaganda. Victory or defeat of a candidate largely depends upon caste based propa-ganda.

Question 11.
Mention two social, political factors which affect the Indian democracy.
Answer:

• Multi-Party System: In India Multi-Party System exists. There are national as well as regional parties.
• Illiteracy: An illiterate person cannot use properly his right to vote.

Question 12.
Which of the social evils influence Indian democracy?
Answer: Indian democracy is suffering from various social evils which have proved a curse. These social evils are as under:

• • Social and economic inequality.
  • Illiteracy
  • Casteism.
  • Unemployment.

Question 13.
Write down any four methods to stop Communalism.
Answer:
Following suggestions can prove helpful in this direction:
1. Right Type of Education:
Communalism is a mental malady and hence needs a mental remedy. Through well designed text-books, articles the student at different levels should be taught the feeling of toleration, love, harmony, brotherhood and peace.

2. Right use of Media:
T.V., Radio and media should use their power in right direction. Instead of covering the incident to create communal feeling these should deliver the message of love, harmony, brotherhood, unity and integrity, peace etc.

3. Decommunalisation of Political Parties:
Political parties should be decommunalised. Election Commission should not recognize any political party that is based on religion and spreads communal feelings.

4. Positive and Active Role of Government:
The government should play an active and positive role in this direction. The government should try to root out the causes of communalism before its root gets too deep to cut out.

Question 14.
Describe any two conditions essential for the success of Democracy in India.
Answer:

• Enlightened citizenship is very essential to strengthen democratic traditions.
• Education is very essential to strengthen democratic traditions. Education makes people responsible and responsive.

Question 15.
Write any two types of separatism.
Answer:

• Ethnic Separatism.
• Religious Separatism.

Question 16.
Write any two economic factors effecting the democracy.
Answer:

• Poverty: Poverty is an important factor effecting democracy.
• Economic Inequality: Economic inequality is another factor, effecting democracy.

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you know about Parliamentary System?
Answer:
Parliamentary Government is that system of governance wherein the real executive or the cabinet is responsible to Legislature or its Popular House.

Question 2.
What is meant by nominal executive?
Answer:
Nominal executive means that executive which has been given all the executive powers by the Constitution, but in reality, it does not exercise any of these powers.

Question 3.
What do you mean by the Real Executive?
Or
Who is the Real Executive in India?
Answer:
The real executive is that executive which exercises executive powers in reality. The Prime Minister and Cabinet of India is an example of the real executive.

Question 4.
Mention any one feature of Parliamentary System.
Answer:
1. Parliamentary System has two kinds of executive nominal and real.
Answer:
1952

2. Every person who is a citizen of India and who is not less than ……………. years of age has the right to exercise his vote.
Answer:
Eighteen

3. Sayyad Kazi and Shibban Lai Saxena supported the ……………. form of govt, in Consrtituent Assembly.
Answer:
Presidential

4. K.M. Munshi and Krishna Swami Ayyer supported the ……………. form of govt. in Consrtituent Assembly.
Answer:
Parliamentary

5. There is a close relation between ……………. and legislature in parliamentary form of govt.
Answer:
Executive

6. There is a difference between Nominal Executive and ……………. Executive in Parliamentary form of govt.
Answer:
Real.

True Or False Statement

1. Increasing Literacy is one of the main challenges to Indian Democracy.
Answer:
False

2. In Parliamentary System, Head of the State is Real Executive.
Answer:
False

3. Article 21-A, under 86th Amendment of Constitution provides free and compulsory education.
Answer:
True

4. Criminalisation of politics is becoming a dominant aspect of political life of our country.
Answer:
True

5. Social Inequality has greatly affected India democracy.
Answer:
True

6. Poverty is not a main curse of illiteracy.
Answer:
False

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
Main challenges of Indian Democracy are:
(a) Poverty
(b) Illiteracy
(c) Unemployment
(d) All of the above.
Answer:
(d) All of the above.

Question 2.
Main reason of poverty in India is:
(a) Increased Population
(b) Education
(c) Development
(d) None of these.
Answer:
(a) Increased Population

Question 3.
Regionalism means:
(a) Love for the Nation
(b) Loyalty for Religion
(c) Love for a Region
(d) Loyalty for Caste.
Answer:
(c) Love for a Region

Question 4.
Which is the main reason of illiteracy in India?
(a) British imperialism
(b) Lock of industry
(c) Lock of sufficient funds
(d) Violent activities of Naxalities.
Answer:
(c) Lock of sufficient funds

Punjab State Board PSEB 10th Class Agriculture Book Solutions Chapter 5 Plantation of New Orchards Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class10 Agriculture Chapter 5 Plantation of New Orchards

Agriculture Guide for Class 10 PSEB Plantation of New Orchards Textbook Questions and Answers

(A) Answer in one-two words:

Question 1.
How much is the area of the fruits under Punjab?
Answer:
76500 hectare.

Question 2.
Name the insecticide used to control the termite attack.
Answer:
Mix 30 gram lindaneror 15 milli litre chloropyriphos 20 EC in 2.5 kg soil per pit to protect the plants from termites.

Question 3.
Name two recommended peach cultivars.
Answer:
Flordaprince, Partap.

Question 4.
Give the number of planting system for the plantation of new orchards.
Answer:
Three systems-square, filler, hexagonal system.

Question 5.
What is the time for plantation of deciduous frujj; trees?
Answer:
Mid January to mid February.

Question 6.
Give the suitable time for the plantation of mango and litchi orchards.
Answer:
September-October.

Question 7.
Give the time of application of FYM to the orchards. Or In which month farmyard manure (FYM) should be added to fruit plants?
Answer:
2-3 months before the initiation of new growth, generally in the month of December.

Question 8.
Write the name of two recommended amla cultivars.
Answer:
Balwant, Neelam, Kanchan.

Question 9.
What is the pit size for the plantation of fruit crops?
Answer:
One metre deep.

Question 10.
Name the fruit trees recommended for cultivation in district Amritsar.
Answer:
Pears, grapes, mango, guava, peach, kinnow and other mandarins, lemon etc.

(B) Answer in one-two sentences:

Question 1.
Which kind of soil is suitable for plantation of fruit trees?
Answer:
Well drained, deep loamy and fertile soil is required for planting of orchard. There should be no hard pan upto depth of 2 m.

Question 2.
Name the fruit trees recommended for cultivation in sub- mountainous zone.
Answer:
Guava, mango, litchi, pears, kinnow and other mandarins, lemon, peach, plums, chikoo (sapota), gooseberry (amla) etc.

Question 3.
Name the fruit trees recommended for cultivation in arid- irrigated zone.
Answer:
Malta, lemon, kinnow and other mandarins, ber, grapes, guava etc.

Question 4.
Define evergreen fruit trees with suitable examples.
Answer:
These plants have leaves throughout the year and are always green examples-Loquat, guava, mango, litchi, kinnow and other mandarins, sweet orange, lime, sapota etc.

Question 5.
Define deciduous fruit trees with suitable examples.
Answer:
These plants completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season. Example-Pears, grapes, peach, plums.

Question 6.
What is square system of planting?
Answer:
This is a system of planting orchards in which row spacing and plant spacing are kept same. Plants are at right angle tb each other and nearby four plants of two rows form a square.

Question 7.
What is the irrigation interval for the fruit trees?
Answer:
Younger plants should be irrigated at weekly intervals from March to June upto 3-4 years. Then from November to February at intervals of 2-3 weeks and from July to November depending upon rainfall and soil type, irrigation should be applied.

Question 8.
What is the depth of water table for successful cultivation of orchards?
Answer:
Underground water should be lower than 3 m of depth and there should be no fluctuation in this level.

Question 9.
What do you mean by Filler system of planting the fruit trees?
Answer:
Some of the fruit plants like litchi, mango, pears start giving fruits after long time (late bearing). Some plants which are temporary are planted in the orchard, which bear fruits in short interval of time. These act as filler plant. When main fruit plants come to bearing then these filler plants are removed.

Question 10.
From where the nursery plants should be purchased?
Answer:
Healthy, vigorous, insect free, disease free and of known pedigree, good variety plants should be taken from some reliable nursery, if possible, should be taken from PAU Ludhiana, from the department of Horticulture and from government approved nurseries.

(C) Answer in five-six sentences:

Question 1.
What points should be kept in mind while purchasing the fruit plants from nursery?
Answer:

• Fruit plants which are free from insects and diseases should be selected from the nursery.
• Plants should be healthy, vigorous and of medium height budded or grafted on suitable rootstock.
• Lift the evergreen plants in such a way that they carry roots with them and are covered with well sized earthen balls.
• Take care that grafting.is done on the original plant. Union should be smooth and should not be high.
• Before transplanting remove the Tying material.
• Purchase 10% more plants from the requirement, these can be used to fill the gap created due to death of some plants.

Question 2.
Describe the various planting system of orchards in detail.
Answer:
There are three system of planting orchards:
(i) Square pattern
(ii) Filler pattern
(iii) Hexogonal pattern.

(i) Square system:
In this layout method plant rows are equally spaced. Plants are at right angle to each other. In this system four plants opposite to each other form a square. This is the most commonly followed system in Punjab. Orchards planted in this layout give fruits for long time and in the initial phase when orchards are not giving income, the layout permits intercropping and one can get income from this cultivation of crops.

(ii) Filler system:
Some of the fruit plants like, litchi, mango, pears etc. start, bearing after long time. In such orchards some short lived plants are planted, these come to bear earlier than main plants. These are called filler plants. After few years when main trees come to bearing then these filler plants should be removed.

(iii) Hexagonal system:
In this system row spacing is less than the plant spacing but plant to plant spacing is always same. In this layout, 15 to 20% more plants can be planted. To prevent the problem of entangling branches of different trees, should be trimmed and pruned properly.

Question 3.
Why the training and pruning of fruit trees is necessary?
Answer:
Fruit plants need a proper structure and appearance which should be given at younger age. This is done by careful training. Proper appearance and structure is necessary so that plants can get proper sunlight and proper ventilation. This helps in getting better yield and high quality fruits and this also increases the age of tree.

Deciduous fruit plants like grapes, pears, peach, plums etc. which are planted in Punjab are prunned for the first four to five years. When plants come to bearing, plants are trimmed so as to get better yield and high quality fruits. Prusing is necessary to remove non productive parts, diseased, dried, crisscrossed and broken branches. This helps in regulating the fruit crop of better quality and productivity in also improved.

Question 4.
What points should be kept in mind while harvesting the fruits?
Answer:
1. Some standards or certain maturity indices should be followed and maintained while harvesting fruits e.g. some of the fruits can be harvested before proper maturity e.g. mango, banana, plums etc. But grapes, litchi etc. can not be ripened after harvesting. Standards should be set and maintained according to the fruit.

2. Never pull the fruit from the branch. This may cause the branch to break or the fruit skin near the stem end can be ruptured.

3. Grade fruits harvested into 3-4 sizes. Pack these in the card- board boxes, poly nets, crates after grading.

4. Do not pack the fruits which are unripe, more ripe, small, irregular shaped, damaged and injured.

Question 5.
Write down a short note on the use of fertilizers in orchards.
Answer:
We have to dig a pit before planting fruit trees. This pit is refilled with a mixture of top soil and well rotten farmyard manure in equal part. Vegetative growth of fruit plants take place in the months of February to April. During their growth, plants must get all the nutrients. Therefore apply farmyard manure before 2-3 months before the initation of new growth.

FYM is usually applied in the month of December. Nitrogen fertilizer is applied in two parts. One at the before flowering and one at the time of fruit set. Phosphorus should be applied with the first dose of nitrogen. Apply potash before the maturity of fruits so that fruits are of good quality. Use broadcast method to apply fertilizers of main nutrients. Apply micronutrient fertilizers only if deficiency of these nutrients is found.

PSEB 10th Class Agriculture Guide Plantation of New Orchards Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Nutrients we get from fruits are:
(a) vitamins
(b) minerals
(c) protein
(d) All.
Answers:
(d) All.

Question 2.
When evergreen plants are sown?
(a) February-March
(b) September-October
(c) Both correct
(d) None.
Answers:
(b) September-October

Question 3.
Planting system for establishing orchards.
(a) square
(b) filler
(c) hexagonal
(d) All.
Answers:
(d) All.

Question 4.
…………….is not an evergreen fruit plant.
(a) Pears
(b) Loquat
(c) Mango
(d) Litchi.
Answers:
(a) Pears

Question 5.
Deciduous fruit plants are:
(a) grapes
(b) peach
(c) plums
(d) All.
Answers:
(d) All.

Question 6.
Evergreen fruit plants are:
(a) Mango
(b) Litchi
(c) Lime
(d) All.
Answers:
(d) All.

Question 7.
In which month autumn fruit plants are sown?
(a) April-May
(b) January-February
(c) June-July
(d) May-June.
Answers:
(b) January-February

Question 8.
Which district of Punjab is located in sub-mountainous zone?
(a) Bathinda
(b) Amritsar
(c) Roopnagar
(d) Chandigarh.
Answers:
(c) Roopnagar

True False:

1. Partap is a variety of peach.
Answers:
True

2. Kanchan is a variety of Amla.
Answers:
True

3. Fruits should not be pulled from the branches during harvesting.
Answers:
True

4. Fruit crop is a long term investment.
Answers:
True

5. There are three planting system for new orchards.
Answers:
True

Fill in the blanks:

1. ………… plants are planted from mid january to mid February.
Answers:
Deciduous

2. W. Murcott is a recommended cultivar of ………………… fruit.
Answers:
Mandarin (orange)

3. Cricket ball is a cultivar of …………….. .
Answers:
Spota

4. Ganesh is a eultivar of ……………… .
Answers:
Pomegranate

5. Early Grande in a cultivar of …………… .
Answers:
Peach.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Which nutrients are found in fruits?
Answer:
Fruits contain proteins, minerals, vitamins etc.

Question 2.
How many zones are there in Punjab on the basis of climate?
Answer:
Three zones.

Question 3.
How many types of fruit plants are there based on their time of planting?
Answer:
Two types.

Question 4.
Give examples of evergreen fruit plants.
Answer:
Mango, litchi, citrus, chicoo (spota) etc.

Question 5.
Give examples of deciduous fruit plants.
Answer:
Pears, grapes, peach, plums etc.

Question 6.
What is suitable time for planting evergreen fruit plants?
Answer:
February to March, September to October.

Question 7.
What is the time for planting orchards of Mango and Litchi?
Answer:
September-October.

Question 8.
What is the time for planting deciduous plants?
Answer:
In winter when these are in dormant stage.

Question 9.
What is time of planting peach and plums?
Answer:
Mid of January.

Question 10.
What is time of planting pears, grapes?
Answer:
Mid of February.

Question 11.
What should be the level of water under the earth for planting fruit plants?
Answer:
Water should be below three metres from the surface of earth.

Question 12.
Give name of varieties of orange.
Answer:
Kinnow, Local, Daisy, W. Murcott.

Question 13.
Write varieties of malta (sweet orange).
Answer:
Musambi, Jaffa, Blood red, Valencia.

Question 14.
Write varieties of lemon.
Answer:
Kagazi, Baramasi Lemon-1, Galgal.

Question 15.
Write varieties of mango.
Answer:
Dusehari, Langra, Alphonso.

Question 16.
Write varieties of pears.
Answer:
Punjab beauty, Pathamakh (hard pear), Punjab nectar, Punjab gold, Baggugosha, Le Conte.

Question 17.
Write varieties of Peach.
Answer:
Early Grande, Shan-e-Punjab, Partap.

Question 18.
Write varieties of plums.
Answer:
Satluj purple, Kala Amritsari.

Question 19.
Write varieties of guava.
Answer:
Sardar, Allahabad Sufeda, Arka Amulya, Punjab pink.

Question 20.
Write varieties of grapes.
Answer:
Perlette, Beauty seedless, Flame seedless, Punjab purple, Shaweta.

Question 21.
Write varieties of her.
Answer:
Umran, Sanaur 2, Wallaiti.

Question 22.
Write varieties of litchi.
Answer:
Dehradun, Calcuttia.

Question 23.
Write varieties of Chicoo (Sapota).
Answer:
Kali pati, Cricket ball.

Question 24.
Write varieties of pomegranate.
Answer:
Bhagwa, Ganesh, Kandhari.

Question 25.
How many more plants are planted if the planting system is hexagonal?
Answer:
15-20 %.

Question 26.
Write about plant height taken from Nursery.
Answer:
Plants should be of medium height.

Question 27.
Which method is used to apply fertilizers of main nutrients in the orchards?
Answer:
Broadcast method.

Question 28.
Why should not fruit be pulled from the branch?
Answer:
It may rupture the skin of the fruit and branch may break also.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Punjab is divided into how many zones on the basis of climate and name them?
Answer:
Punjab is divided into three zones based on climate –

• Submountainous zone
• Central zone
• Arid irrigated zone.

Question 2.
Name the districts which lies in submountainous zone?
Answer:
Roop Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, Sahibjada Ajit Singh Nagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Union territory Chandigarh.

Question 3. Which fruits are recommended for submountain zone?
Answer:
Mango, cirtrus fruits, lemon, kinnow, lime, litchi, peach, plums, chicoo, amla etc.

Question 4.
Which districts come under the central zone?
Answer:
Amritsar, Tarantaran, Kapurthala, Bamala, Patiala, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Moga, Fatehgarh Sahib etc. .

Question 5.
Which fruit trees are recommended for central zone?
Answer:
Pears, guava, peach, mango, kinnow, orange, lemon, grapes etQuestion

Question 6.
Which are the districts which come under the arid-irrigated zone?
Answer:
Bhatinda, Manasa, Shri Mukatsar Sahib, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Fazilka etc.

Question 7.
Name the fruit plants which are recommended for arid- irrigated zone.
Answer:
Kinnow and other mandarins, malta, lemon, grapes, ber, guava etc.

Question 8.
What type of soil is required for cultivation of fruit plants? (For an orchard?)
Answer:
For an orchards soil should be well drained, deep, loamy and fertile. There should be not hard pan within two metres of its depth.

Question 9.
Which type of soil is not suitable for orchards?
Answer:
Fruit plants should not be grown in water logged, marshy, saline or acidic soils.

Question 10.
Which of the fruits can ripen after harvesting and which can not?
Answer:
Banana, Mango, Plums etc. can ripen or mature after harvesting but Grapes, Litchi etc. cannot mature after harvesting.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write in brief about irrigation and fertilizer application for fruit plants.
Answer:
See above question (for fertilizers)
Irrigation:
Apply irrigation from March to June after every week, from November to February after 2-3 weeks, and July to November depending upon on rainfall and type of soil for young plants. When trees come to bearing then at the time of flowering and at the time of fruit set and in summer irrigation becomes necessary. If irrigation is not applied in summer it results in excessive shedding of flowers/fruits.

Question 2.
Write the improved varieties of following: Mango, Peach, Plums, Guava, Grapes, Amla, Pomegranate.
Answer:
Mango-Langra, Alphonso, Dushari.
Peach-Partap, Shan-e-Punjab, Florida Prince, Early grande, Parbhat.
Plums-Black Amritsari, Satluj Purple.
Guava-Arka Amulya, Alahabad Sufeda, Punjab Pink, Sardar.
Grapes-Beauty seedless, Punjab purple, Flame seedless, Perlette.
Amla-Neelam, Kanchan, Balwant.
Pomegranate-Kandhari, Ganesh, Bhagwa.

Question 3.
What do you know about the square system of plantation of fruit plants?
Answer:
Do yourself.

Question 4.
Which points should be kept in mind while selecting fruit plants from the nursery.
Answer:
Do yourself.

Punjab State Board PSEB 8th Class Agriculture Book Solutions Chapter 1 Soil and Soil Management Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 8 Agriculture Chapter 1 Soil and Soil Management

Agriculture Guide for Class 8 PSEB Soil and Soil Management Textbook Questions and Answers

(A) Answer in one to two words:

Question 1.
What is the pH of normal soil for crop production?
Answer:
pH should be from 6.5 to 8.7.

Question 2.
Name any two physical properties of soils.
Answer:
Particle size, soil density, pore size, water holding capacity etc.

Question 3.
Which soils have highest infiltration rate?
Answer:
Sandy soil.

Question 4.
What is the percentage of clay particles in clayey soils?
Answer:
At least 40% clayey particles.

Question 5.
Which soil property determines the soil acidity or alkalinity?
Answer:
Value of pH for the soil.

Question 6.
Which are the prominent salts present in saline soils?
Answer:
Chlorides and sulphates of potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Question 7.
The soil with higher concentration of sodium carbonates and bicarbonates are categorized as.
Answer:
Alkali soil.

Question 8.
Which amendment is used for reclamation of alkali soils?
Answer:
Gypsum.

Question 9.
Name two green manure crops.
Answer:
Daincha, Jantar.

Question 10.
Which crop is best suited for cultivation in clayey soils?
Answer:
For cultivation of paddy crop.

(B) Answer in one to two sentences:

Question 1.
What is soil?
Answer:
Soil is the upper layer of earth in which plant roots grow, plants take water and nutrients from it.

Question 2.
Write the important functions of soil.
Answer:
Crops absorb water and nutrients from soil and soil also gives physical strength to the plants.

Question 3.
Enlist the physical properties of soil.
Answer:
Size of particles, soil density, pore size, water holding capacity etc.

Question 4.
Compare clayey and sandy soils.
Answer:

Sandy Soil	Clayey Soil
1. If soil is rubbed between finger and thumb, it feels gritty.	1. Soil particles are very fine.
2. Water holding capacity in not good.	2. Water holding capacity is large.
3. Pore size is big.	3. Pore size is very small.

Question 5.
What acidic 90?
Answer:
Those soils which have high acidic content and their pH value is less than 7 are acidic soils. These soils are found in areas of heavy rain fall, due to this, bases drin out and due to decay of organic malter Like leaves etc. soil becomes acidic.

Question 6.
What is saline soil?
Answer:
Soils which have high content of salt in them are saline soils. These soils have chlorides and sulphates of potassium,, calcium and magnesium. .

Question 7.
Write two main methods to identify a sandy soil.
Answer:

• Sandy soils have higher infiltration rate.
• It feels gritty when soil is rubbed in hands.
• Moist ball breaks very easily.

Question 8.
What are the major properties of loamy soils?
Answer:

• Particles are very-very fine.
• Pore size is very small.
• When taken in hand it feels like powder.
• Water holding capacity is high.

Question 9.
What are saline-alkali soils?
Answer:
Soils with higher concentration of sodium and soluble salts in it are called saline-alkali soils.

Question 10.
What is puddling?
Answer:
Ploughing in flooded field is known as puddling.

(C) Answer in five to six sentences:

Question 1.
Describe the different types of sods according to their physical properties.
Answer:
Physical properties of soil are: size of soil particle, pore size, soil structure, water holding capacity etc. There are three types of soils:
1. Clayey Soil:
It has more than 40% of clay content. Its water holding capacity is high. Balls can be made from moist clay and do not break on applying pressure. Particles are fine and pore size is also very fine.

2. Sandy Soil:
These soils have low water holding capacity. Particle size is not very small and pore size is also not very small as compared to clayey soil, water infiltration rate is high. Moist ball break easily with very little pressure. When rubbed in hands it feels gritty.

3. Loamy soil:
Properties of this soil lies between sandy and clayey soil. Its properties are optimum for crop cultivation and is best suited for agriculture.

Question 2.
Give the diagrammatic representation of soil components.
Answer:
Soil is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, water and air. Their proportion is shown in the diagram below. Water and air content can vary.

Question 3.
Explain the management practices for improving sandy soils.
Answer:

• Incorporate green manure which is 45-50 days old or before the flowering sets. Sunhemp/dhaincha can be used for this purpose.
• Apply well decomposed organic manue (FYM etc.) by ploughing.
• Poultry manure, pig manure and compost etc. can be mixed with the soil.
• Cultivate leguminous crops in such soils.
• Use small plot size for irrigation.
• Remove the top sandy layer by using Karaha.
• Incorporate clay soil or village pond soil to improve the quality.

Question 4.
Explain the method of reclamation of alkali soil.
Answer:

• Level the field uniformly so that distribution of water is same throughout the field.
• Do not allow the outflow of salt dissolved water to adjoining fields, prevent it by making strong bunds around the field.
• To know the requirement of gypsum for the soil, get soil and water tested.
• Broadcast the required dose of gypsum in the field and mix it with shallow ploughing.
• Apply green manure, organic manure etc. to improve the soil.

Question 5.
Explain in detail the management strategy for clayey soils.
Answer:

• To improve water infiltration rate and aeration of the clayey soil apply green manure and organic manure.
• Plough the crop residue in the soil.
• Plough the field at proper moisture content to avoid the formation of large-sized clods. .
• This soil is suitable for cultivation of paddy.
• There should be proper drainage system so as to drain out excessive water.

PSEB 8th Class Agriculture Guide Soil and Soil Management Important Questions and Answers

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Is earth living or non-living according to soil scientists?
Answer:
It is living.

Question 2.
What is the percentage of minerals and organic matter in earth?
Answer:
Minerals 45% and organic matter 0-5%.

Question 3.
Which soil is called light soil?
Answer:
Sandy soil.

Question 4.
Which soil has high water holding capacity?
Answer:
Clayey soil.

Question 5.
Which soil is best suited for agriculture?
Answer:
Loamy soil.

Question 6.
Where is the problem of acidic soils found?
Answer:
In areas of heavy rainfall.

Question 7.
What is value of pH for Acidic soils?
Answer:
Less than 7.

Question 8.
What range of pH value is suited for agriculture?
Answer:
6.5 to 8.7.

Question 9.
What is pH of saline soils?
Answer:
Less than 8.7.

Question 10.
Which soils are called Kauai, reh, Thur or shorn?
Answer:
Saline soils.

Question 11.
How much is the water holding capacity of alkali soils?
Answer:
Very less.

Question 12.
Name a crop used for green manure?
Answer:
Sunhemp, Jantar.

Question 13.
What should be the plot size for sandy soils for irrigation?
Answer:
Small size.

Question 14.
What is the suitable time to mix lime in acidic soil?
Answer:
3-6 months before sowing the crop.

Question 15.
How big is the problem of acidic soils in Punjab?
Answer:
There is no problem of acidic soils in Punjab.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write reason why soils become acidic?
Answer:
Heavy rainfall helps in the growth of plants and more vegetation is found in such areas. Leaves etc. fall on the ground decompose and increase the acidic content. Rain water helps in the flowing out of basic salts which further adds to the acidic nature.

Question 2.
Write two properties of saline soils.
Answer:

• Chloride and sulphate salts of calcium, magnesium and potassium have high concentration in such soils.
• pH of these soils is less than 8.7.

Question 3.
Write two properties of alkali soils.
Answer:

• In such soils concentration of carbonates and bicarbonates of sodium is high.
• Infiltration rate of such soils is low.

Question 4.
Write two methods to reclaim the acidic soils.
Answer:
The soil is reclaimed by using lime. Remains from cane mill and wood ash can also be used.

Question 5.
Give properties of loamy soil.
Answer:
Its properties are between sandy and clayey soil. It feels like powder when taken in hands.

Question 6.
What is the meaning of water logged soil?
Answer:
Those soils in which water table is at depth of 0 to 1.5 m below surface of soil are called water logged soils.

Question 7.
How saline soils are reclaimed?
Answer:
Salts are washed away with water from the soil. For doing this field is flooded with water and is then ploughed. This water is drained out from the field which have salts dissolved in it. In another method, salts are made to dissolve into water and this water is allowed to leach down.

Question 8.
How can we improve sandy soils?
Answer:
We can improve sandy soil by incorporating 45-50 days old green manure crop of dhaincha/sunhemp in the soil.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Make a list of physical properties of soil. Write few lines about any one of these?
Answer:
Different soils have different physical properties. Some of the physical properties are:

1. Particle size
2. Depth
3. Colour
4. Density
5. Water holding capacity
6. Temperature
7. Pore size
8. Infiltration rate

Particle size:
Soil is made up of different mineral particles. Particle size depends on the ratio in which different sized particles are present in the soil. Fertility of the soil depends on particle size to some extent.

Question 2.
What is pH value? What is the effect of pH value on soil?
Answer:
pH value:
pH value tells us the nature of the soil i.e. acidic, neutral or alkaline nature. pH value is the ratio of concentration of hydrogen ion (H+) and hydroxyl ion (OH-) in a solution.

pH value of soil	Type of soil
> 8.7	Alkali
8.7 – 7	slightly  alkaline
7	Neutral
7.6 to 5	light acidic
< 6.5	acidic

Question 3.
Write briefly about the chemical characters of soil?
Answer:
Soils have different types of chemical properties like pH, electric conductivity (EC), salt content, etc. Based on these chemical properties, soils are classified as below:

1. Acidic soils: These soils have a pH value of less than 7. These soils are found in areas where high rainfall occurs.
2. Salt-affected soils: These soils have a high concentration of salts. Based on salt concentration, pH and EC soils can be saline, alkali, or saline-alkali.