Working of Institutions...................Part II

Q4. What are the powers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

1. The Parliament consists of two Houses known as the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). 
2. The President of India is a part of the Parliament, but not a member of either House.  
3. All laws made in the Houses come into force only after they receive the assent of the President

Rajya Sabha is called the ‘Upper Chamber’ and the Lok Sabha the ‘Lower Chamber’.

1. Rajya Sabha has some special powers over the states.
2. But on most matters the Lok Sabha exercises supreme power.
3. Any ordinary law needs to be passed by both the Houses.
4. But if there is a difference between the two Houses, the final decision is taken in a joint session in which members of both the Houses sit together. Because of the larger number of members, the view of the Lok Sabha prevails.
5. Lok Sabha exercises more powers in money matters. 
6. Once the Lok Sabha passes the budget of the government or any other money related law, the Rajya Sabha cannot reject it. 
7. The Rajya Sabha can only delay it by 14 days or suggest changes in it. The Lok Sabha may or may not accept these changes.
8. The Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers.Only a person who enjoys the support of the majority of the members in the Lok Sabha is appointed the Prime Minister. 
9. If the majority of the Lok Sabha members say they have ‘no confidence’ in the Council of Ministers, all ministers including the Prime Minister, have to quit. 
10. The Rajya Sabha does not have this power.

Q5. Who are Political and Permanent Executive?
Political Executive

1. They are elected by the people for a specific period. 
2. Political leaders take the  decisions for the governance of country. 

Permanent Executive

1. They are appointed on a long-term basis are known as Permanent Executive or civil services.
2. Persons working in civil services are called civil servants. 
3. They remain in office even when the ruling party changes.
4. These officers work under Political Executives and assist them in carrying out the day-to-day administration.

Q6.Why does the political executive have more power than the non-political executive?
Why is the minister more powerful than the civil servant?

1. In a democracy the will of the people is supreme. 
2. The minister is elected by the people and thus empowered to
   exercise the will of the people on their behalf. 
3. They are answerable to the people for all the consequences of their decisions. That is why the minister takes all the final decisions. 
4. The minister decides the overall framework and objectives on
   which decisions policy should be made. 
5. The minister is not expected to be an expert in the matters of her ministry. 
6. The minister takes the advice of experts on all technical matters. 
7. But experts hold different opinions or place before them more than one option. 
8. Depending on the overall objective the minister decides on the policy.