Page 131 - Journeys Through Society-7
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India is a Union of States (Art 1). It means that there is presented in the form
one Union or central government and several state of a bill. There are two
governments. The citizens of India vote to elect their kinds of bills—ordinary
representatives at various levels: at the level of the bills and money bills.
Parliament, state legislative assemblies and local Ordinary bills deal with
bodies. The government at the state level is general administrative
represented by a Council of Ministers. The Chief issues. Money bills deal
Minister of a state is appointed by the Governor, who with finance or expenditure. They also include
also appoints the other ministers on the advice of the imposing new taxes or abolishing old taxes.
Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is the leader of the For any bill to become a law, it is first introduced in
party which enjoys majority support of the elected either House of the legislature. After a detailed
members in the Assembly, while the ministers are discussion, the bill is put to vote in the House. From
appointed from among the MLAs of that party. here, it goes to the other House for approval. Then it is
send to the Governor. When the Governor signs the
bill, it becomes a law. A Governor does not have the
power to reject any bill, but he can send it back to the
legislature with some suggestions.
Public Protests
In a democracy, people have the right to express their
opinion and voice their concern on public issues. If the
people are not happy with some of the laws passed by
the legislatures, they can show their resentment
against the bill. Bandhs, hartals and mass
People participating in the general elections
demonstrations are basic forms of protest used by
The Election Commission of India political parties and mass organisations to express
themselves.
The Election Commission of India is a permanent
Constitutional body. It is the organisation which Protest is often 'against' something, or an attempt to
conducts the elections in the country. It not only stop a policy or practice which would otherwise go
organises and conducts national and state elections ahead unquestioned. While the right of the people to
but also conducts elections to the offices of the protest peacefully is an important right in a
President and the Vice-President. The Election democracy, it is important for people to remember to
maintain the law and order while protesting.
Commission was established in accordance with the
Constitution on 25 January 1950. It currently consists
of a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election
Commissioners. Political parties are registered with
the Election Commission under the Representation of
People's Act, 1951. The Commission usually
announces the election schedule a few weeks before
the formal process is set in motion and conducts the
election process peacefully.
How a Bill Becomes a Law?
The state legislatures have many functions to perform
but their main function is that of making laws and
presenting the budget. Before a law is passed, it is A public protest
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