Legislative Functions
The parliament, being the legislative body, has many legislative functions and powers. The Parliament legislates on various matters which are mentioned in the Union List and the Concurrent List. While in Concurrent List, where the state legislatures and the Parliament make for joint jurisdiction, the union law prevails over the states unless the state law would have received certain earlier presidential assent.
The parliament can enact a law adding to, amending, varying, or even repealing a law made by the state legislature at any time. The Parliament is also responsible to pass laws on items of the State List under the following conditions:
- If any state is placed under President’s Rule (Article 356) or in case of an Emergency being in operation, the Parliament can enact laws on items in the State List also.
- In Article 249, the Parliament can make laws on items that are listed in the State List if the Rajya Sabha is able to pass a resolution by the 2/3rd majority of its members who are voting, which is necessary for Parliament to make laws on items in the interest of Nation.
- As per Article 253, passing of laws on that of State List items if it is essential for the implementation of international agreements or treatises which is required for foreign powers.
- As per Article 252, if the legislations of two or more states are passed for resolutions to the effects if it is desirable for the parliamentary law or for any items listed in the State list, the parliament for making laws for those states.
Functions of the Parliament
The Indian Constitution has a parliamentary form of government at both the national and state levels. The executive is accountable to the legislature for its policies and actions under the parliamentary system of government. Because the parliamentary system had been in use in India under British rule, the Constitution-makers were fairly acquainted with it. The parliamentary system was chosen by the Constitution-makers since it allows for more representation of various groups, interests, and areas in government.
Indian Parliament is called a bicameral legislature, which consists of two houses- the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. People of the Lok Sabha or House of the People are elected directly by people through the process of voting and the members of the Rajya Sabha or Council of States are elected by members of state legislative assemblies. The Parliament comprises the two Houses and the President of India.
Table of Content
- Functions of the Parliament
- Legislative Functions
- Executive Functions
- Financial Functions
- Electoral Functions
- Judicial Functions