NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 3 – How the State Government Works
Page No 41:
Question 1:
Use the terms ‘constituency’ and ‘represent’ to explain who an MLA and how is the person elected?
Answer:
An MLA is a member of the Legislative Assembly. They are elected by the people of their constituency. The MLAs represent the people in their constituency in the Legislative Assembly.
Question 2:
How did some MLAs becomes Ministers? Explain.
Answer:
Some MLAs become ministers when their party wins more than half the number of constituencies in a state and thus is in majority. The party which is in majority then makes a cabinet whose members are called ministers.
Question 3:
Why should decisions taken by the Chief Minister and other ministers be debated in the Legislative Assembly?
Answer:
Decisions taken by the chief minister and other ministers should be debated in the Legislative Assembly because these decisions have to be approved by the members of the legislative assembly. The MLAs are collectively responsible for the work that the government does.
Question 4:
What was the problem in Patalpuram? What discussion/action was taken by the following? Fill in the table.
| Public meeting |
| Legislative Assembly |
| Press Conference |
| Chief minister |
Answer:
The problem in Patalpuram was that there was a shortage of clean drinking water and lack of proper sanitation. Added to this, the people were dying of diseases while there was a shortage of proper medical facilities.
| Public meeting − The people decided that the MLA must take responsibility for the deteriorating healthcare and sanitation conditions. |
| Legislative Assembly − The MLAs discussed the need for proper sanitation and healthcare facilities and asked the government about the steps it had taken to ensure the same. |
| Press Conference − The minister explained the steps taken to improve medical facilities and provide tankers which would supply clean drinking water. |
| Chief minister − He promised funds for the measures which the health minister suggested and said that the problem of garbage would be looked after too. |
Question 5:
What is the difference between the work that MLAs do in the Assembly and the work done by government departments?
Answer:
MLAs make and debate decisions in the assembly. The government departments implement the decisions made by the Legislative Assembly.
