11 min readConcept sheetSection A objective (2 marks, two parts); Section B very short answer (2 marks), short answer (3 marks) or long answer (6 marks)

Functions of Parliament, money bills and control over the executive

Parliament makes laws, controls the government's money and keeps the Council of Ministers in check through questions, motions and votes. It also amends the Constitution.

Law-making subjectsThe Union List, the Concurrent List and residuary subjects; on a Concurrent List clash, the Union law prevails

Money billIntroduced only in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend it and must return it within 14 days

Question HourThe first hour of every working day of Parliament, when ministers answer members' questions

Amending the ConstitutionSome parts by simple majority, some by a two-thirds majority, and some by a special majority plus approval of half the State Legislatures

Worked case: how an ordinary bill becomes a law

Problem

The government wants a new law on road safety. Trace the bill's journey through Parliament.

Working

An ordinary bill can be introduced in either House. Here it starts in the Lok Sabha.
The Lok Sabha debates and passes it, then sends it to the Rajya Sabha.
The Rajya Sabha may pass it as it is, or suggest amendments.
If the two Houses keep disagreeing, the President calls a joint sitting, presided over by the Speaker. The Lok Sabha's larger numbers usually decide.
Once both Houses pass it, the bill goes to the President for assent.

Answer

With the President's assent, the bill becomes a law, called an Act.

Five kinds of functions

Legislative: makes laws on the Union List, the Concurrent List and residuary subjects (those not named in any list).
Executive: keeps the Council of Ministers answerable, as shown below.
Financial: is the custodian of public money. No tax can be collected and no money spent without its approval. It can pass, reduce or reject the government's demands for grants.
Judicial: fixes the number of Supreme Court judges by law. It can set up a common High Court for two or more States, or a High Court for a Union Territory. It also starts the impeachment of judges.
Miscellaneous: can remove the President and the Vice President by a special majority. It takes part in electing the President, elects the Vice President, and amends the Constitution.

How Parliament controls the Council of Ministers

Questions and supplementary questions: in Question Hour, the first hour of every working day, ministers must answer members.
Motions: a calling attention motion, an adjournment motion or a censure motion lets members debate and criticise government policy.
No-confidence motion: the Lok Sabha can remove the whole Council of Ministers by passing it.
Rejecting bills: if the Lok Sabha defeats the budget, a money bill or even an ordinary government bill, it shows a lack of confidence.

Money bill and ordinary bill

Money billIntroduced only in the Lok Sabha, with the President's recommendation. The Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend it; it can only make recommendations. If it does not return the bill within 14 days, the bill is taken as passed by both Houses.

Ordinary billCan be introduced in either House. Both Houses have equal power over it. A deadlock is settled in a joint sitting.

The Annual Budget (Annual Financial Statement) is presented in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can discuss it but cannot stop it from becoming law.

In real life

When the news shows ministers answering questions in Parliament in the morning, that is Question Hour. Every rupee the Union spends on a national highway or a central hospital must first be approved by Parliament.

Exam angle

2 marks: “Name any two ways in which Parliament controls the Council of Ministers.” Through questions and supplementary questions in Question Hour, and through motions such as adjournment, calling attention or censure motions. (Also: a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha.)

3 marks: “What is a money bill? Explain the limits on the Rajya Sabha regarding money bills.” A bill on taxes or public spending, certified by the Speaker. It starts only in the Lok Sabha, with the President's recommendation. The Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend it, only recommend; if not returned in 14 days, it is deemed passed.

6 marks: “Describe the main functions of the Indian Parliament.” Legislative: Union, Concurrent and residuary subjects; executive: questions, motions, no-confidence; financial: custodian of public money, passes the Budget and grants; judicial: number of judges, impeachment; miscellaneous: elects and removes the President and Vice President, amends the Constitution.

Remember it

Parliament's five jobs are L-E-F-J-M: Laws, Executive control, Finance, Judges, Miscellaneous (amend and remove).