Samacheer Class 8 Social Science - How the State Government Works

There are 29 states in India at present, following the reorganization of states and the creation of new states over time. The tenure of the Governor is normally five years, after which the appointment may be renewed or a new Governor may be appointed. The District Judges are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the High Court, ensuring a structured judicial hierarchy. The Governor is the real head of the state in terms of constitutional authority and ceremonial functions, though the Chief Minister is the executive head who runs the government. The minimum age to become an MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) is 25 years, ensuring that representatives have sufficient maturity and experience to serve in the state legislature.

True

False

True

The State Legislature consists of the Governor and one or two houses. The upper house is called the Legislative Council while the lower house is called the Legislative Assembly.

A person has to be at least 25 years old to contest in the election.
Even if a person does not belong to any political party, he can contest the election and such a candidate is called an independent candidate.

The Governor appoints the leader of the majority party in the State Legislative Assembly as the Chief Minister. He is the head of the State Council of Ministers.

In Tamil Nadu, there are 234 legislative constituencies.
The party with more than 118 elected candidates (MLA) are invited by the governor to form the Government.

Powers and functions:
1. The Chief Minister is the chief administrator of the State. All major decisions of the State Government are taken under his leadership.
2. The Chief Minister plays an important role in the formation of the Council of Ministers. On the advice of the Chief Minister, the Governor appoints the other Ministers.
3. The Chief Minister supervises the activities of different ministries and advises them accordingly. He also coordinates the activities of different ministries.
4. The Chief Minister plays an important role in making policies of the State Government ensuring public interest. His voice is final in the policy decisions of the State Government.
5. The Governor appoints different higher officials of the State Government on the advice of the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers.
2. Discuss the powers and functions of the Legislative Assembly.
The Lower house is called the Legislative Assembly.
Legislative Assembly:
The people who make the laws of a state government are called ‘Members of the Legislative Assembly’ (MLA).
MLAs are chosen from different constituencies.
For the election of MLA’s the entire State is divided into different constituencies
One MLA is chosen from each legislative constituency to represent the Legislative Assembly.
Election:
Different political parties compete in the election by nominating candidates from each constituency.
One person can stand in more than one constituency at the same time.
Every party has its own symbol.
People who are above the age of 18 can cast a vote in the legislative assembly election.
The meetings of the Assembly are presided over by the Speaker and in his absence, the Deputy Speaker conducts its meetings.
3. Write about the powers and functions of the High Court.
1. The High Court has been empowered to issue writs of Habeas corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto for the enforcement of the fundamental rights and for other purposes.
2. Every High Court has a general power of superintendence over all the lower courts and tribunals within its jurisdiction.
3. If a case is pending before a subordinate court and the High Court is satisfied that it involves a substantial question of the constitutional law, it can take up the case and decide it itself.
4. The High Court controls all the subordinate courts in the State.
5. Like the Supreme Court, the High Court also acts as a Court of Record.

The Governor is the Chief Executive in a state.
All the executive powers of the state are vested upon him and decisions is taken in his name.
He appoints the chief minister and council of ministers.
The President imposes an emergency in a state under Article 356 on the basis of the Governor.
The Governor also acts as the Chancellor of state universities.
Money bills can be introduced in the state Legislative Assembly only with the approval of the Governor.
The annual budget of the state Government inlaid before the legislature with the approval of the

A Bill is presented in the Legislative Assembly.
Debates and discussions take place on it.
Changes can be made in the Bill.
If more than half of the MLAs vote in favour of the Bill, it is said to be passed.
The Bill to get the assent of the Governor to become an Act.

The state governor appoints the chief justice of the high court is False, as the Chief Justice of the High Court is appointed by the President of India in consultation with the Chief Justice of India. Executing laws is the job of the state's council of ministers is True, as the council of ministers under the Chief Minister is responsible for implementing and executing the laws passed by the legislature. The Governor can nominate two members from the Anglo Indian community is False, as this power applies to the Legislative Council in states that have a bicameral legislature, not the Assembly. The party which got majority seats in the election forms the government is True, as the party or coalition with the most seats in the Legislative Assembly gets to form the government. Two houses of state legislature are present in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is True, as these states have bicameral legislatures with both a Legislative Assembly and a Legislative Council.