Question

Do you think that the two Houses of Parliament are not competing centres of power but are co-partners in the functioning of government? Give your views.

Answer 1

The two Houses of Parliament are not competing centres of power but are co-partners designed to function in a balanced and harmonious relationship to ensure effective governance. While the Lok Sabha holds greater financial authority due to its direct popular mandate, the Rajya Sabha acts as a permanent, stabilising revising chamber, making both houses structurally interdependent.

• Areas of Equal Partnership (Co-Partnership):
  1. Passing of Ordinary Bills: An ordinary bill must be approved by both Houses before it can become a law. If a deadlock occurs, the Constitution provides for a Joint Sitting, emphasising their joint legislative responsibility.
  2. Constitutional Amendments: Under Article 368, both Houses possess completely equal power to amend the Constitution. A constitutional amendment bill must be passed by each House separately with a special majority; there is no provision for a joint sitting here.
  3. Impeachment and Removal: Both Houses participate equally in the impeachment of the President of India and the removal of judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, as well as the Comptroller and Auditor General.
  4. Emergency Approvals: Proclamations of National Emergency, President’s Rule, and Financial Emergency must be approved by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha within specified timelines.
• Areas of Asymmetric Power (Not Competing Centres):
  1. Financial Control: The Lok Sabha holds ultimate supremacy over Money Bills. A Money Bill can only originate in the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha can neither reject nor amend it, and it can be delayed for a maximum of 14 days.
  2. Executive Accountability: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can discuss, question, and criticise government policies, but it does not possess the power to remove the government via a No-Confidence Motion.
  3. Special Powers of Rajya Sabha: To prevent competition and establish a functional balance, the Rajya Sabha is given unique federal powers under Articles 249 and 312 to authorise Parliament to make laws on state subjects and create new All-India Services.