The Indian Parliament

Question 1

Why do we have a parliamentary form of government?

Answer 1

Being held captive in their own country for over 200 years
A prolonged freedom struggle
Participation of people from all sections of the society during the freedom struggle
Inspiration from the ideas of freedom and equality .
The makers of Indian constitution felt the need for a government who would be sensitive to the needs of the people and fulfill them as they were deprived of the same during the oppressive British rule.

Question 2

What does the Indian parliament consist of?

Answer 2

The president and the two houses ,namely, the lower house -lok sabha (house of people) and the upper house -rajya sabha (council of states).

Question 3

Why does India have a bicameral legislature?

Answer 3

As the two houses of the parliament consist of two houses that function independently .

Question 4

The two houses of the parliament meet…..

Answer 4

Twice a year

Question 5

The Indian parliament makes laws on all subjects mentioned in the……

Answer 5

Union and the concurrent lists

Question 6

What is the president ?

Answer 6

The president is the Constitutional head of the union legislature /the Indian parliament .

Question 7

How is the president elected?

Answer 7

The president id elected for a term of 5 years by the electoral college which consists of selected members from lok sabha , rajya sabha and the state legislative assemblies..

Question 8

What powers does the president have ?

Answer 8

Constitutional and ceremonial .

Question 9

Who is the assistant of president?

Answer 9

Vice president.

Question 10

What are the qualifications to be a member of lok sabha?

Answer 10

The member should be an Indian citizen
He/she should be 25 years of age
He/she should not hold any office of profit in the government.
His/her name should be on the electoral list.

Question 11

What is the composition of lok sabha?

Answer 11

Lok sabha can have max. Of 552 members out of which 530 are to be represented by states , 20 from union territories and no more than two can be nominated by the president from Anglo-Indian community.

Question 12

How are the members of lok sabha elected?

Answer 12

They are elected directly through citizens by Universal Adult Sufferage.

Question 13

What is the term period of lok sabha?

Answer 13

It is for 5 years . The president can extend the term in an emergency only , for only a year

Question 14

How can the president dissolve lok sabha?

Answer 14

On the advise of prime minister.

Question 15

Who is the presiding officer?

Answer 15

The speaker is the presiding officer assisted by a deputy speaker .
Both are elected by the members of the lok sabha .

Question 16

What are the legislative powers of lok sabha?

Answer 16

Introducing bills that finally become laws is the main function.
The lok sabha act on subjects on the state list if agreed upon by 2/3 members of Rajya sabha as well
The bills passed by lok sabha that are sent to rajya sabha , if not passes within six months , a joint session is held . The lok sabha’s decision prevails as they have double the members.
Money bills passed to the rajya sabha have to be passes within 14 days . Otherwise it is deemed to have been passed

Question 17

What are the financial powers of lok sabha ?

Answer 17

It can change or abolish any tax.
Only it can introduce money bills
Lok sabha sanctions and passes the budget

Question 18

How can council of ministers be removed?

Answer 18

Lok sabha controls the council of ministers. If the lok sabha is not happy,the lok sabha can compel the council of ministers to resign by passing a vote of noconfidence against it

Question 19

What are the constitutional powers of lok sabha?

Answer 19

The lok sabha along with rajya sabha can amend the Indian constitution.

Question 20

What are the electoral powers of lok sabha?

Answer 20

It takes part in the election of president and vice president.
The lok sabha also elects the speaker and the deputy speaker

Question 21

What are the judicial powers of lok sabha?

Answer 21

They take part in the impeachment of the president of India.

Question 22

What are the special powers of lok sabha?

Answer 22

The council of ministers is answerable to only the lok sabha. They can alone vote the council of ministers out of office.

Question 23

What are the qualifications to be a meme ber of rajya sabha?

Answer 23

Indian citizen
Should 30 years of age
He /she should not hold any office of profit in the government
His/her name should be in the electoral list.

Question 24

What is the composition of rajya sabha?

Answer 24

Rajya sabha can have a max. Of 250 members our of which 12 members are nominated by the president from ppl who have knowledge or practical Exp. in the field of lit. Science, art, sports etc.

Question 25

How are the members of rajya sabha elected?

Answer 25

They are elected by the state legislative assemblies

Question 26

What is the term period for rajya sabha?

Answer 26

They are elected for a term of 6 years. One third of the members retire every two years and the same no. Of ppl are elected again.rajya sabha cannot be dissolved

Question 27

Who is the presiding officer or rajya sabha?

Answer 27

The vice president is the ex officious chairperson of rajya sabha

Question 28

What are the legislative powers of rajya sabha?

Answer 28

A bill becomes a low only after it is passes by the rajya sabha
The lok sabha can legislate on matters of the state list only after the approval of 2/3 members of rajya sabha
The rajya sabha can initiate a bill for any subject except for money bills
The rajya sabha can delay a bill for 6 months, this enables it to keep a check on hurried legislations

Question 29

What are the electoral power of rajya sabha?

Answer 29

They take part in the election of president and vice president.

Question 30

What are the special powers of rajya sabha?

Answer 30

The rajya sabha can declare a subject to be of national imp. And ask the parliament to legislate on it.
It can also perform the functions of lok sabha , if the latter gets dissolved.

Question 31

What happens if the speaker and deputy speaker is absent?

Answer 31

One of the members of the 6 member panel chosen by the speaker presides over the sessions of lok sabha.

Question 32

What does the payment of wages act 1936 regulate?

Answer 32

It regulates the payment of wages to workers in railways , oilfield, mines , factories and other industries.
It also protects the workers from illegal deduction in the wages and unnecessary delay in payment of wages.

Question 33

What is the maternity benefits act 1961?

Answer 33

It provides for maternity and other benefits before and after childbirth to women working in mines, industries,shops,factories etc. The act aims to care for the women undergoing motherhood and her newborn child.