State the special powers of the Rajya Sabha.
The special powers of the Rajya Sabha are as follows:
- It has the power to create new All-India services made in the national interest.
- Though the Parliament in normal times does not allow the Rajya Sabha to make laws on State-subjects, it does provide it with some exclusive powers. The Constitution states that under Article 249 of the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha, may by a resolution adopted by two-thirds majority empower the Parliament to make laws with respect to a matter in the State List. The Lok Sabhahas no such power.
- The Rajya Sabha becomes the sole de facto and de jure Parliament if the Lok Sabhais dissolved before or after the declaration of a National Emergency. It takes over the functions of the Parliament and cannot be dissolved.