What are the functions of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

The President of India, the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha make up the Indian Parliament. The Lower House of Parliament, or Lok Sabha, is known as the House of the People in India. India’s government is parliamentary in nature. The country’s top legislative body is the Union Parliament. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are the two houses that make up the bicameral Indian Parliament. Through the voting process, the populace directly elects the members of the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The members of the state legislative assemblies elect the members of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).

Functions of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

Lok Sabha 

It is the Lower House, and it speaks for all of India’s citizens. The Lok Sabha can have a maximum of 550 members, of which 530 must be state legislators and 20 must be from UTs. The number of members in the Lok Sabha at the moment is 543, of which 530 are from the states and 13 are from the UTs. Prior to the 95th Amendment Act of 2009, the President had also proposed two members from the Anglo-Indian community, however, this provision was only valid until 2020.

The citizens of territorial constituencies within the states directly elect the representatives of the states. The Union Territories Act of 1965 stipulates that Lok Sabha representatives from UTs must be elected directly. The Lok Sabha’s selection of the executive, a team of people who collaborate to carry out the laws passed by the Parliament, is one of its most significant duties. When we use the word government, we frequently mean this executive.

The Lok Sabha’s typical duration is five years. However, it may be dissolved earlier than the five-year period on the advice of the Council of Ministers. Its duration may be increased during a national emergency by one year at a time. But after the emergency is passed, it won’t last longer than six months. The speaker is the title of the Lok Sabha’s presiding official.

Powers of Lok Sabha

Every regular law must be approved by both Houses. However, if there is a disagreement between the two Houses, a combined session of both Houses is called to make the final judgment. The Lok Sabha’s viewpoint is more likely to succeed in such a conference due to its greater strength.

In terms of finances, the Lok Sabha has more authority. The Rajya Sabha cannot reject the government’s budget or any other measure pertaining to money once it has been approved by the Lok Sabha. It can only be changed or delayed by 14 days by the Rajya Sabha; the latter may or may not accept these changes.

The Council of Ministers is under the Lok Sabha’s jurisdiction. The Prime Minister and all other ministers must resign if the majority of Lok Sabha members vote “no confidence” in the Council of Ministers. This authority does not lie with the Rajya Sabha.

Rajya Sabha

The Indian Union’s states and union territories are represented in the Upper House. Since it is never completely disbanded, the Rajya Sabha is known as the permanent House of Parliament. The distribution of Rajya Sabha seats to the states and UTs is covered under the fourth schedule of the Indian Constitution. Rajya Sabha can have a maximum of 250 members, of which 238 are representatives of states and UTs (elected indirectly), and 12 are president-nominated. The number of members in the house is currently 245, of whom 12 are president-nominated and 229 represent the states.

Members of state legislative assemblies choose the representatives for each state. Members of an electoral college created especially for the purpose of indirectly electing the MPs from each UT in the Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha only has representation for three UTs (Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir); the other UTs do not have enough people to qualify. Members with unique expertise or real-world experience in the arts, literature, sciences, or social services make up the president’s list of nominees.

Comparison of Powers

Rajya Sabha

1. The States are represented in the Rajya Sabha. Therefore, it must be consulted before making any decisions that have an impact on the States. The Rajya Sabha must approve any removal or transfer of a topic from the State list requested by the Union Parliament.
2. It may provide Parliament the power to establish new All-India Services that are available to both the Center and the States (Article 312).
3. If a proclamation is made by the president to impose a national emergency, president’s rule, or financial emergency when the Lok Sabha has already been dissolved or within the time frame allotted for its approval, the proclamation will still be valid even if it is only given the Rajya Sabha’s approval.

Lok Sabha

1. The Rajya Sabha cannot reject the government’s budget or any other measure pertaining to money once it has been approved by the Lok Sabha. It can only be changed or delayed by 14 days by the Rajya Sabha; the latter may or may not accept these changes.
2. Every regular law must be approved by both Houses. However, if there is a disagreement between the two Houses, a combined session of both Houses is called to make the final judgment.
3. The Council of Ministers is governed by the Lok Sabha.

Related Links

1. Parliament of India
2. Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1. What are the functions of Lok Sabha?

Answer-

Certain powers make Lok Sabha more powerful than Rajya Sabha no motions of no confidence against the government could be introduced as well as passed in Lok Sabha and if the same is passed by majority vote, then the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers have to resign in a collective manner.

Q 2. What are the functions of Rajya Sabha members?

Answer-

Broad functions of the Rajya Sabha include legislative responsibility and oversight responsibility. Their responsibility mostly includes the passing of laws and ensuring the executive performs duties properly.

Q 3. What is the most important function of Lok Sabha?

Answer-

The most important functions include pass bill which pertain to Union List and Concurrent List.