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UNION LEGISLATURE

Contents 1. Structure of Parliament 1.1. President as a part of Parliament 1.2. Rajya Sabha: Composition ♤ Nomination ♤ Representation of States ♤ Representation of Union Territories (UTs)1.3. Lok Sabha: Composition i. Representation of States ii. Representation of UTs iii. Nominated Members Prelims questions 2003 Ans: (c) ♤ Readjustment after each Census ♤ Reservation of seats for SCs and STs 2.2. Rajya Sabha Why proportional representation was not adopted for Lok Sabha?3. Conduct of Business 3.1. Duration of the Houses 3.2. Sessions of Parliament i. The Budget Session d. Dissolution:Prelims questions:Ans: (b)4.2. Disqualifications ♤ Constitutional and Legislative Provisions 1. Section 8(1) provides for disqualification on conviction for certain offences ♤ Disqualification on the ground of Defection Advantages of Anti-Defection Law Criticisms of Anti-Defection Law Suggestions for Reforms 4.3 Vacation of Seats by Members 4.4. Salaries and Allowances Prelims questions:Ans: (c)Ans: (c) ♤ Election The speaker has to vacate his office in case of following instances: ♤ Role and Functions b. All the bills, reports, motions and resolutions are introduced with Speaker’s e. He is the custodian of rights and privileges of the members.m. He is the chairman of the Business Advisory Committee, the Rules Committee and the General Purpose Committee.5.3. Deputy Speaker 5.4. Chairman & Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Prelims questions:Ans: (d) 2013 Ans: (b)Ans: (d)Ans: (a)Ans: (d)6. Leaders in Parliament 6.1. Leader of the House 6.2. Leader of the Opposition Arguments in favour of compulsorily appointing Leader of Opposition Arguments against Way Forward 6.3. Whip Prelims questions:Ans: (b)Notices of Questions 7.2. Zero Hour 7.3. Motions Closure Motion Privilege Motion Calling Attention Motion Adjournment Motion No-Confidence Motion Censure Motion Motion of Thanks 7.4. Resolutions 7.4.1. Differences between Motions and Resolutions 7.5. Point of Order Prelims questions:Ans: (d) 2014 Ans: (c)8.1. Ordinary Bills 8.2. Money Bills Certification of Money Bills Categories of Money Bills 8.3. Financial Bills Comparison between Money Bills and Financial Bills 8.4. Constitution (Amendment) Bills 9. Financial Legislation by the Parliament 9.1. Annual Financial Statement/Budget 9.1.1. Cut Motions 9.1.2. Appropriation Bill 9.1.3. Finance Bill 9.1.4. Vote on Account 9.1.5. Interim Budget 9.2. Accounts of Government of India 9.2.1. Consolidated Fund of India 9.2.2. Public Account 9.2.3. Contingency Fund of India 9.3. Charged Expenditure 10. Procedure for removing deadlock between the two Houses 10.1. Joint Sitting Prelims questions 2013 Ans: (a)Ans: (a)Ans: (c)Ans: (d)Ans: (c)Ans: (c)Ans: (c)Ans: (a)Ans: (b) 2003 Ans: (d)Ans: D 11.2. Role of Rajya Sabha 11.3. Comparison of Lok Sabha with Rajya Sabha 11.3.1. Equal Powers in relation to Lok Sabha 11.3.2. Unequal status with Lok Sabha 11.3.3. Special Powers of Rajya Sabha 12.1. Important Parliamentary Committees 12.1.1. Public Accounts Committee 12.1.2. Estimates Committee 12.1.3. Committee on Public Undertakings 12.1.4. Business Advisory Committee 12.1.5. Departmentally Related Standing Committees 13.1. Individual Privileges 13.2. Collective Privileges 13.3. Breach of Privilege and Contempt of the House 13.4. Punishment in case of breach of privilege or contempt of the House 14. Sovereignty of Parliament 15. Functions, Role and Issues concerning Parliament 15.1. Functions and Roles of the Parliament 15.2. Issues concerning Indian Parliament 15.3. Implications of poor functioning of Parliament 15.4. Suggested Parliamentary Reforms Prelims questions 2012 Ans: (a) 2001 Ans: (a)Total Hours of Work Done by the 16th Lok Sabha Legislative Business of the 16th Lok Sabha Parliamentary Committee Scrutiny Union Budget Discussion 17. UPSC Previous Years’ Questions 18. Previous Years’ Questions 1. The practice of passing of bills without the scrutiny by the parliamentary standing committees undermines their significance and sets a wrong precedent. Discuss.Answer:2. How is structure and electoral process of Rajya Sabha different from Lok Sabha? Do you think Rajya Sabha has been able to perform its envisaged role in recent times?Answer:Structural differences:3. The crucial position accorded to the Speaker in Indian legislatures, makes it imperative to protect them from undue political pressures and incentives. Examine.Answer:4. What are the grounds for disqualification of members of legislatures under the Tenth Schedule of Indian Constitution? Analyse the merits and demerits of having such provisions in a parliamentary democracy like India.Answer:Merits Demerits 5. Vast powers have been vested in the office of the Speaker to strengthen the democratic institutions of the parliamentary system, and not to stifle dissent or protest in the House. Comment in the context of India.Answer:6. Elaborate the process of legislation in the Indian Parliament for an ordinary bill. How is a money bill different from an ordinary bill?Answer:Differences b/w ordinary and money bill:7. Privileges should be defined and delimited for the free and independent functioning of the legislatures. In this context, discuss whether there is a need to re-examine the balance between fundamental rights and parliamentary privileges in India.Answer:However there are some concerns:Way Forward 8. The Departmentally-Related Standing Committees have been referred to as mini- parliaments in India. Highlight their relevance in a democratic polity and discuss, with examples, how they improve the overall effectiveness of the Parliament.Answer:Relevance in a democratic polity:Improving overall effectiveness:9. The Rajya Sabha is merely a secondary house rather than a second house in the Indian Parliamentary system. Critically analyze the statement. Also, compare and contrast the position of the Rajya Sabha vis-à-vis the State legislative councils.Answer:Position of the RS vis-à-vis State Legislative Councils (SLCs):10. It has been argued that over the years there has been a steady decline in the efficacy of Parliament as an institution of accountability. Analyse and also suggest appropriate measures to address the relevant concerns.Answer:Reasons for decline in parliamentary efficacy Following measures are required to restore the credibility of the Parliament:11. Parliamentary committees increase the efficiency and expertise of Parliament. In this context, examine the role played by public accounts committee and suggest measures to further strengthen it.Answer:Role played by Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC)12. List the parliamentary mechanisms available for the scrutiny of regulators. Also, discuss major steps through which parliamentary oversight of regulators can be strengthened.Answer:13. Parliamentary scrutiny over public finance is an important aspect of governmental accountability. In this context, discuss the role, importance and challenges in establishing a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) for effective oversight of budgetary process.Answer:Role:Significance:Challenges:14. Parliamentary privileges are not always used for the aims they were intended to serve. In this context, discuss the need for codification of these privileges in light of recent developments.Answer:

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