Identify the correct statements about the theory of basic structure.
Correct the incorrect statements.
a. Constitution specifies the basic tenets.
b. Legislature can amend all parts of the Constitution except the
basic structure.
c. Judiciary has defined which aspects of the Constitution can be
termed as the basic structure and which cannot.
d. This theory found its first expression in the Kesavananda
Bharati case and has been discussed in subsequent judgments.
e. This theory has increased the powers of the judiciary and has
come to be accepted by different political parties and the
government.
Which of the following is not a reasonable explanation of the conflict
between the legislature and the judiciary over different
amendments?
a. Different interpretations of the Constitution are possible.
b. In a democracy, debates and differences are natural.
c. Constitution has given higher importance to certain rules and
principles and also allowed for amendment by special majority.
d. Legislature cannot be entrusted to protect the rights of the
citizens.
e. Judiciary can only decide the constitutionality of a particular
law; cannot resolve political debates about its need.
You have read in this chapter that the 42nd amendment was one of
the most controversial amendments so far. Which of the following
were the reasons for this controversy?
a. It was made during national emergency, and the declaration of
that emergency was itself controversial.
b. It was made without the support of special majority.
c. It was made without ratification by State legislatures.
d. It contained provisions, which were controversial.
Which of the following are involved in the amendment of the Indian
Constitution? In what way are they involved?
a. Voters
b. President of India
c. State Legislatures
d. Parliament
e. Governors
f. Judiciary
Write True / False against the following statements.
a. The President cannot send back an amendment bill for
reconsideration of Parliament.
b. Elected representatives alone have the power to amend the
Constitution.
c. The Judiciary cannot initiate the process of constitutional
amendment but can effectively change the Constitution by
interpreting it differently.
d. Parliament can amend any section of the Constitution.
Choose the correct statement from the following.
A constitution needs to be amended from time to time because,
√ Circumstances change and require suitable changes in the
constitution.
√ A document written at one point of time becomes outdated after
some time.
√ Every generation should have a constitution of its own liking.
√ It must reflect the philosophy of the existing government.
A student of Delhi University, Raghavendra Parpanna, wanted to
study the role of decentralisation in decision making about primary
education. He asked some questions to the villagers. These questions
are given below. If you were among those villagers, what answer
would you give to each of these questions?
A meeting of the Gram Sabha is to be called to discuss what
steps should be taken to ensure that every child of the village goes
to the school.
a. How would you decide the suitable day for the meeting? Think
who would be able to attend / not attend the meeting because
of your choice.
(i) A day specified by the BDO or the collector
(ii) Day of the village haat
(iii) Sunday
(iv) Naag panchami / sankranti
b. What is a suitable venue for the meeting? Why?
(i) Venue suggested by the circular of the district collector.
(ii) Religious place in the village.
(iii) Dalit Mohalla.
(iv) Upper caste Tola
(v) Village school
c. In the Gram Sabha meeting firstly a circular sent by the district
collector was read. It suggested what steps should be taken to
organise an education rally and what should be its route. The
meeting did not discuss about the children who never come to
school or about girls’ education, or the condition of the school
building and the timing of the school. No women teacher
attended the meeting as it was held on Sunday.
What do you think about these proceedings as an instance
of people’s participation?
d. Imagine your class as the Gram Sabha. Discuss the agenda of
the meeting and suggest some steps to realise the goal.
Which of the following according to you involve decentralisation?
Why are other options not sufficient for decentralisation?
a. To hold election of the Gram Panchayat.
b. Decision by the villagers themselves about what policies and
programmes are useful for the village.
c. Power to call meeting of Gram Sabha.
d. A Gram Panchayat receiving the report from the Block
Development Officer about the progress of a project started by
the State government.
The following are different justifications given in favour of local
government. Give them ranking and explain why you attach greater
significance to a particular rationale than the others. According to
you, on which of these rationales the decision of the Gram panchayat
of Vengaivasal village was based? How?
a. Government can complete the projects with lesser cost with the
involvement of the local community.
b. The development plans made by the local people will have greater
acceptability than those made by the government officers.
c. People know their area, needs problems and priorities. By
collective participation they should discuss and take decisions
about their life.
d. It is difficult for the common people to contact their
representatives of the State or the national legislature.
Read the provisions of the 73rd Amendment. Which of the following
concerns does this amendment address?
a. Fear of replacement makes representatives accountable to the
people.
b. The dominant castes and feudal landlords dominate the local
bodies.
c. Rural illiteracy is very high. Illiterate people cannot take
decisions about the development of the village.
d. To be effective the village panchayats need resources and powers
to make plans for the village development.
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