Maharashtra Board Class 8 Civics Chapter 5 – The State Government Solutions

📘 1. Choose the Correct Option and Complete the Statements

(1) The Winter Session of the Maharashtra Legislature takes place at __________.

  • (a) Mumbai
  • (b) Nagpur
  • (c) Pune
  • (d) Aurangabad

Answer: ✅ Option (b) – Nagpur

(2) The __________ appoints the Governor.

  • (a) Chief Minister
  • (b) Prime Minister
  • (c) President
  • (d) Chief Justice

Answer: ✅ Option (c) – President

(3) The right to summon the State Legislature lies with the __________.

  • (a) Chief Minister
  • (b) Governor
  • (c) President
  • (d) Speaker

Answer: ✅ Option (b) – Governor

📘 2. Complete the Table

HousesVidhan SabhaVidhan Parishad
Tenure(i) 5 years
(ii) Elections can be held before completion of 5 years		(i) Permanent House
(ii) Tenure of each member is 6 years
(iii) One-third members retire every 2 years
No. of Members28878
Type of Election(i) Directly elected by the people
(ii) Governor may appoint one Anglo-Indian member if required
(iii) Reserved seats for SC and ST		(i) Some members nominated by the Governor
(ii) Some elected by MLAs
(iii) Some elected from local government institutions
(iv) Some elected from teacher constituencies
(v) Some elected from graduate constituencies
HeadSpeaker (elected by members of Vidhan Sabha)Chairman (elected by members of Vidhan Parishad)

📘 3. Write Short Notes

(1) The Governor

  1. The Governor is the nominal or constitutional head of the state.
  2. The government of the state functions in his name.
  3. He is appointed by the President and holds office at the President’s pleasure.
  4. He appoints the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers.
  5. He has important legislative and executive powers.
  6. He has the authority to summon sessions of the State Legislature.
  7. In urgent situations, he can issue ordinances.

(2) Functions of the Chief Minister

The Chief Minister is the real executive head of the state. His functions include:

  1. Forming a capable Council of Ministers with representation from various regions and social groups.
  2. Distributing portfolios based on experience, administrative skills, leadership qualities, and public awareness.
  3. Maintaining coordination among different departments and resolving conflicts.
  4. Framing policies and ensuring their effective implementation.
  5. Addressing state issues and working for the welfare of the people.

📘 4. Answer the Following in Brief

(1) Functions of the Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha

  1. The Speaker is elected by the members of the Vidhan Sabha.
  2. He prepares the agenda and order of daily proceedings.
  3. He maintains discipline in the House.
  4. He can suspend members for misconduct.
  5. He controls and guides the proceedings during sessions.

(2) Why Did the Constitution Adopt a Federal System for India?

  1. India has a vast geographical area.
  2. It has a multicultural and diverse population.
  3. There is diversity in language, religion, and regional characteristics.
  4. Governing such a large country from one central authority would not be practical.

Therefore, the Constitution adopted a federal system for India.

(3) Considerations of the Chief Minister While Allocating Portfolios

  1. Some departments are more important than others, so suitable ministers must be selected.
  2. The experience and efficiency of ministers must be considered.
  3. Political experience and administrative ability are important factors.
  4. Leadership qualities and awareness of public issues are also considered.
  5. In coalition governments, portfolios must be distributed fairly among alliance partners.

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