Punjab State Board PSEB 11th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 25 The Union Legislature Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
PSEB Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 25 The Union Legislature
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Describe the composition of Indian Parliament and compare the powers of the Rajya Sabha with those of the Lok Sabha.
Or
Discuss the composition of Indian Parliament. Describe the relations between the two Houses of Parliament.
Answer:
All the legislative powers of the federal government are vested in the Parliament. The laws framed by the Indian Parliament are enforced in the whole of the country. The Parliament holds its meetings in New Delhi, the Capital of India.
Composition:
Article 79 of the Constitution provides a bicameral parliament for the Union. The Union Parliament consists of the president and the two Houses to be known respectively as the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
1. Rajya Sabha:
Rajya Sabha is the upper chamber of the Parliament. It can have at the most 250 members in it. The President of India nominates 12 members. These are the persons who have distinguished themselves in the field of art, literature, science and social service. Rest of the members are elected by the members of State legislatures. At present it consists of 245 (233 + 12) members in all. l/3rd of its members retire after every two years and other members are elected to fill up the vacancies. Each member remains in office for a period of 6 years.
2. Lok Sabha:
Lok Sabha is the lower chamber of the Parliament. It can have at the most 550 elected members. The members will be elected acording to the laws framed by the Union Parliament. The President can nominate two members of the Anglo-Indian community if he feels that in the Lok Sabha this- community has not got adequate representation. In this manner maximum strength of the Lok Sabha can be 552.
But at present Lok Sabha has 543 elected members. The members of the Lok Sabha are elected for a period of 5 years. The President of India can dissolve the Lok Sabha before the expiry of its term and can order fresh elections. The members of the Lok Sabha elect one Speaker and one Deputy Speaker from amongst its members.
Salary and Allowances of the Members of Parliament:
The salary and allowances of the members of Parliament are determined by Parliament from time to time. Session of the Parliament. The President of India convenes the session of the Parliament. He can call the sessions of both the Houses on the same date or on different dates. The second session of the Parliament must be convened within a period of 6 months. There should not be a difference of more than 6 months between the last meeting of the last session and the first meeting of the next session. This way two sessions are certainly called in one year.
Relations Between The Two Houses Of Parliament
Although the participation and collaboration of both the Houses are essential for all legislative activities, even a cursory perusal of the provisions of the Constitution with regard to the two Houses of Parliament will show that the Constitution recognizes the supremacy of the Lok Sabha over the Rajya Sabha. The two Houses, unlike the Australian Parliament do not stand on the footing of equality. The relation of the two Houses, unlike the Australian Parliament does not stand on the footing of equality. The relation of the two Houses may be discussed as under:
1. Ordinary Bills:
Ordinary Bills can originate in either House of Parliament. Unless passed by both the Houses they cannot be sent to the President for his assent. A Bill passed by one House is sent to the other House. If the other House passes the Bill in the form in which it was passed by originating House, it is sent to the President for his assent. The other House may propose amendments in the Bill or may even reject the Bill.
Thus, if the two Houses do not agree on the proposed amendments or if the two Houses finally disagree on the Bill, the President, under Art. 108 of the Constitution is empowered to call a joint meeting of the two Houses. In case the receiving House takes no action on the Bill for six months from the date of its receipt in that case also the President may summon a joint meeting of both the Houses. It should be noted that there can be no joint meeting of the two Houses if the Bill has lapsed because of the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
Even if the President has already issued a notification for joint sitting and even if the date, time and place of the meeting have been announced and summons issued, the meeting shall have to be cancelled because no joint sitting can be held for deliberating and voting on a Bill which has already lapsed. When the President has notified his intention to summon the two Houses to meet in a joint sitting, neither House can proceed with the Bill.
If at the joint meeting of the two Houses the Bill is passed by a majority of the total number of members of both Houses present and voting, it shall be deemed to have been passed by both the Houses. At the joint sitting of the two Houses, the voice of the Lok Sabha should prevail because of its numerical strength. It should not, however, be taken for granted. In India, thus, the Rajya Sabha can delay a Bill or six months.
It may succeed in killing it also especially when the Government has a thin majority in the Lok Sabha and substantial opposition in the Rajya Sabha. In England, the House of Lords can delay a non-money Bill for one year. There is no provision for a joint sitting. In Japan also there is no provision for a joint sitting of the two Houses in case of a deadlock over a Bill. The Upper House of Japn (House of Councillors) can delay an ordinary Bill for sixty days. If the Lower House passes that Bill for the second time by a two-third majority of the members present the Bill is deemed to have been passed by both the Houses.
2. Money Bills:
Money Bills and Budget can originate in the Lok Sabha only. The Rajya Sabha is the receiving end. When a Money Bill is passed by the Lok Sabha it is sent to he Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. The Rajya Sabha, has the right to propose amendments in the Money Bill. It must return the Bill to the Lok Sabha, with or without amendments, within 14 days, but Lok Sabha may or may not agree to those recommendations.
If the Rajya Sabha does not return the Money Bill within 14 days from the date of the receipt of the Bill, the same shall be considered to have been passed by both the Houses of Parliament in the same form in which it was passed by the Lok Sabha. All these provisions clearly prove that the hold of the Lok Sabha over the finance of the country is complete and absolute. It should be noted that in case of disagreement over Money Bill, there cannot be a joint sitting of the two Houses. The Senate of Australia possesses the power to reject even a Money Bill.
The House of Lords of England can delay a money bill for a month. The Upper House of Japan can also delay the passage of a money bill for 30 days. In matters of finance the powers of the Rajya Sabha are insignificant.
3. Control over the Executive:
In India, Parliamentary system of Government has been established. The essence of this form of Government is that the executive is responsible to the legislature for its actions and policies. In practice it is answerable to the Popular House. Thus, according to the Constitution of India, the Council of Ministers has been made collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
No doubt, the Rajya Sabha can exert its influence on the Govenment in a number of ways and it may even put the Government in an awkward position, but it cannot remove the Government from office. This power belongs to the Lok Sabha only. This power of the Lok Sabha is exclusive and not concurrent. The Government must enjoy the confidence of the Lok Sabha or else resign. The Lok Sabha can express its lack of confidence in a number of ways, for example by rejecting a Government Bill, a Money Bill or by passing a no confidence resolution.
Thus, the Government must either be in tune with the Lok Sabha or face expulsion. One point may be noted here. The Council of ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. The Constitution does not speak of individual responsibility. Moreover, it is not clear that when the Lok Sabha stands dissolved, to whom is the Council of Ministers responsible then? Afer the dissolution of the Lok Sabha in December 1970, the continuance of Indira Government was challenged in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court upheld the legality of the continuance of Indira Gandhi Government.
4. Other Matters:
On the other matters, the powers of the two Houses are almost equal. They are enumerated as under:
(i) Constitution Amending Bill can be introduced in either House of Parliament. It is deemed to have been passed only when each House passes it by the required majority. Since the Amending Bill has to be passed by each House, the question of joint sitting of the two Houses in case of disagreement does not arise. In this repsect the Rajya Sabha has co-equal powers with the Lok Sabha. It may even kill an amending Bill.
(ii) Both the Houses take part in the election of the President and Vice President.
(iii) Both the Houses have equal powers in the removal of the President, Charges can be preferred in either House, the other House investigates or gets them investigated by a court or a tribunal, but the House cannot abdicate its authority, it has to pass the resolution by 2/3rd majority if the impeachment proceeding is to succeed.
(iv) The Vice President can also be removed from office by the Parliament. Removal proceedings against the Vice President can start only in the Rajya Sabha, but the Lok Sabha must also agree if the Vice President is to be removed from office.
(v) Judges of the Supreme Court and State High Courts are also removed by both the Houses. In this .respect also the powers of both the Houses are equal.
In two matters the powers of the Rajya Sabha are exclusive. They are:
1. Under Article 249, the Rajya Sabha can pass a resolution by 2/3rd majority of its members present and voting that an item given on the State List has become of national importance, therefore, Parliament should make law on that. On the passing of such a resolution, it becomes lawful for Parliament to make laws with respect to that matter for the whole or any part of India for a period of one year.
2. The second exclusive power of the Rajya Sabha. is connected with the setting up of All India Services. Under Article 312, the Rajya Sabha by passing a resolution by two-thirds majority of the members present and voting can set up All India Service.
From the above discussion it is clear that the Lok Sabha is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha. And he who holds the purse, holds the power. Likewise, the Council of Ministers can be removed from office by the Lok Sabha only. The Lok Sabha is thus the King- maker. It was the intention of the makers of the costitution to make the Lok Sabha more powerful than the Rajya Sabha because it is in accordance with the theory and practice of Parliamentary system of Government.
Question 2.
Discuss the powers and functions of Indian Parliament.
Or
Discuss financial and judicial functions of Parliament.
Answer:
The Indian Parliament has been given several types of powers. The powers of Parliament include law-making or legislation, financial, executive and judicial powers.
1. Legislative Powers:
The Parliament has the right to frame laws for the whole of the country. It can frame laws on the subjects mentioned in the Union list and concurrent list. Under certain special circumstances the Parliament gets the right to frame laws on the subjects mentioned in the State list. The Parliament frames laws on State subjects for union territories. The Rajya Sabha can transfer a State subject in favour of the centre for the purpose of making laws.
In case of the proclamation of emergency by the President, the Parliament can legislate on State subjects. The Residuary powers are under the control of the central government and so Parliament frames laws on all the residuary subjects. The bill is sent to the President after it is passed by both the Houses. Excepting the money bills he can give his assent and make use of his veto powers. If the Parliament passes that bill for second time then the President is bound to give his assent to that bill.
2. Financial Powers:
The Parliament controls the finances of the State. The government places the budget before the start of the financial year. The Parliament discusses the budget and gives its assent to the bill. The government can neither impose any tax upon the public nor can it spend the money without the approval of the Parliament. The President will have to give his assent to the money bill passed by the Parliament.
3. Control over the Executive:
The Parliament controls the Executive in the following ways:
(i) The Prime Minister and the other ministers are taken from the Parliament and after becoming ministers, they remain the members of the Parliament. They participate in the meetings of the Parliament.
(ii) The ministers are responsible to the Parliament for their actions and policies.
(iii) The members of the Parliament can ask the ministers questions regarding the functioning of the administration. The ministers are to give a satisfactory reply to all these questions.
(iv) The members of the Parliament by introducing ‘Adjournment Motion’ can invite the attention of the government to a serious problem or event.
(v) During discusion on budget the members of the Parliament discuss the working of different departments of the government and criticise the policies of the government.
(vi) The Cabinet continues to remain in office according to the wishes of the Lok Sabha. It can seek the removal of the Cabinet by passing a no-confidence motion against or by rejecting an important government bill or by passing a resolution for reducing the salary of a particular minister.
4. Judicial Powers:
The Parliament exercises some judicial powers also:
- The Parliament can remove the President from office through impeachment.
- The Parliament can also remove the Vice-President from office.
- The Parliament can remove the judges of the High Court and Supreme Court by passing a resolution to that effect.
5. Electoral Powers:
- The elected members of the parliament participate in the election of the President.
- The Vice President is elected by the members of both the Houses of the Parliament.
6. Amendment of the Constitution:
It is the Parliament which can initiate a resolution for the amendment of the Constitution. Some provisions of the Constitution can be amended only by the Parliament. In some important matters the amendment proposals after being passed by the Parliament are to be sent for the approval of legislatures of the States. The States cannot introduce a resolution of amendment of the Constitution.
Position of the Parliament:
The Indian Parliament enjoys vast powers and it is a very important insitution. It represents the entire nation. The Laws framed by it are enforced in the whole of the State. But the Indian Parliament is not a supreme and sovereign body.The Indian Parliament is less powerful than the British Parliament. The sovereignty of the British Parliament is a well known fact.
The British Parliament can make, repeal, amend and abolish, any law it likes. But the Indian Parliament cannot make all the laws it likes. The reason for this is that in England there is unitary type of government and all powers are with the Centre, but in Indian there is a federal type of government and the powers have been distributed between ttie Centre and the States. Indian Parliament cannot be called a Supreme and sovereign body due to reasons given ahead:
- The powers in India are distributed between the Centre and the State and the Parliament cannot frame laws on the subjects mentioned in the State list during peace time.
- The Parliament cannot make any law which violates the fundamental rights of the people?
- The Parliament cannot amend the Constitution independently.
- The Constitution is considered the supreme law of the land. The Parliament can do nothing against it.
- The judiciary has the power of Judicial review over the laws framed by the Parliament. The Supreme Court of India can declare a law null and void if it is against the provisions of the Constitution.
Question 3.
Discuss the composition, functions and powers of Rajya Sabha in India.
Answer:
The legislative powers of the Union have been vested in the parliament. The Parliament consists of two Houses-the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.
The members of the Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people. Hence, it is a national House or the popular House. The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States. Hence its name is the Council of States.
Composition:
According to the constitution the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha has been put at 250 members. Out of 250 members 12 members are nominated by the President. These members shall consist of persons having special knowledge of practical experience in literature, science, art and social service. The remaining 238 members represent the States and the Union Territories.
The representatives of the States are elected by the Elected members of their Legislative Assemblies in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The method of election is, accordingly, indirect. In the case of Union Territories members are chosen in such a manner as Parliament may by law determine.
Though the Indian Constitution establishes a federal polity, yet the federating units (State) have not been given equal representation in the Rajya Sabha, Representation of the States is on the basis of population. At present the Rajya Sabha has 245 mambers. Out of 245 members, 233 members represent the States and Union Territories and the remaining 12 members have been nominated by the president.
Term:
Like the Senate of the U.S.A.; the Rajya Sabha is a permanent House. It is not subject to dissolution. Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for six years, one-third members retiring after every two years.
Qualifications for the members of the Rajya Sabha. A candidate for election to the Rajya Sabha must possess the following qualifications:
- He must be a citizen of India.
- He must have completed 30 years of age.
- He must be a parliamentary elector in the State from which he is seeking election and must have been residing in the state for the last six months.
- He must possess such other qualifications as parliament may by law prescribe.
- He must make and subscribe before some person authorised on that behalf by the Election Commission an oath or affirmation asserting his allegiance to the Constitution of India.
Disqualification for Membership:
A person is disqualified from being chosen a member of the Rajya Sabha if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or any State Government, or if he is of unsound mind, or if he is an undischarged insolvent, or if he has ceased to be a citizen of India or has voluntarily acquired citizenship of a foreign State, or acknowledged allegiance to a foreign State, or if he is so disqualified under any law made by the Parliament.
A person cannot be a member of both the Houses simultaneously. Nor can he be a member of the Rajya Sabha and a State legislature at the same time. If he incurs any disqualification even after his election, he will have to vacate his seat.
Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sahha:
Like the Vice President of U.S.A., the Indian Vice-President is also the ex- officio Chairman of the Upper House. At present Sh. Venkaiah Naidu is the Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha elects a Deputy Chairman from among its own members and he presides in the absence of the Chairman or during the period when the Vice-President is discharging the function of the President. The Deputy Chairman is a member of the Rajya Sabha and he is to vacate the office if he ceases to be its member. On 9th August, 2018 Sh. Harivansh Narayan Singh, candidate of N.D.A. was elected as the Vice-Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
Quorum:
According to 42nd Amendment until parliament by law otherwise provides the quorum to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliamnet is one-tenth of the total number of members of the House. If at any time during a meeting of a House there is no quorum, it is the duty of the Chairman either to adjourn the House or to suspend the meeting until there is a quorum.
Powers And Functions Of The Rajya Sabha:
The Rajya Sabha performs a variety of functions. They may be discussed under the following heads:
1. Legislative Powers:
The Rajya Sabha is an integral part of the Indian Parliament. Since the main responsibility of the Parliament is to make laws, hence the Rajya Sabha takes part in the making of laws. Except Money Bills, all bills can originate in the Rajya Sabha. No Bill can become a law unless agreed to by both the Houses. The Lok Sabha by itself cannot pass a Bill and send it to the President for his assent.
In case of disagreement between the two Houses on a Bill or on the amendments made in the Bill, the President has been empowered to summon a joint meeting of the two Houses for the purpose of deliberating and voting on the Bill; At a joint sitting questions are decided by a majority of the members of both houses present and voting. A decision taken at a joint sitting shall mean the decision of both Houses. At the time of the joint sitting the Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides.
The President can also summon the joint sitting when a Bill passed by one House is not considered by the other House for six months. For the purpose of summoning the joint sitting it does not matter whether the Bill was introduced first in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.
2. Financial Powers:
In financial matters, it is the Lok Sabha which enjoys a pre-eminent position. The Rajya Sabha has not been given any susbstantial power with regard to finance. No Money Bill or Financial Bill can first be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. It is the privilege of the Lok Sabha to pass the Money Bill first and send it to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendation. It should be noted that the Bill is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendation and not for its aproval. In America, the Money Bill must be approved by the Senate. It is not so in India.
The Rajya Sabha can make amendments in the Money Bill, it may even rejected the Money Bill. It has no effect on the Bill. The Lok Sabha is not bound to accept the recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha. In case the Lok Sabha rejects the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha, the Bill is deemed to have been pased by both Houses in the form in which it was passed by the Lok Sabha. Likewise if the Rajya Sabha does not return the Money Bill to the Lok Sabha within 14 days, it will be considered to have been passed by both Houses in the form in which it was passed by the Lok Sabha. Thus, the Lok Sabha possesses complete control over the purse of the nation.
3. Control over Executive:
The Rajya Sabha does not control Excecutive as the Constitution makes the Council of Ministers collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. But this does not mean that the Rajya Sabha can exert no influence over the Executive. Some of the Ministers are taken from the Rajya Sabha. The members of the Rajya Sabha have the right to ask questions and supplementary questions from the Ministers. They can elicit information about the actions of Government and can move resolutions impressing on the Government the desirability of pursuing a particular line of policy.
As said, the Council of Ministers can be ousted from office by the Lok Sabha only. The Rajya Sabha can condemn the Government but it cannot kick the Government out of office.
4. Judicial Powers:
Like the Upper Houses in other countries, the Rajya Sabha has also been vested with some judicial functions. The President can be removed from office by the process of impeachment. A resolution to impeach the President may be moved in any House of Parliament. Such a resolution has to be pased by both the Houses separately by at least 2/3rd majority of the total membership of the house. Clearly, the Rajya Sabha enjoys co-equal powers with the Lok Sabha in the process of impeachment of the President.
In the removal of the Vice-Presidnet, a resolution to that effect can be moved in the Rajya Sabha only. But the Lok Sabha must agree with that resolution if the Vice-President is to be removed from the office. Likewise, it has identical powers with the Lok Sabha in the matter of removal of a judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court.
5. Constituent Powers:
The Rajya Sabha exercises constituent functions along with the Lok Sabha. A Bill to amend the Constitution may originate in either House of Parliament. And the Bill amending the Csonstitution is required to be pased in each House by a majority of its total membership and by a majority of two-third of its members present and voting. The Cosntitution is silent on how to resolve a dead-lock between the two . Houses.
6. Miscellaneous Powers:
The miscellaneous functions of the Rajya Sabha are:
(i) The elected members of the Rajya Sabha take part in the election of the President.
(ii) All the members (elected and nominated both) of the Rajya Sabha take part in the election of the Vice-President.
(iii) The reports of all the Commissions appointed by the President are considered both by the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.
(iv) The approval of the Rajya Sabha is necessary for the continuance of the proclamation of emergency.
(v) Every order made by the president suspending the enformcement of Fundamental Rights is required to be laid before each House of Parliament.
(vi) Agreement of the Rajya Sabha is necessary if action is to be taken against the Chief Election Commissioner, Comptroller General and the members of the Union Public Service Commission.
(vii) In granting amnesty, the Rajya Sabha has equal power with the Lok Sabha. Special Powers of the Rajya Sabha. Under the constitution, the Rajya Sabha has been vested with two special and exclusive powers. They are:
1. Under Article 249 the Rayja Sabha may declare by resolution, passed by two-third majority of its members present and voting, that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest that Parliament should make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List.
2. Under Article 312 of the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha is empowered to create one or more All-India Services, if the house passes a resolution by not less than two-thirds of the memebrs present and voting that it is neccessary or expedient in the national interest to do so.
Position of the Rajya Sahha:
After having an anylysis of the powers of the Rajya Sabha, it becomes clear that the makers of the Constitution intended it to be less powerful and influential than the Lok Sabha. In matters of ordinary legislation, it cannot prove to be an obstacle in the way of the Lok Sabha because of its half of strength of the Lok Sabha. At the most it can delay an oridnary bill for six months. It has absolutely no control over the purse of the nation.
Money Bills first originate in the Lok Sabha and then are transmitted to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. The Lok Sabha may not agree with the recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can delay a Money Bill for 14 days only. There can be no joint sitting of the two Houses in case of disagreement on a Money Bill. Then the privilege to remove the Government from office belongs to the Lok Sabha only. The Rajya Sabha can denounce the Government but it cannot dislodge the Government. In certain repsects it is weaker than the House of Lords even. In the opinion of certain critics, the Rajya Sabha is only a Secondary Chamber.
All this, however, is not to suggest that the Rajya Sabha is only an appendage of the Lok Sabha. It is definitely more powerful than the British House of Lords and the Senate of Canada. While in certain matters it has co-equal powers with the Lok Sabha, in two cases it has exclusive powers as well. It has reacted very strongly whenever the Lok Sabha made an attack upon its privileges. In 1954, much excitement was caused in the Rajya Sabha by an alleged observation made in the Lok Sabha by N.C. Chatterjee that “The Upper House, which is suposed to be a body of elders, seems to be behaving irresponsibly like a pack of urchins.”
According to Morris Jones, “It has three outweighing merits, it supplies additional political positions for which there is demand, it provides some additonal debating opportunities for which there is occasional need and it assists in the solution of legislative limited problems.”
Question 4.
Describe the composition and powers of the Lok Sabha. Is there any limitation to its authority?
Or
Discuss the Composition and Functions of Lok Sabha.
Answer:
Lok Sabha is the Lower House of Parliament. It is a popular House because it represents the nation at large. It is not only popular but a powerful House as well. It is the pivot of all political activities.
Composition:
Accroding to the 31st Amendment, the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha has been put at 547 members. But accroding to Goa, Daman and Diu Reorganisation Act 1987 maximum elected memebrs of the Lok Sabha can be 550. The President can appoint two Anglo-IndiAnswer: At present Lok Sabha consists of 543 members. 530 members are elected members from the States and the Union Territories and two are nominated by the President.
Election:
The members of the Lok Sabha are elected directly by the people. Every citizen of India of not less than 18 years has the right to vote provided, of course, he or she is not otherwise disqualified on grounds of unsoundness of mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice. The voting is by secret ballot. Normally one member represents a population between 5 to 7 1/2 lakhs. As per Constitution, there shall be allotted to each State a number of seats in Lok Sabha in such a manner that the ratio between the population of the State as far as practicable, is same for all the Staes.
Each State shall be devided into territorial Constituencies in such a manner that the ratio between the population of each constituency and number of seats allotted to it, as far as practicable, is the same throughout the State. Though the system of separate communal electorate has been abolished yet the Constitution reserves certain seats for Scheduled Castes and Schedules Tribes. This reservation shall be vaild till 2020 because the term has been extended by amending the Constitution.
Term:
The life of the Lok Sabha is five years. All the members are chosen at one and at the same time. Unlike the election to the Rajya Sabha where l/3rd members retire every two years, all the members of the Lok Sabha are elected for a period of five years. However, the President can dissolve the Lok Sabha even before the expiry of its term, i.e. five years. On 26th April, 1999 the President dissolved the Lok Sabha on the advice of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Thus the tenure of 12th Lok Sabha was 13 months only.
Qualification:
To be qualified for election to the Lok Sabha, a person must possess the following qualifications:
1. He must be a citizen of India.
2. He must have completed 25 years of age.
3. He must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State.
4. He must possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed by the Parliament.
5. No person can be a member of both Houses of Parliament. In case he becomes, he must vacate one of the two seats. Likewise, one person cannot be a member of a House of Parliament and of a State Lsegislature simultaneously.
6. A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of either House of Parliament if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court: if he is an undischarged insolvent; if he is not a citizen of India or has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State or is under an acknowledgement of allegiance or adherence to a foreign State or if he is so disqualified by or under any law made by Parliament.
Quorum:
For a meeting of the Lok Sabha the presence of at least 1/lQth of its total members is essential. If at any time during meeting of a House there is no quorum, it is the duty of the Chairman either to adjourn the House or to suspend the meeting until there is a quorum.
Speaker:
The speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha. He is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves. The Speaker presides over the meetings of the House; maintains order in the House and conducts the business of the House in accordance with the Rules of the House. The Constitution also provides for the office of the Deputy Speaker. He too is the member of the House and is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves. The Deputy Speaker performs the duties of the speaker when the latter is absent or while the office of the Speaker is vacant.
Privileges:
Members of the Lok Sabha enjoy certain privileges:
- Members have full freedom of speech in the House. No case can be started against a member for a speech given in the House.
- Members cannot be arrested in any civil suit before 40 days of the beginning of the session.
- During the session, members can be arrested in criminal cases only but information must be given to the speaker.
- Members get a monthly salary and many other allowances.
Powers Of The Lok Sabha:
1. Legislative Powers:
Any type of bill can be introduced in the Lok Sabha. Laws in it, can be framed on any subject given on the Union list and the concurrent list. The Rajya Sabha can transfer any subject on the State List by passing a resolution in favour of the Centre and Lok Sabha can pass a law on the subject. Rajya Sabha can transfer a subject only in case of national importance. After the bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha and it can delay the bill at the most for 6 months.
If the Rajya Sabha rejects the bill or does not take any action over it for a period of six months, a joint session of the two Houses of the Parliament is called and the majority vote decides the bill. As the number of the members of the Lok Sabha is larger than that of the Rajya Sabha, so the Lok Sabha can get the bills passed according to its own wishes.
2. Financial Powers:
The Lok Sabha controls the finances of the State. A money bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and not in the Rajya Sabha. If there is a difference of opinion whether a particular bill is a money bill or a non-money bill, the decision of the speaker of the Lok Sabha will be final. After a money bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can delay the passage of a money bill at the most for 14 days. The Rajya Sabha may reject the bill or may not take any action over the bill for a period of 14 days, in both these conditions the bill will be considered as passed. It will be sent to the President and he gives his assent to the bill. The President cannot use his veto power in case of money bill.
3. Control over the executive:
It is the Lok Sabha which controls the executive. The leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha is the Prime Minister of the country. Most of the ministers are also taken from the Lok Sabha. The Cabinet is responsible to the Lok Sabha for all its actions and policies. The members of the Lok Sabha ask the ministers questions and supplementary questions and they are to answer these questions. The members of the Lok Sabha can criticise the functiuoning of the Cabinet. If the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no-confidence against the Cabinet, the Cabinet will have to resign. The Cabinet remains in office so long as it is supported by the majority of the members of the House.
4. Judicial Powers:
The Lok Sabha can start impeachment proceedings against the President of India. It investigates into the charges levelled against the Vice-President and gives its decision. It along with the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution for the removal of the judges from the High Court or the Supreme Court.
5. Electoral Functions:
The Lok Sabha participates in the election of the President. It has also the right to participate in the election of the Vice-President. The Lok Sabha elects a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker from amongst its members.
6. Amendment in the Constitution:
The resolution for amending the Constitution can be introduced in the Lok Sabha. In this field it enjoys equal powers with the Rajya Sabha.
Position Of The Lok Sabha:
Lok Sabha is the lower Chamber of the Parliament. Almost all its members are elected by the people. This Chamber is more important than the Rajya Sabha because it represents the nation. The Lok Sabha controls the ordinary and the money bills. No bill can be passed against the wishes of the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha has also control over the Cabinet. The Lok Sabha can remove the Cabinet by passing a vote of no-confidence’ or by rejecting the budget. The Lok Sabha is the most powerful, influential and an important part of the Parliament. In fact it is the Lok Sabha which exercises all the powers of the Parliament.
Question 5.
Discuss the election, powers and functions of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Or
Discuss the functions of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Or
Write a short note on the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
The Lok Sabha is presided over by the Speaker who is elected by the House from among its own members. The Speaker’s office is one of much dignity, honor and power. He enjoys supreme authority on the floor of the House. In order of precedence of the state, he ranks seventh and enjoys a status equal to that of the Chief Justice of India. In the absence of the Speaker or when the office of the Speaker is vacant the Deputy Speaker discharges the functions of the Speaker.
Election:
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker must necessarily be a member of the Lok Sabha. The primary function of the newly-elected Lok Sabha is to elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker. The Speaker is elected by a simple majority which in reality means, by the party in power. But in practice Prime Minister, after consultations with the leaders of the opposition parties, decides a name for speakership.
Generally the speaker is taken from the ruling party while deputy speaker is taken from the opposition parties. On 22nd Oct, 1999, Mr. Ganti Mohan Chandra Balayogi of the Telugu Desam party backed by BJP and its allies was elected the speaker of Lok Sabha unanimously. On 19th June 2019. Sh. Om Birla, a senior leader of B.J.P. was elected the speaker of Lok Sabha unanimously.
Term of Office:
Normally, the Speaker is elected for a period of five years. However, he continues in office until a new Speaker is elected by the new House. The Speaker does not vacate his office even when the House is dissolved. The Speaker has to vacate his office if he ceases to be a member of the House. He can be elected to this office for the second time also. The Speaker can resign his office at any time. He can also be removed from his office by a resolution passed by a majority of all members on the roll of the Lok Sabha.
Fourteen days’ notice for moving such a resolution is required to be given. The Speaker cannot preside over a meeting of the House when the House is considering the resolution of his removal. He has, however, the right to sit in the House and defend himself. He has the right to vote also.
Salary and Allowances:
The salary and allowances of the Speaker are determined by the Parliament, and these are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India. These cannot be varied to his disadvantage during his term of office.
Powers and Functions of the Speaker:
The Speaker performs various functions and enjoys wide powers drawn partly from the Constitution and partly from the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Parliament, 1950: Following are the functions of the Speaker:
1. In consultation with the Leader of the House, he determines the order of business and the time to be allotted to the debates on the address of the President. He also prescribes the form in which amendments may be moved-to the motion of thanks to the address of the President.
2. He allows members to ask questions. He has also the power to disallow questions in case they are not in conformity with the Rules of the House.
3. Adjournment motions are moved with his consent. He also prescribes the time-limit for speeches on the motion.
4. The Speaker may allow the publication of a Bill in the Gazette of India upon a request from a member initiating the Bill even before the motion for leave to introduce the Bill has been made. In such a case it does not remain necessary to ask for leave of the House to introduce the Bill.
5. His consent is necessary for a motion to adjourn the debate on a bill.
6. He appoints the Chairman of the Select Committees. He himself is ex-officer Chairman of some vital Committees, such as Rules Committee, the Business Advisory Committee and the General Purpose Committee.
7. He allots time for the discussion on Budget.
8. He is the channel of communication between the President and the Parliament.
9. He decides about the admissibility of a motion in the House.
10. No member can address the House without his permission. He is also to see that no member makes an irrelevant speech and thereby wastes the time of the House.
11. All members have to address the chair, they cannot address each other.
12. If any member raises any point of order, it is for the Speaker to give his own ruling and his ruling is final and binding on all. No member can challenge his ruling.
13. He preserves order in the House. If the situation goes out of control he can adjourn or suspend the meeting of the House.
14. In case he finds the conduct of a member disorderly, he can order him to leave the House.
15. If a member disregards his authority in spite of warning, he can name him for suspension. In case a member does not leave the
House on the order of the Speaker, the Speaker can ask the Watch and Ward Staff to lift him bodily and remove him from the House.
16. He exercises control over the Visitors Gallery. It is he who regulates the admission of outsiders into the House. He can ask them to leave the House.
17. He puts questions to vote and announces the results.
18. He can order the expunging of a word or words used in debate from the proceedings of the House.
19. The Speaker conducts the business of the House. However, he cannot preside over the meeting of the House when the House is considering the resolution of the removal of the Speaker from office. But he has the right to sit, take part in the proceedings and defend himself. He has the right to vote also but he has no casting vote then.
20. Business of the Lok Sabha is valid only when the quorum of the House is complete. It is for the Speaker to see whether quorum is complete or not. If he finds that there is no quorum, he can suspend the business of the House till the required quorum is complete.
21. The Speaker is the guardian of the privileges of the members of Lok Sabha. He can insist that action must be taken against any one guilty of violating the privileges of the members of the House.
22. The Speaker is the custodian of the dignity of the House.
23. Before sending a Bill to Rajya Sabha or the President, he signs the Bill as a token of having been passed by the Lok Sabha.
24. It is for the Speaker to certify whether a particular Bill is a money-bill or not and his certificate is final on the point.
25. The Speaker has no right to vote in the first instance but he has the right to vote in case of a tie.
26. When the Speaker rises, others must sit down and must not leave when he addresses the House.
27. In case of a joint meeting of both the Houses on a disputed Bill, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides.
28. The Speaker represents the House and not the Government. For him the humblest back-bencher is no less than a Member and the greatest Minister is no more than a Member. He protects the members from the high-handedness of the Government. The Speaker can pull the Ministers up whenever answers given by them are not clear, adequate or deliberately postponed for no valid reason.
29. The Speaker also performs some important administrative functions. The Secretariat Staff of the Lok Sabha works directly under him.
Position of the Speaker:
The office of the Speaker is one of honour, dignity and authority. He presides over a House which is the pivot of all political activity. He symbolises the House and his authority. In the words of G. V. Mavlankar, “He is supreme in the House.” According to former Speaker Shri Hukam Singh, “Speaker is one of the highest offices in the land.” Shri L. K. Advani said in March 1977 that the Speaker or Chairman is an institution by himself.
In the Order of Precedence he is placed seventh and is bracketed with the Chief Justice of India. He interprets the Rules of the House and his ruling is final. Till today, the office of the Speaker has been occupied by very capable and illustrious personalities. They have enhanced the prestige of the Office. Shri G. V. Mavlankar was the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
According to late Pandit Nehru, “The Speaker represents the House, the freedom of the House, and because the House represents the nation, in a particular way, the Speaker becomes the symbol of the nation’s freedom and liberty. Therefore, it is right that his should be an honoured positon; a free position and should be occupied always by men of outstanding ability and impartiality.”
Question 6.
What are the different stages through which the budget passes? Discuss.
Or
Discuss the financial procedure allowed in the Indian Parliament.
Answer:
The Budget is known as the Annual Financial Statement. The Constitution provides that the President shall, in respect of every financial year, cause to be laid before both the Houses of Parliament a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditures of the Government of India for that year. “The President gets the Budget presented through the Finance Minister. The Budget shows the estimated receipts and expenditure for the ensuing year and is, thus the most important financial document.
In India the Budget is presented to the Parliament in two parts ; the Railway Budget and the General Budget. The Railway Budget deals exclusively with the income and expenditure relating to Railways. It is presented to Parliament by the Minister for Railways. The General Budget deals with the estimate of revenues and expenditure relating to all other Union Ministers and is presented by the Finance Minister. The two Budgets, however, are similar in form and are passed in the same manner.
The General Budget consists of the two parts-one of dealing with the expenditure and the other with the income side of the Union finances. The expenditure embodied in this Budget is divided into two parts:
- Expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India and
- Other Expenditure. The expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India is non-volatile. Either House of Parliament can discuss it but not vote on it.
The other expenditure is submitted in the form of demand for grants to the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha may assent or refuse to assent any demand or suggest reduction of the amount specified therein. It is voteable. The Lok Sabha cannot, however, suggest increase in the demand for grants. It is so because no demand for grant can be made except on the recommendation of the President.
Stages in Financial Legislation:
The Budget is presented to the Lok Sabha with the Budget Speech of the Finance Minister. The Budget Speech is one of the most important speeches made in Parliament. In his speech, the Finance Minister sums up the general positon of the country and outlines the economic and fiscal policy of the Government for the ensuing year.
Like ordinary bills, the Budget has also to pass through five stages. They are
1. introduction or presentation,
2. general discussion,
3. voting of demands,
4. consideration and passing of the Appropriation Bill and
5. consideraton and passing of the taxation proposals embodied in the Finance Bill.
1. Introduction of Budget in the Parliament:
It is the constitutional duty of the President to get the Budget prepared and cause to be laid before Parliament. The Budget is presented to the Lok Sabha by the Finance Minister with a speech known as the Budget Speech. The Budget Speech is a survey of the financial position of the country and the economic policy of the Government for the ensuing year. The copies of the Budget, thereafter, are printed and circulated amongst members. The Budget contains the estimates of receipt and expenditure. There can be no discussion on the Budget the day it is presented.
2. General Discussion on the Budget:
After the presentation of the Budget, its printed copies are circulated among members. Generally after three days a general discussion on the Budget is held. The general debate on the Budget is spread over three or four days. It is customary that the leaders of the Opposition initiate the discussion.
But at this stage the Houses discuss the Budget as a whole and any question of principle involved in it. No discussion of details is in order and no cut motions are allowed at this stage This stage also provides an opportunity for the discussion of the non-votage expenditure” charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.”
The debate offers an occasion for a general service of the administration and for ventilation of grievances. In the words of Morris-Jones: “It is an occasion on which each House is able to express its mood and the Government may learn how a particular proposal will be received in the subsequent stage.” This stage is, thus, an expression of the mood of the House. No vote is taken at this stage.
3. Voting of DemandL:
After the completion of general discussion on the Budget, the way is clear for the business of voting the grants. The voting of demands or grants is the exclusive privilege of the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has no share in it. The ‘demands’ are related to the ‘expenditure’ part of the Budget. They are in the nature of requests made by the Executive to the Lok Sabha for grant of outhority to spend the amounts asked for in order to run the administration.
Lok Sabha has the following powers in respect of each demand:
- to assent to the i demand; or
- to refuse it; or
- to reduce it.
The Lok Sabha has no power to increase a demand because no demand for grant can be moved except on the i recommendation of the President.
4. Appropriation Bill:
When all demands for grants have been voted by the Lok Sabha, they are put together and along with charges of the Consolidated fund,
incorporated into what is known as the Appropriation Bill. The Appropriation bill is presented to the Lok Sabha and is passed in the same manner as any other Bill. The debate on the Bill is restricted to those points only which have not been discussed during the debates on estimates. No amendments to the grants as voted by the Lok Sabha previously or to the charges on the Consolidated Fund are followed. The allotment of time for the different stages of the Bill is determined by ! the Speaker. It does not take long for the Lok Sabha to pass the Appropriation Bin.
When the Appropriation Bill has been pssed by the Lok Sabha, it is certified by the Speaker as a Money Bill and is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. It is open to the Lok Sabha to accept or reject the recommendation made by the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has to return the ‘ Money Bill, with or without amendment, within 14 days of the receipt of the Bill.
In case the Lok Sabha does not agree with the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha or if the Rajya Sabha does not return the Bill within 14 days, it is deemed to have been passed by both the Houses in the form in which it was passed by the Lok Sabha. It is then sent to the President for his assent. The President must give his assent to the Money Bill. He can neither withhold his assent nor can he send the Bill back for reconsideration. The Appropriation Act authorises the Government to spend money as authorised in the Act. Without such an authority the Government cannot incur an expenditure.
5. Finance Bill:
A Finance Bill is that which embodies all the taxation proposals of the Government for the ensuring year. While the Appropriation Act authorises the Government to spend money as authorised in the Act, the Finance Bill deals with the legislation which authorises the raising of Funds through taxation as embodied in the financial proposals of the year. The Finance Bill has to go through three readings and the procedure followed is that of a Money Bill. The discussion of the Finance pill in the second reading is confined to general principles.
It is only in the Select Committee that the Bill is considered in details and amendments are moved. Clause by clause consideration of the Bill follows after the presentation of the Committee Report. There is one important difference between the Report Stage of Finance Bill and that of the Appropriation Bill. In the case of Appropriation Bill, no amendments can be moved. In that of the Finance Bill amendments seeking to reject or reduce a tax can be moved. Sometimes the Cabinet voluntarily agrees with the opposition in the reduction of a tax. But if a cut motion is carried against the opposition of the Government, it means a lack of confidence in the Government. In that case the Government has to resign.
As soon as the Finance Bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is certified by the Speaker as Money Bill and is sent to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. The Rajya Sabha has to return the Finance Bill, with or without recommendations within 14 days. The Lok Sabha may or may not agree with the recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha. After the expiry of 14 days the Finance Bill is sent to the President for his assent. He cannot refuse his assent.
Question 7.
How does a bill become an Act in the Indian Parliament?
Or
Describe the various stages through which the budget passes. Discuss.
Answer:
What is a Bill? The Parliament frames laws for the country. Any member of the House can introduce a resolution for the purpose of making a law. That resolution is to be introduced in the House in a special form and the resolution which is placed before the House in a special form is called a bill. Hence, the resolutions which are introduced in the Parliament for the purpose of making laws or changing old laws or amending the Constitution are called bills. The bill is passed by both the Houses and then it is sent to the President for his assent, and then it becomes a law. But before the Bill becomes a law, it is to pass through so many stages.
Kinds of Bill:
The Constitution divides Bills into two categories i.e., Money Bills and Non- Money Bills. The bills which are introduced in the Parliament by the ministers are called government bills. The bills which are introduced in the House by ordinary members of the House are called Private Members’ bills. Government bills are of two types, money bills and ordinary bills. A money bill is concerned with the imposition of taxes and the expenditure of amount thus collected.
The bill is to pass through so many stages before it becomes a law. The bill is discussed and debated thoroughly in these stages. These stages are mentioned as follows:
1. Introduction of the Bill:
An ordinary bill can be introduced in any House and by any member of the House. But a member can introduce the bill in the same House of which he is a member. The mover of the bill is to give a notice to this effect a month earlier. The admission of the notice brings a particular bill in the agenda or ‘the order of the day’.
There is no need for the ministers to give a month’s notice for the purpose. The agenda of the House or the programme of the House is prepared by the Cabinet and they can fix the date of the introduction of their bills. Money Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and not in the Rajya Sabha. Money Bills can only be introduced by the ministers and not by the ordinary members of the House.
On the fixed date the mover of the bills seeks the permission of the House for moving the bill and it is very much a formality. On getting the permission of the House he only reads the title of the bill. After this he gives a copy of the bill to the clerk of the House. It is called the introduction of the bill. The bill is sent to the Gazette of India for publication and its copies are distributed among the members of the House. The government bills can be published in the Government Gazette even without introducing them in the House and this method has been generally adopted.
2. First Reading:
After the introduction there is a first reading of the bill. Sometimes there is a first reading of the bill just after the introductory stage. Sometimes another date is fixed for the first reading of the bill. On the fixed date the mover of the bill stands up at his place and requests that the bill should be read for the first time. On getting permission of the House he explains the main principles and objectes of the bill.
After this other members of the House express their opinions in favour of and against the bill. The bill at this stage is not debated and discussed in detail, only the objects and the main principles involved are discussed. Then the mover of the bill puts a resolution that the bill be sent to a Select Committee. Three decisions can be taken on such a resolution:
- The bill should be sent to a Select Committee for giving its report on the bill.
- The bill should be sent to the press and states for propaganda and public opinion should be elicited. The people send their views in favour or against the bill to the Parliament.
- If the majority is opposed to the bill, it is dropped. Most of the bills of private members are rejected at this stage, if they are not supported by the Cabinet.
3. Select Committee:
If the bill is not rejected in the first reading, it is sent to a Select Committee. The committee consists of 20 to 30 members which are taken from among members of the House. The bill which is published for eliciting public opinion is also sent to the Select Committee. The members of the Select Committee discuss the bill in detail and debate the merits and demerits of the bill. The Committee can suggest amendments in the provisions of clauses of the bill.
After discussing the bill thoroughly the committee prepares its report in favour of or against the bill or suggests some amendments in the bill. While preparing the report the committee takes into consideration public opinion also. Then the committee sends its report to the House.
4. Second Reading:
A day is fixed for discussing the report of the Select Committee on the bill. The mover of the bill on the fixed date requests the House that the report of the Select Committee on the bill may be discussed. The House discusses the bill in detail. The bill is discussed clause by clause and item by item. The views of the Select Committee on all clauses are discussed. The members of the Houses can suggest amendments in the bill. After the bill is seriously discussed the opinion of the House is sought on each clause and amendment proposals are also put to vote. The bill is passed according to the viewpoint of the majority of the members. This stage is very important in the passage of the bill.
5. Third Reading:
After the bill is passed in the second reading, another date is fixed for the third reading of the bill. This is the last stage in the passage of the bill. Like the first stage there is not much of discussion on the bill at this stage also. There is a little chance of the rejection of the bill at this stage. At this stage the proposals for amending the bill cannot be moved. Only proposals for change in the working of the bill can be given. The entire bill is put to vote at this stage and it is either rejected or passed.
Bill in the Second House:
After the bill is passed by one House, it is sent to the second House. It is to pass through all the stages in this House. After the ordinary bill is passed by both the Houses it is sent to the President for his assent. If the two houses differ over a particular bill, a joint meeting of the two Houses is called for and the bill is placed before it. The joint meeting of the two Houses decides the fate of the bill by a majority vote. As the Lok Sabha is a larger body compared with the Rajya Sabha, hence the bill is passed according to the wishes of the Lok Sabha.
The Rajya Sabha can delay the passage of a money bill at the most for 14 days. If the Rajya Sabha rejects the money bill or does not take any action for 14 days, under both these conditions the money bill is considered passed.
Assent of the President. After the bill is passed by both the Houses, it is sent to the President for his assent. The President cannot refuse to give his assent to the money bill. In case of ordinary bill the President can make use of his veto power, that means that the President can refuse to give his assent to the ordinary bills.
However, the President may return a Bill to the Parliament. If the Parliament passes such a bill again, the President cannot withhold his assent to such a bill. The bill becomes an Act when the President gives his assent to it. It can be enforced after the President’s assent has been taken. It is published in the Government Gazette.
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Explain in brief the composition of the Union Legislature or Parliament.
Answer:
The Union Legislature or the Parliament of India is a bi-cameral legislature. According to Article 79 of the Constitution, there shall be Parliament for the Union which shall consist of President and two houses respectively, known as the Council of the States and the House of the People. Council of the States or the Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of the Parliament.
It can have at the most 250 members in it. This is a permanent house. 1/3 of its members retire after every two years. Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Parliament. It can have at the most 550 elected members. The members of the Lok Sabha are elected for 5 years. The President of India can dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of Council of Ministers before the expiry of its term.
Question 2.
Discuss any four features of Indian Parliament.
Answer:
- Indian Parliament is Bi-cameral.
- Upper House of the Parliament is permanent.
- Lower house of the Parliament can be dissolved before its expiry term.
- The membership of both the houses is not equal.
Question 3.
What are the main functions and powers of Parliament?
Answer:
Following are the main functions and powers of the Parliament-
- The Parliament has the power to enact laws for the whole of the country.
- The Parliament controls the Cabinet and Cabinet is responsible to the parliament.
- The Parliament controls the finance of the State and it passes the budget.
- The Parliament formulates national and foreign policies of the country.
Question 4.
Explain the executive powers of the Parliament.
Or
How does Indian Parliament control the executive?
Answer:
The Parliament controls the executive in the following ways:
1. The Prime Minister and the other ministers are taken from the Parliament and after becoming ministers, they remain the members of the Parliament. They participate in the meetings of the Parliament.
2. The ministers are responsible to the Parliament for their actions and policies.
3. The members of the Parliament can ask the ministers questions regarding the functioning of the administration. The ministers are to give satisfactory replies to all these questions.
4. The members of the Parliament by introducing ‘Adjournment Motion’ can invite the attention of the government ti!> a serious problem or event.
5. During discussion on budget the members of the Parliament discuss the working of different departments of the government and criticize the policies of the government.
6. The Cabinet continues to remain in office according to the wishes of the Lok Sabha. It can seek the removal of the Cabinet by passing a no-confidence motion against it or by rejecting an important government bill or by passing a resolution for reducing the salary of a particular minister. The bill is sent to a small committee which discusses the bill in detail and then sends it with amendments, if any. In second reading, there is clause by clause discussion. Then the bill is put to vote. After the bill is passed it is sent to the other House. The bill passes through similar stages in the other House and is then sent to the president for his assent. After his signature the bill becomes an Act.
Question 5.
Discuss the legislative powers of the Parliament.
Answer:
The Parliament has the right to frame laws for the whole of the country. It can frame laws on the subjects mentioned in the Union List and Concurrent List. Under certain special circumstances the Parliament gets the right to frame laws on the subjects mentioned in the State List.
The Parliament frames laws on State subjects for Union Territories. The Rajya Sabha can transfer a State subject in favor of the Centre for the purpose of making laws. In case of the proclamation of emergency by the President, the Parliament can legislate on State subjects. The Residuary powers are under the control of the Central Government and so Parliament frames laws on all the residuary subjects.
Question 6.
Discuss in brief the judicial powers of the Parliament.
Answer:
Following are the judicial powers of the Parliament:
- The Parliament can remove the President from office through impeachment.
- The Parliament can also remove the Vice-President from office.
- The Parliament can remove the judges of the High Courts and the Supreme Court by passing a resolution to that effect.
Question 7.
What are the qualifications to become a member of the Parliament?
Answer:
- He must be a citizen of India.
- He must have completed the age of 25 years in case of Lok Sabha and 30 years in case of Rajya Sabha.
- He must not hold any office of profit.
- He must possess qualifications laid down by the Parliament of India.
- He must not be of unsound mind and should not have been declared disqualified by a competent court.
Question 8.
Write the composition of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
According to the constitution the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha has been put at 250 members. Out of 250 members, 12 members are nominated by the President. These members shall consist of persons having special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service.
The remaining 238 members represent the States and the Union Territories. The representatives of the States are elected by the elected members of their Legislative Assemblies in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
At present the Rajya Sabha has 245 members. Out of 245 members, 233 members represent the states and Union Territories and the remaining 12 members have been nominated by the President.
Question 9.
What are the qualifications of a member of the Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
- He must be a citizen of India.
- He must have completed 30 years of age.
- He must possess such other qualifications as prescribed by the Parliament.
- He must be a parliamentary elector in the state from which he is seeking election and must have been residing in the state for the last six months.
- He should not hold any office of profit under the government of India or any State government.
Question 10.
Mention the powers of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
The Indian Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. As Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, he performs the following functions:
- He presides over the meetings of the Rajya Sabha.
- He preserves order in the House. If the situation goes out of control he can adjourn or suspend the meeting of the Rajya Sabha.
- He allows the members to speak.
- As he is not a member of the Rajya Sabha, he is not allowed to vote, but in case of equality of votes he has a casting vote.
Question 11.
Describe the legislative powers of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
The Rajya Sabha is an integral part of the Indian Parliament. Since the main responsibility of the Parliament is to make laws, hence the Rajya Sabha takes part in the making of laws. Except Money Bills, all bills can originate in the Rajya Sabha. No Bill can become a law unless agreed to by both the Houses.
In case of disagreement between the two Houses on a Bill or on the amendments made in the Bill, the President has been empowered to summon a joint meeting of the two Houses for the purpose of deliberating and voting on the Bill. At a joint sitting, questions are decided by a majority of the members of both houses present and voting. A decision taken at the joint sitting shall mean the decision of both Houses.
Question 12.
Explain in brief the financial powers of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
In financial matters, it is the Lok Sabha which enjoys a pre-eminent position. No Money Bill can first be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. It is the privilege of the Lok Sabha to pass the Money Bill first and send it to the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha is not bound to accept the recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha. In case the Lok Sabha rejects the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha, the Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses in the form in which it was passed by the Lok Sabha.
Likewise, if the Rajya Sabha does not return the Money Bill to the Lok Sabha within 14 days, it will be considered to have been passed by both Houses in the form in which it was passed by the Lok Sabha. Thus, the Lok Sabha possesses complete control over the purse of the nation.
Question 13.
Write down the judicial powers of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
The Rajya Sabha enjoys co-equal powers with the Lok Sabha in the process of impeachment of the President. In the removal of the Vice-President, a resolution to that effects can be moved in the Rajya Sabha only. But the Lok Sabha must agree with that resolution if the Vice-President is to be removed from the office. Likewise, it has itjentical powers with the Lok Sabha in the matter of removal of a judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court.
Question 14.
Describe the constitutional powers of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
The Rajya Sabha exercises constituent functions alongwith the Lok Sabha. A Bill to amend the Constitution may originate in either House of the parliament. And the Bill amending the Constitution is required to be passed in each House by a majority of its total membership and by a majority of two-thirds of its members present and voting. The Constitution is silent on how to resolve a dead-lock between the two Houses.
Question 15.
Mention special powers of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
Under the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha has been vested with special powers enumerated in the state list.
1. Under Article 249, the Rajya Sabha may declare by resolution, passed by two- thirds majority of its members present and voting, that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest that the Parliament should make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List.
2. Under Article 312 of the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha is empowered to create one or more All-India Services, if the house passes a resolution by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest to do so.
3. Rajya Sabha alone can initiate the proposal for removing the Vice-President.
Question 16.
What are the previleges of the members of Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
The members of the Rajya Sabha enjoy following previleges:
- The members of the Rajya Sabha enjoy unrestricted freedom to express their views on the floor of the house. No action can be taken against them for the expression of their views.
- The members of the Rajya Sabha can’t be arrested for any civil offence during and 40 days before and after the session.
Question 17.
Describe the organisation of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
According to the re-organisation of Goa, Daman and Diu Act of 1987 the maximum elected members of the Lok Sabha can’be 550. members. Two members of Anglo-Indian Community can be appointed by the President. At present Lok Sabha consists of 545 members.
Out of 545 members 543 are directly elected by the people. The members of Lok Sabha are elected by single member constituency. The whole country is divided into equal constituencies. Every citizen whose name is on the voter’s list can cast his vote. A candidate getting highest votes is declared elected.
Question 18.
Describe the qualifications to become a member of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
- He must be a citizen of India.
- He must have completed 25 years of age.
- He must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State.
- He must possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed by the Parliament.
- No person can be a member of both Houses of Parliament. In case he becomes, he must vacate one of the two seats. Likewise, one person cannot be a member of a House of Parliament and of a State Legislature simultaneously.
Question 19.
How are the members of Lok Sabha elected?
Answer:
The members of the Lok Sabha are elected directly by the people. Every citizen of India of not less than 18 years has the right to vote provided, of course, he or she is not otherwise disqualified on grounds of unsoundness of mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice. The voting is by secret ballot. Normally one member represents a population between 5 to 714 lakhs.
As per constitution, there shall be allotted to each State a number of seats in Lok Sabha in such a manner that the ratio between the population of the State as far as practicable, is same for all the States. Each State shall be divided into territorial constituencies in such a manner that the ratio between the population of each constituency and number of seats allotted to it, as far as practicable, is the same throughout the State.
Question 20.
Define in brief the tenure of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
The life of the Lok Sabha is five years. All the members are chosen at one and at the same time. Unlike the election to the Rajya Sabha where 1/3 members retire every two years, all the members of the Lok Sabha are elected for a period of five years. However, the President can dissolve the Lok Sabha even before the expiry of its term i.e. five years.
Question 21.
Write in brief the privileges of the members of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
Members of the Lok Sabha enjoy certain privileges:
- Members have full freedom for speech in the House. No case can be started against a member for a speech given in the House.
- Members cannot be arrested in any civil suit before 40 days of the beginning of the session.
- During the session, a member can be arrested in criminal cases only but information must be given to the speaker.
- Members get monthly salary and many other allowances.
Question 22.
Describe the legislative powers of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
Any type of bill can be introduced in the Lok Sabha. Laws in it, can be -framed on any subject given on the Union list and the concurrent list. The Rajya Sabha can transfer any subject on the State List by passing a resolution in favour of the Centre and Lok Sabha can pass a law on the subject. Rajya Sabha can transfer a subject only in case of national importance.
After the bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha and it can delay the bill at the most for 6 months. If the Rajya Sabha rejects the bill or does not take any action over it for a period of six months, a joint session of the two, Houses of the Parliament is called and the majority vote decides the fate of the bill. As the number of the members of the Lok Sabha is larger than that of the Rajya Sabha, so the members of the Lok Sabha can get the bills passed according to its own wishes.
Question 23.
Discuss about the Financial powers of the Parliament.
Answer:
The Parliament controls the finances of the State. The goverenment places the budget before the start of the financial year. The Parliament discusses the budget and gives its assent to the bill. The government can neither impose any tax upon the public nor can it spend the money without the approval of the Parliament. The President will have to give his assent to the money bill passed by the Parliament.
Question 24.
Write down the executive powers of the Lok Sabha.
Or
How does Lok Sabha controls the Executive?
Answer:
It is the Lok Sabha which controls the executive. The leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabh is the Prime Minister of the country. Most of the ministers are also taken from the Lok Sabha. The Cabinet is responsible to the Lok Sabha for all its actions and policies.
The members of the Lok Sabha ask the ministers questions and supplementary questions and they are to answer these questions. The members of the Lok Sabha can criticize the functioning of the Cabinet. If the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no-confidence against the Cabinet, the Cabinet will have to resign. The Cabinet remains in office till it is supported by the majority of the members of the House.
Question 25.
Discuss the financial powers of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
The Lok Sabha controls the finances of the state. As money bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and not in the Rajya Sabha. If there is a difference of opinion whether a particular bill a money bill or a non-money bill, the decision of the speaker of the Lok Sabha will.be final.
After a money bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can delay the passage of a money bill at the most for 14 days. The Rajya Sabha may reject the bill or may not take any action over the bill for a period of 14 days, in both these conditions the bill will be considered as passed. It will be sent to the President and he gives his assent to the bill. The President cannot use his veto power in case of money bill.
Question 26.
Who is the speaker?
Answer:
The speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha. He is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves. The Speaker presides over the meetings of the House; maintains order in the House and conducts the business of the House in accordance with the Rules of the House. The Constitution also provides for the office of the Deputy
Speaker:
He too is the member of the House and is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves. The Deputy Speaker performs the duties of the speaker when the latter is absent or while the office of the Speaker is vacant.
Question 27.
Who is the Chairman of Lok Sabha? List his four main functions.
Answer:
Chairman of Lok Sabha is popularly known as Speaker. He performs ahead functions:
- Preserve Order: He presides over the meetings of the House and preserves order in the House. If the situation goes out of control he can adjourn or suspend the meeting of the House.
- Money-Bill: He decides whether a bill is a money-bill.
- Guardian of Rights: He is the guardian of the privileges of the member of Lok Sabha.
- Joint Meetings: He presides over the joint meetings of both the Houses of Parliament.
Question 28.
How is the Lok Sabha more powerful than the Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
Lok Sabha is more powerful because
- The members of Lok Sabha are directly elected while the members of house of Rajya Sabha are indirectly elected.
- Money bill cannot be introduced in Rajya Sabha. It originates in the Lok Sabha only. It is sent for recommendation to Rajya Sabha and not for passing. If Rajya Sabha returns it after 14 days it is assumed as passed.
- Lok Sabha controls the executive whereas Rajya Sabha has no effective control over the executive.
Question 29.
Explain the relationship between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
Lok Sabha is a lower house while Rajya Sabha is a upper house of the Parliament. Both the houses do not enjoy equal powers. Lok Sabha is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha. Ordinary bills can originate in either House of Parliament. Rajya Sabha can delay an ordinary bill maximum for a period of six months. Money bill can originate in the Lok Sabha only. Rajya Sabha can delay the money bill for 14 days only.
In the matters of finance the powers of the Rajya Sabha are insignificant. Members of the Rajya Sabha can ask questions to the ministers and they can criticise the policies of the government but they are having no power to remove the Council of Ministers. The Lok Sabha can remove the Council of Ministers by passing a vote of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers. Thus Lok Sabha is having a real control over the government.
Question 30.
Narrate the circumstances under which a joint session of the Parliament is summoned. Who presides over this?
Answer:
The President summons the joint session of the Parliament on the following occasions:
- Joint session of the Parliament is summoned to resolve the conflict between the two Houses of the Parliament.
- Joint session is summoned when a bill is passed by one House and is rejected by the other. The speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over the joint session of the Parliament.
Question 31.
What is the difference between the election of Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
The members of Lok Sabha are elected directly by the people. Every citizen of India of not less than 18 years of age has the right to vote. From each territorial constituency one member is elected and the candidate getting the highest votes in the election is declared elected. The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the state Assemblies.
Question 32.
What is understood by Adjournment Motion?
Answer:
An adjournment motion is a proposal for postponing the normal business of the House in order to discuss a matter of urgent public importance such as a serious riot, a case of police firing on a procession or a grave railway accident and so on.
The real object of an adjournment motion is to bring to light the inefficiency or corruption of the administration and the mistakes of policy of which the government is considered to be guilty. Such a motion can be moved any time provided the presiding officer of the House is satisfied of its urgent public nature. When such a motion is moved, the House suspends its normal work.
Question 33.
What do you understand by Question Hour?
Answer:
Members of Parliament are free to ask questions to elicit information on matters of public concern from ministers of the government. The First hour of every sitting in both houses is devoted to asking and answering of questions. It is known as the ‘Question Hour’.
During this hour, matters concerning the Government of India are raised and problems are brought to the notice of the government to seek their intervention to meet any situation and to redress public grievances. ‘Question Hour’ forms the most interesting part of the Parliamentary procedure. The government is put on trial during this hour.
Question 34.
What do you understand by ‘Zero Hour’?
Answer:
The time immediately following the ‘Question Hour’ in both Houses has come to be populary known as ‘Zero Hour’. It is a Zero Hour in more than one sense. It is a non¬existent hour. If starts at 12 noon which is the zero hour of the day. It came to be called an Hour also because very often it continued for one full hour, until the House rose for lunch at 1 p.m. In the rules there is no mention of any Zero Hour at all. It is the press that gave the name Zero Hour, sometimes in the early sixties. In the eyes of Rules Book the so called Zero Hour is an irregular affair. But, as thing can, Zero Hour seems to have come to say.
Question 35.
What is money bill?
Answer:
A money bill is that which contains provisions dealing with all or any of the following matters:
- the imposition, abolition, remission, alternation or regulation of any tax.
- the regulation of the borrowing of money or creation on any financial obligation to be undertaken by the Government in India.
- payment of money into or withdrawal of money from the consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund of India.
appropriation of money out of the Consolidated Fund of India. - the declaring of any expenditure to be expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India of the amount of. any such expenditure.
- receipt of money on account of the public account of India and the audit of accounts and incidental matter.
Question 36.
Describe the law-making procedure in the Parliament of India.
Answer:
The Parliament is the supreme body of making laws. Ordinary bills can be introduced in either House of Parliament. In the first reading, general principles involved in the bill are read. After first reading the bill is sent to small committee which discusses the bill in detail and then sends it with amendments if any. In second reading, there is clause by clause discussion. Then the bill is put to vote. After bill is passed it is sent to other House. The bill passes through similar stages in the other House and is then sent to the President for his assent. After his signature the bill becomes an act.
Question 37.
Write down the name of Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
| Name of Post | Name of Person |
| 1. Speaker of Lok Sabha | Sh. Om Birla |
| 2. Chairman of.Rajya Sabha | Sh. Venkaiah Naidu |
| 3. Vice-Chairman of Rajya Sabha | Sh. Harivansh Narayan Singh |
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Explain in brief the composition of the Union Legislature or Parliament.
Answer:
The Union Legislature or the Parliament of India is a bi-cameral legislature. Council of the States or the Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of the Parliament. It can have at the most 250 members in it. This is a permanent house. Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Parliament. It can have at the most 550 elected members. The members of the Lok Sabha are elected for 5 years. The President of India can dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of Council of Ministers before the expiry of its term.
Question 2.
Explain any two features of Indian Parliament.
Answer:
- Indian Parliament is Bi-cameral.
- Upper House of the Parliament is permanent.
Question 3.
What are the main functions and powers of Parliament?
Answer:
Following are the main functions and powers of the Parliament-
- The Parliament has the power to enact laws for the whole of the country.
- The Parliament controls the,Cabinet and Cabinet is responsible to the parliament.
Question 4.
How does Indian Parliament control the executive?
Answer:
The Parliament controls the executive in the following ways:
- The Prime Minister and the other ministers are taken from the Parliament and after becoming ministers, they remain the members of the Parliament. They participate in the meetings of the Parliament.
- The ministers are responsible to the Parliament for their actions and policies.
Question 5.
Explain the legislative powers of the Parliament.
Answer:
The Parliament has the right to frame laws for the whole of the country. It can frame laws on the subjects mentioned in the Union List and Concurrent List. Under certain special circumstances the Parliament gets the right to frame laws on the subjects mentioned in the State List. The Parliament frames laws on State subjects for Union Territories.
Question 6.
Discuss in brief the judicial powers of the Parliament.
Answer:
Following are the judicial powers of the Parliament:
- The Parliament can remove the President from office through impeachment.
- The Parliament can also remove the Vice-President from office.
Question 7.
What are the qualifications to become a member of the Parliament?
Answer:
- He must be a citizen of India.
- He must have completed the age of 25 years in case of Lok Sabha and 30 years in case of Rajya Sabha.
Question 8.
Write the composition of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
According to the constitution the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha has been put at 250 members. Out of 250 members, 12 members are nominated by the President. The remaining 238 members represent the States and the Union Territories. At present the Rajya Sabha has 245 members. Out of 245 members, 233 members represent the states and Union Territories and the remaining 12 members have been nominated by the President.
Question 9.
What are the qualifications of a member of the Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
- He must be a citizen of India.
- He must have completed 30 years of age.
Question 10.
Discuss the powers of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
The Indian Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. As Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, he performs the following functions:
- He presides over the meetings of the Rajya Sabha.
- He preserves order in the House. If the situation goes out of control he can adjourn or suspend the meeting of the Rajya Sabha.
Question 11.
Mention special powers of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
Under the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha has been vested with special powers enumerated in the state list.
1. Under Article 249, the Rajya Sabha may declare by resolution, passed by two- thirds majority of its members present and voting, that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest that the Parliament should make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List.
2. Rajya Sabha alone can initiate the proposal for removing the Vice-President.
Question 12.
Explain previleges of the members of Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
The members of the Rajya Sabha enjoy following previleges:
- The members of the Rajya Sabha enjoy unrestricted freedom to express their views on the floor of the house. No action can be taken against them for the expression of their views.
- The members of the Rajya Sabha can’t be arrested for any civil offence during and 40 days before and after the session.
Question 13.
Describe the organisation of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
Elected members of the Lok Sabha can be 550 members. Two members of Anglo- Indian Community can be appointed by the President. At present Lok Sabha consists of 545 members. Out of 545 members 543 are directly elected by the people. The members of Lok Sabha are elected by single member constituency. A candidate getting highest votes is declared elected.
Question 14.
Describe the qualifications to become a member of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
- He must be a citizen of India
- He must have completed 25 years of age.
Question 15.
What is the tenure of the Lok Sabha?
Answer:
The life of the Lok Sabha is five years. All the members are chosen at one and at the same time. Unlike the election to the Rajya Sabha where 1/3 members retire every two years, all the members of the Lok Sabha are elected for a period of five years. However, the President can dissolve the Lok Sabha even before the expiry of its term i.e. five years.
Question 16.
Write down the executive powers of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
It is the Lok Sabha which controls the executive. The members of the Lok Sabha ask the ministers questions and supplementary questions and they are to answer these questions. If the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no-confidence against the Cabinet, the Cabinet will have to resign. The Cabinet remains in office till it is supported by the majority of the members of the House.
Question 17.
Explain the financial powers of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
The Lok Sabha controls the finances of the state. As money bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and not in the Rajya Sabha. After a money bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can delay the passage of a money bill at the most for 14 days. The Rajya Sabha may reject the bill or may not take any action over the bill for a period of 14 days, in both these conditions the bill will be considered as passed. It will be sent to the President and he gives his assent to the bill.
Question 18.
Who is the speaker?
Answer:
The speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha. He is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves. The Speaker presides over the meetings of the House; maintains order in the House and conducts the business of the House in accordance with the Rules of the House.
Question 19.
Write down any two functions of Speaker.
Answer:
Chairman of Lok Sabha is popularly known as Speaker. He performs functions given ahead:
- Preserve Order. He presides over the meetings ofeihe House and preserves order in the House. If the situation goes out of control he can adjourn or suspend the meeting of the House.
- Money-Bill. He decides whether a bill is a money-bill.
Question 20.
How is the Lok Sabha more powerful than the Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
- The members of Lok Sabha are directly elected while the members of house of Rajya Sabha are indirectly elected.
- Money bill cannot be introduced in Rajya Sabha. It originates in the Lok Sabha only. It is sent for recommendation to Rajya Sabha and not for passing. If Rajya Sabha returns it after 14 days it is assumed as passed.
One Word to One Sentence Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Name the two Houses of Indian Parliament.
Answer:
- Lok Sabha
- Rajya Sabha.
Question 2.
Which one House of the Union Parliament is more powerful?
Answer:
Lok Sabha is more powerful than Rajya Sabha.
Question 3.
How many members can be nominated in Lok Sabha by the President?
Answer:
Two members from Anglo-Indian Community.
Question 4.
How many members can be nominated in Rajya Sabha by the President?
Answer:
12 members are nominated in Rajya Sabha from amongst the scholars, artists and social workers.
Question 5.
How are members of Lok Sabha elected?
Answer:
The members of Lok Sabha are elected directly by the people. Every citizen of 18 years and above has a right to vote.
Question 6.
What is the total strength of Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
The maximum strength, of Rajya Sabha can be 250.
Question 7.
For what PAC stands?
Answer:
Public Accounts Committee.
Question 8.
What is the present strength of Lok Sabha?
Answer:
The Lok Sabha consists of 545 members- 543 elected and 2 nominated Anglo- Indian.
Fill in The Blanks
1. ……………. presides over the joint session of the Parliament.
Answer:
Speaker
2. Cabinet is responsible to ……………. .
Answer:
Parliament
3. The candidate constituting for ……………. should not be less than 25 years.
Answer:
Lok Sabha
4. ……………. members are nominated by the President in Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
12
5. The candidate constituting for ……………. should not be less than 30 years.
Answer:
Rajya Sabha.
True or False statement
1. Two members are nominated by the President in the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
False
2. The session of the Indian Parliament are held at least twice a year.
Answer:
True
3. Vice-President presiding Officer of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
False
4. The budget is introduced in Lok Sabha by Finance Minister.
Answer:
True
5. President presides over the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
False
Choose The Correct Answer
Question 1.
The Indian Parliament is:
(A) Uni-cameral
(B) Three Houses
(C) Bi-cameral
(D) Four Houses.
Answer:
(C) Bi-cameral
Question 2.
The Lower House of the Indian Parliament is known as:
(A) Rajya Sabha
(B) Lok Sabha
(C) Legislative Assembly
(D) Council of States.
Answer:
(B) Lok Sabha
Question 3.
The Upper House of the Indian Parliament is known as:
(A) Lok Sabha
(B) Rajya Sabha
(C) Council of ministers
(D) Legislative Council.
Answer:
(B) Rajya Sabha
Question 4.
The tenure of the members of the Rajya Sabha is:
(A) 5 years
(B) 4 years
(C) 6 years
(D) 3 years.
Answer:
(C) 6 years
Question 5.
Who is the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha?
(A) Prime Minister
(B) Vice-President
(C) President
(D) Speaker.
Answer:
(B) Vice-President
Question 6.
Speaker is elected for a period of:
(A) 5 years
(B) 6 years
(C) 7 years
(D) 4 years.
Answer:
(A) 5 years
Question 7.
The tenure of the Lok Sabha in normal times is:
(A) 6 years
(B) 5 years
(C) 4 years
(D) 3 years.
Answer:
(B) 5 years
Question 8.
How many members are nominated by the president in Lok Sabha?
(A) 12 Members
(B) 3 Members
(C) 18 Members
(D) 2 Members.
Answer:
(D) 2 Members.