With reference to the Parliament, answer the following questions:
(i) What is meant by the term quorum? What is the quorum of the Indian Parliament? What action can the Speaker take if the quorum is not met?
(ii) Mention the three legislative powers of the Parliament.
(iii) Mention any four exclusive powers of the Lok Sabha.
Show SolutionHide Solution↓
(i) Quorum — The quorum means the minimum number of members required to be present in the House to enable it to transact its business.
The quorum of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha is one-tenth of the total membership of each House. This means that the House cannot conduct its proceedings and pass Bills and resolutions without the presence of at least one-tenth of its total membership.
If the quorum is not met, the Speaker may adjourn the House or suspend the sitting until there is a requisite quorum.
(ii) Three legislative powers of the Parliament are:
- Matters in the Union List — The Parliament has exclusive powers to make laws on all the subjects mentioned in the Union List, including important subjects like Defence, Banking, Communications and Foreign Affairs.
- Matters in the Concurrent List — Along with the State Legislative Assemblies, the Parliament can make laws on subjects listed in the Concurrent List, such as education, forests, adoption, succession and trade unions. If there is a conflict between the two, the Union law prevails.
- Residuary Powers — The Parliament can make laws with respect to all those matters which are not mentioned in any of the three Lists — the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List.
(iii) Four exclusive powers of the Lok Sabha are:
- No-confidence Motion — Motions of No-confidence against the Government can only be introduced and passed in the Lok Sabha. If passed by a majority vote, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers resign collectively.
- Money Bill — A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. It is sent to the Rajya Sabha after being passed, and the Rajya Sabha can deliberate on it for up to 14 days.
- Deadlock over an Ordinary Bill — In case of a deadlock between the two Houses over an Ordinary Bill, a joint sitting may be summoned. At such a sitting, the Lok Sabha normally has an advantage because of its greater numerical strength.
- Adjournment Motion — An Adjournment Motion indicating strong disapproval of the policy of the Government is moved only in the Lok Sabha. The Council of Ministers is responsible only to the Lok Sabha.