The powers and status of the council are broadly equal to that of the assembly in following instances:

· Introduction and passage of ordinary bills. However, in case of disagreement between the two Houses, the will of the assembly prevails over that of the council.

· Approval of ordinances issued by the governor.

· Selection of ministers including the chief minister. Under the Constitution, the ministers including the chief minister can be members of either House of the state legislature. However, irrespective of their membership, they are responsible only to the assembly.

Hence statement 2 is correct.

· Consideration of the reports of the constitutional bodies like State Finance Commission, state public service commission and Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

· Enlargement of the jurisdiction of the state public service commission. Hence statement 3 is correct.

The council does not participate in the election of the President of India. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.

Postal Ballot

It is a type of voting whereby Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot Papers (ETBP) are distributed to electors and returned by post. Service voters are eligible for ETBP or through proxy voters. It includes-

● Member of Armed forces of the Union

● Members of Armed Forces to which Army Act, 1950 applies

● Members of State Armed Police Forces serving outside the state

● Government of India employee posted outside India

For contesting an election as a candidate, a person must be registered as a voter. Sec 4 (d) of Representation of People Act, 1951 precludes a person from contesting unless he is an elector in any parliamentary constituency. Section 5 (c) of Representation of People Act, 1951 has a similar provision for Assembly Constituencies.

Sections 4 and 5 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 provides that the members of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe can also contest for the seat not reserved for scheduled caste or scheduled tribe.

Article 169(1) of the Constitution allows Parliament to either create or abolish a Council in a state “if the Legislative Assembly of the State passes a resolution to that effect.

The resolution must by a majority of the total membership of the Assembly and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Assembly present and voting.

Hence, option C is correct.

One third members of the members of this House are elected by the Legislative Assembly, one third are elected by the local bodies, one-twelfth of the members are elected by graduates, one twelfth of the members are elected by teachers and one-sixth members are nominated by the governor.