Discuss the Functions and Powers of Lok Sabha of India?
Functions and Powers of Lok Sabha of India.
The Lok Sabha being the Lower House of the Parliament and consisting of elected representatives of the people has comparatively more power than the Rajya Sabha. Both the money as well as non-money bills can be introduced in Lok Sabha, but money bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
Whether a bill is a money bill or not, will be decided by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, whose decision shall be final. As already stated, a money bill, when passed by the Lok Sabha is sent to Upper House, which must return it with or without comments within a period of 14 days. In case the Bill is not received back within this specified period.
It is treated to have been passed. In case the Bill is received with some modification which are not accepted by the Lok Sabha, that need not be sent back to the Rajya Sabha, but is sent to president for his approval.
The procedure about non-money bills, where a joint sitting of both the Houses is to be called to settle money matters Lok Sabha got absolute powers. It is the custodian of national purse and keeper of country’s income and expenditure. Lok Sabha possesses more financial powers than Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha has also electoral functions to perform. In the election of the President, the Lok Sabha is an integral part of the electoral college, which is constituted to elect him.
Since the votes of the members of all the state Assemblies for the election of the President have been equated with those of the member of the Parliament therefore, the part of the Lok Sabha in the election process is very important and significant. Similarly electoral function of the Lok Sabha also come to focus, when it sits, in a joint sitting, with the members of the Rajya Sabha, for the election of the Vice-President of India.
The Lok Sabha has the important function of removing and ventilating the grievances of the people. The members of the Lok Sabha are supposed to be in contact with their electorates. Several tunes the constituents individually or collectively approach MP’s with their grievances and problems which the constituency in particular and the country in general faces.
It is the function of Lok Sabha to express and discuss these on the floor of the House and force the government to face the situation realistically, rather than remaining in the air. Each Ministry has an informal consultative committee attached to it.
It is in the meeting of these committees that the members discuss particular problems concerned about that Ministry. Lot of members has been removed for asking questions, so Indian Parliament no more functions for removing and ventilating grievances of people.
Other important functions of the Lok Sabha.
Along with the Rajya Sabha are to amend the Constitution as and when such a need and necessity arises. It sits as a court of law when it discusses motion for the removal of judges of Supreme Court and of High Courts or disposes as a motion of impeachment against the President of India.
Its approval is also needed for the removal of Vice-President of India and also that of proclamation of emergency made by the President. The power of removing judges or impeacment of President has never been used by the Parliament.
Thus, the Lok Sabha has wide and vast function to perform. It is however, important duty of the members of this House to Politically educate the people and make them conscious of their role and responsibility as citizens of India.
Along with the Rajya Sabha, the Lower House can amend the Constitution. In fact all important Constitutional Amendment Bills have so far been introduced in the Lok Sabha. It is after the approval of this House that these are sent to the Rajya Sabha for its approval. But parliament can not amend basic features of Constitution according to Supreme Court and what are basic features of Constitution, it depends on whim of Supreme Court judges.
Being custodian of national finances, it controls contingency fund of India and can borrow money from foreign nations as well as empowers the Reserve Bank of India to raise loans from Indian public. Needless to say that this House decides about the taxes which should be levied and those already in force should be reduced or abolished.