Question.
Describe those special powers of the Council of States ( Rajya Sabha) which are not enjoyed by the Lok Sabha, under the Indian constitution.
(UPPSC, UP PCS Mains General Studies-II/GS-2 2018)
Answer.
Under the Indian Constitution, the Council of States, also known as the Rajya Sabha, possesses certain special powers and functions that are different from those of the Lok Sabha (House of the People).
The following are some special powers of the Rajya Sabha:
Representation of States:
The Rajya Sabha represents the interests of the states and union territories of India. Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the states and union territories. This ensures that the Council of States acts as a federal chamber, representing the regional and state perspectives.
Permanent Chamber:
Unlike the Lok Sabha, which is subject to dissolution and reconstitution after every five years, the Rajya Sabha is a permanent chamber. Two-thirds of its members are elected for a term of six years, with one-third retiring every two years. This continuity ensures stability and enables the Rajya Sabha to provide long-term insights and expertise on legislative matters.
Special Legislation Power:
The Rajya Sabha enjoy two special legislative power which Lok Sabha does not enjoy, are as follow:
Right to the creation and abortion of All India Service: The Rajya Sabha has the power to make recommendations on matters concerning the creation of All India Services, which the Lok Sabha can not.
The right to declare the subject matter of the State List to Union List or Concurrent List: The Rajya Sabha can pass a resolution of two-thirds of its members, declaring the State List subject to the subject of national importance. Such a resolution empowers the Parliament of the Union to legislate on that state subject for one year. Such resolutions can be passed more than once by Rajya Sabha.
In conclusion, Rajya Sabha does not have much power as Lok Sabha, however, it has two special legislative powers regarding All India service and state subjects, which Lok Sabha does not have. The Rajya Sabha's role complements that of the Lok Sabha in India's bicameral parliamentary system.
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