Summary
This chapter explains how state governments work in India — how MLAs are elected from constituencies, how the ruling party forms the government, and how the Legislative Assembly debates issues and authorises decisions, illustrated through a health crisis in Patalpuram.
This chapter explains the structure of state government in India using the example of a health crisis in Patalpuram. It covers how Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are elected from constituencies, how the ruling party forms the government, and how the Chief Minister and ministers are appointed. Using Himachal Pradesh's 2017 election results — BJP winning 44 of 68 seats to gain majority — the chapter illustrates key terms like majority, ruling party, and opposition. It also shows how the Legislative Assembly debates issues, how ministers respond through press conferences and visits, and how government departments such as Health and Public Works implement policies.
Key points & formulas
- 01Every state in India has a Legislative Assembly; each state is divided into constituencies, and voters in each constituency elect one MLA.
- 02A political party that wins more than half the total constituencies gains a majority and becomes the ruling party; all other elected members form the opposition.
- 03In Himachal Pradesh's 2017 assembly elections, the BJP won 44 of 68 seats, gained majority, and formed the ruling party; Shri Jairam Thakur was chosen as Chief Minister by BJP MLAs.
- 04The Governor is the Head of the State, appointed by the Central Government to ensure the state government works within the Constitution.
- 05MLAs from both the ruling party and opposition meet in the Legislative Assembly to debate issues, ask questions of ministers, and authorise government decisions — ministers must answer to the Assembly.
- 06The Executive (Chief Minister and ministers) runs government departments such as Health, Public Works, Agriculture, and School Education to implement policies.
- 07State laws are made in the Legislative Assembly; laws for the entire country are made in Parliament.
- 08In a democracy, people can also voice opinions through public meetings, the media, and press conferences — as seen when the health minister held a press conference during the Patalpuram diarrhoea epidemic.
Frequently asked questions
01Who is an MLA and how is one elected?
An MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) is elected by the people from a specific area called a constituency. Each constituency elects one representative who becomes an MLA and thus represents the people of that area.
02What is a constituency?
A constituency is a particular area from which all the voters living there choose their representative. For example, the state of Himachal Pradesh is divided into 68 assembly constituencies, each electing one MLA.
03How does a political party gain majority in the Legislative Assembly?
A political party gains majority when it wins more than half the total number of constituencies. In Himachal Pradesh, with 68 constituencies, a party needed more than 34 MLAs to have majority.
04What is the difference between the ruling party and the opposition?
The political party that has majority is called the ruling party and forms the government. All other elected MLAs are called the opposition; they question government decisions and raise issues in the Assembly.
05How does someone become Chief Minister?
After elections, the MLAs of the ruling party elect their leader, who becomes the Chief Minister. The Governor of the state then formally appoints the Chief Minister and other ministers.
06What is the role of the Governor of a state?
The Governor is the Head of the State, appointed by the Central Government. The Governor ensures that the State Government works within the rules and regulations of the Constitution, and formally appoints the Chief Minister and other ministers.
07What happens in the Legislative Assembly?
The Legislative Assembly is where all MLAs — from the ruling party and the opposition — meet to debate current issues, ask questions, decide where money should be spent, and authorise government decisions. Ministers must answer questions raised there.
08What is the difference between the Legislature and the Executive?
The Legislature consists of all MLAs assembled in the Legislative Assembly; they have the main authority and supervise the government. The Executive (commonly called 'the government') refers to the Chief Minister and ministers who run various government departments and ministries.
09How are laws made at the state level?
Laws for a state are made in that state's Legislative Assembly. For example, the government can make laws on sanitation or health facilities. Laws for the entire country, by contrast, are made in Parliament.
10What is a press conference and why is it held?
A press conference is a gathering of journalists from the media who are invited to hear about and ask questions on a particular issue. They then report on it to the larger public. In the chapter, the health minister held a press conference to explain steps taken during the Patalpuram diarrhoea epidemic.
11What is a coalition government?
At times the ruling party may not be a single party but a group of parties working together. This is called a coalition.
12Can I download the Class 7 Social Science Social and Political Life II Chapter 3 PDF for free?
Yes — the NCERT PDF for this chapter is available free on CBSEPrepMaster with no sign-up required.
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