Question

A teacher was making preparations for a mock parliament. She called two students to act as leaders of two political parties. She gave them an option: Each one could choose to have a majority either in the mock Lok Sabha or in the mock Rajya Sabha. If this choice was given to you, which one would you choose and why?

Answer 1

Lok Sabha is a good choice because in India, although Rajya Sabha has been given some special powers, the supreme power is exercised by the Lok Sabha as per laws framed in Indian Constitution.

• Members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people. Hence the real power is exercised by the Lok Sabha on behalf of the people.
• Lok Sabha is known as the Lower Chamber. Lok Sabha is also known as the House of the People.
• Rajya Sabha is known as the Upper Chamber. Rajya Sabha is also known as the Council of States.
• The Council of Ministers is controlled by the Lok Sabha. A person is appointed as the Prime Minister only if he enjoys the support of the majority of the members in the Lok Sabha.
• When it comes to money matters, it is the Lok Sabha which can exercise more powers.
• Rajya Sabha cannot reject any money-related law or budget of the Government, once it is passed in Lok Sabha.
• The Rajya Sabha can suggest changes in the law or delay it by 14 days; these changes may or may not be accepted by the Lok Sabha.
• Both houses of the Parliament must pass ordinary laws.
• A joint session of both the houses of the Parliament takes place when there is a difference between the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• Although the President also belongs to the Parliament, the President is not a member of either house of the Parliament. Only when the President gives the assent to any bill passed by the Parliament, only then the laws will come into force.