Parliament (Article 79-122, Part 5)

parliamentary system is also known as the ‘Westminster’, responsible govt. and Cabinet govt.
The Constitution establishes the parliamentary system only at the Centre ? NO!
There is no difference between India and Britain Westminster model of govt. ? False

Principle:
principle of co-operation and co-ordination between the legislative and executive organs.

parliamentary and presidential govt. is classified on what basis ?

on the basis of nature of relations between the executive and the legislative organs (not Judiciary)

features of parliamentary government in India are:

(a) Presence of nominal and real executives (PM)
(b) Majority party rule,
(c) Collective responsibility of the executive to the legislature (in presidential, Exec. is independent)
(d) Membership of the ministers in the legislature,
(e) Leadership of the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister, parliamentary form:
(f) Dissolution of the lower House (Lok Sabha or Assembly). interdependence
between the legislative
Differences b/w INDIA & BRITAIN: and executive organs.
❑ Constitutional sovereignty: Presidential form:
➢ Indian parliament has restricted powers due to written Constitution. separation of legislative
➢ Britain has parliamentary sovereignty. Parliament is supreme. and executive organs.
❑ Elected Head of state:
➢ India is a Republic. Head of State is (indirectly) elected.
➢ Britain is Constitutional Monarchy. Head of state is hereditary.
❑ Head of Government:
➢ In India, PM can be from either house.
➢ In Britain, PM can be from lower house only. BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY
❑ Eligibility to be Minister:
➢ In India, non-MPs can be made minister for 6 months
➢ In Britain, only MPs can be made minister.
❑ Legal responsibility of minister:
➢ In India, ministers do not have individual or legal responsibility.
➢ In Britain, ministers countersign official acts, so they are individually responsible for acts.
❑ No shadow cabinet:
➢ In Britain actions of cabinet ministers are closely studied by opposition MPs.
➢ No such system in India

Organisation

Council of state (RS) President House of People (LS)

➢ Represents States/UTs 1) Not a member of House ➢ Represents people

➢ Election by PR 2) Doesn’t attend Meeting ➢ Election by FPTP
➢ Permanent house, not ➢ 5-year term
subject to dissolution
➢ 1/3 member retire
every 2nd yr.

Position of R.S. vis a vis L.S.

➢ Except in financial matters and control over Council of Ministers, status of RS is broadly
equal to that of LS.
➢ Position of RS is not as weak as House of Lords in Britain, nor as strong as Senate in USA.
Functions/powers of Parliament:
❑ Legislative
➢ only Parliament can make laws on Union list
➢ Ordinance needs its approval within 6 weeks of reassembly
➢ authorizes and reviews rules made by Executive (delegated legislation)
❑ Executive
➢ remove Executive through no-confidence motion
➢ control Executive through debate and discussions, censure motion, etc.
➢ supervise Executive’s activities through committees
❑ Judicial
➢ remove President, VP, Judges of SC/HC, CEC, CAG
➢ punish for breach of its privilege
❑ Constitutional
➢ only Parliament can amend the Constitution
❑ Financial
➢ approves budget BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY
➢ supervise spending through three financial committees
❑ Electoral
➢ participates in election of President, VP
➢ elects Speaker and Deputy Chairman
❑ Miscellaneous
➢ approves three types of emergency
➢ create or abolish SLCs
➢ alter area or name of States
➢ increase powers of Supreme Court (Article 138)

Joint sitting:
➢ Under Article 108 of Constitution, JS is summoned by President and presided by Speaker.
➢ It is governed by Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha.
➢ It is a feature borrowed from Australia.

Why?
➢ to resolve deadlock between the two Houses over passage of a bill.

When?
➢ bill has been passed by one House and transmitted to the other House and: (any of following)
➢ Rejected by the other House, or
➢ Houses can't agree on the amendments, or
➢ 6 months have elapsed.

Mains 2020: Rajya Sabha has been transformed from a ‘useless stepney tyre’ to the most useful
supporting organ in past few decades. Highlight the factors as well as the areas in which this
transformation could be visible. (250 words, 15 marks)

❑ Rise of regional parties:

➢ After independence, same party dominated LS and most states.
➢ With rise of regional parties, RS debates became more representative.
❑ Talented leaders:
➢ Dr. Manmohan Singh & many other leaders could serve as part of Executive due to RS.
❑ President's rule:
➢ RS approved President's rule in Haryana in 1991 when LS was dissolved. Executives try to
❑ Removal of Judge: bypass Rajya
➢ In 2011, RS passed resolution for removal of Calcutta HC Judge Soumitra Sen. Sabha by
➢ He resigned before motion could be taken up by LS. declaring bill as
❑ Expulsion of members: money Bill
➢ Expelled MPs like Swami Sakhsi Ji Maharaj in 2006 for MPLAD irregularities. (Aadhar issue)
❑ Negatived 5 bills:
➢ 5 bills passed by LS but stopped by RS. e.g. 24th Constitution Amendment Bill, 1970
❑ Amended 120 bills:
➢ 120 bills passed by LS were amended by RS, e.g. NMC bill 2019 and MV Bill 2019
 Equal status with Lok Sabha:
➢ Passing ordinary bills & Constitutional amendment bills.
➢ Election and impeachment of the President.
➢ Removal of Judges of SC/HC, CEC, CAG.
➢ Approving three types of emergencies.

Special powers of Rajya Sabha:

➢ Article 249: RS can authorize Parliament to make law on state list subject.
➢ Article 312: RS can authorize Parliament to create new All-India Service.
➢ Vice-President of India: Only RS alone can initiate removal of VP.

Unequal status with Lok Sabha:

❑ Money bill: Nominated Members
➢ can't be introduced in RS ❑ 12; nominated by President
➢ can't amend or reject it ❑ Science, Art, Literature, Social service
❑ Joint sitting: ❑ Already member of political party? No problem
➢ Presided by Speaker of LS ❑ Joined political party within 6 months? No problem
➢ RS has less members than LS ❑ Joined political party after 6 months? Disqualification
❑ Emergency:
➢ resolution to discontinue can be passed only by LS
❑ Budget:
➢ RS can only discuss the budget, not vote on grants
❑ Council of Ministers:
➢ responsible to LS, not RS BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY
Factors for transformation of RS:
Increase in specialists
➢ R.S. has a healthy population of experts who have lent their expertise in legislative process.
Increase in productivity
➢ Rajya Sabha has taken more bills for discussion instead of Lok Sabha.
➢ Attendance rate in R.S. has been higher than L.S.
Focus on rationality rather than politics
➢ Ex: Rajya Sabha indulging in debate on farm laws rather than boycotting sessions.
Rise of regional parties:
➢ After independence, same party dominated LS and most states.
➢ With rise of regional parties, RS debates became more representative.
President's rule:
➢ RS approved President's rule in Haryana in 1991 when LS was dissolved.
Checks & Balance:
➢ Checks hasty, defective, careless and ill-considered legislation made by the Lok Sabha

HOUSE

Parliament’s functioning

-0
Some issues in parliament's functioning:
❑ Sittings: Less than 70 days/year (1950s 120 days/year) due to Untimely curtailment of sessions.
❑ Poor attendance:
❑ Bills not referred to committees: not one of 13 bills referred to committee in Budget session 2021.
❑ Bills are passed without discussion: Most of the budget passed without discussion
❑ Speaker: Alleged bias by Speaker, deputy Speaker position falls vacant.
❑ Disruptions:Lack of avenue to express dissent leads to disruptionsinside & public protests outside.
❑ Judicial activism: Judiciary is forced to step in, to fill vacuum created by Parliament.
RAJYA SABHA Prez is
UTs:
Rs
.
.

Only three
.

❑ Unequal representation
❑ 4th schedule ❑ 4 : J&K
current
❑ Population + Eco. basis Man .
current Man ❑ 3 : Delhi
Str ( 550) (543)
Str
❑ 1 : Puducherry
'

❑ UP has most (31)

.

BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY

( )
250 (245) Elected

Quorum: N(l2) E- 1233) states UT 5/524) UT 19/ )

( 530) (20)
Min. no. of members Nominated Elected
required to be 42) (238) other 0T
present in the House s(22;) uT(g) Delhi
(7)
before it can transact
Ladakh Dadar others
any business. Delhi Pudu -54K 54K
& Diu I
( ) (s)
(3) (1) (4) (2) Ladakh
Puducherry
Session: A&M
Lakshadial
period between first sitting and prorogation (िवराम) (or dissolution in LS)
.

Chandigarh
president summons the session
article 85 maximum gap between two sessions must be less than six months.
Parliament must meet at least twice a year

Do you know ? BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY

period b/w prorogation & its reassembly in a new session is called ‘recess’.

No fixed parliamentary calendar Sitting:

Budget (February to May) Usually 11 am - 1 pm ; 2 pm - 6 pm
Monsoon (July to September) Ends with adjournment by Presiding officer
Winter (November to December) Adjournment sine die (without telling next date)
Adjournment Motion:
❑ Interrupts normal business, hence extraordinary device
❑ needs support of 50 members to be admitted

☐
❑ Allowed in both houses? No (like censure, so no RS)
❑ For maximum 2.5 hours? No, for minimum 2.5 hours
❑ It should not raise a question of privilege
❑ Sitting of Parliament is terminated
❑ presiding officer of the house has authority.
❑ announcement of the next sitting will be announced.
Adjournment

Presiding officer
Prorogation

Only terminates a sitting Terminates a Session

President
Does not affect any bill or
any business of the House

Adjournment sine die:

termination without any definite date being fixed for the next setting.
Presiding officer has the authority
Prorogation:
end of session. Lame Duck session: last session of existing LS.
president is the authority Lame Duck members: those who could not get re-elected.
Dissolution
only Lok Sabha can be dissolved.
Dissolution terminate the life of Lok Sabha
Quorum:
article 101
1/10th of the total membership
If no quorum presiding officer can suspend the meeting

Lapsing of Bills in Parliament:

❑ A bill pending in LS lapses (whether originating in the LS or transmitted to it by RS).
❑ A bill passed by LS but pending in RS lapses.
❑ A bill not passed by the two Houses due to disagreement and if the President has notified the
holding of a joint sitting before the dissolution of Lok Sabha, does not lapse.
❑ A bill pending in RS but not passed by LS does not lapse.
❑ A bill passed by both Houses but pending assent of the President does not lapse.
❑ A bill passed by both Houses but returned by the Prez. for reconsideration of Houses does not lapse.
 Ordinary Bill Money Bill (Article 110)
Can be intro. in either of the house. Can be intro. only in Lok Sabha ( not RS)
Can be intro. either by a minister or private member. Can be introduced only by a minister
Recommendation of President is not required. recommendation of President is must
Can be amended or rejected by 2nd house (6m) Cannot be amended or rejected by RS
After 6m joint sitting will be held by President Rajya Sabha can delay at max up to 14 days
Does not require any certification from speaker Require certification of speaker
Sent for President assent if passed by both houses Sent even if only Lok Sabha passed it
Defeat may lead to resign (if intro. by Minister) Failure of It leads to resign (No Majority)
Can be rejected approved or sent for reconsideration Cannot be sent for reconsideration

Article 110:
❑ It defines Money bill as a bill dealing with
"only":
→ Tax
→ Borrowing of money by Govt. of India
→ Consolidated Fund of India
→ Contingency Fund of India
→ Public Account of India
❑ In case of doubt, decision of Speaker is final
❑ Speaker's certificate is necessary

BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY

BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY

 Devices of Parliamentary proceedings

Question Hour:
❑ First Hour of Sitting.
❑ Mentioned in Rules of Procedure? Yes
❑ Recently, it was suspended for the first time? No, (1962, 1975, 1976…)
❑ Q. Can be asked to private member? Yes (if he’s concerned with the subject matter of the Bill)

Zero Hour:
❑ Time gap between Question hour and agenda
❑ Notice given same day; No prior notice needed
❑ Informal device; not mentioned in Rules of procedure
❑ Since 1962; Indian innovation in parliamentary procedures
Not mandatory to have a zero hour every day.

Significance of Question Hour: BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY

❑ Executives held accountable.
❑ It generates public awareness (proceedings are reported and televised).
❑Improves policies of the government by pointing out shortcomings.
❑ Exposes corruption: e.g. 1958 Mundhra scam was exposed in question hour.

Prelims 2017:
The Parliament of India exercises
control over the functions of the
Council of Ministers through:
1. Adjournment motion
2. Question hour
3.Supplementary questions
Select the correct answers:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 & 3 only
(c) 1 & 3 only (d) 1, 2 & 3

Motion:
Through this House expresses its decisions or opinions on various issues.
Moved by either ministers or private members.
Important ones:
1) Closure: To Cut short the debate.
2) privilege: breach of parliamentary privileges by a minister.
3) calling attention motion: To gain attention to a matter of urgent public importance.
4) Adjournment Motion:
❑ Interrupts normal business, hence extraordinary device
❑ needs support of 50 members to be admitted
❑ Allowed in both houses? No (like censure, so no RS)
❑ For maximum 2.5 hours? No, for minimum 2.5 hours
❑ It should not raise a question of privilege
5) No-confidence motion:
➢ Article 75: council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to LS
➢ When LS passes No-confidence motion:
✓ all ministers resign
➢ No confidence motion need support of 50 members to be introduced.
➢ First no-confidence motion was moved in 1963 by J.B. Kriplani.
➢ Most no confidence motions were against? Indira Gandhi

Censure Motion No-Confidence Motion

should state the reasons for its adoption in LS Not necessary

against an individual minister or
against the entire council of ministers only.
the entire council of ministers.
For censuring For ascertaining confidence
If passed CoM need not Resign If passed CoM has to resign
 QUALIFICATION
QUALIFICATION AND DISQUALIFICATION OF MoPAND DISQUALIFICATION OF MoP
Qualification Citizen, has taken the prescribed Oath, Age: 30/25 (RS/LS), Elector in any constituency and
SC/ST in case of reserved seat.
Disqualification Given in Constitution and RPA 1951
Disqualifications under Constitution Article 102
• Holds Office of Profit
• Is no more a Citizenship of India
• Insolvent
• Unsound Mind BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY
• Any Disqualification in any Law

Disqualifications under RPA 1951

• Conviction for 2years (not detention in preventive law)
• Dismissed from Government Service for Corruption
• Director of company with 25% (or more) Gov Holding
• Spreads Enimity
• Committed Election Offence
• Didn’t lodge election Expense with ECI
• Spreads Social Crime
• Interest in government Contract
(Mandatory)
Decision of any disqualification above will be taken by President after consultation of EC

VACATION OF SEATS VACATION OF SEATS

There Shall be Vacation of Seats in flowing situations

• Double Membership
• Disqualification under Art 102, Defection or RPA 1951
• Resignation by member
• Unauthorised Absence of 60+ Days
• Others - Election declared void by court, Expelled by House, Elected to Prez or VP or Governor
Double Membership Double Membership
If Elected to Decision to Vacates
Both houses Takes decision in 10 day, otherwise RS seat gets Vacant
Sitting MP elected to other house 1st house seat gets vacant
Two seats in same house Takes one, otherwise both seats get vacant
Parliament and State Legislature both Takes decision in 14days, or Parliament seat gets vacant

GRANTS – Given in GRANTS – Given

Article 115/116 in Article
(Except 115/116 (Except Token Grant)
Token Grant)

Supplementary When amount authorized by Parliament is found “Insufficient”

Additional For expenditure on any “New Service” not contemplated at time of Budget Passage
Excess When “Excess amount” is spent on any service
It must be approved by PAC
Voted by LS after the Financial Year
Vote of Credit “Blank Cheque” – for meeting unexpected expenditure (when amount cant be told)
Exceptional For Special Purpose
Forms no part of current services of any financial year
Token Grant Reappropriation of money allotted to different demands/ services.
Voted upon by LS – only Rs. 1 demand is put.
OTHER TYPES OF MOTIONS OTHER TYPES OF MOTIONS
Closure Motion To Cut Short the debate on any matter
Types
Simple Closure When Matter is Sufficiently
discussed
Closure by Grouping of clauses is done and
Compartment voted upon
Kangaroo Closure Only important clauses are
discussed & Voted and rest taken as
passed
Guillotine Closure Whole bill is put to vote at once
even when part of bill is left
undiscussed – due to lack of time
Privilege Motion Concerned with breach of privilege to censure concerned minister
Motion of Thanks First Session every year and after elections.
President puts policies of Government in coming year (and also last year)
Voted Upon and in case of defeat, government must resign.
No-Day-Yet Motion When a motion is accepted by Presiding Officer but no time has been allotted.
Point of Order Relates to “Enforcement or Interpretation” of Rules of the house
Half-an-hour When matter is already debated but answer requires some elucidation.
Discussion Generally speaker allots 3days/week for it. No formal motion or voting is done.
Not technically a Motion. A notice is sent by a member to hold such discussion.
Not usually held during the Budget Session.
Short Duration • 2 hrs allotted for important matters
Discussion • Generally Speaker allots 2 days/ week
BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY
• No formal motion and voting, not technically a Motion
Special Mention When matter isnt/ cant be raised under any other motion
Its Known as Rule 377 in LS & Special Mention in RS
Cut Motion To reduce any “Demand for Grant” under Budget
Policy Cut Rs. 1 is reduced for Disapproval of
Policy
Member advocate alternate Policy
Economy Cut Specific amount is reduced for financial
efficiency
Either reduces amount of Demand or
items of Demand
Token Cut Rs. 100 is reduced, for specific
grievance with Government

RESOLUTION vs MOTION RESOLUTION vs MOTION

Resolution Motion
Its a Substantive Motion to draw attention towards a Motions are moved for holding discussions in the house
specific issue
Voted Upon Not all Motions Voted upon
Types – Moved by Motions are of 3 Types
Private Non-Minister Substantive Very important
Resolution matter
Government Minister
Resolution Substitute Supersedes original
Statutory Moved by both motion
Resolution private and Subsidiary With reference to
minister original motion
Regarding Act or
constitution

BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY

 PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE

Article 105 - Powers,

Powers, Privileges and privileges, etc., of the
Chapter 2. Parliament. Immunities of Parliament Houses of Parliament and of
and its Members the members and
committees thereof.

Parliamentary privilege is a legal FoS in the legislature was

immunity enjoyed by members of guaranteed under GoI Act 1935 Is there any special law
certain legislatures, in which through which privileges
legislators are granted protection have been codified ? NO!
against civil or criminal liability for Parliamentary privilege
actions done or statements made in
the course of their legislative duties.

Individual privilege collective privilege (each House collectively)

➢ courts are prohibited to inquire

Not liable for any speech in parliament. proceedings of a House or its committees
Exempted from jury service , refuse to ➢ exclude strangers from its proceedings
appear as witness when house is in session. and hold secret sittings
No arrest in civil cases during, 40 days
➢punish members as well as outsiders for breach
before and 40 days after session.
➢ No person can be arrested within the
precincts of the House (PO permission Req.)
sources of the privileges are:
➢ Only Parliament can make rules to
Constitutional provisions ( Art. 105 & 194)
regulate its own proceedings.
Various laws made by Parliament
Rules of both the Houses
Parliamentary conventions 1978: Indira Gandhi held guilty of breach of
Judicial interpretations privilege; expelled from LS; sentenced to jail
Code of civil procedure gives freedom from
arrest in civil cases while house in session
(40 days before & after)
Who has the power to codify Privileges - Parliament (ART. 105)
➢ but Parliament has not codified privileges.
➢ Until Parliament codifies it has same privileges that British House of Commons had in 1950.

codification of privileges ARGUMENTS

➢ Legislators arguing it will harm the sovereignty of Parliament because it would make the
privileges subject to judicial scrutiny.
➢ It would make evolution of new privileges impossible.
➢ It is against Constitutionalism (limited power) as non-codification of privileges gives
unlimited power to parliament.
➢ Without codification it will lead to absurdity.

Way Forward -
By codifying privileges we are giving primacy to a citizen’s right to free speech over legislative
privileges. legislators should act within the parameters of the public trust imposed on them.
legislators who indulge in vandalism cannot claim parliamentary privilege.

BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY

Mains 2014:
The ‘Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and its members’ as envisaged in Article 105 of
the Constitution leave room for a large number of un-codified and un- enumerated privileges to
continue’. Assess the reasons for the absence of the legal codification of the parliamentary
privileges. How can this problem be addressed?
 Parliamentary committees

Ad-hoc Standing

Temporary; Permanent;
cease to exist on completion of task reconstituted every year

Constitution mentions PCs? Yes

Constitution gives their composition, tenure, etc.? No (rules of two houses)

Minister cannot be a part of following committees:

• Committee on Estimates
• Committee on Public Accounts BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY
• Committee on Public Undertakings
• Committee on Government Assurances • Departmental Standing Committees
• Committee on Empowerment of Women • Committee on Petitions
• Committee on Subordinate Legislation
• Committee on Welfare of SCs and STs Consultative committees:
❑ constituted by Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
❑ for informal discussion b/w ministers and MPs
❑ Membership: voluntary; from both houses; 10-30
Role of parliamentary committees:
❑ Chairman: Minister / MoS
➢ Detailed scrutiny:
➢ Parliament meets only for 70 to 80 days in a year;
➢ not enough time to study important bills
➢ Consensus building:
➢ anti-defection law does not apply to them,
➢ hence MPs give impartial opinion
➢ Feedback:
➢ expert's opinion can be obtained.
➢ e.g. RBI Governor for demonetization; Army Vice-chief for defence budget
➢ Executive's accountability:
➢ analyses govt. policies and budgetary allocation
➢ Less politicization:
➢ closed-door meetings, not televised unlike house proceedings

l
Purpose Members Chairman

Examine CAG reports on: 22 = 15 + 7

Public appropriation accounts
accounts finance accounts From opposition Since 1921
Method = PR (By convention)
committee public undertakings under GoI
By speaker Term = 1 Yr. ≠CONSTITUTION Act 1919

30 = 30 + 0 Since 1950
Estimates Examine budget and suggest
committee From ruling party aka
economies in expenditure METHOD = PR ‘continuous
By speaker economy
Term = 1 Yr. committee’
Committee
on Public Examine reports on PSUs 22 = 15 + 7
undertakings (by CAG and others)
METHOD = PR From Lok Sabha Since
By speaker 1964
Term = 1 Yr.
 Committees to enquire

BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY

Miscellaneous

Prelims 2012: Prelims 2012:

Which of the following special powers have been Consider the following statements:
conferred on Rajya Sabha by the Constitution of India? 1. Union territories are not represented in
a) To change the existing territory of a State and to Rajya Sabha
change the name of a State 2. It is within the purview of the Chief
b) To pass a resolution empowering the Parliament to Election Commissioner to adjudicate the
make laws in the State List and to create one or election disputes
more All India Services 3. According to the constitution of India,
c) To amend the election procedure of the President Parliament consists of Lok Sabha and Rajya
and to determine the pension of the President after Sabha only
his/her retirement Which of the above statements are correct?
d) To determine the functions of the Election (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3
Commission and to determine the number of (c) 1 and 3 only (d) None
Election Commissioners.
BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY
Prelims 1995:
Prelims 2004:
Who among the following have the right to vote in
Resolution for removing VP can be moved in
elections to both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
(a) Lok Sabha alone
(a) Elected members of Lower House of Parliament
(b) Either House of Parliament
(b) Elected members of Upper House of Parliament
(c) JS of Parliament
(c) Elected members of Upper House of State Legislature
(d) Rajya Sabha alone
(d) Elected members of Lower House of State Legislature

Prelims 2012:
In the Parliament of India, the purpose of an adjournment motion is
a) to allow a discussion on a definite matter of urgent public importance
b) to let opposition members collect information from the ministers
c) to allow a reduction of specific amount in demand for grant
d) to postpone proceedings to check inappropriate or violent behaviour on part of some members
❖ Mains 2018: Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary
work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee.
❖ Mains 2017: Discuss the role of Public Accounts Committee in establishing accountability of the
government to the people.

Public Accounts Committee:

Financial committee constituted every year by Parliament from among its members.
❑ Examine CAG reports on:
➢ appropriation accounts
1. If the funds were legally available.
2. If a competent authority sanctioned its use.
3. If the rules laid by procedure were followed.
➢ finance accounts
➢ public undertakings
❑ Examine public expenditure to discover technical irregularities
❑ CAG acts as a guide, friend and philosopher of the committee.

Limitations:
➢ It is not concerned with the questions of policy in broader sense.
➢ It conducts a post-mortem examination of accounts (showing the expenditure already incurred).
➢ It can not intervene in the matters of day-to-day administration.
➢ Its recommendations are advisory and not binding on the ministries.
➢ It is not an executive body and hence, cannot issue an order. Only the Parliament can take a final
decision on its findings
BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY
Conclusion:
However PAC at times, through its criticism of the inefficient public expenditure of the government,
creates a strong public opinion against the government. The incumbent government to remain in
power tries to rectify the inefficiency in its public expenditure and policy making. Thus the
committee helps in enforcing accountability of the executive to the people.

Estimates Committee:
➢ Examine budget and suggest economies/improvements in expenditure
➢ Suggest alternative policies to bring efficiency in administration
➢ brings to the notice of the Parliament the ineffectiveness of the policy and the need for changes.

Limitations:
➢ It examines the budget estimates only after they have been voted upon and not before that.
➢ It cannot question the policy laid down by the Parliament.
➢ Its recommendations are advisory and not binding on the ministries.
➢ It examines every year only certain selected ministries and departments. Thus, by rotation, it
would cover all of them over a number of years.
➢ It lacks the expert assistance of the CAG which is available to the Public Accounts Committee.

Way Forward:
Must have full-time, sector-specific research staff.
To strengthen the committee system, research support should be made available to them.
Mandatory scrutiny of all bills by parliamentary committees would ensure better planning.

Prelims 1985:
Deputy Chairman RS can be removed by resolution
a) Passed by a two-thirds majority of its total
members at that time
b) Passed by a simple majority of its total
members at that time
c) Moved by RS but paseed by LS
d) none of the above
 Prelims 2015:
Prelims 2018:
Regarding Money Bill, which of the following statements
Consider the following statements:
is not correct? (Note: All the statements are correct) 1. The Rajya Sabha has no power
(a) A bill shall be deemed to be a Money Bill if it contains either to reject or to amend a
only provisions relating to imposition, abolition, Money Bill.
remission, alteration or regulation of any tax. 2. The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on
(b) Money Bill has provisions for the custody of the the Demands for Grants.
Consolidated Fund of India or the Contingency Fund of India 3. The Rajya Sabha cannot discuss
(c) Money Bill is concerned with the appropriation of the Annual Financial Statement.
moneys out of the Contingency Fund of India Which of the statements given
(d) Money Bill deals with regulation of borrowing of above is/ are correct?
money or giving of any guarantee by Govt. of India (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Prelims 2000:
Prelims 2013: Which one of the following statements about
What will follow if a Money Bill is Money Bill is not correct?
substantially amended by the Rajya Sabha? (a) A Money Bill can be tabled in either House
(a) The Lok Sabha may still proceed with the of Parliament
Bill, accepting or not accepting the (b) The Speaker of Lok Sabha is the final
recommendations of the Rajya Sabha authority to decide whether a Bill is a
(b) The Lok Sabha cannot consider the bill Money Bill or not
further (c) The Rajya Sabha must return a Money Bill
(c) The Lok Sabha may send the Bill to the passed by the Lok Sabha and send it for
Rajya Sabha for reconsideration consideration within 14 days
(d) The President may call a joint sitting for (d) The President cannot return a Money Bill to
passing the Bill the Lok Sabha for reconsideration

BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY

Prelims 2014: Prelims 2004:
Consider the following statements regarding a Which of the following statements is not correct?
No-Confidence Motion in India: a) In Lok Sabha, a no-confidence motion has to set
1. There is no mention of a No-Confidence out the grounds on which it is based
Motion in Constitution of India. b) In the case of a no-confidence motion in Lok
2. A Motion of No-Confidence can be Sabha, no conditions of admissibility have been
introduced in Lok Sabha only. laid down in the Rules
Which of the above statements are correct? c) A motion of no-confidence, once admitted, has
(a) 1 only to be taken up within ten days of the leave
(b) 2 only being granted
(c) Both 1 and 2 d) Rajya Sabha is not empowered to entertain a
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 motion of no-confidence

Prelims 1990:
Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in the Parliament:
1. There is no mention of a No-confidence Motion in the Constitution of India.
2. A period of 6 months must elapse between introduction of one No-confidence Motion and the other.
3. At least 100 members must support a Motion of No-confidence before it is introduced in House.
4. A motion of No-confidence can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 2 and 4 (b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 4

Prelims 2017: Consider the following statements: Prelims 2020:

1. In election for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, winning Rajya Sabha has equal powers
candidate must get at least 50 per cent of the votes polled, to with Lok Sabha in
be declared elected. (a) the matter of creating new All
2. According to the provisions laid down in Constitution, in Lok India Services
Sabha, Speaker's post goes to the majority party and Deputy (b) amending the Constitution
Speaker's to the Opposition. (c) the removal of the government
Which of the above statements are correct? (d) making cut motions
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Prelims 2017: Prelims 2017:
With reference to the Parliament, consider the statements: The Parliament of India exercises
1. A private member's bill is a bill presented by a Member control over the functions of the
of Parliament who is not elected but only Council of Ministers through:
nominated by the President of India. 1. Adjournment motion
2. Recently, a private member's bill has been passed in the 2. Question hour
Parliament of India for the first time in its history. 3. Supplementary questions
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Select the correct answers:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (a) 1 only (b) 2 & 3 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) 1 & 3 only (d) 1,2 & 3

Prelims 2016: Prelims 1991:

Which of the following statements are correct? Which one of the following can be
1. A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogued but cannot be dissolved?
prorogation (a) Rajya Sabha
2. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has (b) State Council
not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not (c) Municipal Corporation
lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha (d) Governing Council in a UT
Select the correct answer using the codes
given below: Prelims 1987:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Maximum gap between two
(c) Both 1and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 sessions of Parliament can be
(a) 6 months (b) 3 months
BUDDHI IAS ACADEMY (c) 9 months (d) 12 months
Prelims 2020:
Consider the following statements:
1. President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such place as he/she thinks it.
2. The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not
mandatory to conduct all three sessions.
3. There is no minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 2 and 3 only

Prelims 2018: Prelims 2000:

Consider the following statements: The Speaker can ask a
1. In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in member
opposition was the Swatantra Party of the House to stop speaking
2. In Lok Sabha, a "Leader of the Opposition" was and let another member
recognized for the first time in 1969 speak. This phenomenon is
3. In Lok Sabha, if a party does not have a minimum known as
of 75 members, its leader cannot be recognized (a) decorum
as Leader of Opposition (b) crossing the floor
Which of the above statements are correct? (c) interpellation
(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (d) yielding the floor
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3