Parliament

The facts:

• Art 79: Parliament is the President and two Houses, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). Articles 79 to 122 (Part V) cover Parliament.
• Art 80: the Rajya Sabha's composition. The President nominates 12 members for knowledge of literature, science, art and social service; the seats of the States and Union Territories follow the Fourth Schedule.
• Art 81: the Lok Sabha's composition. Art 83: the Rajya Sabha is never dissolved; its members serve six years, and one-third retire every two years.
• The first Lok Sabha met on 13 May 1952.
• Each MP can recommend local works under the MPLADS scheme, begun in 1993.

The rules:

• Art 110: a Bill dealing only with taxes, borrowing or the Consolidated Fund is a Money Bill; for example, a Bill that imposes a new tax. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha decides whether a Bill is one, and the Speaker's decision is final.
• It is introduced only in the Lok Sabha, with the President's recommendation. After the Lok Sabha passes it, the Rajya Sabha has 14 days and can only recommend changes; it cannot reject or amend it (Art 109). Then it goes to the President.
• A State Legislative Council has the same limited role (Art 198).
• Every Money Bill is a Financial Bill, but not every Financial Bill is a Money Bill (Art 117).
• The Appropriation Bill (Art 114) authorises withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund; it is a Money Bill.

The two powers, each needing a resolution of two-thirds of members present and voting in the Rajya Sabha:

• Art 249: Parliament may make laws on a State List subject in the national interest. The resolution lasts one year and can be renewed.
• Art 312: Parliament may create a new All India Service. The Article names the IAS and the IPS; it mentions no 'security service'.

By contrast, extending a proclamation of President's Rule (Art 356) needs the approval of both Houses, not the Rajya Sabha alone.

Committees:

• No minister may be a member of the Public Accounts Committee or the Estimates Committee.
• The Estimates Committee's 30 members are elected by the Lok Sabha, not nominated by the Speaker.
• Members of the Committee on Public Undertakings serve one year.

Devices of debate: Question Hour, Zero Hour, the half-an-hour discussion, the short duration (two-hour) discussion, calling attention and motions. There is no 'full-day discussion'.

Delegated legislation: rules made by the executive under power given by an Act. It can be challenged in court if it goes beyond the Act. The Prime Minister may advise dissolving the Lok Sabha, and a Chief Minister the State Assembly.