Indian Parliament is the supreme legislative body in India, responsible for making laws, discussing national issues, and overseeing the government’s functioning. It plays a crucial role in India’s democracy, representing the will of the people and holding the executive accountable. The Parliament of India is bicameral, meaning it consists of two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
1. Structure of the Indian Parliament
The Indian Parliament is a bicameral legislature, comprising:
A. Lok Sabha (House of the People)
- Members: The Lok Sabha consists of up to 545 members, of which 543 are directly elected by the people through general elections, while the remaining 2 members can be nominated by the President of India from the Anglo-Indian community. However, the provision for the nomination of Anglo-Indians has been abolished by the 104th Constitutional Amendment (2019).
- Term: Lok Sabha members are elected for a term of 5 years, after which general elections are held to elect a new body of representatives.
- Role: The Lok Sabha is the more powerful of the two houses. It has the primary responsibility for making laws, approving the budget, and holding the executive accountable. A significant feature of the Lok Sabha is the confidence motion, which decides whether the government enjoys the support of the majority in the house. If the government loses such a motion, it must resign.
- Speaker: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the presiding officer who maintains order in the House and ensures that legislative procedures are followed. The Speaker is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha.
B. Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
- Members: The Rajya Sabha consists of 245 members. Out of these, 233 are elected by the members of State Legislative Assemblies and the members of the Legislative Assemblies of Union Territories, while 12 are nominated by the President of India for their expertise in fields such as literature, science, arts, and social service.
- Term: Unlike the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. However, one-third of its members retire every two years, and fresh elections are held to fill the vacancies.
- Role: The Rajya Sabha acts as a revising chamber, where bills passed by the Lok Sabha are reviewed. While it can delay or amend bills, it cannot ultimately reject them (except for Money Bills). It also plays a key role in representing the states of India at the national level.
- Chairman: The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. In their absence, a Deputy Chairman is elected from among its members.
2. Functions of the Indian Parliament
The Indian Parliament has several important functions:
A. Lawmaking
The primary function of the Parliament is to make laws on various matters included in the Union List, Concurrent List, and, to some extent, the State List (though states have the primary responsibility for matters in the State List). Laws can be proposed by government ministers or by private members, but they must be approved by both Houses.
B. Budget Approval
The Parliament plays a crucial role in approving the national budget. The government presents the annual budget, detailing its expenditure and revenue plans, to the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha debates and passes the budget, which is then considered by the Rajya Sabha. However, the Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject Money Bills; it can only delay them for a maximum of 14 days.
C. Oversight of the Executive
The Parliament holds the executive accountable through questioning, debates, and motions. The Prime Minister and other ministers are accountable to the Lok Sabha. The executive must answer questions from the members of the Lok Sabha, and if they fail to do so satisfactorily, it can lead to a loss of confidence.
D. Representation of the People
The Lok Sabha, in particular, represents the diverse population of India, with its members elected from various constituencies across the country. This ensures that different regions, cultures, and communities have a voice in the legislative process. The Rajya Sabha represents the states and union territories.
E. Constitutional Amendments
Any amendment to the Constitution of India must be passed by both Houses of Parliament. This requires a special procedure where the amendment bill must be passed by a majority in each House, and in some cases, must also be ratified by at least half of the state legislatures.
3. The Legislative Process
The process of lawmaking in the Indian Parliament generally follows these steps:
A. Introduction of a Bill
A bill can be introduced by either a member of the Cabinet (Government Bill) or a private member (Private Member Bill). The bill may be introduced in either house, though most bills are introduced in the Lok Sabha.
B. First Reading
This is the formal introduction of the bill in the house. There is no debate at this stage; the bill is simply read out, and copies are distributed to the members.
C. Second Reading
The second reading is where the general principles of the bill are discussed. Members of the house can debate its contents, suggest amendments, or object to it. If the bill is accepted, it moves to the next stage.
D. Committee Stage
Most bills are sent to a parliamentary committee for detailed examination and possible amendments. The committee studies the bill in detail and suggests changes.
E. Third Reading
After the committee has reported on the bill, the final version is debated by the members of the house. Further amendments can be made, and the bill is put to a vote.
F. Passage in the Other House
Once a bill is passed in one house, it is sent to the other house, where the same process is repeated. If the second house makes amendments, the bill goes back to the original house for approval. Both houses must agree on the final version of the bill.
G. Presidential Assent
Once both houses have passed the bill, it is sent to the President for approval. The President can either approve the bill or withhold assent. If the bill is approved, it becomes law.
4. Sessions of Parliament
The Indian Parliament meets in sessions, usually three times a year:
- Budget Session: The first session of the year, where the government presents the annual budget.
- Monsoon Session: Held in July–August, where the government discusses important matters.
- Winter Session: Held in November–December, where additional legislative business is conducted.
The President of India calls the sessions and can prorogue (end) them or dissolve the Lok Sabha.
5. Powers of the Parliament
- Impeachment of the President: Parliament can impeach the President if charges of violation of the Constitution are brought against them.
- Amendment of the Constitution: Parliament can amend the Constitution, subject to certain conditions.
- Approval of Treaties: Parliament must approve any treaties or agreements made with foreign countries.
- Approval of Finance Bills: Only the Lok Sabha can introduce Finance Bills, which must be approved by Parliament.
6. The Role of the President
The President of India plays a crucial constitutional role in the functioning of the Parliament. The President summons, prorogues, and can even dissolve the Lok Sabha. The President also addresses both houses jointly after each general election and after the first session of each year.
The Indian Parliament is central to the functioning of India’s democracy. As a bicameral legislature, it not only makes laws but also holds the government accountable, represents the people, and ensures that the constitutional balance is maintained. The role of the Parliament is vast and complex, involving everything from passing laws to ensuring that the voices of the people and states are heard at the national level.