Andhra Pradesh BIEAP AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Study Material 4th Lesson Union Legislature Textbook Questions and Answers.
AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Study Material 4th Lesson Union Legislature
Long Answer Questions
Question 1.
Describe powers and functions of the speaker. [Mar. 18]
Answer:
Articles 93 to 97 of the Indian Constitution deal with the office of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker acts as head of the Lok Sabha, guardian of members and principal spokesman of the house. He enjoys Supreme Authority and power on the floor of the house.
Election :
The members of the Lok Sabha elect the Speaker from among themselves. According to the Parliamentary convention the speaker is unanimously elected or chosen by the members on the request of the Prime Minister.
A person elected as the speaker must be a member of the Lok Sabha.
Tenure:
The speaker continues in office for five years. Though the Lok Sabha is dissolved the speaker continues in office until the new Lok Sabha elects its speaker. (Article 94).
Removal:
The speaker can be removed from office by a majority members, resolution, proceeded by a 14-day prior notice to that effect.
Salary and. allowances :
At present, the speaker receives a monthly salary of ₹ 1,40,000. Besides he is provided with rent free accommodation, Medical, travelling, and telephone facilities.
Powers and functions of the speaker :
- The speaker presides over the meetings of the Lok Sabha. He conducts the meetings with dignity, order and efficiency.
- He allots time to the members to express their views on the bills, conducts voting if necessary and announces the results.
- He sends bills to the Rajya Sabha after they are approved by the Lok Sabha. On the receipt of the Bills from the Rajya Sabha, he certifies and sends them to the President of India for his consent.
- He acts as the representative of the Lok Sabha. He sends messages and directives to the members on behalf of the Lok Sabha.
- He takes steps for safeguarding the rights and privileges of the members and for upholding the respect of the house.
- He has the privilege of determining whether a bill is money bill or not.
- He accords permission to the members for introducing various bills in the house. He gives his signature on the bill approved by the house.
- He is empowered to permit the members to move a No-confidence motion against the government, postpone the meetings of the house and decide the Quorum in the house.
- He constitutes various house committees and appoints their chairpersons.
- He presides over the joint session of the Parliament.
- He exercises his casting vote in case of a tie over a bill. ,
- He conducts the election of the Deputy Speaker in case of a vacancy.
Question 2.
Explain the powers and functions of the Union Legislature. [Mar. 16]
(Or)
Write about the composition powers and functions of the Indian Parliament.
Answer:
Introduction :
The Union Legislature (Parliament) is the highest legislative organ of the Union government. Articles 79 to 129 in part V of Indian Constitution deals with the composition, organization, powers, and functions of the Indian Union Legislature.
Composition :
Indian Parliament consists of the
- President
- Rajya Sabha (Council of states)
- Lok Sabha (House of people)
The upper house Rajya Sabha represents the states and union territories.
The lower house Lok Sabha represents the people.
The President of India has the power to summon or prorogue the two houses of Parliament though he is not a member of either house.
He can dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
Powers and functions of the Union Legislature (or) Indian Parliament :
The Parliament enjoys extensive powers and performs variety of functions. These powers and functions are under the following points.
1) Legislative Powers and Functions:
The main function of the Indian Parliament is law making. It makes laws on all the subjects mentioned in the Union List and Concurrent List. Under certain circumstances it also makes laws on the subjects mentioned in the State List. Further, it also makes laws on the matters that are not included in any of the three Lists i.e., on residuary matters.
2) Executive Powers and Functions :
Another important function of the Indian Parliament is controlling the Executive (Union Council of Ministers). Parliament controls the Executive through various ways, such as by asking questions, supplementary questions, and by introducing adjournment motions and no confidence resolutions against the Ministry. Hence the survival of the Government depends upon the will of the members in the Lower House. The executive remains in office so long as it enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
3) Financial Powers and Functions :
The Parliament controls the financial resources of the nation. It accepts the budget and other money bills required by the government. Its permission is needed for the government for imposing and collecting tax and for revising the existing tax rates. In this regard the Lok Sabha has more financial powers than the Rajya Sabha. All money, bills shall at first be introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has to accept all money bills sent by the Lok Sabha within 14 days. It approves the railway budget, appropriation bill, and other money bills.
4) Judicial Powers and Functions :
The Parliament has certain judicial powers and functions. It has the power to remove the President and Vice President. The procedure is called impeachment. It has also the power to recommend to the President the removal of the higher officials of the country such as the Chief justice and Judges of Supreme Court, High Court and the Chairman, and other members of U.P.S.C., Chief Election Commissioner etc., for violation of certain principles.
5) Constitutional Powers and Functions:
The Parliament takes initiative for changing the provisions of the Constitution according to the changing times. Bills relating to the Constitution amendments may be introduced in either House. The State legislatures also join with the Parliament in accepting certain important Constitutional amendment bills. There are three methods of amending the Constitution.
6) Electoral Powers:
The Parliament also serves as an electoral college. It participates in the election of the President and Vice President. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker who act as the presiding officers are elected by the members of Lok Sabha. The Deputy Chairman is elected by the members of the Rajya Sabha.
7) Deliberative Powers and Functions :
The Parliament acts as the highest forum and direct agency of public opinion. Its members discuss various issues of national and international significance. They demand the government to solve the people’s problems.
8) Miscellaneous Powers :
In addition to the above, the Indian Parliament has also the power to a) create or abolish Legislative Councils b) change the names and boundaries of the States, etc.
Conclusion:
A look at the powers and functions of the Indian Parliament it is the centre of legislative activity and political activity of our country.
Question 3.
Examine the role of financial committees in Parliament.
Answer:
The Financial committees of Parliament endeavour of undertake the task of detailed scrutiny of governmental spending and performance, there by securing the accountability of the administration to the Parliament in financial matters.
There are three financial committees in Indian Parliament. They are :
- Public Accounts committee
- Estimates committee and
- Committee on public undertakings
1) Public Accounts Committee :
Public Accounts Committee was set up on 1921. It consists of 22 members. Out of them, 15 members belong to the Lok Sabha and 7 members to the Rajya Sabha. Their term of office is one year. They are elected by means of proportional representation and single transferable vote. The speaker nominates one of the members as the chairman of the committee. It became a convention to appoint one of the members of the opposition in the Lok Sabha as its chairman since 1967-68. The Committee performs the following functions :
- The Committee examines the annual audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
- It examines Public Expenditure not only from legal and formal point of view to discover technical irregularities but also from the point of view of economy prudence, wisdom, and property.
- It brings out the appropriation accounts and the finance accounts of the Union Government and any other accounts laid before the Lok Sabha.
- It examines whether the public funds are disbursed properly.
- It examines the accounts of Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous bodies, the audit of which is conducted by the CAG.
- It investigates the money spent on any service during the financial year in the excess of the amount granted by the Lok Sabha for that purpose.
The Comptroller and Auditor General renders assistance to this committee. The members of this committee carry out a country-wide tour and meet the concerned officers non-officials, people and receive petitions from them and it submits a final report to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
2) Estimates Committee :
The origin of this committee can be traced to the Standing Financial Committee setup in 1921. The Estimates Committee was at first constituted in April 1950 in free India. It consists of 30 members of the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has no representation in this Committee. These members are elected by the Lok Sabha every year from among its own members according to the principle of proportional representation by means of single transferrable vote. The members hold their office for a year.
The Speaker ha appoints the Chairman of the Committee. If the Duty Speaker is a member ttee, the Speaker appoints him as the Chairman of the Committee. One third of the total members belong to newly elected members. The Chairman of the Committee will be appointed invariably from the ruling party. Mr. M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar acted the first chairman of this committee in the first Lok Sabha.
The members of this-committee may visit different projects and hold discussions with the officers, non-officials, business groups and receive suggestions from them. The committee functions on permanent basis.
The committee performs the following four important functions :
- It offers suggestions in regard to the economy in expenditure, improvement in organization and efficiency of the Union Government.
- It examines as to whether the public funds are disbursed as per the estimates.
- It also examines the matters assigned to it by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
- It examines whether the money is well laid out within the, limits of the policy implied in the estimates. Hence, it has been described as a ‘continuous economy committee’.
3) Committee on Public Undertakings :
The Committee on Public Undertakings was created in 1964 on the recommendations of Krishan Menon Committee. It consists of 22 members out of which 15 are from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha. The members of the committee are elected by the Parlianient every year from amongst its own members according to the principle of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.
The purpose of the committee is to lighten the burden of Public Accounts Committee. The Chairman of the committee is appointed by the speaker from amongst its members who are drawn from the Lok Sabha only. The members of Rajya Sabha are not be appointed as a Chairman of the committee. The functions of the committee are :
- To examine the reports and accounts of Public Undertakings.
- To examine the reports of the Comptroller and Audit of General on undertakings.
- To examine whether the affairs of the public undertakings are being managed in accordance with sound business principles and practices.
- To exercise such other functions vested in the Public Accounts Committee and the Estimates Committee.
Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
Write about the composition of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
The Lok Sabha or the House of the people is the lower house in Indian Parliament. Maximum strength of the Lok Sabha envisaged by the constitution is now 552 (530 members to represent states, 20 to represent union territories and 2 members of Anglo-Indian community, to be nominated by the President).
At present there are 545 members in the Lok Sabha out of them,
- 530 members are elected from the states.
- 13 members are elected from the union territories and the remaining.
- 02 members are nominated by the President from the Anglo Indian community.
Out of 543 elected seats, 79 seats are reserved for the scheduled castes and 41 for the scheduled tribes.
The election is through direct franchise.
The tenure of the Lok Sabha is normally 5 years.
A person who wishes to contest as a candidate for the membership of the Lok Sabha must
A) Be an Indian citizen.
B) Have completed 25 years of age.
C) Not hold any office of profit in union, state or local governments.
D) Possess such other qualifications as prescribed by the Parliament.
Question 2.
Explain the election of the speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
The members of the Lok Sabha elect the Speaker from among themselves. According to the Parliamentary convention, the speaker is unanimously elected or chosen by the members on the request of the Prime Minister.
When no single party secures majority or when a coalition Ministry is formed, the coalition Ministry is formed, the coalition partners will make efforts for deciding the candidature for the office of the speaker. Sometimes coalition partners may hand over that office to a candidate selected by the parties that declare support from outside. A person elected as the speaker must be a member of the Lok Sabha.
Question 3.
What do you know about the composition and qualifications of members . of the Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
The Rajya Sabfya is the upper chamber in Indian Parliament. Article 80 stipulates that the Rajya Sabha shall consist of
A) 12 members nominated by the President and
B) Not more than 238 representatives of the states and of the union territories.
Thus its maximum membership shall be 250 only.
At present there are 245 members in the Rajya Sabha of them
- 229 members belong to the elected from the 29 states.
- 3 members belong to the National capital territory of Delhi.
- 1 member represents the union territory of Pondicherry and the remaining.
- 12 members nominated by the President having practical experience in respect of matters such as literature, science, arts and social service.
The members are elected in accordance with the proportional representation by means of single transferable vote system.
Qualifications :
- He shall be a citizen of India.
- He shall have completed 30 years of age.
- He should not hold any office of profit under union, state or local government.
- He shall possess such other qualifications as prescribed by the Parliament.
The Raja Sabha is a permanent house of which l/3rd of its total members shall retire for every two years.
Question 4.
Write a note on the chairman and Deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
Chairman of Rajya Sabha:
The Presiding Officer of Rajya Sabha is popularly known as the Chairman. The Vice President of India acts as the Ex-Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He is not a member of the House. The members of Parliament elected him for every five years as the Vice-President of India. It implies that both the members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha cast their vote in the Vice-Presidential election.
At present he is paid ₹ 1,40,000/- towards monthly salary and allowances. His salaries and allowances are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India. The Chairman of Rajya Sabha vacates his office only if he is removed from the office of the Vice President.
Deputy Chairman:
The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha is elected by the members of the Rajya Sabha amongst the members. The Deputy Chairman receives a monthly salary of ₹ 90,000/-. In the absence of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman acts as Chairman and presides over the meetings of the Rajya Sabha. Whenver the office of the Deputy Chairman falls vacant, the members of Rajya Sabha will elect another member to fill the vacancy.
Question 5.
Mention any three powers and functions of Indian Parliament.
Answer:
The Indian Parliament, the law body in our country, has extensive powers and performs a variety of functions. There are as follows : ‘
1) Legislative Powers :
The main function of the Indian Parliament is law making. It makes laws on all the subjects mentioned in the Union List and Concurrent List. Under certain circumstances it also makes laws on the subjects mentioned in the State List. Further, it also makes laws on the matters that are not included in any of the three Lists i.e., on residuary matters.
2) Executive Powers :
Another important function of the Indian Parliament is controlling the Executive (Union Council of Ministers) . The members exercise control over the Executive by asking questions, supplementary questions, and by introducing adjournment motions and no-confidence resolutions against the ministry. The ministers are collectively responsible for their actions, to the Lower House of the Parliament i.e., Lok Sabha. They will be in office as long as they enjoy the confidence of the majority of members in the Lok Sabha.
3) Financial Powers :
The Parliament controls the financial resources of the nation. It accepts the budget and other money bills required by the government. It’s permission is needed for imposing and collecting taxes and for revising the existing tax rates. In this regard the Lok Sabha has more financial powers than Rajya Sabha.
Question 6.
Write a note on the types of bills.
Answer:
A Bill is a proposed law under consideration by a legislature. A bill does not become law until it is passed by the legislature. Once a bill has been enacted into law, it is called on Act or statute.
Bills introduced in the Parliament are of two typek 1) Public bill (Government bill) and 2) Private bills (Private member’s bills) the public bills are introduced by the Ministers in the Parliament whereas private bills are introduced by any member of Parliament other than a Minister. The bills introduced in the Parliament may also be classified into four categories.
1) Ordinary bill:
Ordinary bills are concerned with any matter other than financial subjects.
2) Money bill:
Money bills are concerned with the financial matters like taxation, public expenditure etc.
3) Finance bill:
The financial bills are also concerned with financial matters but are different from money bills. These bills deal with fiscal matters i.e., revenue of, expenditure.
4) Constitutional Amendment Bill: Constitutional Amendment bills are concerned with the provisions of the constitution.
Question 7.
Explain briefly about the stages of law-making procedure in Indian Parliament.
Answer:
Law making is an important function of Indian Parliament. The Parliament has the power to pass all acts. A bill becomes an act after it receives the assent of the President. Every bill has to pass through different stages as described below.
1) First Reading:
A bill may be introduced by any member of Parliament. One has to ask for the leave of the House to introduce a bill. The title of the bill is to be read out. If the bill is voted for it is deemed to have been read first time and is published in the Gazette of India.
2) Second Reading:
The printed copies of the bill are distributed to all the members at this stage. It may be moved that the bill be referred to a select committee or that the bill be circulated for public opinion. There will be a general discussion on the main principles of the bill at this stage.
3) Committee Stage :
If the House approves the principles, the bill is referred to and examined by the select committee. Then it is thoroughly discussed clause by clause.
4) Report Stage :
The report of the committee with suggestions is presented to the House. If the House agrees to consider the bill as reported by the select committee the bill is taken up for clause by clause discussions and members may move amendments.
5) Third Reading:
The bill enters for the third reading. If it is approved by the House, only oral amendments are allowed at this stage. If the House accepts the bill it is deemed to have been passed by the House.
6) Consideration by the other House :
When the bill is passed by the House, it is sent to the other House for consideration. The procedure in one House is repeated in the other House. If the second House disagrees, a joint sitting is arranged to resolve the differences.
7) Assent by President:
If the bill is passed by both the Houses of Parliament, it is sent to the President for his assent. After the bill is given assent, it becomes an act which will be implemented by the Executive.
The President sometimes send a bill passed by the Parliament for reconsideration. The suggestions sent by the President along with the bill have to be taken up for discussion by the Parliament immediately. If the bill is passed second time by the Parliament, then the President has to give his assent to the bill.
Question 8.
What do you know about Public Accounts Committee.
Answer:
Public Account’s Committee was set up in 1921. It consists of 22 members. Out of them 15 members belong to the Lok Sabha and 7 members to the Rajya Sabha. Their term of office is one year. They are elected by means of proportional representation and single transferable vote. It became a convention to appoint one of the members of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha as its chairman since 1967-68. The Committee performs the following functions :
- The Committee examines the annual audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
- It examines Public Expenditure not only from legal and formal point of view to discover technical irregularities but also from the point of view of economy prudence, wisdom and property.
- It brings out the appropriation accounts and the finance accounts of the Union Government and any other accounts laid before the Lok Sabha.
- It examines whether the public funds are disbursed properly.
- It examines the accounts of Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous bodies, the audit of which is conducted by the CAG.
- It investigates the money spent on any service during the financial year in the excess of the amount granted by the Lok Sabha for that purpose.
Question 9.
Describe the composition and functions of Estimates Committee.
Answer:
The Estimates Committee was setup in 1950. It consists of 30 members of the Lok Sabha. The members hold their office for a year. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha appoints the Chairman of the Committee. If the Duty Speaker is a member of this Committee, the
Speaker appoints him as the Chairman of the Committee. The members of this committee may visit different projects and hold discussions with the officers, non-officials, business groups and receive suggestions from them. The committee functions on permanent basis.
The committee performs the following four important functions :
- It offers suggestions in regard to the economy in expenditure, improvement in organization and efficiency of the Union Government.
- It examines as to whether the public funds are disbursed as per the estimates.
- It also examines the matters assigned to it by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
- It examines whether the money is well laid out within the limits of the policy implied in the estimates. Hence, it has been described as a “continuous economy committee”.
Very Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
Composition of Indian Parliament.
Answer:
Indian Parliament consists of the i) President ii) Rajya Sabha (Council of states ) iii) Lok Sabha (House of people)
The upper house, Rajya Sabha represents the states and union territories.
The lower house, Lok Sabha represents the people.
The President of India has the power to summon or prorogue the two houses of Parliament though he is not a member of either house.
He can dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister :
Question 2.
Qualifications of Rajya Sabha member.
Answer:
- He shall be a citizen of India.
- He shall have completed 30 years of age.
- He should not hold any office of profit under union, state or local government.
- He shall possess such other qualifications as prescribed by the Parliament.
Question 3.
Quorum of Lok Sabha. [Mar. 18, 16]
Answer:
Quorum implies minimum attendance of members required for conducting the meetings of the Lok Sabha. Quorum is fixed at l/10th of the total membership. The speaker determines whether there is Quorum on a particular day for conducting the meetings.
Whenever there is no Quorum, he postpones the meetings for an hour or two or for the next day. There are several instances where in the meetings of the Lok Sabha were deffered due to lack of Quorum.
Question 4.
The Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Answer:
The office of the Speaker has great dignity, honour and authority. As the speaker acts as the chairman of the Lok Sabha and as the member of the Lok Sabha represents the people directly. He represents the whole Nation. He acts as the friend, philosopher and guide to the members.
Question 5.
Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Answer:
There will be a Deputy Speaker for conducting the proceedings of the Lok Sabha in the absence of the Speaker. The Deputy Speaker is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves. The Deputy Speaker while acting as the presiding officer, enjoys all the powers and priveleges of the Speaker.
Question 6.
Committee on Public Undertakings. [Mar. 17]
Answer:
The Committee on Public Undertakings was created in 1964. It consists of 22 members out of which 15 are from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha. It examines whether the autonomy and efficiency of public sector undertakings are being managed in accordance with Sound business principles and prudent commercial practices.
Question 7.
Panel of Speakers.
Answer:
The Speaker nominates some of the members of the Lok Sabha as panel speakers. Maximum strength of panel chairpersons will be 10. If both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent at particular time, one of the members from the panel of chairpersons will act as the Speaker. ,
Question 8.
Pro-tem Speaker.
Answer:
The President appoints the pro-tem Speaker for presiding over the meeting of the] first session of the Parliament after general elections. The pro-tem Speaker administers the oath of office on the elected members. Election to the office of the Speaker is held later. Pro-tem Speaker post is dissolved soon after the election of the new Speaker.
Question 9.
Question Hour. [Mar. 18, 16]
Answer:
In both houses of Parliament first hour is allotted to question hour. The members, by giving notice to the presiding officer, can ask questions pertaining to public issues, administrative inefficiency or about the role of the government.
Question 10.
Adjournment Motion.
Answer:
Adjournment Motion is tabled in the Parliament to draw attention of the house to a definite matter of urgent public importance and needs the support of 50 members to be admitted. If any member wants to introduce adjournment motion he should give in writing to the speaker, the Minister concerned and the Secretary General of Parliament before 10 A.M. on that day.
Question 11.
Whip [Mar. 17]
Answer:
Every political party whether ruling or opposition has its own whip in the Parliament. He is appointed by the concerned party to serve as an assistant floor leader. He is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the attendance of his party members in large numbers. He regulates and monitors their behaviour in the Parliament. The members are supposed to follow the directives given by whip, otherwise, disciplinary action can be taken against those members.
Question 12.
No Confidence Motion.
Answer:
According to Article 75 of the constitution, No Confidence Motion can be tabled in the Parliament when the Cabinet behaves in an irresponsible manner and if the ruling party does not enjoy majority. No confidence motion is introduced by the opposition parties through written notice supported by atleast 50 members and there will be a discussion on the motion. After the discussion there will be a voting. If the No-Confidence Motion is passed or approved In the house the cabinet has to resign.