Question

The Union Parliament is the law-making body at the Central level. In this context, briefly describe:
(a) Its power to make laws on subjects mentioned in the Union List and the Concurrent List.
(b) Its Residuary Powers.
(c) Its power to make a law on a matter in the State List.

Answer 1

The Parliament is a legislative organ of the Union. Its primary function is to make laws for the governance of Country.

a) The seventh schedule in the Constitution provides for three lists i.e, Union List, State List and Concurrent list for making laws by Parliament and State Legislature. Parliament has an exclusive right to make laws on subjects enumerated in the Union List. In Concurrent list, both Parliament and State Legislatures can make laws on the subjects given but if on any subject both Parliament and State legislature make a law then Parliament shall have overriding effect over the law made by state Legislature.

b) The Parliament has the exclusive powers to make laws on the matters that are not listed in either of concurrent or state list.

c)The Parliament is also empowered by the Constitution to make laws on the subjects given in the State list under the following circumstances:

1) When Rajya Sabha passes a resolution with a special majority and declares that a subject is of National Interest.

2)When National Emergency is in operation or the President's rule is imposed on State.

3)If two or more states make request jointly to the Parliament

4) When parliament considers necessary to give effect to international agreements, treaties, and conventions