Working of Institutions...................Part I

SUMMARY OF THE TOPICS  ON WHICH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ARE GIVEN: 

HOW IS A MAJOR POLICY DECISION TAKEN? 
PARLIAMENT
POLITICAL EXECUTIVE
THE JUDICIARY


I. Answer the following questions :

Q1. What was Mandal Commission? Describe the process of implementation of the Mandal Commission Report.

1. The Government of India had appointed the Second Backward Classes Commission in 1979. 
2. It was headed by B.P. Mandal and was popularly called the Mandal Commission. 
3. It was asked to determine the criteria to identify the socially and educationally backward classes in India and recommend steps to be taken for their advancement. 
4. The Commission gave its Report in 1980 and made many recommendations. 
5. One of these was that 27 per cent of government jobs be reserved for the Socially and Educationally backward classes.
6. The Report and recommendations were discussed in the Parliament. 

The process of implementation of the Mandal Commission Report.

In 1989 the Janata Dal  formed the government and V. P. Singh became the Prime Minister.

As promised in its election manifesto Prime Minister wanted to implement the Mandal Commission report.

Several developments took place after that to implement the Mandal Commission report.

1. The President of India in his address to the Parliament announced the intention of the government to implement the recommendations of the Mandal Commission.
2. On 6 August 1990, the Union Cabinet took a formal decision to
   implement the recommendations.
3. Next day Prime Minister V.P. Singh informed the Parliament about this decision through a statement in both the Houses of Parliament.
4. The decision of the Cabinet was sent to the Department of Personnel and Training. 
5. The senior officers of the Department drafted an order in line with the Cabinet decision and took the minister’s approval.
6. The Joint Secretary, an officer in the Department of Personnel and Training in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, signed the Order called an Office Memorandum with number O.M.No.36012/31/90-Est (SCT), dated 13.8.1990.
7. There were several protest against this Order through the country.
8. The Supreme Court judges in 1992 declared that this order of the Government of India was valid.
9. The Supreme Court asked the government to modify its original order and said that well-to do persons among the backward classes should be excluded from getting the benefit of reservation.
10. Accordingly, the Department of Personnel and Training issued
    another Office Memorandum on September 8, 1993.
11. The dispute thus came to an end and the Order was implemented.

Q2. What are the functions of government?Why there is need for Political Institutions in a democracy?

1. The government is responsible for ensuring security to the citizens.
2. To provide facilities for education and health to all. 
3. It collects taxes and spends the money thus raised on administration, defence and development programmes. 
4. It formulates and implements several welfare schemes.

The Political institutions perform functions assigned to them according to the rules laid down by the Constitution and helps in   the smooth functioning of government. 

Q3. What is Parliament?Why do we need a Parliament?

1. In India National Assembly of elected representatives is called Parliament. 
2. The elected representatives exercises supreme political authority on behalf of the people. 
3. At the state level this is called Legislature or Legislative Assembly Parliament is the final authority for making laws in the country.
4. In India Parliaments exercise direct and full control over those who run the government and can take decisions only so long as they enjoy support of the Parliament.
5. Parliaments control all the money that governments have and the public money can be spent only when the Parliament sanctions it.
6. Parliament is the highest forum of discussion and debate on public issues and national policy in the country. 
7. Parliament can seek information about any matter.