Test: Indian Constitution at work - UPSC MCQ

Zero Hour where members are free to raise any matter that they think is important (though the ministers are not bound to reply), half-an –hour discussion on matters of public importance, adjournment motion etc. are some instruments of exercising control.

The two Houses are known as Federal Assembly and Federal Council.

In 2002, the Finance Minister had to roll back the increases in fertilizer prices due to intense opposition pressure.

All members of the Rajya Sabha do not complete their terms at the same time. Every two years, one-third members of the Rajya Sabha complete their term and elections are held for those one-third seats only.

The motion of no confidence (alternatively vote of no confidence, censure motion or confidence motion) is a parliamentary motion put before a parliament by the opposition in the hope of defeating or weakening a government, or rarely, by an erstwhile supporter who has lost confidence in the government. Lok sabha alone can move this motion.

At present there are 543 constituencies or seats for Lok Sabha and this number has not changed since 1971.

In Rajya Sabha, a state with larger population gets more representatives than states with smaller population. So, a more populous state like Uttar Pradesh sends 31 members to the Rajya Sabha, while a smaller and less populous state like Sikkim has only one seat in the Rajya Sabha.

Until now, only three bills: the Dowry Prohibition Act (1961), the Banking Service Commission Repeal Bill (1978) and the Prevention of Terrorism Bill (2002) have been passed at joint sessions.

On 4 June 1998, the Lok Sabha witnessed acrimonious scenes over the hike in urea and petroleum process. The entire opposition staged a walkout. The issue rocked the house for two days leading to walkout by opposition. The finance minister in his budget proposal had proposed a hike of 50 paisa per kilogram of urea to reduce subsidy on it. This forced the finance minister Mr. Yashwant Sinha to roll back the hike in urea prices ( Hindustan Times, 4 and 5 June 1998)

22 February 1983: In a rare move, the Lok Sabha today unanimously decided to suspend official business and give precedence to debate on Assam. Home Minister P.C.Sethi made a statement “I seek the cooperation of all members whatever their views and policies, in promoting harmony among different communities and groups living in Assam. What is needed now is not acrimony but a healing touch.” (Hindustan Times, 22 February 1983)