Key Features of Indian Parliament
Key Features of Indian Parliament :- The Indian Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India. It is a bicameral legislature, meaning it has two houses – the Lok Sabha (lower house) and the Rajya Sabha (upper house). The Indian Parliament is responsible for making laws and regulations, approving the government budget, and overseeing the work of the executive branch.
Some of the salient features of the Indian Parliament are as follows:
- Key Features of Indian Parliament
- 1. Composition of Lok Sabha
- 2. Composition of Rajya Sabha
- 3. Tenure of members
- 4. Powers of the Parliament
- 5. Role of Speaker
- 6. Role of chairman
- 7. Committees of parliament
- 8. Quorum
- 9. Parliamentary procedure
- 10. Question hour
- 11. Zero hour
- 12. Proposal
- 13. Joint sitting
- 14. Parliamentary privilege
- 15. Budget session
- 16. Private Members’ Bills
- 17. Pro-tem speaker
- 18. Parliamentary committees
- 19. Parliamentary secretariat
- 20. Parliamentary diplomacy
1. Composition of Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha consists of 545 members, who are elected by the people of India through direct voting. Of these, 543 members are elected from single member constituencies, and the remaining two members are nominated by the President of India from the Anglo-Indian community.
2. Composition of Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha consists of 245 members, of whom 233 are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies in proportion to the population of each state, while the remaining 12 are nominated by the President of India for their contribution to literature. , science, arts and social service.
3. Tenure of members
The term of the members of the Lok Sabha is five years, while the term of the members of the Rajya Sabha is six years. One-third of the members of Rajya Sabha retire every two years and their vacancies are filled through election and nomination.
4. Powers of the Parliament
The Indian Parliament has wide powers to legislate on subjects listed in the Union List, the Concurrent List and the Residuary List. It also has the power to levy taxes, approve the government budget, and make changes to the Constitution of India.
5. Role of Speaker
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the presiding officer of the House and is responsible for maintaining order and decorum during the proceedings of the House. The Speaker is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha and is assisted by the Deputy Speaker.
6. Role of chairman
The Rajya Sabha is presided over by the Vice-President of India, who is also the ex-officio Chairman of the House. The Speaker is responsible for maintaining order and decorum during the proceedings of the House and is assisted by the Deputy Speaker.
7. Committees of parliament
There are several committees in the Indian Parliament, including standing committees, select committees and joint committees. These committees examine and scrutinize bills and other issues related to the functioning of the Parliament.
8. Quorum
Quorum is the minimum number of members required to be present for the business of the House. In Lok Sabha, the quorum is one-tenth of the total membership of the House, while in Rajya Sabha it is one-tenth of the total membership, but not less than 10 members.
9. Parliamentary procedure
The Indian Parliament follows a set of procedures for the conduct of its business, which are laid down in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. These procedures ensure that the proceedings of the House are conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
10. Question hour
Question Hour is a period during the proceedings of the House when members can ask questions to the government on matters of public interest. It is an important mechanism to make the government accountable to the people.
11. Zero hour
Zero Hour is a period during the proceedings of the Lok Sabha when members can raise issues of urgent public importance, which are not included in the regular agenda of the House.
12. Proposal
Members of Parliament can move different types of motions, such as motion of no confidence, motion of thanks, motion of adjournment and motion of censure. These motions are important tools for the opposition to hold the government accountable and express their views on various issues.
13. Joint sitting
If a bill is passed by one House but rejected by the other, a joint sitting of both the Houses may be called to resolve the deadlock. The joint sitting is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
14. Parliamentary privilege
Members of Parliament enjoy certain privileges and immunities, such as freedom of speech and expression, freedom from arrest in civil matters, and exemption from jury service. These privileges are essential for the smooth functioning of Parliament and to ensure that members can discharge their duties without fear or favour.
15. Budget session
The Budget Session is the most important session of Parliament, during which the government presents the Union Budget, which outlines its revenue and expenditure plans for the coming year. The session is usually held in two parts – the first part from February to mid-March and the second part from April to May.
16. Private Members’ Bills
Members of Parliament who are not part of the government can also introduce bills in the House, which are known as private members’ bills. These bills are an important way for members to raise issues of public interest and initiate legislative action.
17. Pro-tem speaker
Before the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected, the Speaker Pro-Tem is appointed by the President of India. The Speaker Pro Tem presides over the first session of the newly elected Lok Sabha and conducts the election of the Speaker.
18. Parliamentary committees
There are several committees in the Indian Parliament, including the Public Accounts Committee, the Estimates Committee and the Committee on Public Undertakings. These committees are responsible for examining the budget and functioning of various government departments and presenting reports to the House.
19. Parliamentary secretariat
The Parliamentary Secretariat is the administrative arm of Parliament and is responsible for providing support services to Members and the House. It is headed by the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
20. Parliamentary diplomacy
The Indian Parliament also engages in parliamentary diplomacy, which involves negotiations between members of Parliament and their counterparts in other countries. It is an important way to promote bilateral and multilateral relations and exchange ideas and best practices.
In conclusion, the Indian Parliament is a complex institution with a range of powers, processes and mechanisms designed to ensure that it functions effectively and serves the interests of the people of India. Its key features, such as Question Hour, Motions, Joint Sitting and Parliamentary Privileges, are important for maintaining the democratic fabric of the country and making the government accountable to the people.
Its key features, such as the Budget Session, Private Members’ Bills and Parliamentary Committees, are designed to ensure that it functions effectively and serves the interests of the people of India. Parliament’s involvement in parliamentary diplomacy is also important for promoting India’s interests on the global stage.
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