History & Civics
Describe the relationship between the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council under these heads:
(a) Finance.
(b) Control over non-money bills.
(c) Control over the Executive.
Answer
(a) Legislative Assembly holds complete control over financial matters.
A Money Bill can only originate in the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Council can only make recommendations on a Money Bill, and must return it within 14 days. The Assembly may accept or reject these recommendations. After the lapse of 14 days, the Bill is deemed to have been passed.
Matters like passing the State budget, permission for imposing taxes, and fixing the salary of members of Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council are handled exclusively by the Legislative Assembly.
Thus, the Council has no real power over financial legislation.
(b) A Non-Money Bill can originate in either House. If passed by one House, it must be sent to the other for approval. If there's disagreement, the bill may be passed back and forth, but ultimately, the Legislative Assembly has the final say.
Therefore, the Council’s power is advisory and delaying, not decisive.
(c) Real control over the Executive lies with the Legislative Assembly. It can be seen in the following ways:
The Council of Ministers are collectively responsible only to the Legislative Assembly. Unlike the Legislative Council, the Legislative Assembly can remove the Executive through a vote of No-confidence.
In the matter of exercising control over the State Government, the Legislative Council is allowed only formal power. It can control the executive by means of questions, debates and discussions. It may also pass a resolution on any matter of public importance.
An Ordinance promulgated by the Governor has to be laid before both the Houses. In this matter the two Houses are at equal standing.
Related Questions
Study the picture given below and answer the following questions:
(a) How is the Legislative Assembly composed?
(b) What are the qualifications for being a member of the Legislative Assembly?
(c) What is the term of the House? Under what conditions the term of the Assembly extended or reduced?
Like the Rajya Sabha at the Centre, the Legislative Council in the State is merely an advisory chamber. In this context answer the following questions:
(a) How is Legislative Council constituted?
(b) What are the qualifications for its membership?
(c) What powers does the Legislative Council have with regard to a Money Bill and a non-money bill?
Recently elections to the Legislative Assembly of your State were held. Find out the number of seats for which elections were held. What were the issues which were debated during the election campaign? Were these issues local or national? Which issue you wanted to be addressed at the earliest?
Find out the differences in the powers and functions of an MLA and an MP. If given a chance, which of the two positions would you like to take? Why?