UPSC Mains 2021 · GS II · Q14 · 15 marks · 250 words

Explain the constitutional provisions under which Legislative Councils are established. Review the working and current status of Legislative Councils with suitable illustrations.

हिन्दी में

उन संवैधानिक प्रावधानों को समझाइए जिनके अंतर्गत विधान-परिषदें स्थापित होती हैं। उपयुक्त उदाहरणों के साथ विधान-परिषदों के कार्य और वर्तमान स्थिति का मूल्यांकन कीजिए।

State Legislatures

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Rajya Sabha is not as powerful as Lok Sabha, but powerful enough in comparison to state legislative councils. Examine.”

Diksha JoshiAIR 19 · CSE 2021 · 191 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Indian parliament is founded on the coordinated functioning of two houses Lok Sabha (the Lower house) and the Rajya Sabha (the upper house.)

Body · points

Rajya Sabha not as powerful as Lok Sabha

  1. Money Bill (Article 110) introduced only in lok-Sabha and to be returned in 14 days by Rajya sabha.
  2. Demand for grants, under finance Bill (Article 117) can be made exclusively by lok Sabha.
  3. Amendments suggested by Rajya Sabha not approved by lok Sabha can be over powered by lok-sabha due to its higher number in a joint sitting.
  4. joint sitting of the two houses in presided by speaker of lok-Sabha.

Rajya Sabha powerful than State Councils:

  1. State Councils are merely a dilutory house a back-door entry for politicians with no power.
  2. State Councils →
    • have no joint sitting provisions if bill are in conflict
    • Cannot vote for election to President
    • Cannot amend bills passed by state assembly
    • In fact their very existence depends on will of the Parliament (Article 169)

Close · a summary

However, both Rajya Sabha and State Councils serve as effective mechanism to check hasty decision making and allow wider deleberation.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper II, Q14. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.