<–2/”>a >Parliament is the central institution through which the will of the people is expressed, laws are passed and government is held to account. It plays a vital role in a Democracy, and endeavours to be truly representative, transparent, accessible, accountable and effective in its many functions. The Parliament has two Houses–Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha is upper House and represents the States of India while the Lok Sabha is lower House.
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha: 0rganisation and Functions;
The Council of States (Rajya Sabha) is the Upper House of our Parliament. It consists of not more than 250 members, out of which, 238 members represent the States and Union territories and 12 members are nominated by the President from amongst the persons having special knowledge and practical experience in respect of such matters as literature, science, art and social service. At present, the actual strength of Rajya Sabha is 245. A permanent body, Rajya Sabha is not subject to Dissolution. However, one-third of its members retire biennially. A member who is elected for a full term retains his membership for six years. He is eligible for re-election. A Member elected/ nominated to a casual vacancy serves for the remainder term only. Members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies in accordance with the system of Proportional Representation by means of single transferable vote.
Lok Sabha is composed of representative of the people chosen by direct election on the basis of adult suffrage. The maximum strength of the House envisaged by the Constitution is 552, upto 530 members to represent the States, up to 20 members to represent the Union Territories and not more than two members of the Anglo-Indian Community to be nominated by the President, if, in his opinion, that community is not adequately represented in the House. The total elective membership is distributed among the States in such a way that the ratio between the number of seats allotted to each State and the Population of the State is, so far as practicable, the same for all States.
The cardinal functions of the Parliament is to oversee the administration, passing of budget, ventilation of public grievances, and discussing various subjects like development plans, international relations, and national policies. The Parliament can, under certain circumstances, assume legislative power with respect to a subject falling within the sphere, exclusively reserved for the states.
The Parliament is also vested with powers to impeach the President, remove judges of Supreme and High Courts, the Chief Election Commissioner, and Comptroller and Auditor General in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Constitution. All legislation requires the Consent of both Houses of Parliament. In the case of Money Bills, the will of the Lok Sabha prevails. The Parliament is also vested with the power to initiate amendments in the Constitution.
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The Union Legislature of India is composed of two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people, while the Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected by the state legislatures.
The Lok Sabha has a maximum strength of 552 members, of which 543 are elected from single-member constituencies and 9 are nominated by the President of India. The Rajya Sabha has a maximum strength of 250 members, of whom 238 are elected by the state legislatures and 12 are nominated by the President of India.
To be eligible to be a member of the Lok Sabha, a person must be a citizen of India, aged 25 years or above, and enrolled as a voter in any constituency in India. To be eligible to be a member of the Rajya Sabha, a person must be a citizen of India, aged 30 years or above, and a member of any legislative assembly or legislative council for at least two years.
The Lok Sabha is elected for a term of five years, while the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body with one-third of its members retiring every two years.
The President of India summons and prorogues both the Houses of Parliament. The President can also dissolve the Lok Sabha, but not the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha is the more powerful house of Parliament. It has the sole power to initiate money bills, and a Money Bill cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha also has the power to pass a vote of no confidence on the government, which can lead to the resignation of the government.
The Rajya Sabha has the power to discuss and pass bills, but its bills can be vetoed by the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha also has the power to advise the government on matters of national importance.
The members of both Houses of Parliament enjoy certain privileges, such as freedom of speech and immunity from arrest.
The Union Legislature is an important part of the Indian government. It is responsible for making laws, approving the budget, and overseeing the functioning of the government. The Union Legislature is also responsible for representing the interests of the people of India.
The Union Legislature is often compared to the US Congress. Both are bicameral legislatures, with one house directly elected by the people and the other house indirectly elected by state legislatures. However, there are also some important differences between the two legislatures. For example, the US Congress has the power to declare war, while the Union Legislature does not. Additionally, the US Congress has the power to impeach the President, while the Union Legislature does not.
Despite these differences, the Union Legislature and the US Congress are both important institutions in their respective countries. They play a vital role in representing the interests of the people and in making laws that affect the lives of their citizens.
What is the Union Legislature?
The Union Legislature is the supreme legislative body of India. It is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
What is the composition of the Lok Sabha?
The Lok Sabha is composed of directly elected members. The number of members is determined by the Delimitation Commission, which is appointed by the President of India. The current strength of the Lok Sabha is 543 members.
What is the composition of the Rajya Sabha?
The Rajya Sabha is composed of members who are elected by the legislative assemblies of the states and union territories. The number of members from each state is determined by its population. The current strength of the Rajya Sabha is 245 members.
What are the powers of the Union Legislature?
The Union Legislature has the power to make laws on all matters except those that are specifically reserved for the states. It also has the power to amend the Constitution.
What are the functions of the Union Legislature?
The functions of the Union Legislature include:
- Making laws
- Approving the budget
- Elect the President and Vice President
- Approve treaties with foreign countries
- Impeachment of the President
What are the differences between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha?
The main differences between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are:
- The Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people, while the Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected by the legislative assemblies of the states and union territories.
- The Lok Sabha has a shorter term of five years, while the Rajya Sabha has a longer term of six years.
- The Lok Sabha has more powers than the Rajya Sabha, as it can pass a money bill without the approval of the Rajya Sabha.
What is the role of the Speaker in the Lok Sabha?
The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha. He/She is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker is responsible for maintaining order in the House and ensuring that the proceedings are conducted in a fair and impartial manner.
What is the role of the Chairman in the Rajya Sabha?
The Chairman is the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha. He/She is elected by the members of the Rajya Sabha. The Chairman is responsible for maintaining order in the House and ensuring that the proceedings are conducted in a fair and impartial manner.
What is the role of the Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha?
The Leader of the House is the chief spokesperson of the government in the Lok Sabha. He/She is usually the leader of the party or coalition that has the majority of seats in the House. The Leader of the House is responsible for managing the business of the House and ensuring that the government’s legislative agenda is passed.
What is the role of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha?
The Leader of the Opposition is the chief spokesperson of the opposition parties in the Lok Sabha. He/She is usually the leader of the largest opposition party in the House. The Leader of the Opposition is responsible for criticizing the government’s policies and for holding the government accountable to the people.
What is the role of the Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha?
The Chief Whip is responsible for ensuring that the members of his/her party or coalition vote in accordance with the party’s whip. The Chief Whip is also responsible for maintaining discipline among the members of his/her party or coalition.
What is the role of the Parliamentary Affairs Minister in the Lok Sabha?
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister is responsible for managing the government’s legislative agenda in the Lok Sabha. He/She is also responsible for liaising between the government and the opposition parties.
What is the role of the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the Lok Sabha?
The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs assists the Parliamentary Affairs Minister in his/her duties. He/She is also responsible for liaising between the government and the opposition parties.
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The Union Legislature is composed of two Houses:
(a) The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha
(b) The Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha
(c) The Rajya Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha
(d) The Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Parishad -
The Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people of India.
(a) True
(b) False -
The Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected by the members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States.
(a) True
(b) False -
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha.
(a) True
(b) False -
The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
(a) True
(b) False -
The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is 552.
(a) True
(b) False -
The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is 250.
(a) True
(b) False -
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha can be removed from office by a resolution passed by the Lok Sabha.
(a) True
(b) False -
The Vice-President of India can be removed from office by a resolution passed by the Rajya Sabha.
(a) True
(b) False -
The President of India can address either House of Parliament or both Houses assembled together.
(a) True
(b) False -
The President of India can send messages to either House of Parliament or both Houses assembled together.
(a) True
(b) False -
The President of India can summon either House of Parliament or both Houses assembled together.
(a) True
(b) False -
The President of India can prorogue either House of Parliament or both Houses assembled together.
(a) True
(b) False -
The President of India can dissolve the Lok Sabha.
(a) True
(b) False -
The Union Government is responsible to the Lok Sabha.
(a) True
(b) False