Parliament and Its Structure in India

Introduction

The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of the country, responsible for making laws and ensuring accountability in governance. It is a bicameral institution consisting of two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), along with the President of India. The structure, functions, and powers of the Parliament are defined in the Constitution of India.

Structure of the Parliament

• Lok Sabha (House of the People)
• Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
• President of India

Lok Sabha (House of the People)

• Composition:
  • The Lok Sabha is composed of representatives directly elected by the people of India.
  • As per Article 81 of the Constitution, the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is 552 members: up to 530 members represent the states, up to 20 members represent the Union Territories, and 2 members may be nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community if deemed necessary (though this provision was abolished by the 104th Amendment Act, 2019).
• Term:
  • The term of the Lok Sabha is five years, unless dissolved earlier.
  • It can be extended during a national emergency by a maximum of one year at a time.
• Qualifications:
  • A member of the Lok Sabha must be a citizen of India, at least 25 years old, and must not hold any office of profit under the government.
• Presiding Officer:
  • The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, elected by its members.
  • The Deputy Speaker assists the Speaker and presides over sessions in their absence.
• Functions and Powers:
  • Legislative Functions: Initiates and passes bills, including money bills.
  • Control over Executive: Holds the government accountable through question hours, debates, and motions.
  • Financial Powers: Controls the financial resources of the country; all money bills originate in the Lok Sabha.
  • Electoral Functions: Participates in the election of the President and Vice President of India.

Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

• Composition:
  • The Rajya Sabha is composed of representatives elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies and Electoral College for Union Territories.
  • The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is 250 members: up to 238 members represent the states and Union Territories, and up to 12 members are nominated by the President for their expertise in literature, science, art, and social service.
• Term:
  • The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution.
  • One-third of its members retire every two years and are eligible for re-election.
• Qualifications:
  • A member of the Rajya Sabha must be a citizen of India, at least 30 years old, and must not hold any office of profit under the government.
• Presiding Officer:
  • The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
  • The Deputy Chairman is elected by the members and presides over sessions in the Chairman's absence.
• Functions and Powers:
  • Legislative Functions: Reviews, amends, and passes bills sent by the Lok Sabha.
  • Control over Executive: Holds discussions and debates on national and international issues.
  • Financial Powers: Can only recommend amendments to money bills, which must be passed by the Lok Sabha.
  • Electoral Functions: Participates in the election of the President and Vice President of India.

President of India

• Role in Parliament:
  • The President is an integral part of the Parliament and plays a crucial role in its functioning.
  • The President summons and prorogues sessions of Parliament and can dissolve the Lok Sabha.
• Legislative Powers:
  • The President's assent is required for a bill to become law.
  • The President can promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session.

Functions of Parliament

• Legislative Functions:
  • Law-making: Parliament enacts, amends, and repeals laws.
  • Debating Policies: Discusses and debates policies and issues of national importance.
• Control over Executive:
  • Question Hour: Members question ministers about their work.
  • Zero Hour: Members raise issues without prior notice.
  • Motions and Resolutions: Include adjournment motions, no-confidence motions, and censure motions to hold the government accountable.
• Financial Functions:
  • Budget: Parliament approves the Union Budget, including the allocation of funds and taxation policies.
  • Money Bills: Lok Sabha has the primary power to pass money bills.
• Electoral Functions:
  • Parliament participates in the election of the President and Vice President.
  • It also plays a role in the removal of judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts through impeachment.
• Judicial Functions:
  • Parliament can impeach the President and remove judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
  • It can also punish members for breach of privilege or contempt of the House.

Legislative Process

• Introduction of Bills:
  • Bills can be introduced in either House, except money bills, which must originate in the Lok Sabha.
  • Bills can be classified as government bills or private member bills.
• Stages of Bill Passage:
  • First Reading: Introduction of the bill and its referral to a committee.
  • Second Reading: Detailed examination, debate, and voting on each clause.
  • Third Reading: Final debate and voting on the bill as a whole.
  • Passage in the Second House: The bill follows the same process in the other House.
  • Presidential Assent: The bill becomes law after receiving the President's assent.
• Money Bills:
  • Only the Lok Sabha can introduce and pass money bills.
  • The Rajya Sabha can recommend amendments but cannot reject or amend money bills.
• Joint Sitting:
  • In case of a deadlock between the two Houses, the President can summon a joint sitting to resolve the issue.

Committees of Parliament

• Standing Committees:
  • Permanent committees like the Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee, and Committee on Public Undertakings.
• Ad Hoc Committees:
  • Temporary committees appointed for a specific purpose, such as Select Committees and Joint Committees on Bills.
• Departmentally Related Standing Committees:
  • These committees oversee specific ministries and departments, scrutinize their functioning, and report on policies and programs.

Importance of Parliamentary Committees

• Detailed Examination:
  • Committees allow for detailed scrutiny of legislation and policies.
  • They provide expert opinions and in-depth analysis.
• Effective Oversight:
  • Committees ensure executive accountability and transparency.
  • They review the implementation of policies and programs.
• Informed Decision-making:
  • Committees facilitate informed discussions and decisions in Parliament.
  • They help in building consensus on complex issues.

Challenges and Reforms

• Challenges:
  • Disruptions and Adjournments: Frequent disruptions hamper legislative work.
  • Lack of Debates: Insufficient time for detailed debates on important issues.
  • Decline in Committee System: Underutilization and politicization of committees.
• Reforms:
  • Strengthening Committees: Enhancing the role and functioning of parliamentary committees.
  • Reducing Disruptions: Implementing rules to minimize disruptions and ensure productive sessions.
  • Enhancing Transparency: Increasing transparency in legislative processes and decision-making.

Conclusion

The Parliament of India is the cornerstone of the country's democratic system, playing a pivotal role in law-making, governance, and accountability. Understanding its structure, functions, legislative processes, and the challenges it faces is crucial for civil services aspirants. Strengthening the functioning of Parliament and its committees is essential for ensuring effective governance, transparency, and the upholding of democratic values in India.