3.2 Text Questions :
I. Look a the statements in the column below: Can you identify which level they belong to ( Local/ State / Central) .
1. The decision of the Government of India to maintain peaceful relations with Russia.
2. The decision of the Government of West Bengal in whether to have a Board exam in Class 8 for all government schools.
3. Introduction of two new trains connections between Jammu and Bhubaneswar.
4. The decision to locate a common well in a particular area of the village.
5. Decision to construct a big children’s park in Patna.
6. The decision of the Haryana government to provide free electricity for all farmers.
7. Introduction of a new 1000 rupee note.
Answers:
1. Central 2. State 3. Central 4. Local 5. Local 6. State 7. Central
I. Answer the following questions :
1. What do you understand by the word ‘government’? List five ways in which you think the government effects your daily life.
Ans: The word ‘government’ refers to a governing body that makes decision and gets things done for the welfare of its citizens .The five ways in which the government effects our daily life are:
i) Legal support is provided to its citizens against any injustice and discrimination
ii) The society is kept in order as it maintains peace.
iii) It controls crime.
iv) It helps people to lead a proper life.
v) In case of natural calamities the government provides all emergency help to the affected people.
2. Why do you think the government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws?
Ans: The government needs laws to maintain peace and order in society. Laws establishes justice. It controls the resources and protects the territory of a country so that people can be safe and secure. Laws protect the rights of all its citizens. It provides equal opportunities to all. Laws make the country run efficiently.
3. Name two essential features of a democratic government.
Ans: Two essential features of a democratic government are :
i) Democracy is a rule by the people. The people rule themselves by participating in the making of these rules.
ii) In a democracy people have the power to elect their leaders. These leaders meet and make decisions for the entire population.
4. What was the suffrage movement/ What did it accomplish?
Ans: The movement for voting rights to women came to be known as suffrage movement. All over Europe and USA women and the poor have had to fight for participation in the government. Women’s struggle to vote got strengthened during the first world war Since the men had to go out for war , the women were called to do the work done by men. Women displayed their abilities in their work . So people began to demand the rights for women to vote. In America, the women got the right to vote in 1920 while the women in UK got the right to vote in 1928.
5. Gandhiji strongly believed that every adult in India should be given the right to vote. However, a few people don’t share his views. They feel that the illiterate people who are mainly poor, should not be given the right to vote. What do you think? Do you think this would be a form of discrimination? Give five points to support your view and share these with the class.
Ans: All citizens are equal. The Constitution aims at providing all equality to all its citizens:
i) We have no right to discriminate any one on the basis of poverty.
ii) An illiterate is also a citizen of India. He should be given the right to vote even if he is illiterate.
iii) Our constitution provides equal voting rights to all its citizens.
iv) As ideal citizens we have to abide by the constitutional provisions.
v) We must honour human dignity and legal provisions.