Q 1.The highest court and the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution is
(a) The Civil Court
(b) The District Court
(c) The High Court
(d) The Supreme Court
(Chapter 3: The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans: (d) The Supreme Court
Q 2.The basic norm from which all other rules and authorities flow is known as:
(a)Constitution
(b)Supreme Court
(c)Parliament
(d)Government
(chapter 3: The story of Indian democracy)
Ans: (a) Constitution
................................ Advertisement ................................
Q 3. Explain the ideals of the Panchayati Raj.
(Social Change and Development in India - Chapter 3 :The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Here are few ideals listed of Panchayati Raj:
Q 4.What are the powers and responsibilities delegated to Panchayats?
(Social Change and Development in India - Chapter 3 :The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
The following powers and responsibilities were delegated to the Panchayats:
................................ Advertisement ................................
Q 5.Competing interests do not always reflect clear class divide.Exemplify.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Competing interests operate on the Indian social scene and clamour for control of the State’s
resources.
To explain the point “Competing interests do not always reflect clear class divide”, take
the example of a factory being closed down because it emits toxic waste that affects the
life of people.This case becomes the matter of life which, the Constitution protects. Due
to factory closure it will render people jobless.Livelihood again, is a matter of life that
the Constitution protects. It is interesting that at the time of drawing up the Constitution,
the Constituent Assembly was fully aware of this complexity and plurality but was intent
on securing social justice as a guarantee.
Q 6.How interest groups are part and parcel of a functionary democracy? Discuss.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
................................ Advertisement ................................
Q 7.Many tribal areas have rich tradition of grass-root democracy.ILlustrate with example.
(chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Many tribal areas have had a rich tradition of grassroot democratic functioning.
We give an illustrative example from Meghalaya.
Q 8.Explain the ideals of the Panchayati Raj.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Here is a list of ideals of Panchayati Raj:
................................ Advertisement ................................
Q 9.Explain the categories of Democracy.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Democracies fall into two basic categories, direct and representative.
In a direct democracy, all citizens, without the intermediary of elected or appointed officials, can participate in making public decisions. Such a system is clearly only practical with relatively small numbers of people – in a community organisation or tribal council, for example, or the local unit of a trade union, where members can meet in a single room to discuss issues and arrive at decisions by consensus or majority vote.
InRepresentative democracy, the citizens elect officials to make political decisions, formulate laws, and administer programmes for the public good. Ours is a representative democracy. Every citizen has the important right to vote her/his representative. People elect their representatives to all levels from Panchayats, Municipal Boards, State Assemblies and Parliament.
Q 10.What is Participatory democracy?
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Participatory democracy is a system of democracy in which the members of a group or community participate collectively in the taking of major decisions. For example Panchayati Raj System.
................................ Advertisement ................................
Q 11.Identify the core value of Indian democracy.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Ancient Epics
Our ancient epics like Mahabharata, our diverse folk tales from one corner of the country to another are full of dialogues, discussions and contrasting positions. That showcases democracy during that time.
Democracy in Western Countries
Society has been aiming to lay a new foundation as was summarised by the French revolution in three words, fraternity, liberty and equality. The French Revolution was welcomed because of this slogan.
The Karachi Resolution
The Karachi Resolution reflects a vision of democracy that meant not just formal holding of elections but a substantive reworking of the Indian social structure in order to have a genuine democratic society.
Q 12."Karachi Resolution reflects a vision of democracy." Discuss.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
................................ Advertisement ................................
Q 13.Why is it useful to understand the difference between law and justice? How does interpretation to laws aid social justice in India?
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Difference between law and justice
It is useful to understand that there is a difference between law and justice. The essence of law is its force. Law is law because it carries the means to coerce or force obedience. The power of the state is behind it. The essence of justice is fairness. Any system of laws functions through a hierarchy of authorities.
Constitutional Norms
The basic norm from which all other rules and authorities flow is called the Constitution. It is the document that constitutes a nation’s tenets. The Indian Constitution is India’s basic norm. All other laws are made as per the procedures the Constitution prescribes. These laws are made and implemented by the authorities specified by the Constitution.
Interpretation to laws aid social justice
A hierarchy of courts (which too are authorities created by the Constitution) interpret the laws when there is a dispute. The Supreme Court is the highest court and the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution.The Supreme Court has enhanced the substance of Fundamental Rights in the Constitution in many important ways.
Q 14.What are the sources of revenue for the Panchayats?
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
The main income of the Panchayats is from tax levied on property, profession, animals, vehicles, cess on land revenue and rentals.
................................ Advertisement ................................
Q 15."Constitution has the capacity to help people because it is based on basic norms of social justice." Explain how using an example.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
The Constitution has the capacity to help people because it is based on basic norms of social justice.It has the potential for the meaning of social justice to be extended. Social movements have also aided the Courts and authorities to interpret the contents of rights and principles in keeping with the contemporary understanding of social justice. Law and Courts are sites where competing views are debated. The Constitution remains a means to channelise and civilise political power towards social welfare. For instance, the Directive Principle on village panchayats was moved as an amendment in the Constituent Assembly by K. Santhanam. After forty odd years it became a Constitutional imperative after the 73rd Amendment in 1992.
Q 16.What is panchayati raj system?
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Panchayati Raj translates literally to "Governance by five individuals". The idea is to ensure at the village or grass root level a functioning and vibrant democracy.
................................ Advertisement ................................
Q 17.Discuss the Social welfare responsibilities of the Panchayats.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Social welfare responsibilities of the Panchayats include the maintenance of burning and burial grounds, recording statistics of births and deaths, establishment of child welfare and maternity centres, control of cattle pounds, propagation of family planning and promotion of agricultural activities.The development activities include the construction of roads, public buildings, wells, tanks and schools. They also promote small cottage industries and take care of minor irrigation works. Many government schemes like the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) are monitored by members of the panchayat.
Q 18.What are Nyaya Panchayats ?
OR
Write a short note on Nyaya Panchayats.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Social welfare responsibilities of the Panchayats include the maintenance of burning and burial grounds, recording statistics of births and deaths, establishment of child welfare and maternity centres, control of cattle pounds, propagation of family planning and promotion of agricultural activities.The development activities include the construction of roads, public buildings, wells, tanks and schools. They also promote small cottage industries and take care of minor irrigation works. Many government schemes like the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) are monitored by members of the panchayat.
................................ Advertisement ................................
Q 18.What are Nyaya Panchayats ?
OR
Write a short note on Nyaya Panchayats.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Social welfare responsibilities of the Panchayats include the maintenance of burning and burial grounds, recording statistics of births and deaths, establishment of child welfare and maternity centres, control of cattle pounds, propagation of family planning and promotion of agricultural activities.The development activities include the construction of roads, public buildings, wells, tanks and schools. They also promote small cottage industries and take care of minor irrigation works. Many government schemes like the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) are monitored by members of the panchayat.
Q 19.Write briefly about the Van Panchayats.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
In Uttarakhand women do most of the work since the men are often posted far away in the defence services. Most of the villagers are still dependent on firewood for cooking.Deforestation is a big problem in the mountainous regions. Women sometimes walk many miles to collect firewood and fodder for their animals. To overcome this problem women have set up van-panchayats. Members of the van-panchayats develop nurseries and nurture tree saplings for planting on the hill slopes. Members also police nearby forests to keep an eye on illegal felling of trees. An example of women movement is the Chipko movement – where women hugged trees to prevent them from being cut and had its beginnings in this area.
................................ Advertisement ................................
Q 20.Write briefly about Panchayati raj in tribal communities.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Q 21.What is a political party? Discuss its role in democratic politics.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
A political party may be defined as an organisation oriented towards achieving legitimate control of government through an electoral process. Political Party is an organisation established with the aim of achieving governmental power and using that power to pursue a specific programme.
Role of Political party in Democratic politics.
................................ Advertisement ................................
Q 22.Elaborate the powers and social welfare responsibilities of the Panchayats.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)
Ans:
Powers of Panchayats: