Indian Parliament's Legislative Process Overview

Overview of Indian Parliament's Legislative Process

The Indian Parliament is made up of two houses — Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and Lok Sabha (House of People). Legislation in India follows a strict and regimented process, which ensures transparency and accountability. Here is how it works:

1. A bill is introduced by either one of the two Houses of Parliament or even the President. Bills can be classified into three categories depending upon their nature — Money Bill, Ordinary Bill, Constitutional Amendment Bill. Each category has its own unique procedure.

2. Once a bill is introduced, it needs to be referred to a committee for scrutiny before further action is taken. This committee comprises members from both Houses and is tasked with studying all aspects of the bill. It can suggest changes to the bill, after which it goes back to the House where it was originally introduced. If the House agrees with these suggestions, they are incorporated; if they don’t agree, they may send it back to the committee again.

3. After this stage, another round of discussion takes place where each house debates the merits of the bill. At the end of this debate, the final vote is taken. For an ordinary bill to become law, both Houses have to pass it. In case there is disagreement between the two Houses, the President gets involved and decides whether the bill becomes law.

4. Finally, once a bill passes through all stages of parliamentary process, it becomes an act. From hereon, acts are enforced across the country and any deviations from them could result in legal repercussions.

This legislative system is designed so that every aspect of a bill is thoroughly examined and discussed, leading to more thorough laws being passed. Despite its complexity, this system represents a robust method for ensuring good governance in India.