Parliament of India

The foundation of India's democratic government and system is the Parliament. The Indian Parliament, which consists of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People), is essential to the creation and execution of national policy, the representation of the many national voices, and the preservation of democratic values. These sacred halls serve as a forum for elected officials to convene, deliberate, and reach decisions on issues of national significance, rendering them symbolic of India's dynamic and heterogeneous democratic structure.

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This Story also Contains

1. What is Parliament?
2. Role of the Indian Parliament in Democracy
3. Constitutional Mandate of the Indian Parliament
4. Importance of Parliament
5. Powers and Functions of Parliament
6. Organs of Parliament
7. The authority of Parliament
8. Conclusion

What is Parliament?

• The Parliament, which is in charge of the country's democratic political system and is part of the Parliamentary form of government, also known as the Westminster Model, has the greatest legislative power in India.

• Following the 1951–52 general elections held under the new Constitution, the first elected Parliament was established in April 1952.

• Part V of the Constitution contains Articles 79 through 124 that describe the Parliament's offices, processes, privileges, powers, organisation, composition, length, and other elements.

Members of the parliament are:

• The Lower House, or House of the People, is another name for the Lok Sabha.

• The Upper House, or Council of States, is another name for the Rajya Sabha.

• The President(Head of State).

Role of the Indian Parliament in Democracy

• The union government consists of three organs: the executive, judiciary, and parliament.

• The adoption of the "Parliamentary form of government" places the parliament at the centre of the democratic system in India.

• A true democracy cannot exist without an effective, efficient, and representative legislature.

• The legislature aids citizens in keeping their representatives responsible. Yes, this is representative democracy's fundamental tenet.

• Making laws is only one of the legislature's duties. Every democratic political process revolves around it.

• Out of all the branches of government, the legislature is the most representative.

• The legislatures are more representative and may be more receptive to public expectations just by the participation of members from a wide range of social backgrounds.

Constitutional Mandate of the Indian Parliament

• Part V of the Constitution covers Articles 79 to 122, which address the Parliament's structure, membership, tenure, officials, processes, privileges, powers, and other matters.

• Article 79: The President and the two Houses, to be called the Council of States and the House of the People, respectively, will make up the Union's Parliament.

• Article 80: The composition of the Rajya Sabha, or council of states

• Article 81: The makeup of the Lok Sabha, or House of People

• Article 82: Readjusting following every census. Creating a Commission for Delimitation

Significant Articles Concerning the Parliament

Articles related to the Indian Parliament are listed below:

Importance of Parliament

One essential component of democratic government is the Parliament. It performs several vital tasks that support the nation's political and social structure. These are the main explanations for why we require a parliament:

1. Representation: The legislature is the people's voice. It guarantees that the population's varied social, cultural, and economic interests are taken into account while formulating policies. It gives elected officials a platform on which to answer to their people.

2. Legislation: The nation's governing laws are drafted, debated, and passed by the Parliament. It creates policies to advance social welfare and national growth.

3. Control Over Finances: Parliament has the authority to adopt financial measures and the annual Union Budget. Money keeps an eye on public spending to make sure money is allocated effectively and for the right reasons.

4. Executive Oversight: It keeps the executive branch in check by avoiding the abuse and concentration of power. Parliament questions the government's activities through debates, committee reports, and question hours.

5. Forum for Deliberation: It offers a stage for talking about and arguing about national concerns. It encourages making well-informed decisions and settling disputes by reaching consensus.

6. Constitutional Functions: The ability to alter the Constitution gives Parliament the flexibility to adapt it to the needs of the modern world. Additionally, it upholds the power balance that is necessary for India's federal system between the federal and state governments.

Powers and Functions of Parliament

The Indian Constitution, in Chapter II, Part V, mentions the functions of the Parliament. The Parliament's duties fall under several categories. Below is a discussion about them:

Legislative Functions

The following are some of the important roles that the parliament plays in the nation's legislative branch:

• Every topic on the Union and Concurrent List requires legislation, and it is the responsibility of the Parliament to enact it.

• Laws about the State Lists are also enacted by the Parliament in accordance with specific articles, including 249, 252, and 253, and in certain situations.

• The Parliament has the authority to pass legislation at any moment that modifies or alters state legislature laws.

Executive Functions

The parliament, which exercises authority over the executive branch in several ways, is a crucial component of the nation.

• A vote of no confidence in the government can be used by the Parliament at any moment to remove the cabinet from office.

• It may also disagree with the government's demands made in the bill of finance.

• An essential legislative role of the Parliament that draws attention to the public emergency interest is the adjournment motion.

• The Parliament appoints a Committee to monitor the department's compliance with the commitments made to the Parliament.

• All actions taken by the Parliament are the responsibility of the ministries.

Financial Functions

The Parliament is in charge of this department, and the Executive cannot operate without their consent. The Parliament performs the following financial duties:

• Parliament must provide its approval before any taxes are imposed.

• The Union Budget is drafted by the Cabinet and then presented to the Parliament for approval.

• The money bills are heavily influenced by the Parliament.

• The Public Accounts Committee and the Estimates Committee are two departments of Parliament tasked with monitoring the use of funds provided by the legislative branch to the executive branch.

Amending Powers

• The Indian Constitution may be amended by the Parliament.

• It is equally within the authority of the two Houses of Parliament to modify the Constitution.

• For amendments to take effect, they must be approved by both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

Electoral Functions

• The election of the President and Vice President involves the participation of the Parliament.

• The elected members of both Houses are among the members of the electoral college that chooses the President.

• A resolution approved by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha can remove the President.

Judicial Functions

The following are some of the main judicial authorities that the Parliament possesses:

• It has the power to remove the President from office.

• The President of India may be impeached if they violate the Constitution.

• The judges of the Supreme Court and High Court may also be removed by the Parliament.

• If members violate their granted privileges while they are still bound by their oath, they may face consequences.

Additional Tasks and competences of the Parliament

• In the Parliament, matters of both national and international significance are deliberated. In this sense, the opposition is crucial because it makes sure that the nation is aware of other points of view.

• One way to describe a parliament is as a "nation in miniature."

• Before the passing of legislation or resolutions, the Parliament in a democracy performs the crucial role of discussing important issues.

• The borders of states and Union Territories may be changed, enlarged, or decreased by the Parliament.

• The Parliament serves as a channel for information as well. When members request information in the Houses, the ministers are required to provide it.

Organs of Parliament

There are two primary organs that make up the Indian Parliament. The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha are these. Let's go into further depth about each organ:

Comparison of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha

1. The Rajya Sabha lacks the power to create or dissolve the government since Article 75(3) states that the Council of Ministers is accountable to the Lok Sabha collectively. It can, nonetheless, exercise influence over the government. This role becomes an important role, especially when the government lacks a majority in the Rajya Sabha.

2. Ministers may be members of any chamber of the legislature.

3. Each minister is allowed to address the House and participate in its proceedings, but they can only cast a vote in the House in which they are a member.

4. Similarly, the Constitution places the two Houses exactly on an equal footing with respect to the powers, privileges, and immunities of the Houses of Parliament, their members, and their committees.

The authority of Parliament

• The British Parliament is the source of the idea of Sovereignty of Parliament, which holds that the state has ultimate authority. However, because of legislative limitations on its power and jurisdiction, the Indian Parliament is not recognised as a sovereign entity.

• The written Constitution, a federal form of government, the judicial review process, basic rights, and the allocation of specific authorities to different areas are among the elements that restrict Parliament's sovereignty.

Conclusion

The Indian judiciary may perceive itself as the custodian of the constitution, managing the conflicting roles and obligations of an intricate network of Parliamentary bodies. Eventually, the membership of the judiciary and the requirements for its continuous existence are formulated and made concrete by the Parliament. The tendency to emphasise diversity or plurality cannot be used to further nationalism that is at odds with individual liberties, a de-centering movement in postmodernism, or the outcome of India's polity's globalisation.