The union legislature

Class 8
NOTES
Qualifications for Membership to the Lok Sabha:

1. He must be a citizen of India.

2. He should not be less than 25 years of age.

3. He should be mentally sound.

4. He should not be an insolvent, i.e., he should not be in debt and should have the ability to meet his financial commitments.

5. He should not hold an office of profit under the government.

6. He should not be a proclaimed offender.

7. He should have his name in the electoral rolls in some part of the country.

The Functions of the Lok Sabha

Legislative Functions: They pass bills and make laws. Any bill regarding subjects in the Union or the Concurrent List of the Constitution may be
moved in this House.

Financial Powers: The House of People controls the treasury. No budget or government expenditure can be made without the permission of the
House. A money bill has to be moved only in the Lok Sabha.

Control over the Council of Ministers: The council of ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha. It may remain in power only so long as it enjoys the
confidence of the Lok Sabha.

Define the term-

Electoral College-The President is indirectly elected by the people of India. The common people do not vote in the election of the President. He is
directly elected by elected representatives of the Central and State legislatures. The group of these parliamentarians and members of the state
legislatures is known as the Electoral College.
 No confidence motion-the no-confidence motion means that one or more members of the parliament have lost confidence in the appointed
government. The motion of no confidence can only be moved by a Lok Sabha member. This is done when any member feels that the governing
party has lost the support of the majority and this motion needs to be supported by at least 50 MPs to be accepted by the Speaker.

Difference Lok Sabha Rajya Sabha

What it is House of People Council of States

called?

What is the House of People, where people who are qualified Council of States, where the representatives are indirectly
meaning of the to vote can elect their representative by way of elected by the elected representative of the Assemblies of States and Union Territories
name? direct elections  
 

What is the It continues for 5 years It is a permanent body.

tenure of the Note: It can be dissolved earlier by passing no-
house? confidence motion

Who heads the Speaker Vice President of India as the Chairman of the house
house?

What is the 25 years 30 years

minimum age to
become a
member?

What is the 552 members 250 members

strength of the
house?

What are the they are returned for Lok Sabha approval. It plays Rajya Sabha has special powers to protect the states’ rights against the Union.
functions of the a major role in legislation.
house?
Lok Sabha Speaker functions

1. To preside over the meetings of the House

 2. To maintain discipline in the Lok Sabha
3. To fix the Agenda of the House
4. Permission to ask questions
5. Interpretation of Rules of Procedure
6. Power to adjourn the House
7. Decision about a Money Bill
8. To exercise a Casting Vote- In case of a tie over any bill, he can exercise his casting vote.
9. Administrative Functions-He appoints the employees of the Secretariat, determines the service rules for them and supervises their work.

D. Answer the following questions in brief.

1. Why did India opt for a federal form of government? Explain.

Answer: India is a vast country, with diversities of languages, customs, lifestyles, traditions and religions. It is very difficult to have a single unified
administrative set up. Hence, India opted for a federal form of government.

2. How have the Legislative powers been divided between the Union Government and the State Government?

Answer: The legislative powers have been divided between the union government and the state government by following ways:

Union list: This subject is regarded as national importance and only union government can make laws in this list for example – defence, Foreign
Affairs, currency etc.

State list: This list is of state importance and only state government can make laws in this list for example – public health, police, agriculture etc.

Concurrent list: This list is of both state and national importance and both State Government and union government can make laws in this list for
example – marriage, divorce, succession, adoption etc.

3. Describe the composition of the Union Government in India.

Answer: The Union Government comprises of:

The Legislature or Parliament comprised of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The Executive: The President of India, the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers.

The Judiciary: The Supreme Court of India consisting of the Chief Justice of India and 25 sitting Judges (maximum number can be 31).

4. Highlight any three dissimilarities between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha with respect to their composition.

Answer: Three dissimilarities between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha with respect to their composition are:
 Lok Sabha Rajya Sabha

Maximum strength 550 Maximum strength 250

Term 5 years Term 6 years

It can be dissolved It can never be dissolved

5. Mention any three advantages of Universal Adult Franchise.

Answer: Three advantages of Universal Adult Franchise are:

1. People express their trust in the functioning of our democratic set-up.

2. This right gives the people an opportunity to actively participate in the political process of the country.
3. They elect their representatives who constitute the Parliament that controls and guides the Union Government.

E. Answer the following questions.

1. Describe any five major functions of the Indian Parliament.

Answer: Five major functions of the Indian Parliament are:

o The Parliament exercise control over executive.

o It legislates a matter that form within the central list as well as concurrent list.

o The Parliament approve proclamation made by the President during emergency period.

o The Parliament also has the power to create a new state or other the name and boundary of an existing state.

o The Parliament has power to impeach the President and the Judges of High Court and Supreme Court.

2. Compare the legislative and financial powers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. On the basis of your comparison, which one of the two Houses is
more powerful and how?

Answer: Comparison of Legislative power:

Money bills originates only in Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha can delay the money bill for fourteen days but cannot reject the passage of a money bill.

Comparison of Financial Powers:

The annual budget is presented in the Lok Sabha. The annual budget can be discussed in Rajya Sabha but it is presented only in Lok Sabha.

On the basis of my comparison, Lok Sabha is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha in almost all matters. Even in those matters in which the
Constitution has placed both Houses on an equal footing, the Lok Sabha has more influence due to its greater numerical strength.

3. How is the Speaker of Lok Sabha elected? Mention her/his powers and functions.

Answer: The speaker of Lok Sabha is elected by the members of Lok Sabha but generally the speaker is elected from the majority party.

Powers and Functions of the Speaker are:

o All the petitions and documents addressed to the House are received by the Speaker.

o It is the Lok Sabha Speaker who presides over the joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament.

o The speaker presides over the meetings of Lok Sabha. In her/his absence, the house is chaired by the Deputy Speaker.

o The Speaker maintains discipline and decorum of the House. If the situation demands, the Speaker can adjourn the House.

4. Explain the composition of Rajya Sabha. Who can be elected as a member and for how long? Why is Rajya Sabha called a Permanent House?

Answer: The maximum strength of Rajya Sabha is 250. Out of these, 12 members are nominated by the President of India and the remaining 238
are elected from the States and Union Territories by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies. The 12 nominated members are
distinguished personalities who excel in various fields of art, literature, science, social service, sports, etc.

To become a member of Rajya Sabha, a person must be a citizen of India and not less than 30 years of age. Her/His name must be in the voters’ list.

Rajya Sabha is called a Permanent House which can never be dissolved. After every two years, one-third of its members retire and elections are
held to fill these seats.

5. Describe the procedure followed by the Union Parliament in passing an ordinary bill.

Answer: An ordinary bill can be introduced in either of the two Houses of the Parliament. Approval of both the houses is necessary for passing a
bill. In case of disagreement between the two Houses, a majority vote is taken in the joint meeting of both the Houses. After a bill is approved by
both the Houses, it is sent to the President for her/his consent. Once the consent is provided, the bill becomes law.
Activity to be done in notebook (All activities are mandatory)
Activity 1-Design your own voter ID card. Reference picture is given, kindly design your own voter card.

Activity 2: - Paste the picture of your favorite member of parliament and write few lines about him/her.

Activity 3- Map skill

Activity 4-paste picture of youth parliament and write your reflection about it.