History & Civics
With reference to the composition of the Lok Sabha answer the following questions:
(a) What is the maximum strength fixed by the Constitution? What is the term of the House? By whom and on whose advice can the Lok Sabha be dissolved?
(b) State any three qualifications needed to contest for the Lok Sabha seat.
(c) Give two reasons to justify how the Lok Sabha is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha.
Answer
(a) The composition of the Lok Sabha
The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha, as provided by the Constitution is 550. Out of this,
- not more than 530 members shall represent the States
- not more than 20 members shall represent the Union Territories
The term of the Lok Sabha
- According to the Constitution the term of the Lok Sabha is five years.
- However, it can be dissolved before the expiry of its normal term by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- During the proclamation of an emergency the period of the Lok Sabha may be extended by Parliament for one year at a time.
- The new Lok Sabha must be elected within six months after the national emergency is lifted.
(b) Conditions needed for a person to be a member of Lok Sabha are:
- He should be an Indian citizen.
- He should be at least 25 years of age.
- He should have his name in the electoral rolls in some part of the country.
(c) The Lok Sabha has special powers which make it more powerful than the Rajya Sabha. These special powers are:
- Motions of No-confidence against the government can only be introduced and passed in the Lok Sabha. If passed by a majority vote, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers resign collectively. The Rajya Sabha has no power over such a motion, and hence no real power over the executive.
- Money bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, and upon being passed, are sent to the Rajya Sabha, where it can be deliberated on for up to 14 days.
Related Questions
India has opted for a federal system of government with a strong unitary bias. In this context answer the following questions:
(a) List any three federal features of government in India.
(b) List any two conditions when the Parliament can make laws on Subjects in the State List.
(c) Write short notes on any two unitary features of the government in India.
With reference to the powers of the Union Parliament, state the following:
(a) Three of its Legislative Powers.
(b) Three of its Financial Powers.
(c) Four of its Administrative or Executive Powers.
With reference to the powers and functions of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha state the following:
(a) Any three functions to regulate proceedings of the House.
(b) Any three administrative functions.
(c) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha occupies a position of great authority and responsibility. Give reasons to support this statement.
With reference to the powers of the Rajya Sabha, state the following:
(a) Any two of its legislative and one financial power.
(b) Any three of its administrative powers.
(c) (i) Any two of its exclusive (special) powers; (ii) Any two electoral functions.