11.3.1. Equal Powers in relation to Lok Sabha

There are some important matters in respect of which the Constitution has placed both Houses of Parliament on an equal footing as may be seen from the following list:

a) Equal right with the Lok Sabha in the election and impeachment of the President (Arts. 54 and 61).

b) Equal right with the Lok Sabha in the election and removal of the Vice-President (Art. 66). However Rajya Sabha alone can initiate the removal of the Vice-President. He is removed by a resolution passed by the Rajya Sabha by a special majority and agreed to by the Lok Sabha by a simple majority

c) Equal right with the Lok Sabha to make law defining parliamentary privileges and also to punish for contempt (Art. 105).

d) Equal right with the Lok Sabha to approve the Proclamation of Emergency (issued under Art. 352), Proclamations regarding failure of the Constitutional machinery in States (issued under Art. 356) and even a sole right in certain circumstances.

e) Enlargement of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the UPSC.

f) Approval of ordinances issued by the President.

g) Equal right with the Lok Sabha to receive reports and papers from various statutory authorities, namely:

a. Annual Financial Statement [Art. 112(1)];

b. Audit Reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India [Art. 151(1)];

c. Reports of the Union Public Service Commission. [Art. 323(1)];

d. Reports of the Special Officer for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes [Art. 338(2)];

e. Report of the Commission to investigate the conditions of the Backward Classes [Art. 340(3)];

f. Report of the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities [Art. 350 B(2)].