Page 192 - SST Class 06

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What is Government?

Every now and then, in social media or newspa- matters. Government may also have to extend
pers, you may have come across news about a help to the poor or the needy.
new bill or a new policy update. In recent times, The government also has to defend the
the demonetization moves and the GST rollout nation against attack by foreign powers, some of
took over the country with a storm. More often whom may not be friendly with us. It has to
than not, conversations always revolve around protect the boundaries of the country and integ-
politics. What went right or what went wrong? rity of the people of the nation. It ensures that all
Sometimes, it’s about a fuel hike and sometimes its citizens have enough to eat and have good
it’s about the general law and order or social health facilities. It has to organise aid and assis-
welfare. All in all, all these topics or conversations tance in the case of national emergencies or
revolve around the government. disasters such as the Tsunami or an earthquake.
So, what is a government? A government is an In case of a dispute or a crime, people find
institution or a system made of a group of people justice in a court. Courts are also a part of the
that takes care or manages a country or a state. government.
Every government has its own constitution or a
set of fundamental principles that it follows to
ensure effective governance. Now, when we say
governance, what does that entail? How does it
work? Once appointed or formed, the govern-
ment is responsible for the social welfare, law
and order, defense and financial affairs of the
country.
NEED FOR GOVERNMENT

Every country needs a government to rule it, by
which is meant to run the affairs of the country Supreme Court of India
according to some law. We also need a govern-
ment to take decisions on important matters like
having roads, railways, airways, waterways and
other facilities including drinking water and
electricity. There are also some social issues like
registration of births and deaths, marriages and
civil issues like disputes between two parties or
Organisation
criminal activities by thieves and murders. Only
the government can take decisions on these You might wonder how a government functions
in an orderly manner to perform these multifari-

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