Page 35 - Parliament of India

Relative Role of the Two Houses : As between the two Houses the Lok
Sabha has supremacy in financial matters. It is also the House to which the
Union Executive, drawn from both the Houses, is collectively responsible.

On the other hand, the Rajya Sabha has a special role in enabling Parliament
to legislate on a State subject if it is necessary in the national interest. It has a
similar power in regard to the creation of an AlHndia Service common to the
Union and the States. In other respects the Constitution proceeds on a theory
of equality of status of the two Houses.
Disagreement between the two Houses on amendments to a Bill (other than
a Money Bill) is resolved by both the Houses meeting in a joint sitting where
questions are decided by majority vote.

THE PRESIDING OFFICERS
In Lok Sabha, both the Presiding Officers—the Speaker and the Deputy
Speaker—are elected from amongst its members. In Rajya Sabha, the Vice-
President is the ex^officio Chairman. He is elected by the members of an electoral
college, consisting of Members of both the Houses of Parliament. The Deputy
Chairman of Rajya Sabha is elected by the House itself.
As the principal spokesman of Lok Sabha the Speaker represents Us collective
voice and is its sole representative to the outside world. The Speaker's position
as the Presiding Officer of Lok Sabha is one of great authority. His authority
stems from an absolute and unvarying impartiality—the chief attribute of his
office. This is reflected in many ways. The office of the Speaker is provided
for in the Constitution and his salary and allowances are charged on the Consoli­
dated Fund of India. He has only a casting vote. Within the walls of the House
his authority is supreme. His conduct cannot be discussed except on a substantive
motion.

The Constitution confers on the Speaker a special position in so far as
relations between the two Houses in certain matters are concerned. He determines
what are 'money' matters, as these fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of Lok
Sabha. His decision as to the certification of a Bill as a Money Bill is final. He
presides over the joint sitting called in the event of a disagreement between the
two Houses on a legislative measure.
It is the Speaker who having regard to the state of business fixes the hour of
commencement and termination of a sitting and determines the days on which
the House will sit. In consultation with the Leader of the House, he determines
the order of Government business, which can be varied only if he is satisfied
that sufficient grounds exist for doing so.

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