The Parliament (Indian Polity and Governance) Part-II

Total Questions: 44

41. The Lok Sabha Secretariat comes under the direct supervision of: [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

Correct Answer: (d) Lok Sabha Speaker
Solution:The Lok Sabha Secretariat works under the direction and control of the Speaker of the House. The Secretariat has supreme authority over its employees, premises, and assets of the Parliament and exercises this authority through the Secretary (as provided by Article 98 and rules 124 and 124-A).

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is a pivotal figure in the Indian parliamentary system, serving as the guardian of the Lok Sabha's powers, privileges, and democratic principles. While the office of the Speaker is endowed with significant authority and autonomy, the persistent challenges to its impartiality and fairness underscore the need for continued vigilance and adherence to the highest standards of parliamentary conduct. As the custodian of the Lok Sabha's integrity, the Speaker must strive to rise above partisan considerations and act as an impartial arbitrator, upholding the collective interests of the members and the institution.

42. Consider the following statements in relation to woman members of 15- Lok Sabha- [R.A.S/R.T.S. (Pre) 2013]

(i) They are less than 10% of total members.

(ii) Maximum of them belong to Indian National Congress.

(iii) Three members are elected from Rajasthan.

(iv) Maximum women members are elected from Uttar Pradesh.

Which is/are true-

Correct Answer: (d) Only (1), (ii) and (iv)
Solution:In the 17 Lok Sabha, the number of women members was more than 14% of the total number of members. There were a total of 78 women members, out of which 6 were from Congress (INC) and 41 from BJP. The highest number of women were elected from Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal (11 from each). Significantly in 2023, Parliament passed the 106 Amendment Act, 2023 which reserves one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha, the State Legislative Assemblies and the Legislative Assembly of the National capital Tiritory of Delhi, including those reserved for SCs and STs.

43. In which year the number of women member of Parliament was the lowest in Lok Sabha? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (c) 1977
Solution:The lowest number of women elected to Lok Sabha was in 1977, when only 19 women reached the lower house. In the General Election 2019, the highest number of women reached to the Lok Sabha (78).

Women's participation in politics is a cornerstone for democratic representation and gender equality. Despite global progress, women remain underrepresented in political institutions, and barriers like social norms, systemic challenges, and limited access to resources impede their participation.
However, strides have been made in recent years with international movements, legal reforms, and increasing recognition of women leaders in the political sphere. In the Indian context, the 18th Lok Sabha has 74 women Members of Parliament (MPs). This represents 13.6% of the total 543 seats in the Lok Sabha.

44. Consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre.) 2018]

1. In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatantra Party.

2. In the Lok Sabha, a "Leader of the Opposition" was recognised for the first time in 1969.

3. In the Lok Sabha, if a party does not have a minimum of 75 members, its leader cannot be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:*The first Lok Sabha elections were conducted for 489 seats, out of which the Indian National Congress (INC) won 364 seats and emerged as the single largest party.

*Second place was secured by the Communist Party of India with 16 seats.

*It was only in 1969, that a leader of opposition' was recognised. Till then, the practice was to call the leader of the party in opposition, having the largest number of members as the leader of the opposition, without having any formal recognition, status or privilege.

*However, in order to get formal recognition, the concerned party must have at least 10% of the total strength of the House i.e. 55 seats in the Lok Sabha.