The Union Legislature of India is not only the lawmaking body, but the center of all democratic political process. With reference to the Parliament, answer the…

(i) The Lok Sabha can make laws on a subject in the State list under the following three circumstances:

1. When Rajya Sabha passes a resolution — The Rajya Sabha may, by resolution adopted by two-thirds majority, empower the Parliament to make laws with respect to a matter in the State List.
2. During a National Emergency — If a National Emergency is in operation, or any state is placed under President’s Rule (Article 356), the Parliament can enact laws on items in the State List.
3. When two or more states pass a resolution — If two or more states pass a resolution requesting Parliament to legislate on subjects under the State List, the Parliament can make laws on those subjects.

(ii) The Union Parliament has following three financial powers:

1. Passing the Union Budget — The Parliament has the power to pass the annual Union Budget.
2. Making Supplementary Grants — If the amount authorized by the budget is insufficient, the Parliament can make supplementary grants.
3. Vote on Account — If the Budget is not passed before April, then there would be no money for the executive to spend. To provide money to the executive for day-to-day expenditure till the passage of the budget, a “Vote on Account” is passed.

(iii) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha plays a crucial role in maintaining order and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Lok Sabha. Here are four functions of the Speaker:

1. The Speaker presides over the meetings of the house and conducts the business in the house.
2. The Speaker decides whether a bill is a money bill or not.
3. The Speaker maintains discipline and decorum in the house. He interprets the rules of procedure of house.
4. The Speaker puts issues to vote and announces result.