Q. With reference to the Rajya Sabha, consider the following statements:
1. The approval of the Rajya Sabha is necessary if the government wants to remove a subject from the ‘state list’ of Seventh Schedule.
2. It has the power to authorise the Parliament to create an all-India service by passing a resolution supported by a simple majority.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Exp) Option a is the correct answer.
The Rajya Sabha has been given certain special powers that are not enjoyed by the Lok Sabha. This helps it to maintain the federal equilibrium by protecting the interests of the states against the undue interference of the Centre.
Statement 1 is correct. If the Union Parliament wishes to remove a matter from the State list (over which only the State Legislature can make law) to either the Union List or Concurrent List in the interest of the nation, the approval of the Rajya Sabha is necessary. This is because the Rajya Sabha is an institutional mechanism to provide representation to the States. Its purpose is to protect the powers of the States. Therefore, any matter that affects the States must be referred to it for its consent and approval.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Rajya Sabha has been given some special powers which it enjoys exclusively. This includes power to authorise the Parliament to create new All-India Services common to both the Centre and states (Article 312) by passing a resolution. The resolution has to be supported by not less than two-third members present and voting (and not simple majority). The Lok Sabha does not enjoy any such power to create new All India Services.
