Parliament of India

Meaning of the word ‘Parliament’ -- is a

word derived from the French expression
parlement which means ‘speaking’, and
Latin word ‘parliamentum’ which means
‘talking. It has come to mean ‘meeting for
discussion’.
Different Names of Legislature
In India Parliament is known as Sansad.
Other nations have their own names viz.
Diet in Japan, Congress in US, Knesset in
Israel.
Basic Characteristics of Parliament
India has borrowed this nomenclature from
England and has adopted what is called as
‘Westminster model of parliamentary system’
but Indian Sansad has its unique set of
characteristics such as
1.Union Parliament is non-sovereign
2.Representation to both the Houses is given
on the basis of population
3.Provision of joint sitting of both the Houses
4.Provision of nomination in both the Houses
Composition
Basic Principle of Composition:
Bicameralism means that Parliament/
Legislature shall have two houses, one
representing people and other representing
units of federation (states) to ensure the
federal system of government.
Components:
Lok Sabha (The House of People/ Lower
House)
Rajya Sabha (Council of States/ Upper
House)
President is an integral part of Parliament
 Lok Sabha
The Lower house and the First Chamber of the Union –
PARLIAMENT is LOKASABHA. The members of LOKASABHA are
directly elected by the people. The present membership of the
LOKASABHA is 547. Out of this 520 members were elected from
the Union territories and the rest 2 members were nominated
from the Anglo-Indian communities. Each State and Union
territory is allotted certain seats for this purpose. The Constitution
amendment of 1989 has reduced the voting age of the votes from
21 to 18 years. The normal life of the LOKASABHA is Five National
emergency, Its term may be extended to years from the feature of
its first meeting But incase of Six years. But not beyond Six
months after he emergency has seated to operate.
 The LOKASABHA may be dissolved earlier by the president of
Indian, If the situation permits. The Constitution prescribes
certain qualifications for the members of LOKASABHA , Such
qualifications are :->
He must be a citizens of India.
He must be above 25 years age.
He must not be an undischarged insolvent.
He must not old any office of profit under any Government.
He must not be of unsound mind.
He should not have been convicted by a court of law for any
offence.
He must passes such other qualifications as prescribed by the
PARLIAMENT under the peoples representation act of 1950-51.
Lok sabha
 The Presiding officer of the LOKASABHA is Speaker . The
Deputy Presiding Officer of the LOKASABHA is known as Deputy
Speaker. The Quorum of the house is 1/10th of the total members
of the house. A member can loose his membership , if he/she
remain absent 60days continuously, The Speaker has the “Casting
Vote” incase of a tie.
The Upper house of the Union PARLINENT is
known as the Council of States or “RAJYASABHA” . The
RAJYASABHA consists of 250 members, out of that 12 members are
nominated by the President from among persons who have
distinguished themselves in the field of Arts, Science, Literature,
Social Science and 238 members are elected from the States. The
RAJYASABHA is a permanent house but its member are elected for
term of Six years in accordance with the system of proportional
representation by means of single transferable vote by the
Legislative Assembly of the States. One third of its members are
retire in every 2nd year. The Vice-President is the Chairman of the
house.
 However, the RAJYASABHA elects a Deputy Chairman from
among its members, like LOKASABHA its Quorum is 1/10th of
its total members, to become the members of the house a
particular person must possesses the following qualifications.
Such qualifications are :-
He must be a citizen of India.
He must have attained the age of 30 years.
He must not be an undischarged insolvent.
He should not hold any office of profit under any
Government.
He must not be a member of the LOKASABHA or any State
Legislature.
He should not have been convicted by a court of law for any
offence.
He must possesses such other Qualification as prescribed
under the peoples representation act of 1950-51.
RAJYASABHA
parliament as the supreme legislative organ of the state, Generally
performs the following important functions such as -
Law making power -> The parliament of India it has the power to Make
law over union list , state list and concurrent list under
conation cuncumstances parliament generally makes law oven
state list such cincumstances are –
• Under Article 249 of the Indian constitution if 2/3 rd majonity of
Rajyasabha pass a resolution an national interest then the union
parliament can legistate any matter included the statelist.

(2)During declaration of national emergency and presidence rule in a

state, the parliament also makes law over state list.

(3)If two or more states jointly passes resolutions in state legislature

and request the center to make law for them.

(4)For implementation of international law over state list.

 Incase of disagreement between two houses of union parliament
the constitution supparts the provision of joint session of parliament in this
session the opinion of lokasabhu prevails oven Rajyasabha.
Control over the executive -> In a parliament system the executive is always
responsible to the legislature under article 75 of the Indian constitution the
council of ministers collectivly remain responsible to the parliament, particularly
to the LOKASABHA for its act of commission and omission the members of
parliament generaly control the works of council of ministers by different
methods. It has power to pass the vote of no confidence motion against the council
of ministers. If the council of ministers are defeated in the LOKASABHA then the
whole council of ministers have to resign the parliament also has power to control
the executive by the process of cut motion. Adjournment motion and vote of
censure. The members of the house can put questions to various ministers
regarding their department.
Control over finance -> In parliamentary system legislature are exercises control
over finance. It generaly passes the annual Budget and supply has power to impose
taxes upon the general people. Its committees like estimate committees and public
accounts committees also control the finance of the nation.
Electoral Function -> In India parliament also exercises certain electoral
functions. The members of both houses of union parliament generaly elect the
president and the vice-president of India. The members of LOKASABHA has the
power to elect the speaker and the deputy speaker. The members of RAJYASABHA
also elect the deputy chairman.
Judicial functions - > The parliament of India also possesses certain Judicial
functions. It can initiate impeachment motion against important authorities of
the state. Among them president , chief Justice and Judges of both supreme courts
and high courts , chief election commissions And chairman of union public
service commission are included. The parliament also start breach of privilege
motion against any person or any editor of newspapers if such person or editor
vow let the fundamental rules of the house.
Constituent functions - > Both houses of union parliament participate in the
commandment of the constitution some amendment bill require simple majority
whole some require a special majority. Beside some require ratification by half of
the states. This has been explained in article 368 of the Indian constitution.
Ventilation of public - > The parliament is the mirror of the state. The public
opinion of the nation are reflected in the house always by the members. It solves
different problem of the people. It can check the activities of the government
official. So as a whole parliament represents the public opinion.
In the present period due to rigid party discipline and cabinet
dictatorship, the role of parliament decreased, but still then it act as a real wheel
of nations economic progress.
 YO U
A N K
T H Sruthymol.s
1Ind Year B.Ed (Social
Science)
Roll No : 49
College of Teachers
Education