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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