The Parliament of India comprises the President and the two houses. With reference to the Indian Parliament, answer the following questions:
When can the term of the Lok Sabha be extended? Mention any three powers of the Lok Sabha which show its superiority over the Rajya Sabha.
Topic: Term of the Lok Sabha and its superiority
Answer
The normal term of the Lok Sabha is five years, but during a National Emergency Parliament may extend it by law for one year at a time. The extension cannot continue beyond six months after the Emergency has ceased to operate.
Three powers showing its superiority: (1) Money Bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha may only make recommendations, which the Lok Sabha is free to reject, and must return the Bill within 14 days. (2) The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha alone, and a No Confidence Motion passed there brings the government down. (3) In a joint sitting of both Houses the will of the Lok Sabha normally prevails, because its membership is more than double that of the Rajya Sabha.
A 4-mark question with two tasks — budget it as 1 mark for the extension and 3 for the powers, one each. On the extension, give both limits: one year at a time, and not beyond six months after the Emergency ends. Candidates usually give the first and lose the second half of the mark. On superiority, the Money Bill power and collective responsibility are the two strongest points; the joint-sitting argument works because of the numbers, so mention them.