A Parliament is the highest legislative body in a democratic nation. It is responsible for making, amending, and repealing laws, as well as overseeing the work of the government. Parliament is also a forum for debate on public issues and a way for citizens to hold their elected representatives accountable. Parliament is important in a democratic nation for some reasons.
First, it is the people’s voice. Parliament is made up of elected representatives, who are chosen by the people to represent their interests. This means that Parliament is a direct way for citizens to have a say in how their country is run. Second, Parliament is a check on the power of the government. Parliament has the power to pass laws that can hold the government accountable and prevent it from abusing its power. Parliament can also remove the government from power if it loses the confidence of the people. Third, Parliament is a forum for debate and discussion. Parliament is a place where different viewpoints on public issues can be debated and discussed.
This helps to ensure that all sides of an issue are considered before decisions are made. Fourth, Parliament is a way to protect the rights of minorities. Parliament can pass laws that protect the rights of minorities and ensure that everyone is treated fairly under the law.
The Parliament of India has played a vital role in the development of India into a democratic and prosperous nation. It has passed many landmark laws that have had a positive impact on the lives of millions of people. The Parliament of India is a respected institution that is known for its independence and its commitment to the rule of law. After India gained independence in 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India was elected to draft a new constitution for the country.
The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India on November 26, 1949, which came into force on January 26, 1950. The Constitution established a bicameral legislature consisting of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People).
Historical Background of the Sansad
The history of the Parliament of India can be traced back to the British colonial period. In 1861, the British government established the Indian Legislative Council, a consultative body with limited legislative powers. The council was gradually expanded over the years.
In 1919, the British government introduced the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, which established a bicameral legislature consisting of the Imperial Legislative Council and the Central Legislative Assembly. The Imperial Legislative Council was the upper house, and the Central Legislative Assembly was the lower house.
The Government of India Act, of 1935, introduced further reforms and established a federal legislature consisting of the Federal Assembly and the Council of State. The Federal Assembly was the lower house, and the Council of State was the upper house. The Federal Assembly was elected by the people, but the Council of State comprised nominated and elected members.
After India gained independence in 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India was elected to draft a new constitution for the country. The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India on November 26, 1949, which came into force on January 26, 1950. The Constitution established a bicameral legislature consisting of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People).
The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of Parliament, and it consists of 245 members. Of these, 233 members are elected by the state and union territory legislatures, and 12 members are nominated by the President of India for their expertise in various fields.
The term of the Rajya Sabha is 6 years, with one-third of the members retiring every 2 years. The Lok Sabha is the lower house of Parliament, and it consists of 552 members. Of these, 543 members are directly elected by the people from single-member constituencies, and 9 members are nominated by the President of India to represent the Anglo-Indian community. The term of the Lok Sabha is 5 years unless it is dissolved earlier by the President.
Samvidhan Sadan, the previous name for the Parliament Building, is in New Delhi. As the building that would house the Central Legislative Assembly, the Council of State, and the Chamber of Princes, it was created by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, who were given this responsibility by the British government. The structure took six years to complete, and Lord Irwin, the viceroy and governor-general of India, officiated at the opening ceremony on January 18, 1927.
The building’s construction cost ₹ 83 Lakhs (USD 100,000). It is a location with historical significance. In the Central Hall, the Indian Constitution was written. The Central Hall was first utilized as the library for the Council of States and the former Central Legislative Assembly. It was transformed into the Constituent Assembly Hall in 1946 after extensive renovations.
The New Beginnings!
On May 28, 2023, a new parliament building was earmarked. The 85-year-old building is too small to accommodate members and their employees, and structural problems are likely present as well. Due to the building’s heritage designation, it must also be conserved. The new structure makes the best use of available space, with a built-up area of roughly 65,000 square meters and a striking triangle design. It has a larger Rajya Sabha hall with room for 384 seats and an expanded Lok Sabha hall with 888 seats, with the Lok Sabha having the capacity to hold 1,272 seats for joint sessions of Parliament.
The new Sansad Bhavan represents India’s dedication to environmental sustainability as a “Platinum-rated Green Building”. It highlights Indian heritage while combining the vitality and diversity of contemporary India as well as its artistic and artisanal traditions from various regions. According to the official website, the new Parliament is “divyang-friendly” (handicapped-friendly), ensuring accessibility, and allowing individuals with disabilities to move about freely inside its grounds.
On December 10, 2020, the new Parliament building’s foundation was laid, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi officiated at the groundbreaking event. The new structure was dedicated in 2023 at a cost of approximately $9.71 billion. On September 19, 2023, the New Parliament’s inaugural meeting began, on the auspicious occasion of the Ganesh Chaturthi. Speakers from both houses of parliament, including the Vice President of India, the Prime Minister of India, the head of the ruling party in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs of India, and the leader of the opposition in both houses, gave introductory remarks during the joint session to honour the occasion.
The Composition of the Sansad
The president of India serves as the head of both the Lok Sabha (“House of the People” – Lower House) and the Rajya Sabha (“Council of the States” – Upper House), the two houses that make up the Indian Parliament.
The President of India
The head of state of the Republic of India is the President. The President serves as both the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces and the formal head of the executive branch of government. When India’s constitution went into effect on January 26, 1950, it established a republic with the office of president as its chief executive.
The legislative assemblies of each of India’s states and territories, as well as both chambers of the Indian Parliament, which were all chosen directly by the people, are used to elect the President indirectly. Before giving the bills his or her seal of approval, the President is required by Articles 60 and 111 of the constitution to make sure that the laws enacted by the Parliament are in line with the charter and that the prescribed method has been followed.
The Lok Sabha (Lower House)
The lower house, or Lok Sabha (House of the People), has 543 members. Based on the universal adult franchise, members are chosen directly by Indian residents to represent parliamentary seats all around the nation. In addition, the president of India nominated two more members of the Anglo-Indian community between 1952 and 2020 on the recommendation of the Indian government, which was disbanded in January 2020 by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019.
Voting for Lok Sabha members is open to all Indian citizens over the age of 18, regardless of gender, caste, religion, or colour, as long as they are not otherwise barred from doing so. According to the constitution, the Lower House may have a maximum of 550 members. It has a five-year term. A person must be an Indian citizen, 25 years of age or older, mentally sound, not bankrupt, and have never been convicted of a crime to be eligible for membership in the Lok Sabha.
The total elective membership is divided among the states in a fashion that, to the greatest extent possible, maintains a constant ratio between the number of seats assigned to each state and its population. 47 seats and 84 seats, respectively, are set aside for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes out of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha.
The Rajya Sabha (Upper House)
The Rajya Sabha is an unbreakable body that never dissolves. Every two years, one-third of the members retire, and their positions are filled by freshly elected individuals. Each member is chosen to serve a six-year term. Members of the state legislatures who serve on it indirectly elect its members. There are a maximum of 250 members in the Rajya Sabha.
Currently, it is authorised to have 250 members, of whom 238 are elected from the states and union territories and 12 are presidentially selected. The population of a state determines how many representatives it will have. The Rajya Sabha requires applicants to be at least 30 years old. Rajya Sabha does not have any caste-based reservations.
The Parliament of India holds 3 sessions in a year:
- Budget Session: The Budget Session is the longest session of the year and usually begins in February and ends in May. During the Budget Session, the government presents the annual budget to the Parliament for approval. The Parliament also discusses and passes various bills during the Budget Session.
- Monsoon Session: The Monsoon Session usually begins in July and ends in September. During the Monsoon Session, the Parliament discusses and passes various bills, including those that are related to the implementation of the budget. The Parliament also oversees the work of the government and holds it accountable to the people during the Monsoon Session.
- Winter Session: The Winter Session usually begins in November and ends in December. During the Winter Session, the Parliament discusses and passes various bills, including those that are related to the upcoming budget. The Parliament also oversees the work of the government and holds it accountable to the people during the Winter Session.
In addition to these three regular sessions, the Parliament of India may also hold special sessions if required. Special sessions are usually held to discuss important issues or to pass urgent bills.
The Powers of the Sansad
The respective powers of the Parliament of India are divided into three categories: legislative, executive, and financial.
Legislative powers
The Parliament of India has the power to make laws on any subject that is enumerated in the Union List or the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. The Union List contains subjects of national importance, such as defence, foreign affairs, and currency. The Concurrent List contains subjects of common interest to the Union and the states, such as education, health, and criminal law. The states have exclusive power to make laws on subjects that are enumerated in the State List.
The Parliament of India also has the power to amend the Constitution of India. However, any amendment to the Constitution must be passed by both houses of Parliament by a majority of two-thirds of the members present and voting, and it must also be ratified by half of the state legislatures.
Below are some examples of the legislative powers of the Parliament of India:
- To make laws on defence, foreign affairs, and currency.
- To make laws on education, health, and criminal law.
- To amend the Constitution of India.
- To create new states and union territories.
- To impeach the President of India, the Chief Justice of India, and other judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
Executive powers
The Parliament of India has the power to oversee the work of the Union Government and to hold it accountable to the people. Parliament exercises this power through various mechanisms, such as question hour, zero hour, and calling attention notices. Parliament can also pass a motion of no confidence against the government, which, if passed, will lead to the resignation of the government.
Here are some examples of the executive powers of the Parliament of India:
- To oversee the work of the Union Government and to hold it accountable to the people.
- To pass a motion of no confidence against the government.
- To approve the appointment of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Chief Election Commissioner.
- To remove the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Chief Election Commissioner from office.
Financial powers
The Parliament of India has the power to approve the annual budget of the Union Government. Parliament also has the power to levy taxes and to distribute the revenue between the Union and the states.
Here are some examples of the financial powers of the Parliament of India:
- To approve the annual budget of the Union Government.
- To levy taxes and to distribute the revenue between the Union and the states.
- To borrow money on the security of the Consolidated Fund of India.
- To guarantee loans given by the Union Government to foreign governments or to state governments.
Thus, with all that said, we can wholeheartedly conclude that the Parliament of India is essential to the functioning of Indian democracy. It is a way for the people to have a say in how their country is run, to hold the government accountable, and to protect the rights of all citizens. Time and again, the Parliament of India has played a vital role in promoting democracy and development in India. It is a respected institution that is known for its independence and its commitment to the rule of law.