11.3.2. Unequal status with Lok Sabha

In comparison with certain matters where Rajya Sabha enoys coequal powers with Lok Sabha, there are matters where it does not enjoy the same status as the lower house. For instance:

a) A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and not in Rajya Sabha.

b) Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject a Money Bill. It should return the bill to the Lok Sabha within 14 days with or without recommendations.

c) The Lok Sabha can either accept or reject all or any of the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha. In both cases, the Money Bill is deemed to have been passed by the two Houses.

d) A Financial Bill, not containing solely the matters of Article 110, also can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and not in the Rajya Sabha. But, with regard to its passage, both have equal powers.

e) The final power to decide whether a particular Bill is a Money Bill is vested in the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

f) The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over the joint sitting of both the Houses.

g) The Lok Sabha with greater number wins the battle in a joint sitting except when the combined strength of the ruling party in both Houses is less than that of opposition parties.

h) Rajya Sabha can only discuss the budget but cannot vote on the demands for grants.

i) A resolution for the discontinuance of the national emergency can be passed only by the Lok Sabha and not by the Rajya Sabha

j) The Rajya Sabha cannot remove the Council of Ministers by passing a no-confidence motion. This is because the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha.