Power Sharing Mechanisms in Democracy: NBSE class 10 Social Science

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Here you will find all the questions, solutions, answers, and notes of chapter 12 Power Sharing Mechanisms in Democracy of Social Science for class 10 students studying under Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). However, the study materials should be used only for references and nothing more. The notes can be modified/changed according to needs.

Federalism is a system of government in which power is constitutionally divided between the national or central government and various regional units. Each government is autonomous. Federalism allows two sets of identities; people belong to the region as well as the country. For example, one can be an Assamese as well as an Indian. The national government in a federation holds powers related to common national interests like Defence, Foreign policy, Finance, etc. The provincial or state governments hold powers related to regional interests like law and order. The central and state governments have independent, distinct and exclusive powers. Thus, we conclude that vertical division of power sharing is most commonly referred to as federalism.

Under the unitary system, real and effective powers are in the hands of the national or union government. The centre can transfer some of its powers to regional levels on its own. The central government can pass orders to the provincial or regional governments which are subordinate to it. But in a federal system, the regional governments are not subordinate to the centre; hence, it cannot pass orders to them. State or regional governments are not answerable to the central government. Both the set of governments are separately answerable to their respective legislatures or to the people.

II. Very Short Answer questions

1.Name three Indian states which have been created in 2000.

Answer: The three states Indian that which have been created in 2000 are Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand.

2. What was the main objective of Sarkaria Commission?

Answer: The main objective of the Sarkaria Commission was to examine the relationships between the state and the central government and the state governments and the powers they share.

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5. What is the popular name of rural local government?

Answer: The popular name of rural local government is Panchayati Raj.

III. Short Answer Questions

1.Which countries follow the ‘coming together’, style of federalism?

Answer: A few countries which follow the ‘coming together’ style of the federation are the USA, Switzerland, and Australia.

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4. Name the court which solves the disputes arising between the central government and various state governments.

Answer: The Supreme Court of India solves the disputes arising between the central government and various state governments.

IV. Long Answer Questions

1.Differentiate between a federal and a unitary form of the government? Give an example.

Answer: Federal form of government is a system of government in which power is constitutionally divided
between the national or central government and various regional units. Each government is autonomous. Federalism allows two sets of identities; people belong to the region as well as the country. For example, one can be an Assamese as well as an Indian.

Under the unitarY sYstem, real and effective powers are in the hands of the national or union government. The centre can transfer some of its powers to regional levels on its own. The central government can pass orders to the provincial or regional governments which are subordinate to it. Example China, France, etc.

2. Mention any four factors behind the decentralisation of power in India.

Answer: Four factors behind the decentralisation of power in India are:

i. Several states of India are bigger than independent countries of Europe For the sake of efficiency in administration, a state had to give some of the powers to local self-governments.

ii. A large number of issues and problems are best settled at the local level because these may be different in different localities of the same state.

iii. People at the local level have a better knowledge of problems and solutions at the local level.

iv. If local people directly participate in the processes of governance, democracy is strengthened at the grassroots level.

3. List the main features of the 73rd Amendment Act.

Answer: The main features of the 73rd Amendment Act are:

i. All states have a uniform three-tier Panchayati Raj structure. At the base is the ‘Gram Panchayat,’ the middle level is referred to as Panchayat Samiti and at the apex is the ‘Zila Parishad’ covering the whole district.

ii. A few Gram Panchayats are grouped together to form what is called a Panchayat Samiti. Its members are elected by all the panchayat members in that area.

iii. There is also a provision for the mandatory creation of Gram Sabhas. A Gram Sabha comprises all the adult members registered as voters in the PanchaYat area.

iv. Each village or a group of villages has a Gram Panchayat. This is a council consisting of panchas and a sarpanch. They are elected by all adult population in a village

v. The Gram Sabha supervises the functioning of Gram Panchayat. It approves the budget of Gram Panchayat and reviews its performance.

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8. Mention the power and functions of a panchayat.

Answer: The main powers of the panchayat are:

i. The maintenance, the repair, the construction, the protection of public properties.
ii. The control and administration of the gram panchayat’s funds.
iii. The imposition, assessment, and collection of taxes.
iv. The removal of encroachment of public streets and places.
v. The supply of drinking water, disinfecting the sources of supply and storage of water.

9. Describe any four measures taken to decentralise power in India.

Answer: Four measures taken to decentralise power in India are:

i. The first step taken to decentralize power in India was the adoption of a federal system of government right after independence which defines the power sharing between the central government and the state governments.

ii. A Community Development Programme was initiated at first in 1952. Then a three-tier Panchayati Raj system of local government was started in the rural areas.

iii. In the beginning, these local bodies did not have enough powers and functions to look after the local development. Subsequently, the 73rd and 74th amendments were passed by the Parliament in 1992 to give more powers to the local governments.

iv. The 73rd Amendment referred to rural local governments (referred to as Panchayati Raj institutions or PRls) while the 74th amendment made provisions for urban local governments (Nagarpalikas). They came into force in 1993.

10. Mention any four features of local self-government.

Answer: Four features of local self-government are:

i. It is now constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.

ii. Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and executive heads of these institutions for weaker sections of society such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.

iii. About one-third of all states are reserved for women.

iv. An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each state to conduct panchayat and municipal elections.

Extra/additional questions and answers/solutions

1. What is a Federation?

Answer: A federation is a form of government in which power is shared between a central authority and the country’s various constituent units of the country.

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36. How many subjects are there on the concurrent list? 

Answer: There are 52 subjects on the concurrent list.

37. In India, how many languages have been officially recognised?

Answer: In India, 22 languages have been officially recognised.

38. What are the advantages of decentralisation? 

Answer: Decentralization has the following advantages:(a) There are numerous problems and issues that are best resolved at the local level because locals are more knowledgeable about them.
(b) Direct participation of citizens in political activities aimed at resolving various problems.
(c) Democracy’s foundation is strengthened.
(d) It lessens the central government’s burden.

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