THE PARLIAMENT OF INDIA

Overview

• The Parliament consists of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the office of the President
• Any Bill can become an Act only after being passed by both Houses of Parliament
• The Parliament House was designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker in 1912-1913. It was opened in 1927 to house the Council of States, the Central Legislative Assembly and the Chamber of Princes
• The minimum age for membership to the Rajya Sabha is 30 years, while for the Lok Sabha it is 25 years
• It shares legislative powers with the Lok Sabha, except in the case of supply Bills (like Money Bills) where the Lok Sabha has overriding powers
• In the case of conflicting legislation, a joint sitting of the two Houses is held. However, since the Lok Sabha has more than twice as many members as the Rajya Sabha, it holds de facto veto power in such legislations
• The Parliament has its own TV broadcasting stations launched in 2004: Doordarshan Rajya Sabha and Doordarshan Lok Sabha (now known as Lok Sabha TV)
• When the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 Jan 1950, the Constituent Assembly became the Provisional Parliament of India. It remained so until the first elections in 1951
• The business of Parliament is transacted in either Hindi or English. However, the Presiding Officers of the two Houses may permit any member to address the House in his mother tongue

THE RAJYA SABHA (COUNCIL OF STATES)

About the Rajya Sabha

• The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament
• The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is elected from among members. He officiates in the absence of the Chairman
• The first sitting of the Rajya Sabha was held in May 1952

Membership to the Rajya Sabha

• The maximum permissible strength of the Rajya Sabha is 250. Of these 238 members are elected indirectly from the states and Union Territories, and 12 are nominated by the President for their expertise in art, literature, science and social services
• Currently, the strength of the Rajya Sabha is 245. Of these 233 are members elected from states and UTs and 12 are nominated members
• Members from state assemblies are elected using the Single Transferable Vote system
• The provision for nominated members is found in Article 80 of the Constitution

Tenure of the Rajya Sabha

• The Rajya Sabha is a continuous body and is not subject to dissolution
• Members enjoy a tenure of six years
• One-third of the members retire every two years

Functions of the Rajya Sabha

• Acts as a non-partisan forum for full and free debates
• Can originate any Bill, including constitutional amendment Bills, except Money Bills
• Re-evaluates Bills originating in the Lok Sabha in a non-political manner
• Relieves the work of the Lok Sabha in considering Private Bills (Bills that apply to specific individuals or organizations)
• Along with the Lok Sabha, votes on the election of President and Vice-President
• Along with the Lok Sabha, votes on the removal of judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts
• Along with the Lok Sabha, votes for the continued proclamation of Emergency beyond a period of two months
• Acts as the sole de facto and de jure Parliament if the Lok Sabha is dissolved during an Emergency

THE LOK SABHA (HOUSE OF THE PEOPLE)

About the Lok Sabha

• The Lok Sabha is the lower House of Parliament
• The current Lok Sabha is the 15^th Lok Sabha to be constituted
• The first hour of every sitting of the Lok Sabha is called Question Hour, during which questions posed by members may be assigned to specific ministries
• Three sessions of the Lok Sabha are held every year:
• Budget session: February to May
• Monsoon session: July to September
• Winter session: November to December

Membership to the Lok Sabha

• The maximum permissible strength of the Lok Sabha is 552. Of these, 530 are to be chosen by direct election, 20 are to be representatives of Union Territories, and 2 to be nominated Anglo-Indians
• Currently, the strength of the Lok Sabha is 545. Of these, 530 are chosen by direct election, 13 are from Union Territories, and 2 are nominated Anglo-Indians

Tenure of the Lok Sabha

• The Lok Sabha has a tenure of five years, unless dissolved earlier
• The tenure may be extended by a proclamation of Emergency. The Emergency may extend the term of the Lok Sabha in one year increments

Functions of the Lok Sabha

• The Lok Sabha controls the functioning of the Executive, by making the Council of Ministers answerable to it
• The sanctioning of expenditure is the exclusive privilege of the Lok Sabha
• Can originate any Bill, including Money Bills
• Along with the Rajya Sabha, votes on the election of President and Vice-President
• Along with the Rajya Sabha, votes on the removal of judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts
• Along with the Rajya Sabha, votes for the continued proclamation of Emergency beyond a period of two months