Powers and Functions of the Lok Sabha

Powers and Functions of the Lok Sabha:

1. Legislative Powers:

An ordinary bill can become law only after it has been passed by both the Houses of Parliament. It can be introduced either in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. When a bill is introduced and passed by the Lok Sabha, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha. After it has secured the approval of Rajya Sabha, it goes to the President for his signature.

After this it becomes a law. Although ordinary bills can be introduced in either of the two houses of Parliament, almost 90% of the bills are actually introduced in the Lok Sabha. In case the Rajya Sabha rejects a bill passed by the Lok Sabha and returns it with or without some amendments, the Lok Sabha reconsiders the bill.

If the Lok Sabha re-passes it and the Rajya Sabha is still not prepared to pass it, a deadlock occurs. If this deadlock remains unresolved for six months, the President summons a joint sitting of the two Houses. The decision of the joint sitting is accepted by both the Houses.

2. Executive Powers:

For all its work, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible before the Lok Sabha. The leader of the majority in the Lok Sabha becomes the Prime Minister. Most of the ministers are from the Lok Sabha. The ministers remain in office so long as they enjoy the confidence of majority in the Lok Sabha.

The Lok Sabha can remove the ministry from office by passing a vote of no- confidence against it. Thus, the life and death of the Ministry depends upon the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha maintains a continuous control over the Council of Ministers.

MPs can ask questions from ministers about their policies and activities of administration. They can criticise their policies. They can move and adopt several types of resolutions and motions (adjournment motion, call attention motion, censure motion and no-confidence motion) and can reject any bill of the government.

If the Lok Sabha:

(i) Rejects any policy or decision of the Cabinet,

(ii) Or disapproves the budget or a bill of the government, or

(iii) Passes a vote of no- confidence against the Prime Minister, it is. Taken to be a vote of no-confidence against the entire Council of Ministers and it resigns en masse.

3. Financial Powers:

The Lok Sabha has vast financial powers. A money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. After having been passed by it, the money bill goes to the Rajya Sabha. Such a bill can be delayed by the Rajya Sabha for a maximum period of 14 days.

If the Rajya Sabha fails to pass a money bill and 14 days elapse from the date of the submission of the bill to it, the money bill is deemed to have been passed by both the houses of Parliament. It is sent to the President for his signature.

In case of any dispute as to whether a particular bill is a money bill or not, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha gives the decision. His decision is final and it cannot be challenged in any court or even in the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha. Thus, we can any that the Lok Sabha has the final control over the finances of state. No tax can be levied or collected or changed or abolished without the approval of the Lok Sabha. The fiscal policies of the government cannot be implemented without the consent of the Lok Sabha.

4. Judicial Powers:

The Lok Sabha also performs some judicial functions. The impeachment proceedings can be taken up against the President either in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. The President can be removed from office only when an impeachment resolution is adopted by each of the two Houses with a 2/3 majority of its members.

The Lok Sabha also investigates the charges prepared by the Rajya Sabha against the Vice-President of India. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha can together pass a resolution for the removal of any judge of the Supreme Court or of a State High Court.

Both the Houses can jointly pass a special address and present it to the President for the removal of some high officers of the state like the Attorney General, the Chief Election Commissioner and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Lok Sabha can also take action against any member or any citizen who is held to be guilty of committing contempt of the House.

5. Electoral Functions:

The Lok Sabha also performs some electoral functions. The elected members of the Lok Sabha take part in the election of the President. Members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha together elect the Vice-President of India. The members of the Lok Sabha also elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker from amongst themselves.