Maharashtra Board Std 8 – Parliamentary System Notes

Maharashtra Board Textbook Solutions

Standard VIII – Civics

1. Choose the correct option and rewrite the statements.

1. Parliamentary System of government developed in …………. .

(a) England
(b) France
(c) United States of America
(d) Nepal

Ans: Option (a) – England

2. In the Presidential system ………… is the executive head.

(a) The Prime Minister
(b) The Lok Sabha Speaker
(c) The President
(d) The Governor

Ans: Option (c) – The President

2. Complete the information in the following table.

Sr. No.	Name of the Institution	Functions
1	Legislature	To make laws
2	Executive	To implement laws and frame policies
3	Judiciary	To provide justice

3. Explain the following statements with reasons.

1. India adopted the parliamentary system of government.

Ans:

The Parliamentary System of government developed mainly in England.
The British ruled India for about 150 years according to this system.
Therefore, Indians became familiar with the Parliamentary System.
The Constituent Assembly discussed this system thoroughly before adopting it.
The framers of the Constitution made suitable changes according to Indian conditions and adopted the Parliamentary System.

2. Discussion and deliberations are important in a parliamentary system of government.

Ans:

In a Parliamentary System, decisions are taken after discussions and deliberations.
Members of the opposition party also take part in discussions.
They support good policies and point out the shortcomings of the government.
Laws related to public welfare are framed after detailed discussions.
Therefore, discussions and deliberations help protect the welfare and freedom of the people.

4. Answer the following in 25 to 30 words.

1. What is a responsible government?

Ans:

A government in which the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are responsible to the Legislature is called a Responsible Government.
The Council of Ministers must take the Legislature into confidence while governing.
Every decision taken by any ministry or department is considered a decision of the government.

2. Enumerate the characteristics of the Presidential system of government.

Ans:

The President is directly elected by the people.
The President has many powers, including the power to implement laws.
The President is not dependent on the support of the Legislature.
The Legislature and the Executive are independent of each other, but they exercise mutual control.

5. Why is the role of opposition parties important? Write your opinion.

Ans:

The opposition parties participate in discussions and point out the shortcomings in government policies.
They control the Executive through debates and arguments in Parliament.
The presence of opposition parties prevents the government from acting irresponsibly.
Opposition parties help prevent corruption, faulty laws, and neglect of public welfare.