Explain the power and function of Speaker of Rajya sabha.
Answers
Answer:
The Rajya Sabha, i.e., the Council of States, is the Upper House of the Union Parliament. It gives representation to the States of the Indian. However, the states do not enjoy an equal representation in the Rajya Sabha. These have been given representations on the basis of the size of their populations.
Explanation:
LEGISLATIVE POWERS - SHORTCUT
All Bills, other than Money Bills can originate in any House of the Parliament. No bill can become a law unless agreed to by both the Houses. The Parliament is competent to make laws on:
i) Matters in the Union List ii) Matters in the Concurrent List iii) Residuary Powers iv) Matters in the State List v) Ordinances v) Emergency Powers
FINANCIAL POWERS - SHORTCUT
In the financial domain the Parliament is the supreme authority. The budget is annually prepared by the Cabinet and it is submitted for the approval of the Parliament. The Parliament also approves all proposals of the Union Government to impose taxes. Money Bills can originate only in the Lok Sabha. After they have been passed by the Lok Sabha, they are sent to the Rajya Sabha for approval. To keep a vigil on the way the Executive spends the money granted by the legislature, there are two Standing Committees of the Parliament known as the Public Accounts Committee and the Estimates Committee.
CONTROL OVER THE EXECUTIVE - SHORTCUT
The Parliament keeps a day-to-day watch over the activities of the Executive. Parliament may remove a Cabinet out of power by a vote of no confidence. It may reject a bill or a budget proposal of the Cabinet. Members of the Parliament have a right to ask questions and supplementary question to the Ministers. Adjournment motions may be moved to discuss serious administrative lapses. There is a Committee on ministerial assurances appointed by the Parliament to see that the promises made to the Parliament by the respective ministers are fulfilled.
JUDICIAL POWERS - SHORTCUT
The Constitution vested in the Parliament the power to impeach the President, the Vice-President, and the other High Federal Officers like the Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, Auditor-General, Members of the Public Service Commission etc. The Parliament possesses punitive powers to punish its members and non-members who have broken the privileges of the House.
AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION - SHORTCUT
Both the Houses have equal powers as far as the amendment of the Constitution is concerned. A bill to amend the Constitution may originate either in the Rajya Sabha or in the Lok Sabha. Unless it is passed by both the Houses with the required majority, the amendment cannot be effective.
ELECTORAL FUNCTIONS - SHORTCUT
The Parliament participates in the election of the President and the Vice-President. The Lok Sabha also elects its own Speaker and Deputy Speaker while the Rajya Sabha elects its Deputy Chairman.
OTHER POWERS OF THE PARLIAMENT - SHORTCUT
i) The Parliament may alter the name or boundary of the State. It can also form a new State by merging or separating the territories of existing States.
ii) Makes laws regarding the composition, jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme Court.
iii) It may establish a common High Court for two or more States.
SPECIAL POWERS OF THE RAJYA SABHA - SHORTCUT
1. The Rajya Sabha has some exclusive powers. Under Art. 249 of the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha may by a resolution adopted by two-thirds majority, empower the Parliament should make laws with respect to a matter in the State List.
2. It may declare the creation of new All-India Services in the nation's interest.
3. If the Lok Sabha is dissolved before or after the declaration of a National Emergency, the Rajya Sabha takes over the functions of theParliament