In this article you will learn about the Powers of Rajya Sabha in Political Science.
Powers of Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Indian Parliament and has an important role in the legislative process. Unlike the Lok Sabha, the members of Rajya Sabha are not directly elected by the people. Rather, they are elected by the members of the State Legislative Assemblies, with each state being allocated a certain number of seats based on its population.
The Rajya Sabha has several powers and functions that are important to understand :
Legislative Powers : One of the primary functions of the Rajya Sabha is to pass laws. The Rajya Sabha enjoys equal powers with the Lok Sabha in the law-making process. Any bill introduced in the Lok Sabha has to be passed by both the houses of parliament to become law. The Rajya Sabha has the power to either approve, reject or suggest amendments to the bills passed by the Lok Sabha. In case of a disagreement between the two houses, the bill goes to a joint sitting, where the decision is made by a simple majority of the total number of members present and voting.
Executive Powers : The Rajya Sabha has a limited role in the executive of executive powers. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible before the Lok Sabha and it can cause the exit of the Council of Ministers by passing a vote of no-confidence. The members of Rajya Sabha have the power to only check the ministers by seeking information regarding their work, by asking them questions and supplementary questions, criticising the policies adopted by them and by moving adjournment motions. A member of Rajya Sabha can become and remain Prime Minister, provided the majority group/party in the Lok Sabha adopts/elects him as its leader.
Judicial Powers : The Rajya Sabha also plays some role in the exercise of some Judicial functions : (i) The Rajya Sabha acting along with the Lok Sabha can impeach the President on charges of violation of the Constitution. (ii) It can also pass a special address for causing the removal of a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court. (iii) The charges against the Vice-President can be only levelled in the Rajya Sabha.
Amendment of the Constitution : The Rajya Sabha has equal powers with the Lok Sabha in amending the Constitution of India. A bill to amend the Constitution can be introduced in either house of parliament, and must be passed by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting in each house.
Control over Finance : The Rajya Sabha has the power to discuss and vote on the budget and other financial matters. While the Lok Sabha has the power to initiate financial bills, the Rajya Sabha can only suggest amendments to them. However, the Rajya Sabha has an important role in scrutinising the budget and ensuring that it is in the best interest of the country.
Oversight Function : The Rajya Sabha has an important role in overseeing the functioning of the government. Members of the Rajya Sabha can ask questions of the government, participate in debates on important issues, and demand explanations for the actions of the government.
Representation of States : The Rajya Sabha is intended to represent the interests of the states of India. By electing members to the Rajya Sabha, the states can ensure that their voices are heard in the national parliament. The Rajya Sabha is also designed to provide a forum for the discussion of issues that affect the states, and to ensure that their interests are taken into account in the national decision-making process.
In addition to these powers and functions, the Rajya Sabha also has several limitations :
Limited Role in Passing Money Bills : The Rajya Sabha does not have much power in passing money bills. While it can discuss and suggest amendments to these bills, the Lok Sabha has the final say in all financial matters.
Limited Term of Office : Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term of six years, after which they must seek re-election. This means that the Rajya Sabha does not have a continuous membership, and there is a constant turnover of members.
Limited Powers in Case of Disagreement : In case of a disagreement between the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the bill goes to a joint sitting. However, the Lok Sabha has greater numerical strength, and therefore, has an advantage in such cases.
In conclusion, the Rajya Sabha plays an important role in the legislative process of India. It has the power to pass laws, amend the Constitution, control finances, oversee the functioning of the government, and represent the interests of the states. While it has several limitations, it remains an important institution that is critical to the functioning of India's democracy.
This article on Powers of Rajya Sabha in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.