Rajya
Sabha
Lok Sabha
Functions of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Parliament of India
The country has a bicameral parliament including the Rajya Sabha
(Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The
memebers of Lok Sabha are elected directly by all eligible voters
and sits for 5 years unless dissolved earlier. The legislatures of
the states and union territories elect 233 members to the Rajya
Sabha, and the president appoints another 12. The elected members
of the Rajya Sabha serve 6-year terms, with one-third up for
election every 2 years. The Lok Sabha consists of 545 members; 543
are directly elected to 5-year terms. The other two are appointed.
National and state elections are ordinarily held every five years,
although they may be postponed in an emergency and may be held
more frequently if the government loses a confidence vote.
Rajya
Sabha
The Rajya Sabha consists of 245 members. Of these, 233 represent
states and union territories and 12 members are nominated by the
President. Elections to the Rajya Sabha are indirect; members are
elected by the elected members of Legislative Assemblies of the
concerned states. The Rajya Sabha is not subject to dissolution,
one third of its members retire every second year.
The allotted quota of the representatives of each State are
elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly of that State,
in accordance with the system of proportional representation by
means of a single transferable vote. The nominated members are
persons with special knowledge or practical experience in
literature, science, art and social service. The Rajya Sabha is
presided over by the Vice-President of India.
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Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha is composed of representatives of the people chosen
by direct election on the basis of universal adult suffrage. As of
today, the Lok Sabha consists of 545 members with two members
nominated by the President to represent the Anglo-Indian
Community. Unless dissolved under unusual circumstances, the term
of the Lok Sabha is five years. The Lok Sabha elects its own
presiding officer, the Speaker.
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Functions
of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
The main function of both the Houses is to pass laws. Every Bill
has to be passed by both the Houses and assented to by the
President before it becomes law. The subjects over which
Parliament can legislate are the subjects mentioned under the
Union List in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.
Broadly speaking, Union subjects are those important subjects
which for reasons of convenience, efficiency and security are
administered on all-lndia basis. The principal Union subjects are
Defence, Foreign Affairs, Railways, Transport and Communications,
Currency and Coinage, Banking, Customs and Excise Duties. There
are numerous other subjects on which both Parliament and State
Legislatures can legislate. Under this category mention may be
made of economic and social planning, social security and
insurance, labour welfare, price control and vital statistics.
Besides passing laws, Parliament can by means of resolutions,
motions for adjournment, discussions and questions addressed by
members to Ministers exercise control over the administration of
the country and safeguard people's liberties.
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