What are the important Functions of Lok Sabha?



The Lok Sabha which is the more representative chamber of the Parliament performs a number of useful functions. These functions are described below:

1. Legislative:

Lawmaking is the main function of the Parliament and in this field the Lok Sabha plays an important role. All types of bills can originate in the Lok Sabha and if a bill is moved in and passed by the Rajya Sabha, it has to come to the Lok Sabha for its approval.

If there is any disagreement between the two Houses, the Lok Sabha will prevail in the joint sitting with the Rajya Sabha because it has more members than the other House of the Parliament.

2. Financial:

Control over purse makes one powerful. In financial matters, the Lok Sabha has a distinct superiority over the Rajya Sabha. The Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. It cannot be moved in the Rajya Sabha.

Further, there is no question of joint sitting if the Rajya Sabha disagrees with the Lok Sabha on a Money Bill. It is up to the Lok Sabha to accept or reject the suggestions for change in the Money Bill made by the other House.

3. Control over Executive:

The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lower House of the Parliament. Thus, the government is accountable to the Lok Sabha for its acts of omission and commission. The Rajya Sabha cannot hold the government accountable to it. It is only the Lok Sabha which can force the Council of Ministers to resign by passing a vote of nonconfidence against it.

There are also other methods by which the Lok Sabha can exercise control over the central executive. These methods are putting questions, moving adjournment motions and call-attention motions, budget discussions, cut-motions and debates etc.

By employing any of these methods the Lok Sabha can expose the misdeeds and inefficiency of the government and warn it against repeating such mistakes.

4. Constitutional:

The Lok Sabha shares with the Rajya Sabha the power to amend the constitution.

5. Electoral:

(a) The Lok Sabha takes part in the election of the President and the Vice-President. (b) It elects the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. (c) Its members are elected to different Committees of the Parliament.

6. Judicial:

(a) The Lok Sabha has power to punish a person on the ground of breach of privilege; (b) It takes part in the impeachment proceedings against the President of India, (c) It shares power with the Rajya Sabha to remove the Judges of the Supreme Court and the Judges of High Courts.

7. Ventilation of Grievances:

The members of the Lok Sabha are elected from different parts of India. They try to remove the difficulties of their respective constituencies by stating their grievances on the floor of the Lok Sabha.

8. Imparting Education on Democracy:

The Lok Sabha discussions would help in raising the political consciousness of people. As the discussions in the Lok Sabha on no-confidence motions and confidence motions are directly telecast, the people are able to learn of different aspects of Indian politics.

9. Other Functions:

The Lok Sabha discusses reports submitted by the U Public Service Commission (UPSC), Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, Finance Commission etc.