Supreme Legislative Body: The Parliament is the legislative organ of a Union government and the Parliament of India is its supreme legislative body.
It occupies a pre-eminent and central position in the Indian democratic political system due to the adoption of the Parliamentary form of Government (‘Westminster’ model of government).
First Parliament: The first general elections under the new Constitution of India were held during the year 1951-52 and the first elected Parliament came into existence in April, 1952.
Constitutional Provisions: Articles 79 to 122 in Part V of the Constitution deal with the organisation, composition, duration, officers, procedures, privileges and powers of the Parliament.
Frame of Reference for Parliament: The framers of the Indian Constitution relied on the British pattern for Parliament rather than the American pattern.
The President is not an integral part of the legislature in the USA, however, in India, it is.
Organs of Parliament
Rajya Sabha (The Council of States):
About: It is the Upper House (Second Chamber or House of Elders) and it represents the states and union territories of the Indian Union.
The Rajya Sabha is called the permanent House of the Parliament as it is never fully dissolved.
The IV Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the states and UTs.
Composition: The maximum strength of Rajya Sabha is 250 ( out of which 238 members are representatives of the states & UTs (elected indirectly) and 12 are nominated by the President).
Current strength of the house is 245, 229 members represent the states, 4 members represent the UTs and 12 are nominated by the president.
Election of Representatives: The representatives of states are elected by the members of state legislative assemblies.
The representatives of each UT in the Rajya Sabha are indirectly elected by members of an electoral college specially constituted for the purpose.
Only three UTs (Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir) have representation in Rajya Sabha (others don’t have enough population).
The members nominated by the President are those who have special knowledge or practical experience in art, literature, science and social service.
The rationale is to provide eminent persons a place in the house without going through elections.
Functions: Rajya Sabha has an important role of reviewing and altering the laws initiated by the Lok Sabha.
It can also initiate legislation and a bill is required to pass through the Rajya Sabha in order to become a law.
Power:
State Related Matters: The Rajya Sabha provides representation to the States. Therefore, any matter that affects the States must be referred to it for its consent and approval.
If the Union Parliament wishes to remove/transfer a matter from the State list, the approval of the Rajya Sabha is necessary.
Lok Sabha (The House of the People):
About: It is the Lower House (First Chamber or Popular House and it represents the people of India as a whole.
Composition: The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is fixed at 550 out of which 530 members are to be the representatives of the states and 20 of the UTs.
The current strength of Lok Sabha is 543, out of which 530 members represent the states and 13 represent the UTs.
Earlier, the President also nominated two members from the Anglo-Indian community, but by the 95th Amendment Act, 2009, this provision was valid till 2020 only.
Election of Representatives: The representatives of states are directly elected by the people from the territorial constituencies in the states.
By the Union Territories (Direct Election to the House of the People) Act, 1965, the members of Lok Sabha from the UTs are chosen by direct election.
Functions: One of the most important functions of the Lok Sabha is to select the executive, a group of persons who work together to implement the laws made by the Parliament.
This executive is often what we have in mind when we use the term government.
Powers:
Decisions in Joint Sitting: Any ordinary law needs to be passed by both the Houses.
However, in case of any difference between the two Houses, the final decision is taken by calling a joint session of both the Houses.
Due to a larger strength, the view of the Lok Sabha is likely to prevail in such a meeting.
Power in Money Matters: Lok Sabha exercises more powers in money matters. Once the Lok Sabha passes the budget of the government or any other money related law, the Rajya Sabha cannot reject it.
The Rajya Sabha can only delay it by 14 days or suggest changes in it, however, the former may or may not accept these changes.
Power over Council of Ministers: The Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers.
If the majority of the Lok Sabha members say they have ‘no confidence’ in the Council of Ministers, all ministers including the Prime Minister, have to quit.
The Rajya Sabha does not have this power.
President:
About: The President of India is not a member of either of the Houses and does not sit in the Parliament to attend its meetings but s/he is an integral part of the Parliament.
S/He is the head of the state and is the highest formal authority in the country.
Appointment: The elected Members of Parliament (MPs) and the elected Members of the Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) elect the President of India.
Powers:
Assent for Passing a Bill: A bill passed by both the Houses of Parliament cannot become law without the President’s assent.
Summoning and Prorogation of Houses: He has the power to summon and prorogue both the Houses, dissolve the Lok Sabha and issue ordinances when the Houses are not in session.
Membership of Parliament
Qualifications:
Rajya Sabha: S/He should be a citizen of India and at least 30 years of age.
S/He should make an oath or affirmation stating that s/he will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India.
According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, s/he should be registered as a voter in the State from which s/he is seeking election to the Rajya Sabha.
However, in 2003, a provision was made declaring, any Indian citizen can contest the Rajya Sabha elections irrespective of the State in which s/he resides.
Lok Sabha: S/He should be not less than 25 years of age.
S/He should declare through an oath or affirmation that s/he has true faith and allegiance in the Constitution and that a/he will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India.
S/He must possess such other qualifications as may be laid down by the Parliament by law and must be registered as a voter in any constituency in India.
Person contesting from the reserved seat should belong to the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe as the case may be.
Disqualifications:
On Constitutional Grounds:
If s/he holds any office of profit under the Union or state government (except that of a minister or any other office exempted by Parliament).
If s/he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a court.
If s/he is an undischarged insolvent.
If s/he is not (or not anymore) a citizen of India.
If s/he is disqualified under any law made by Parliament.
Found guilty of certain election offences/corrupt practices in the elections.
Convicted for any offence resulting in imprisonment for two or more years (detention under a preventive detention law is not a disqualification).
Has been dismissed from government service for corruption or disloyalty to the State.
Convicted for promoting enmity between different groups or for the offence of bribery.
Punished for preaching and practising social crimes such as untouchability, dowry and sati.
Tenure:
Rajya Sabha: Every member of Rajya Sabha enjoys a safe tenure of six years.
One-third of its members retire after every two years. They are entitled to contest again for the membership.
Lok Sabha: The normal term of Lok Sabha is five years. But the President, on the advice of the Council of Ministers, may dissolve it before the expiry of five years.
In the case of national emergency, its term can be extended for one year at a time. But it will not exceed six months after the emergency is over.
Officials:
Rajya Sabha: The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. S/He presides over the meetings of Rajya Sabha.
In his absence the Deputy Chairman (elected by its members from amongst themselves) presides over the meeting of the House.
S/He remains the Speaker even after Lok Sabha is dissolved till the next House elects a new Speaker in her/his place.
In the speaker’s absence, a Deputy Speaker (elected by the House) presides over the meetings.
Powers/Functions of Parliament
Legislative Functions: Only Parliament can make laws on the subjects of the Union List. Along with the State Legislatures, the Parliament is empowered to make laws on the Concurrent List.
In a subject not mentioned in any list, the residuary powers are vested with the Parliament.
Financial Functions: It is the custodian of the public money. The Government can neither impose any tax on the public nor spend the money without the approval of the Parliament.
The budget is approved by the Parliament every year.
Electoral Functions: It participates in the election of the President of India and also elects the Vice-President.
The Lok Sabha elects its Speaker and Deputy Speaker and the Rajya Sabha elects its Deputy Chairman.
Power of Removal: Certain high functionaries may be removed from office on the initiative of the Parliament.
It can remove the President, Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts through impeachment for violation of the Constitution.
Amendment of the Constitution: Most of the parts of the Constitution can be amended by the Parliament by special majority.
Certain provisions can only be amended by the Parliament with the approval of States.
The government always takes these motions very seriously because the government’s policies are criticized severely and their likely impact on the electorate whom the government would have to face ultimately.
