Structure and Composition of the Parliament
The Indian Parliament is bicameral, reflecting the country’s federal structure. The Rajya Sabha acts as the upper house, representing the interests of the States and Union Territories, while the Lok Sabha serves as the lower house, directly elected by the citizens of India. The President is an integral part of the Parliament, although they do not sit in either house; their assent is mandatory for any bill passed by the houses to become an Act.
The Lok Sabha has a maximum strength of 550 members (following the discontinuation of the nomination of Anglo-Indians). Members are elected through Universal Adult Suffrage. In contrast, the Rajya Sabha has a maximum strength of 250 members, where 238 are representatives of states and union territories, and 12 are nominated by the President for their expertise in fields like literature, science, art, and social service.
“The Parliament is the supreme legislative institution in India, embodying the principle of parliamentary sovereignty within the limits prescribed by the Constitution.”
Legislative Procedures in Parliament
The primary function of the Parliament is to enact laws. The legislative process for an Ordinary Bill involves several stages: the First Reading (introduction), Second Reading (detailed scrutiny and clause-by-clause discussion), and Third Reading (voting on the bill). Once passed by one house, it is sent to the other for similar stages.
For Money Bills (Article 110), the procedure is distinct. A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha with the prior recommendation of the President. The Rajya Sabha has limited powers here; it cannot reject or amend a Money Bill but can only make recommendations, which the Lok Sabha may or may not accept. If there is a deadlock between the two houses on an Ordinary Bill, the President may summon a Joint Sitting under Article 108.
Role of Parliamentary Committees
Given the complexity of modern governance, the Parliament cannot discuss every detail of every bill on the floor of the House. Thus, it relies on Parliamentary Committees. These committees are of two types: Standing Committees (permanent) and Ad-hoc Committees (temporary, created for specific tasks).
The Financial Committees—the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Estimates Committee, and the Committee on Public Undertakings—are crucial for maintaining financial accountability. For instance, the PAC examines the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), ensuring that public money is spent in accordance with parliamentary authorization and administrative efficiency.
Key Points to Remember
- Article 79: Defines the constitution of the Parliament (President, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha).
- Quorum: The minimum number of members required to transact business is one-tenth of the total membership of the House.
- Joint Sitting: Presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha; it cannot be called for Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills.
- Lame Duck Session: The last session of the existing Lok Sabha after a new Lok Sabha has been elected.
- Question Hour: The first hour of a sitting in both houses, dedicated to asking questions to ministers.
- Zero Hour: An informal device available to members to raise matters without prior notice, starting immediately after Question Hour.
Important Facts: Comparison of Houses
| Feature | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Strength | 550 | 250 |
| Nature | Temporary (Subject to dissolution) | Permanent (Never dissolved) |
| Term of Member | 5 Years | 6 Years (1/3rd retire every 2 years) |
| Money Bill Power | Exclusive/Final authority | Limited (14-day delay power) |
Previous Year Question Hints
- Concept: “Which of the following is/are the exclusive power(s) of the Rajya Sabha?” (Focus on Article 249 and Article 312).
- Procedure: “Explain the significance of the Public Accounts Committee in ensuring financial accountability of the Executive.”
Quick Revision Summary
- Parliament consists of the President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.
- The Lok Sabha is the house of the people; the Rajya Sabha represents the states.
- Money Bills require the President’s prior recommendation and originate in the Lok Sabha.
- Joint sittings are used to resolve deadlocks on ordinary legislation.
- Parliamentary committees like the PAC provide expert scrutiny of government spending.
- The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the final authority on whether a bill is a Money Bill.
- Article 108 provides for a Joint Sitting of the two Houses.
- Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies.
