Compare the constitutional position of Rajya Sabha with the Lok Sabha in terms of legislative powers. Also bring out special powers given to Rajya Sabha in this context.
Answer:
The Parliament constitutes the President, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha and all these three pillars of Parliament have different roles with respect to the legislative process in different stages of law making. The Constitutional position of the Rajya Sabha in comparison to Lok Sabha with respect to legislative powers can be compared in the following ways:
Equal status with Lok Sabha:
Rajya Sabha has equal legislative power with Lok Sabha in:
- Introduction and passage of ordinary bills.
- Introduction and passage of Constitutional amendment bills. Introduction and passage of financial bills involving expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India.
- Approval of ordinances issued by the President.
Unequal status with Lok Sabha:
- A money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and not in Rajya Sabha.
- Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject a Money Bill. It can return the bill to Lok Sabha within 14 days, either with recommendations or without recommendations and Lok Sabha can either accept or reject all or any of the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha.
- A financial bill, not containing solely the matters of Article 110 can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. But with regards to its passage, both the houses have equal powers.
- The final power to decide whether a particular bill is a money bill or not is vested in the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Speaker presides over the joint sitting of both the houses.
- Rajya Sabha can only discuss the budget but cannot vote on the demands for grants.
Special Powers of Rajya Sabha in this context:
Rajya Sabha has been given two exclusive or special powers that are not enjoyed by the Lok Sabha:
- It can authorize Parliament to make a law on a subject enumerated in the State List under article 249.
- It can authorize the Parliament to create new All- India Services common to both the Centre and States under article 312.
So, overall the power and status of Rajya Sabha are broadly equal and coordinate with that of Lok Sabha, except in financial matters and control over council of ministers.