Legislature Flashcards
Legislature is the centre ________
Of all democratic political process
The legislature helps people _______
In holding their representatives, accountable
Out of all the organs, the most representative organ is?
The legislature
What power does legislature have over the government?
It has the power to choose and dismiss the government
Parliament is also known as
National legislature
Legislature of states is called?
State legislature
What kind of legislature does India have?
Bicameral
Other name for Rajya Sabha is?
Council of states
Other name for Lok Sabha is?
House of the people
Constitution does not allow states to have unicameral or bicameral legislature. True or false?
False
Which six states have a bicameral legislature?
- Karnataka.
- Uttar Pradesh.
- Maharashtra.
- Bihar.
- Andhra Pradesh.
- Telangana.
Why do countries with large size and diversity prefer to have two houses of parliament?
Two houses of Parliament are preferred to give representation to all sections of the society, and all parts of the country
What is one advantage of a bicameral legislature?
A bicameral legislature makes it possible to have every decision reconsidered. Every bill and policy would be discussed twice. This ensures a DOUBLE CHECK on the matter
What does Rajya Sabha represent?
The states of India
Why do we say Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected?
It is an indirectly elected body. This is because the state residents elect the members for the state legislative assembly. These members of the state legislative assembly, elect the members for the Rajya Sabha.
What are two ways to give equal representation?
- Representation irrespective of size or population.
- Representation according to population.
Example of representation, irrespective of size or population? And what is this called?
This is called symmetrical represent. Eg: USA
Example of representation, according to the population?
India
What is mentioned in the fourth schedule of the Constitution?
Number of members to be elected from each state is fixed by the constitution in the fourth schedule. Eg: UP-31 seats, Sikkim-1
Rajya Sabha members are elected for a duration of ________
Six years
Why is Rajya Sabha known as the permanent house of Parliament?
Every two years, 1/3 members complete their term and elections are held for those one third seats only. All the members do not complete their terms at the same time. Therefore, Rajya Sabha is never fully dissolved.
Rajya Sabha has ____ nominated members by the President
12
Who are these 12 nominated members?
These are the people who have made their marks in the fields of science, social service, literature, and art
Lok Sabha is ______ elected_______
Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people
For the purpose of election, in entire countries divided into?
Entire country is divided into territorial constituencies with roughly equal population
How many constituencies are there?
543
When can a government be dissolved?
If no party or coalition can form the government or if Prime Minister advices president to dissolve the Lok Sabha and hold fresh elections
What are the functions of parliament?
- Legislative function.
- Control on executive.
- Financial function.
- Representation.
- Debating function.
- Constituent function.
- Electoral function.
- Judicial function.
What is the legislative function?
Parliament often only approves legislations, rather than modify or debate on them. The actual task of drafting is performed by the bureaucracy. No major bill is introduced in the Parliament without the approval of the cabinet.
What is the most vital function of the parliament?
To ensure executive does not overstep its authority and remains responsible to the people who have elected them.
_______ control taxation and the way money is used by the govt
Legislature
Government is accountable to the Parliament about what?
About the money, it has spent and the resources it wishes to raise
In order to ensure that the government does not miss spend or over spend money, what is done?
Budget and annual financial statements are set
In order to ensure that the government does not miss spend or over spend money, what is done?
Budget and annual financial statements are set
Parliament represents what views?
Parliament represents divergent views of members from different regional, social, economic and religious groups of different parts of the country
________ is the highest form of debate in the country
Parliament
________ is the highest form of debate in the country
Parliament
What is the constituent function of the parliament?
Parliament has the power of enacting changes in the Constitution. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha has similar constituent powers. All amendments should have special majority from both the houses.
What is the electoral function of parliament?
Parliament elects the vice president and president of India
What is judicial function of parliament?
Parliament can consider proposals for removal of vice president, president and judges of High Court or Supreme Court
The Rajya Sabha cannot _____,_____, or______ Money bills
Initiate, reject or amend
Why can’t Rajya Sabha initiate, reject or amend money bills?
Rajya Sabha is not directly elected by the people. In a democracy, representatives, directly elected by the people have crucial powers of removing government and controlling finances. So dealing with bills, such as money bill is the power that Lok Sabha has, not Raja Sabha.
Some procedures to make laws in the Parliament are _________ and some have________
Mentioned in constitution, evolved from conventions
How can we say that law making is not merely a legal procedure, but also a political course of action?
This is because there is a lot of debate on the need for introducing a bill. A political party may pressurise the government to initiate a bill in order to fulfil its election promises or improve its chances of winning in the forthcoming elections. Media, interest groups may also persuade government.
In case of coalition government, a bill proposed by government_______
Has to be acceptable to all the partners of the coalition
What is a bill?
A bill is a draft of the proposed law
What is private members bill?
When non-minister proposes a bill, it is called private members bill
What is government bill?
When bill is proposed by minister
What are the types of bills?
- Government bill.
- Private members bill.
- Money bill.
- Non-Money bill. (ordinary bill or constitution amendment bill)
What is the first step to introduce the bill?
The bill is introduced in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. Money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. It is then sent to the Rajya Sabha for any suggestions.
Most part of the discussion on bills takes place in the ______
Committees
Recommendation of committees is sent to the house. Hence, committees are also known as?
Miniature legislatures
A bill has ________ for an enactment
To be passed by both houses
What is the purpose of joint session of Parliament?
This session is held in case of a disagreement and to resolve that. In most cases, the decision always goes in favour of Lok Sabha.
When is the bill deemed to have passed?
If there is no action taken for 14 days
Amendments to the bill suggested by the Rajya Sabha have to be accepted by Lok Sabha. True or false?
False
What is the last step in passing the bill?
The bill is sent to the President for his assent
Parliament controls the executive in what ways?
- Discussion and deliberation
- Approval and ratification of laws.
- Financial control.
- No confidence motion.
Explain deliberation and discussion. How does Parliament control executive?
Apart from celebrating on bills, general discussions are also held. The question hour is held every day during sessions of parliament. Ministers have to respond to the questions asked by members. Question hour is most effective method of keeping a check on the executive. The zero hour is when members are free to raise any matter they think is important.
Explain approval and ratification of laws
A bill can become a law only with the approval of the parliament. A government that has support of majority will find it easy to get approval of legislative. However, this should not be taken for granted. Approval of bills are products of INTENSE BARGAINING AND NEGOTIATIONS.
Explain financial control.
Government is granted a budget. Legislature may refuse to grant resources to the government. Preparation and presentation of budget for the approval of legislature is a constitutional obligation of the government. Before granting money Lok Sabha can always discuss the reasons for which the government requires the money. Through financial control, LEGISLATURE CONTROLS THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT
What is no confidence motion?
This is the most powerful weapon that enables Parliament to ensure accountability of executive. After 1989, several governments have been forced to resign due to lack of confidence of the house. These governments have lost confidence of Lok Sabha because they failed to retain the support of their coalition partners.
Who does the in-depth study of issues which demands time and attention?
Communities
What are standing communities?
Standing communities supervise the work of various departments, their budget, expenditure and any bills that come up in the house relating to that department
What are JPC’s?
Joint parliamentary communities are set up to discuss a particular bill or investigate financial irregularities. Members are selected from both houses.
Communities ________ on the Parliament
Reduce burden
Parliament rarely rejects suggestions made by communities. True or false?
True
Who is the final authority in matters of regulating business of legislature?
Presiding officer of legislature
Explain anti-defection.
Legislature who is elected on one party, ticket must be restricted from ‘ defecting’ to another party. This issue was unresolved until the 52nd amendment, also known as the anti-defection amendment. If it is proved that a member has defected, then the member loses membership of the house and is also disqualified from holding any political office.
