Page 206 - SST Class 07

Assembly. If a decision is taken by the cabinet, known as Members of Legislative Assembly
the entire Council of Ministers has to stand by it,
if any ministerial responsibility through the
following methods :
(a) By asking questions and supplementary
questions.
(b) Zero-Hour;
(c) Adjournment motion,
(d) No-confidence motion.
If a No-confidence motion is passed, the entire
council of ministers has to resign.
State Legislature
The Indian Union consists of 28 states and 9
Union Territories.
Bicameral Legislature
The State Legislature consists of the Governor
and two houses :
(a) The Upper House known as the Legislative
Council.
(b) The Lower House known as the Legislative
Assembly.
In India, the state of Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir,
Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have
two bicameral legislatures. All the other states
have unicameral legislature., i.e., lower house
known as State Legislative Assembly.
Composition of Legislative Assembly
The State Legislative Assembly consists of
members chosen by direct election on the basis
of Universal Adult Franchise. The number of
members shall not be more than 60. The compo-
sition of Legislative Assembly varies from seats to
state depending upon its population. U.P. With
404 seats has the maximum number of states.
Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their popula-
tion while one Anglo-Indian member may be
nominated by the Governor to give their com-
munity adequate representation. Its members are
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(MLA), and are elected for a period of 5 years.
Composition of State Legislative Council
The total strength of the State Legislative Council
shall not exceed one-third of the total number of
members in the State Legislative Assembly. It is a
permanent house. Its members are elected for a
six-year term with one-third members retiring
after every 2 years. Its composition is as follows :
(a) One-third members are elected by the
members of the State Legislative Assembly.
(b) One-third members are elected by members
of municipalities and state local bodies.
(c) One-twelfth members are elected by teach-
ers of three years standing.
(d) One-twelfth members are elected by gradu-
ates of more than three years standing.
(e) One sixth members are nominated by the
Governor from distinguished persons.
Powers of State Legislative
1. Legislative Powers
(a) It makes law over subjects mentioned
in the state list.
(b) It makes laws over subjects mentioned
in the state list, but if its law comes into
conflict with the central law, the central
law prevails over the state law.
2. Financial Powers
(a) The legislature passes the budget.
(b) Money bills can originate only in the
Legislative Assembly.
3. Executive Powers
(a) The Council of Ministers is individually
and collectively responsible to the State
Legislative Assembly. The State
Legislature uses the following tech-
niques to control the ministers:
(i) Questions and supplementary
Questions