Indian Polity and Governance

The Speaker of Lok Sabha appoints committees and nominates members to them. This power is derived from Article 98 and the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. The Speaker plays a key role in committee composition to ensure balanced representation and effective functioning of parliamentary committees.

The salary and allowances of the Governor are charged on the Consolidated Fund of the State (Article 158(3)). This means these expenditures are not voted upon by the state legislature and are automatically available to ensure the Governor can function independently without financial constraints. The Consolidated Fund of India is for central expenditures.

A Supreme Court judge can only be removed through impeachment under Article 124(4) and the Judges Inquiry Act. The process begins in either House, is investigated by a judicial committee, and requires a 2/3 majority present and voting plus absolute majority of total membership. The President then issues the removal order after this parliamentary process.

When a state legislature is dissolved or suspended under President's Rule (Article 356), the Parliament can assume the law-making power for that state. This allows the Union Parliament to make laws for that state even on subjects normally in the State List. The President or State Government does not gain law-making powers in this situation.

Under Article 164 of the Constitution, the council of ministers in a state is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly (the lower house). This means they must maintain the confidence of the Assembly. The Legislative Council (upper house) cannot remove the ministry, and the governor's role is largely ceremonial.

The Governor of a state has the constitutional authority to nominate one representative of the Anglo-Indian community to the State Legislative Assembly. This is similar to the President's power to nominate Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha. The Speaker or Chief Minister does not have this nomination power.

The Finance Commission is a constitutional body appointed by the President under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution. It recommends the distribution of financial resources between the Union and the States, and is constituted every five years. Article 280 specifically deals with the Finance Commission's constitution and duties.

The National Development Council includes the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of states, Administrators of Union Territories, and Union Cabinet Ministers. State Governors are not members as they hold constitutional positions rather than executive political roles.

India follows a parliamentary system where the President is the constitutional head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government and exercises executive powers. The President's role is largely ceremonial.

According to Article 94 of the Constitution, the Lok Sabha Speaker can be removed only by a resolution passed by a majority of all then-members of the Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister, President, and Rajya Sabha do not have the power to remove the Speaker.

Under Article 156 of the Indian Constitution, Governors hold office during the pleasure of the President. This means they can be removed by the President at any time without needing to give reasons. The Speaker, Prime Minister, and Election Commissioners do not serve 'during the pleasure' of the President.

Article 108 of the Indian Constitution states that the President shall summon a joint sitting of both Houses to resolve disagreements on ordinary bills. The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over such sessions, but only the President has the constitutional authority to summon them. This is a crucial provision for legislative deadlock resolution.

The President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies, not by the Council of Ministers. The Council's actual roles include policy formulation, inter-departmental coordination, and advisory functions for appointments.

The head of the Punjab School Education Board is designated as the Chairman, not Chancellor (typically used for universities) or Vice-Chancellor (also a university title). This terminology is consistent with state education boards across India.

Article 331 of the Constitution originally allowed the President to nominate up to 2 Anglo-Indians to the Lok Sabha. This provision was intended to give representation to the Anglo-Indian community during the early years of the Republic. Note: This provision was discontinued by the 104th Amendment Act (2020).