RBSE Class 11 Political Science Important Questions Chapter 5 Legislature

Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 11 Political Science Important Questions Chapter 5 Legislature Important Questions and Answers. 

RBSE Class 11 Political Science Important Questions Chapter 5 Legislature

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. 
How is the Speaker of the Lok Sabha elected?
Answer: 
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected from among its own members.

 

Question 2. 
What is the tenure of the members of Rajya Sabha?
Answer: 
The tenure of the members of Rajya Sabha is 6 years, one-third members retire after every two years.
 
Question 3.
Who presides over the joint ses¬sion of the Parliament?
Answer: 
The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over the meetings of the joint session of the Parliament.

Question 4.
What is a bill?
Answer: 
The proposal for a law is called a bill.

Question 5. 
What does the Parliament consist of? 
Answer: 
The Parliament consists of the President of India, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).

Question 6. 
What is meant by quorum?
Answer: 
The quorum is the minimum number of members required to be present in order to enable the House to transact its business.

Question 7. 
What is the quorum for the conduct of the proceedings of Lok Sabha?
Answer: 
The quorum for the conduct of the proceed¬ings of Lok Sabha is 1/10 of the total members of the House.

Question 8. 
Who is the present Chairman of Rajya Sabha?
Answer: 
Sh. Venkaiah Naidu is the present Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

Question 9. 
Who is the present Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha?
Answer: 
Sh. Harivansh Narayan Singh is the present Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

Question 10. 
In which house is the Money Bill initiated?
Answer: 
Lok Sabha

Question 11. 
For how many days Rajya Sabha can delay a Money bill? 
Answer: 
14 days

Question 12. 
Who is the present speaker of Lok Sabha?
Answer: 
Sh. Om Birla is the present speaker of Lok Sabha.

Fill in the blank:

Question 13. 
In Rajya Sabha ................ members are nominated by the President.
Answer: 12
Correct and rewrite the sentence:

Question 14. 
The Speaker presides over the meeting of Rajya Sabha.
Answer: 
The Speaker presides over the meeting of Lok Sabha. Complete the sentence:

Question 15. 
Sh. Om Birla is the present speaker of .
Answer: 
Sh. Om Birla is the present Speaker of Lok Sabha.

Question 16. 
Who said “Who hold the money, hold the power"?
Answer:
Madison

Multiple-Choice Questions

Choose the Correct Answers:
l. The Indian Parliament is:
(a) Unicameral 
(b) Three Houses
(c) Bicameral 
(d) Four Houses
Answer: 
(c) Bicameral 
 
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

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

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 

5. The tenure of the Lok Sabha in normal time is:
(a) 6 years 
(b) 5 years
(c) 4 years 
(d) 3 years
Answer: 
(b) 5 years

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. 
What does the Parliament consist of?
Answer:
The Parliament of India consists of the President of India, the Council of the States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). Rajya Sabha is the Upper and Lok Sabha is the Lower House.

Question 2. 
How is Rajya Sabha constituted?
Answer: 
The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha can be 250 members. Out of these, 12 members are nominated by the President. The remaining 238 members represent the states and union territories. The representatives of the states are elected by the elected members of their Legislative Assemblies and in case of union territories are chosen in such a manner as the Parliament may by law determines. At present, the Rajya Sabha consists of 245 members.

Question 3. 
What are the qualifications of * the member of Lok Sabha?
Answer: 
(i) He must be a citizen of India.
(ii) He must have completed 25 years of age.
(iii) He must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any state.
(iv) He must possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed by the Parliament.
(v) No person can be a member of both Houses of the Parliament.

Question 4. 
Write down the financial powers of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
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.

Question 5. 
What are the provisions made by the Constitution regarding the tenure of Lok Sabha?
Answer: 
The normal tenure of the Lok Sabha is of 5 years. However, the President can dissolve the Lok Sabha even before the expiry of its term i.e., 5 years. During emergency, the term of the Lok Sabha can be extended by one year at a time.

Question 6. 
Narrate the circumstances under which a joint session of the Parliament is summoned.
Answer: 
The President summons the joint session of the Parliament on the following occasions:

1. A joint session of the Parliament is summoned to resolve the conflict between the two Houses of the Parliament.
2. A joint session is summoned when a bill is passed by one House and is rejected by the other.

Question 7. 
What are the qualifications required for the membership of Rajya Sabha? (Imp.)
Answer: 

1. He must be a citizen of India.
2. He must have completed 30 years of age.
3. He must possess such other qualifications as prescribed by the Parliament.
4. He should not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or any State Government.

Question 8. 
Whom does the Rajya Sabha represent?
Answer: 
The Rajya Sabha reflects the federal character of the Indian state. It represents the states and the union territories. But the states have not been given equal representation in the Rajya Sabha. Representation of the states is on the basis of population.

Question 9. 
Mention any four functions of the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Answer: 

1. He allows the members to ask questions.
2. No member can address the House without his permission.
3. He preserves order in the House.
4. He presides over the meetings of the Lok Sabha.

Question 10. 
Mention the special powers of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer: 
Under the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha has been vested with two special and exclusive powers. They are:
(i) 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.

(ii) (a) Rajya Sabha is competent to create one or more All India Services if it passes a resolution by two-thirds majority.
(b) Rajya Sabha alone can initiate the proposal for removing the Vice-President.

Question 11. 
Describe how the members of the Lok Sabha are elected.
Answer: 
At present, the 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 voters list can cast his vote. A candidate getting highest votes is declared elected.

Question 12. 
Mention any two powers of the Parliament.
Answer: 
(i) 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 subject mentioned in the State list.
(ii) Financial Powers: The Parliament controls the finance of the state. The government introduced the budget in the Lok Sabha 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.

Question 13. 
Write down two Executive Powers of the Parliament.
Answer: 

1. The ministers are responsible to the Parliament for their actions and policies.
2. The members of the Parliament can ask the ministers questions regarding functioning of the administration. The ministers have to give a satisfactory reply to all these questions.

Question 14. 
Describe the Judicial powers of the Parliament.
Answer: 

1. The Parliament can remove the President from office through impeachment.
2. The Parliament can also remove the Vice-President from office.
3. The Parliament can remove the judges of High Court and Supreme Court hy passing a resolution to that effect.

Question 15. 
Define the term no-confidence.
Answer: 
No-confidence means that the leader of the House has lost the confidence of the majority of members and is no longer wanted to lead the party and the government. The no-confidence motion is a formal resolution tabled in the House to see whether the leader enjoys the confidence of the members of the House. If the motion is passed, the leader resigns and is replaced by the new incumbent.

Question 16. 
State the miscellaneous powers of the Parliament.
Answer: 

1. The elected members of both the Houses of the Parliament participate in the election of the President.
2. The Vice-President is elected by the members of both the Houses of the Parliament.
3. The Parliament can recommend to the President for the removal of a judge of the Supreme Court and a High Court for their misbehaviour or incompetence.
4. The Parliament can recommend to the President for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. 
Explain in brief the composition of the Union Legislature or the Parliament.
Answer: 
The Union Legislature or the Parliament of India is a bicameral legislature. According to Art. 79 of the Constitution, there shall be Parliament for the Union which shall consist of a President and two Houses respectively, known as the Council of States and the House of the People. Council of 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 the Council of Ministers before the expiry of its term.

Question 2. 
Discuss the main features of the Indian Parliament.
Answer: 
Following are the main features of the Indian Parliament:

1. The Indian Parliament is a bicameral legislature.
2. The Upper House of the Parliament is permanent.
3. The Lower House of the Parliament can be dissolved before its expiry term.
4. The membership of both the Houses is not equal.

Question 3. 
Why do we need a Parliament?
Answer: We need a Parliament because:

1. The Parliament has the power to enact law for the whole of the country.
2. The Parliament controls the cabinet which in turn is responsible to the Parliament.
3. The Parliament controls the finance of the State and passes the budget.
4. The Parliament formulates national and foreign policies of the country.

Question 4. 
Write a short note on the Parliament’s control over the Council of Ministers. (Imp.)
Answer: 
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 any 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) 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 by passing resolution for reducing the salary of a particular minister.

Question 5. 
Who presides over the Rajya Sabha? Mention his powers.
Answer: 
The Indian Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He is not a member of the Rajya Sabha. He is elected by the members of the Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation. As Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, he performs the following functions:

1. He presides over the meetings of the Rajya Sabha.
2. He preserves order in the House. If the situation goes out of control, he can adjourn or suspend the meeting of the Rajya Sabha.
3. He allows members to speak.
4.  As he is not a member of the Rajya Sabha, he is not allowed to vote. But in case of a tie, he has a casting vote.
5. He decides points of order.
6. He maintains relevancy in debates and no member is allowed to use unparliamentary language.
7. He puts questions to vote and announces the results.

Question 6. 
How are the members of the 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 unsound mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice. The voting is done by a secret ballot. Normally, one member represents a population between 5 to 10 lakhs. As per the Constitution, there shall be 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 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 7. 
Explain the relationship between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Answer: 
Lok Sabha is the Lower House while Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of the Parliament. Both the Houses do not enjoy equal powers. Lok Sabha is more powerful than Rajya Sabha. Ordinary bills can originate in either House of the 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 only for 14 days. In financial matters, the powers of the Rajya Sabha are insignificant. Members of the Rajya Sabha can ask questions to the ministers and can criticise the policies of the government but they do not have any 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 has a real control over the government.

Question 8. 
Mention the various stages through which the bill passes before l. becoming an Act. 
Answer:
An ordinary bill has to pass through the following stages before it becomes an Act:

1. First Reading: An ordinary bill can be introduced in either House of the Parliament. A minister or any private member introduces the bill in the House and explains its objectives.
2. Second Reading: At this stage, a general discussion on the bill takes place and it is put to vote.
3. Committee Stage: Sometimes a bill is sent to a Select Committee. The Select Committee discusses the bill in detail and debates the merits and demerits of the bill.
4. Report State: At report stage, the bill is discussed clause by clause and item by item.
5. Third Reading: This is the last stage in the passage of the bill and there is not much discussion on the bill. The entire bill is put to vote at this stage and it is either rejected or passed.
6. Bill in the other House: The procedure followed in the first House is followed in the other House.
7. Assent of the President: After the Bill is passed by both the Houses, it is sent to the President for his assent and becomes an Act after receiving his assent.

Question 9. 
What is Unicameral legislature. Give two arguments in favour of Unicameral legislature.
Answer: 
In all the democratic countries of the world, Legislature exits to make laws. When legislature consists of only one chamber (House), it is known as unicameral legislature.
Following are the arguments in favour of Unicameral legislature.

1. People always have one opinion about an issue or a problem. A single chamber can well express the public opinion and this can be effectively done by the Lower House because it is the representative of the people.
2. Unicameral Legislature serves the expenditure. The payment of salaries to the members of the Second House is a mere wastage of money in the modern days of economy.

Question 10.
Write a note on the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Answer: 
Article 93 of the Constitution provides for the office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of the People. Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker is also elected by the House from amongst its members. He is not subordinate to the Speaker, but holds an independent position and is answerable to the House alone. The Deputy Speaker holds the office until he ceases to be a member of the House, or until he himself resigns his office. At present, the House lasts for nearly seven months in a year, and each sitting lasts for several hours. It is not practicable for the Speaker to be present in the House throughout a particular sitting. Every now and then, when he has to attend to his other duties, he has to vacate the chair, and in his absence, it is usually the Deputy Speaker who presides over the deliberations of the House. Further, the Deputy Speaker is required to perform the duties of the office of the Speaker whenever that office is vacant.

Question 11. 
What do you know about Parliamentary Secretary?
Answer: 
Parliamentary secretary is a member of the Parliament in the Westminster system. He helps senior ministers with their duties. In many other countries, the position-parliamentary secretary has been redesignated as assistant minister. He speaks on the Government’s behalf on the issues that arise in the absence of the minister. The office of the Parliamentary secretary in India was created first time in 1951. When one clears UPSC, IAS exams, he is posted as an undersecretary in any of the department. Parliamentary secretary may appear in the Parliament to answer questions or at a committee guiding a bill through the Lok Sabha. They may stand in for the minister at public speaking engagements.

Question 12. 
Give four arguments in favour of the Bicameral legislature.
Answer:

1. The Second Chamber checks the despotism of a single chamber.
2. The Second Chamber is considered as a revisory Chamber.
3. The Second Chamber relieves the Lower House of a part of its work.
4. The Second Chamber represents the units in a federation.

Question 13. 
Give four arguments against bicameral legislature.
Answer: 

1. People always have one opinion about an issue or a problem. There cannot be two opinions about a problem at the same time.
2. The existence of a second Chamber results in the increase of State’s expenses. It is an unnecessary charge or burden on the State’s finances and so it should be dispensed with.
3. It is not an easy job to define the powers of the Lower Chamber.
4. The Second Chamber cannot stop the despotism of the Lower House.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. 
Give arguments in favour of Unicameral legislature.
Answer: 
Unicameral legislature exists in China and in many states of India. Many scholars are of the opinion that Unicameral legislature is better than the Bicameral legislature. Following arguments are given in favour of Unicameral legislature:

1. Unicameral legislature glorifies unity of the state.
2. People always have one opinion about an issue or a problem. A single chamber can well express the public opinion and this can be efficiently done by the Lower House because it is the representative of the people.
3. The legislature should be unicameral because a law is the expression of the will of the people and people do not have two wills at the same time.
4. Unicameral legislature is the true mirror of the national mind. Members are directly elected by the people.
5. Unicameral legislature saves the expenditure. The payment of salaries to the members of the Second House is a mere wastage of money in the modern days of economy.
6. Minorities and special interests can be given representation in the Lower House. In India, the President can nominate two Anglo-Indians to the Lok 
7. Sabha if he feels that they have not got adequate representation.
8. Unicameral legislature is better than bicameral because it is easy to fix the responsibility.
9. Unicameral legislature is better than bicameral because bicameral system leads to rivalry, deadlocks and delay.
10. In a Unicameral system, progressive laws are passed because members elected by the people are generally progressive and liberal, whereas members of the second chamber are generally conservative.
11. In a Unicameral system, laws are passed without any delay. If there are two Houses, the Second Chamber unnecessarily delays the bills.
12. Unicameral legislature is better because it saves from the unnecessary headache of evolving a satisfactory method of election to the Second Chamber.

Question 2. 
Give argument against and in favour of bicameral legislature.
Answer: 
The organization of the legislature can be of two types. A legislature can consist of one house as well as of two houses. A legislature having one house is called unicameral legislature and a legislature having two houses is called bicameral legislature. Where there is only one chamber, it consists of the representatives of the people and is called the popular house. Where there are two houses of the legislature, the popular house is called the Lower House and the other chamber is called the Upper House. The members of the Lower House are elected by the people in each country. Arguments in favour of second house: The writers who support the existence of a second chamber have put forward the following arguments:

1. Second chamber checks the despotism single chamber: If the legislative power is centralized in one House, such a House is likely to become despotic. Just as an individual is tempted to act as a despot and some check is necessary, similarly the Upper House maintains a check on the Lower Chamber and keeps up a balance of power.

2. It is a revisory chamber: The Upper House in essential serve as a check on hasty, rash and ill-considered legislation passed by the Lower Chamber. The Upper House makes provisions for revision and second thought.

3. Second House relieves the Lower House of a part of its work: The Upper House is essential because it reduces the work of the Lower Chamber.

4. Existence of a Second Chamber is more democratic: The existence of a Second Chamber is very much in accordance with the democratic principles.

5. Second Chamber represents the units in a federation: Some writers are of the opinion that the existence of a Second Chamber essential in a federation.

6. It provides for the representation of minorities and special interests: The Upper Chamber can be used for giving representation to special interests and minorities which cannot get adequate representation in the Lower Chamber. 

Arguments against Second Chamber: Many scholars are of the view that a Second Chamber is not at all essential. They think that a Second Chamber does not serve any purpose. 

They put forward the following arguments:
1. Public opinion can be one and not two: In a democracy, the legislature always functions in accordance with public opinion. People always have one opinion about an issue or a problem. There cannot be two opinions about a problem at the same time.

2. Second Chamber is mischievous or superfluous: If the Second Chamber agrees with the Lower Chamber, it is useless, and if it disagrees with the Lower Chamber, it is mischievous.

3. Possibility of deadlocks: Another defect of the Upper Chamber is that it gives rise to deadlocks. Deadlocks are bound to occur between the two chambers.

4. Difficulty in organisation of Second Chamber: There is no ideal method of composing a Second Chamber.

5. No bill is passed in a hurry: The Second Chamber is not even essential for checking hasty legislation. This provision of hasty legislation can be best provided by making a provision in the Constitution that bills, before they are finally passed, must be thoroughly thrashed in the committees or might be referred to the interest or classes affected.

6. Second Chamber is not essential in a federation: Even in a federation, there is a very little or, even no need of a Second Chamber. It is the experience of today that members of the Second Chamber vote often on party lines rather than on behalf of the component states which have sent them in the Chamber.

Question 3. 
Describe the composition of the Indian Parliament. (Imp.)
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. ]/3rd of its members retire after every two years and other members are elected to fill up the vacancies. Each member remains in the office for a period of 6 years.

(2) Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha is the Lower House of the Parliament. It can have at the most 550 elected

members. 550 members can be directly elected by the voters from different states and union territories. The members will be elected according to the laws framed by the Union Parliament. The President can nominate two members from 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. 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. In this way, two sessions are certainly called in one year. Powers of the Indian Parliament

Question 4. 
Discuss the powers and functions I of the Indian Parliament. 
Discuss the financial and judicial functions of the Parliament.
Answer: 
The Indian Parliament has been given many types of powers. The powers of the 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, the 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 the 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 in the Parliament 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 discussion 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:

1. The Parliament can remove the President from office through impeachment.
2. The Parliament can also remove the Vice-President from office.
3. The Parliament can remove the judges of the High Court and Supreme Court by passing a resolution to that effect.

5. Electoral Powers: 

1. The elected members of the Parliament participate in the election of the President.
2. 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 institution. 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 a unitary type of government and all powers are with the Centre, but in India, there is a federal type of government and the powers have been distributed between the Centre and the States. The Indian Parliament cannot be called a supreme and sovereign body due to reasons given as follows:
(i) The powers in India are distributed between the Centre and the States and the Parliament cannot frame laws on the subjects mentioned in the State list during peace time.

(ii) The Parliament cannot make any law which violates the Fundamental Rights of the people.

(iii) The Parliament cannot amend the Constitution independently.

(iv) The Constitution is considered the supreme law of the land. The Parliament can do nothing against it.

(v) 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.
Composition and Functions of Rajya Sabha

Question 5. 
Describe the composition, powers and functions of the Rajya Sabha.
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. 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 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. 

The method of election is accordingly indirect. In the case of union territories, members are chosen in such a manner as the Parliament may by law determine. Representation of the States is on the basis of population. 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. 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, with one-third of 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:

1. He must be a citizen of India.
2. He must have completed 30 years of age.
3. 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.
4. He must possess such other qualifications as the Parliament may by law prescribe.
5. He should not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or any state government.

Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha: Like the Vice-President of the U.S.A., the Indian Vice-President is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Upper House. 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. At present the Sh. Venkaiah Naidu is the President of Rajya Sabha. The Deputy Chairman is a member of the Rajya Sabha and he is to vacate the office if he ceases to be its member. Quorum.

According to 42nd Amendment, until Parliament by law or otherwise provides the Quorum to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament 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 Position of Rajya Sabha

Question 6. 
Do you agree that the Rajya Sabha enjoys fewer powers than the Lok Sabha?
Answer: 
The Rajya Sabha performs a variety of functions. But Rajya Sabha enjoys fewer powers than Lok Sabha.
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 amendment made in the Bill, the President has been empowered to summon a joint meeting of the two Houses for the purpose of deliberation 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.

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 substantial 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. 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.

3. Control over Executive: The Rajya Sabha does not control the Executive 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 the Government and can pass 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 is also 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 an House of the Parliament. Such a resolution has to be passed by both the Houses separately by at least 2/3rd majority of the total membership of the Houses.

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-President, 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 Houses of the Parliament. 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-third of its members present and voting. The Constitution is silent on how to resolve a dead-lock between the two Houses.

6. Electoral Powers. The Rajya Sabha has the following electoral powers:

• The elected members of the Rajya Sabha take part in the elections of the President.
• All the members (elected and nominated both) of the Rajya Sabha take part in the elections of the Vice-President.
• The members elect the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

7. Miscellaneous Powers. The miscellaneous functions of the Rajya Sabha are as follows:

• The reports of all the Commissions appointed by the President are considered both by the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.
• The approval of the Rajya Sabha is necessary for the continuance of the proclamation of emergency.
• Every order made by the President suspending the enforcement of Fundamental Rights is required to be laid before each House of Parliament.

8. Special Powers of the Rajya Sabha. Under the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha has been vested with two special and exclusive powers. They are:
(i) Under Article 249, the Rajya 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 the Parliament should make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List.

(ii) 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 2/3rd of the members present and voting declaring that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest to do so. Position of the Rajya Sabha. After having an analysis 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 ordinary bill for six months. It has absolutely no control over the purse of the nation. 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 respects, it is weaker than the House of Lords. 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. While in certain matters, it has coequal 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 supposed 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 additional debating opportunities for which there is occasional need and it assists in the solution of legislative limited problems.”
Composition, Powers and Functions of Lok Sabha

Question 7. 
Describe the composition and powers of the Lok Sabha. Is there any limitations to its authority?
Or
Discuss the Composition and Functions of Lok Sabha.
Answer: 
Lok Sabha is the Lower House of the 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: According to the 31st Amendment, the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha has been put at 547 members. But according to Goa, Daman and Diu reorganisation Act, 1987, maximum elected members of the Lok Sabha can be 550.

The President can appoint two Anglo-IndiAnswer: At present, Lok Sabha consists of 543 members 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 10 lakhs. As per the 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 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. Though the system of separate communal electorate has been abolished, yet the Constitution reserves certain seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This reservation shall be valid till 2030 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 13 March 1991, the President dissolved the Lok Sabha on the advice of Prime Minister, Chandra Shekhar. Thus, the tenure of Ninth Lok Sabha was 15 months only. On 26 April 1999, Lok Sabha was dissolved by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 

Qualifications: 
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 the Parliament.

In case he becomes, he must vacate one of the two seats. Likewise, one person cannot be a member of a House of the Parliament and of a State Legislature simultaneously.

Quorum: 
For a meeting of the Lok Sabha, the presence of at least l/10th 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:

1. Members have full freedom of speech in the House. No case can be started against a member for a speech given in the House.
2. Members cannot be arrested in any civil suit before 40 days of the beginning of the session.
3. During the session, members can be arrested in criminal cases only but information must be given to the Speaker.
4. Members get monthly salary and many other allowances.

Powers of the Lok Sabha

The powers and functions of the Lok Sabha can be discussed under following heads:
1. Legislative Powers: 
Law-making function is the joint action of the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha and the President. Any type of bill can be introduced in the Lok Sabha. 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, therefore, 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. All money bills 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 functioning of the Cabinet. If the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no-confidence against the Cabinet, it has to resign. The Cabinet remains in office till 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 of the removal of the judges of the High Court or the Supreme Court.

5. Electoral Functions: 
The Lok Sabha participates in the elections 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 the 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.

7. Miscellaneous Functions: 
The miscellaneous functions of the Lok Sabha are as follows:

• Approval of the Lok Sabha is necessary over the ordinances issued by the President.
• The approval of the Lok Sabha is necessary for the continuance of the proclamation of emergency.
• The Lok Sabha can pass a resolution for abolishing or reconstituting the Upper Chamber of a State legislature.
• The Lok Sabha can punish and take any punitive action against non-members as well as its own members who commit a breach of its privileges.
• The reports of the Union Public Service Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General, Finance Commission, etc., are presented to both Houses for their consideration. 

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 ordinary as well as money bills. No bill can be passed against the wishes of the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha has also control over the Cabinet. It 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.

Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Question 8. 
Discuss the election, powers and functions of the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Or
Discuss the functions of 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, honour and power. He enjoys supreme authority on the floor of the House. 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, the Prime Minister, after consultation 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. At present, Sh. Om Birla is the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
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. 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 following are the functions of the Speaker:

1. In consultation with the leader of the Houses, 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.
3. Adjournment motions are moved with his con-sent. 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.
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 the ex-officio 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 the 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.
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. He exercises control over the Visitor’s gallery. It is he who regulates the admission of outsiders into the House. He can ask them to leave the House.
16. He puts questions to vote and announces the results.
17. He can order the expunging of a word or words used in debate from the proceedings of the House.
18. The Speaker conducts the business of the house.
19. Business of the Lok Sabha is valid only when Quorum of the House is complete. It is for the Speaker to see whether quorum is complete or not.
20. 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.
21. The Speaker is the custodian of the dignity of the House.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. The Speaker has no right to vote in the first instance but he has the right to vote in case of a tie.
25. In case of a joint meeting of both the houses on a disputed Bill, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides.
26. The Speaker represents the House and not the Government. He protects the members from the high handedness of the Government.
27. 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 gravity. He symbolises the House and his authority. In the words of G.V. Mavalankar, “He is supreme in the House”. According to former Speaker Shri Hukam Singh, “Speaker is one of the highest office 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. Mavalankar was the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha. According to Pt. Jawaharlal 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 nation’s freedom and liberty. Therefore, it is right that should be an honoured position; a free position and should be occupied always by man of outstanding ability and impartiality.”

Legislative Procedure

Question 9. 
How does a bill become an Act in the Indian Parliament?
Or
Describe the procedure of law making in the Indian Parliament.
Answer: 
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 of changing old laws or amending the Constitution are called bills. The bill is passed by both the Houses after which it is sent to the President for his assent, after which, it becomes a law. But before the Bill becomes a law, it has to pass through 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 Member’s 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 bill seeks the permission of the House of moving the bill and it is much of 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 bill 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. On the fixed date, the mover of the bill stands up at this place and requests that the bill should be read for the time. On getting permission of the House, he explains the main principles and objects 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 Selection Committee. If the majority is opposed to the bill, it is dropped. Most 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 electing public opinion is also sent to the Selection Committee. The members of the Selection Committee discuss the bill in detail and debate on its merits and demerits. The Committee can suggest amendments in the provisions of clause 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 Selection 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 wording 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 to the Rajya Sabha, the bill is generally passed according to the wishes of the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can delay the passage of a money bill at the most by 14 days. If the Rajya Sabha rejects the money bill or does not take any action for 14 days, then under both these conditions, the money bill is considered as passed in the same form as it was by the Lok Sabha.

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 the President can refuse to give his assent to 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.
A 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.

Question 10. 
Study the passage given below carefully and answer the question that follow:
Answer: 
Lok Sabha is the lower chamber of the parliament. It can have at the most 550 elected members. The members will be elected according 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.

• What is the maximum strength of Lok Sabha?
• How many members are nominated by president in Lok Sabha?
• What is the age for contesting the Lok Sabha election?

Answer: 

1. The maximum strength of Lok Sabha is 552. 
2. The President appoints 2 members in the Lok Sabha.
3. The age for contesting the election of Lok Sabha is 25 years.

Question 11. 
Study the picture given below and answer the following questions:

The Parliament is the boss and the Ministers are looking very humble here. That is the effect of the Parliament’s power to sanction money to different Ministries.

• What is the position of the Parliament as shown in these pictures?
• What is the condition of the cabinet as shown in this picture?

Answer: 

1. The Parliament is the ultimate boss.
2. The Ministers are looking very humble in the picture.

Question 12. 
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
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. 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.

12.1. How many chamber are there in Indian Parliament?
(a) One 
(b) Two
(c) Three 
(d) Four
Answer: 
(b) Two

12.2. What are the name of both house of Indian Parliament?
(a) Senate-House of People
(b) Senate-House of Representative
(c) Rajya Sabha-Lok Sabha
(d) House of Lords-House of Commons 
Answer: 
(c) Rajya Sabha-Lok Sabha

12.3. What is the maximum strength of Rajya Sabha?
(a) 250 
(b) 270
(c) 280 
(d) 290
Answer: 
(a) 250 

12.4. 
How many members are nominated by the President in Rajya Sabha?
(a) 6 
(b) 8
(c) 10 
(d) 12
Answer: 
(c) 10  

HOTS HOTS QUESTIONS

Question 1. 
Which authority decides the question of disqualification of the members of the Parliament?
Answer: 
If any question arises as to whether a member of either House of Parliament has become subjected to any of the disqualifications, the questions is referred for the decision of the President. Before giving any decision on any such question, the President obtains the opinion of the Election Commission and acts in according to the same. The decision of the President is final.

Question 2. 
What is the difference between a bill and a law?
Answer: 
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. When a bill is passed by both the Houses and has received the assent of the President, it then becomes a law.

Question 3. 
What is understood by an ‘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.

Question 4. 
What do you understand by ‘Question Hour’?
Answer: 
The members of the 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.

Question 5. 
What do you understand by ‘Zero Hour’?
Answer: 
The time immediately following the ‘Question Hour’ in both Houses has come to be popularly known as ‘Zero Hour’. It is a Zero Hour in more than one sense. It is a non-existent Hour. It 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