The powers and functions of the Lok Sabha can be discussed under the following heads:
(i) Legislative Powers: An ordinary bill can become a law only after it is passed by both the Houses of the Parliament. It can be introduced in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. When it is passed by one house it is sent to the other house. After receiving the approval of both the Houses, it becomes a law after the signature of the President.
(ii) Executive Powers: The Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha for all its acts of omission and commission. The Lok Sabha can remove ministers by passing a no-confidence motion against them.
(iii) Financial Powers: The Lok Sabha has a high place in financial matters because only all bills related to finance can be introduced in it. After being passed by the Lok Sabha, money bills go to the Rajya Sabha for a maximum period of 14 days. After the bill is passed by both the Houses, it is sent to the President for his assent.
(iv) Judicial Powers: Impeachment proceedings can be taken against the President in either of the two Houses of the Parliament. It also examines the charges framed by the Rajya Sabha against the Vice President of India. It can also jointly pass a special address to the President to remove certain high officers of the State such as the Attorney General, the Chief Election Commissioner, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
(v) Electoral functions: The elected members of the Lok Sabha participate in the election of the President and the Vice-President of India. The members of the Lok Sabha also elect a speaker and a deputy speaker from among themselves.
(vi) Amendment Powers: The Constitution Amendment Bill can be introduced in either house of the Parliament. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha together can amend all articles of the Constitution, except those that require special approval by half of several state legislatures.
(vii) Approval of Proclamation of Emergency: The Constitution of India empowers the President to declare three types of emergencies. But every such proclamation of emergency must necessarily be approved by both the Houses within a specified period.
(viii) Some other powers of the Lok Sabha: Along with the above powers, the Lok Sabha performs many other functions-
(a) Approval of ordinances issued by the President.
(b) Changes in the boundaries of states, formation of new states and change in the name of the state.
(c) Change in the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
(d) Changes in the qualifications of members of Parliament and State Legislatures.
(e) Revision of salary and allowances of the members of Parliament.
(f) Establishment of Joint Public Service Commission of Members of Parliament.
After studying the powers and functions of the Lok Sabha, we have concluded that the Lok Sabha is the most powerful house. The Lok Sabha, as the directly elected, National Assembly of Representatives, represents the sovereignty of the people in India.
