Indian Union Legislature: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha & Procedures

The Indian Union Legislature: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and Legislative Procedures

The Union Legislature, commonly known as Parliament, is the supreme legislative body of India. It comprises the President, the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha. The primary function of the Union Legislature is to make laws for the country and to scrutinize administrative activities. Let's delve deeper into the composition, elections, and processes involved in the functioning of these two Houses.

Lok Sabha (House of the People)

The Lok Sabha is a democratically elected body of representatives, with members chosen directly by the people through adult suffrage. The maximum strength of the House, as per the Constitution, is 552 members - 530 representing states, 13 from Union Territories, and not more than two nominees to represent the Anglo-Indian community. To ensure fair representation, seats are distributed among states based on their population, with the same ratio applied across all states as much as possible. The term of the Lok Sabha is five years from its first meeting unless dissolved earlier.

Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

The Rajya Sabha, also known as the Council of States, is a permanent body with members selected to represent regional and state interests. It consists of 250 members, including 12 nominated by the President for their special knowledge or practical experience in science, art, literature, social service, or other fields; and up to 238 representatives chosen through indirect elections by elected members of State Legislative Assemblies and Union Territories. Unlike the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha does not face dissolution, and one-third of its members retire every two years. Currently, the Rajya Sabha has 245 seats, with 233 representing the states and union territories and 12 nominated by the President.

Legislative Procedures

In India, both houses must consent to pass any legislation. While the Constitution requires that Parliament's approval is necessary, the will of the Lok Sabha prevails in case of money bills. Delegated legislation is also subjected to review and control by Parliament. The President can initiate constitutional amendment proposals, but they require majority support from both houses before being presented as a bill for ratification by the State Assemblies.

Overall, the Indian Union Legislature plays a crucial role in governance by enacting laws, overseeing administration, passing budgets, addressing public concerns, and maintaining a balance between central and state powers. Understanding these structures and processes helps us appreciate the complexities involved in decision-making within our democratic institutions.