Legislature is not merely a law-making body but the center of all democratic political processes.
A genuine democracy is inconceivable without a representative, efficient, and effective legislature.
The legislature helps people in holding their representatives accountable, which is the basis of representative democracy.
Parliament refers to the national legislature, while State Legislature describes the legislatures at the state level.
The Indian Parliament has two houses, making it a bicameral legislature.
The two Houses of the Indian Parliament are the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
The Constitution gives States the option of having either a unicameral or a bicameral legislature.
Currently, six states in India have a bicameral legislature.
A bicameral legislature ensures every decision is reconsidered, providing a double-check on matters.
The Lok Sabha represents the people directly and is elected for a term of five years.
There are currently 543 constituencies for Lok Sabha elections, a number unchanged since the 1971 census.
The Rajya Sabha represents the States and Union Territories and is indirectly elected by the State Legislative Assemblies.
Rajya Sabha members serve six-year terms, with one-third retiring every two years, making it a permanent house that is never fully dissolved.
The President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha for their contributions in fields like literature, science, art, and social service.
Only the Lok Sabha can initiate Money Bills, and the Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend them.
The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible and accountable only to the Lok Sabha.
The Rajya Sabha can criticize the government but cannot remove it through a no-confidence motion.
Lawmaking is a complex process that requires the opinions of all sections of society, a key function of the legislature.
A bill is a draft of a proposed law that can be introduced in either House of Parliament, except Money Bills which can only originate in the Lok Sabha.
Bills proposed by ministers are called Government Bills, while those by non-ministers are Private Member's Bills.
The legislative process involves several stages, including introduction, discussion, committee scrutiny, debate, voting, and presidential assent.
A resolution is passed to admit the bill for discussion during its initial stage.
The bill is often referred to a subcommittee or parliamentary committee for detailed examination and changes.
After committee deliberations, the bill is read clause by clause, and each clause is voted upon in the house.
Once passed by one house, the bill is referred to the other house for its approval.
If both houses pass the bill, it is sent to the President of India for assent.
If the President does not sign a bill, they can return it for reconsideration, but if passed again by Parliament, the President must sign it.
Parliament controls the executive through various instruments like deliberation, discussion, approval of laws, financial control, and the no-confidence motion.
Question Hour, Zero Hour, half-hour discussions, and adjournment motions are key instruments for members to question and critique government actions.
The approval of laws by Parliament is essential, providing an opportunity for negotiation and scrutiny.
Financial control is exercised through budget discussions and oversight of government expenditures, allowing Parliament to influence policies.
The No-Confidence Motion is the most powerful weapon enabling Parliament to ensure executive accountability, as the government must resign if it loses the Lok Sabha's confidence.
Parliamentary Committees play a vital role in scrutinizing bills, examining budgets, and appraising legislation due to limited time in full parliamentary sessions.
These committees provide in-depth study of issues, ensuring more attention and time than possible in the main House.
Parliamentary privileges grant legislators immunity from legal action for statements made in the legislature, fostering fearless debate.
The presiding officer of the legislature (Speaker for Lok Sabha, Chairperson for Rajya Sabha) is the final authority in regulating the business and behavior of the legislature.
The anti-defection law aims to prevent legislators from changing parties for selfish purposes and can lead to disqualification from being a minister.