The Indian Parliament is bicameral, consisting of two houses: the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, which differ in several ways, such as their functions, composition, and powers. Here’s an overview of how these two houses of Parliament operate and their roles within the Indian democratic system.
The Lok Sabha vs. The Rajya Sabha: Key Differences
The Lok Sabha, or the “House of the People,” is the lower house of Parliament, where members are directly elected by the Indian populace every five years. The Rajya Sabha, or the “Council of States,” is the upper house, with its members being elected by State Legislative Assemblies and the Union Territories, while some are nominated by the President for their expertise.
Lok Sabha (House of the People)
- Composition: Lok Sabha consists of a maximum of 552 members, including elected representatives from states and union territories, as well as a few nominated members.
- Primary Role: The Lok Sabha plays a major role in shaping laws and passing important legislation, especially in matters related to finances such as taxation and government expenditure, as all money bills can only be introduced here.
- Tenure: Its members serve a fixed tenure of 5 years unless dissolved sooner.
- Key Power: Lok Sabha holds the authority to introduce money bills and has a greater influence over financial matters. The Prime Minister and other ministers are answerable to the Lok Sabha.
Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
- Composition: The Rajya Sabha consists of a maximum of 250 members, of which 12 are nominated by the President and the rest are elected.
- Primary Role: While the Rajya Sabha doesn’t initiate money bills, it reviews, suggests amendments, and debates the legislation passed by the Lok Sabha.
- Tenure: Rajya Sabha is a permanent body with no fixed tenure and operates in a continuous manner, unlike the Lok Sabha.
- Key Power: It has special powers over laws concerning state matters and can pass resolutions to authorize Parliament to legislate on state matters. It also plays a significant role in constitutional amendments.
The Role and Functioning of Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha represents the people of India, where every citizen, through their vote, elects a representative. This house serves as the principal body responsible for creating laws, especially on subjects related to national policy, economic matters, and welfare. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha manages its operations, ensuring that debates, discussions, and decisions are in line with democratic principles.
Key Responsibilities of Lok Sabha:
- Law-Making: It is the primary chamber for introducing and passing legislation.
- Money Bills: The Lok Sabha has exclusive authority over money bills, making it the final authority on financial matters.
- Formation of Government: The political party or coalition that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha forms the government.
- No Confidence Motion: If a motion of no confidence is passed, the government is compelled to resign.
The Role and Functioning of Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha, unlike the Lok Sabha, is a forum for the representation of the states and Union Territories. Members are elected by the State Legislative Assemblies and represent the interests of the various states within the Union of India. The Rajya Sabha is tasked with reviewing and refining the laws proposed by the Lok Sabha.
Key Responsibilities of Rajya Sabha:
- State Representation: It protects the interests of the states by ensuring their concerns are voiced at the national level.
- Constitutional Amendments: Rajya Sabha plays a crucial role in the amendment of the Constitution, especially in areas related to federal balance.
- Legislation: Although the Rajya Sabha can suggest amendments, it cannot initiate money bills. However, it can make recommendations on such bills.
- Expert Nominations: The President nominates members with specialized knowledge and expertise in fields such as science, art, and literature, bringing diverse perspectives to the legislative process.
Powers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Both houses are involved in the legislative process, but their powers and influence differ:
- Lok Sabha: The Lok Sabha has more significant powers, especially in financial matters. It is the primary house for making laws, particularly in areas such as budget and taxation.
- Rajya Sabha: While the Rajya Sabha can review and suggest amendments to laws, its role is more reflective and advisory. It ensures that the legislation passed by the Lok Sabha is thoroughly debated and examined.
Special Powers of Lok Sabha
- Money Bills: Only the Lok Sabha can introduce money bills, and it holds the final say in matters related to finance. The Rajya Sabha can only suggest amendments, but the Lok Sabha’s decision is final.
- Government Formation: The Lok Sabha determines the formation of the government based on the majority. The party or coalition with the majority in the Lok Sabha appoints the Prime Minister.
- No Confidence Motion: The Lok Sabha can pass a vote of no confidence, which could result in the resignation of the entire government.
Special Powers of Rajya Sabha
- State List Legislation: Rajya Sabha can allow Parliament to legislate on matters that fall under the State List by passing a resolution by a two-thirds majority.
- Representation of States: It ensures that the interests of various states are represented, providing a federal perspective in the legislative process.
- Expert Input: Through the nomination of experts, Rajya Sabha introduces specialized knowledge and insights into law-making.
Conclusion
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha work together to make laws, scrutinize government actions, and ensure that the governance of India is in line with the people’s interests and the states’ needs. While the Lok Sabha has more power in financial matters and is directly accountable to the electorate, the Rajya Sabha serves as a chamber of reflection, bringing in expertise and ensuring that states’ concerns are heard. Both houses play an essential role in maintaining the democratic fabric of India’s parliamentary system.