The word ‘Parliament’ is derived from the French word, ‘Parler’ which means ‘to talk’. The term connotes a place where people sit and discuss national and international problems and enact legislation for their country.

The union Parliament of India consists of the President and the two Houses known as the House of people and the council of states, the House of people and the council of states. The House of people is the Lower chamber where as the council of states is the upper chamber.

The Rajya Sabha is composed many of representatives of the states elected by the state Assemblies. The Lok Sabha is composed of directly elected representatives on the basis of adult franchise and territorial constituencies. The President is an integral part of the parliament.

Under the constitution of India the legislature of the union is called Parliament is the pivot on which the political system of the country revolves.

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The House of people (Lok Sabha):

The House of people is known as the ‘Lower House’ of Parliament and its members are elected directly by the people. Under the constitution, not more than 530 members are to be chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the states, and not more than 20 members to represent the union Territories.

In addition, two members of the Anglo-Indian, community maybe nominated by the President, if he is of the opinion that the community is not adequately represented in the Lok Sabha. Thus the maximum strength of the House envisaged in the constitution is thus 552.

The total elected strength of the Lok Sabha is distributed among the states in such a way that the ratio between the number of seats and the population of any state is as far as possible the same for all states. At present the Lok Sabha consists of 545 members.

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Direct Election:

The election to the Lok Sabha is conducted on the basis of adult franchise every man or woman who has completed the age of 18 years being eligible to vote. The constitution provides for secret ballot. According to the present system, a candidate who secures the largest number of votes is declared elected.

Duration of the Lok Sabha:

Lok Sabha has been provided with a fixed term as in the case of the popularly elected House of Representatives in the united states of America and the House of commons in the United Kingdom. The term of the Lok Sabha in India is five years from the date appointed for its first meeting.

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The expiration of the period of five years operates as its dissolution. The Lok Sabha may be dissolved before the expiration of its full term under certain circumstances, when a proclamation of Emergency is in force, the term of Lok Sabha can be extended by Parliament for a period not exceeding one year at a time and not exceeding in any case a period of six months after the proclamation has ceased to operate.

Qualifications for membership:

According to Article 84 of the constitution, following are the qualifications for the membership of Lok Sabha.

The qualification for membership of the House one that candidate must be (a) a citizen of India; (b) have attained the age of twenty five years and (c) must possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed by the parliament. A person holding an office of profit is disqualified from becoming a member of the House.

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Sessions:

The Lok Sabha shall meet at least twice a year and the internal between two consecutive sessions shall be less than six months. The time and place of meeting will be decided by the President who will summon the House to meet. He has also the power to prorogue the House.

The Lok Sabha can also be summoned in a special session for disapproving the proclamation under Article 352, if a notice in writing signed by not less than one-tenth of the members of the Lok Sabha is given to the speaker. When such a notice is given the President must summon the session within 14 days.

The council of states (Rajya Sabha):

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The Rajya Sabha is the ‘Upper House’ of Parliament and is sometimes called the ‘House of Elders’.

Composition:

The Maximum membership of the Rajya Sabha is limited to 250. According to Article 80 of the constitution, the Rajya Sabha shall consist of (a) twelve members to be nominated by the President haying special knowledge or practical experience in respect of literature, science, art and social service; and (b) not more than two hundred and thirty-eight representatives of the states and of the union Territories.

The present strength of the Rajya Sabha is 245 of these, 233 are elected by the various state Legislative Assemblies, thus making the Rajya Sabha predominantly an indirectly elected body.

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Indirect Election:

Where as the Lok Sabha is directly elected on the basis of adult suffrage for five years, the Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected on a proportional representation basis by the state Legislatures. For the purpose of this election to each state is allotted a certain number of seats in the Rajya Sabha.

The main basis of such allotment is the strength of the population in each state. The members of each state Legislative Assembly from the electorate for the purpose of electing the requisite number of members allotted to each state. Thus ensuring the principle of state representation in the ‘upper chamber’ of parliament.

Another principle that is given recognition in the composition of the Rajya Sabha is representation of talent, experience and service. The method of proportional representation helps better representation of minorities.

Term:

The Rajya Sabha enjoys a continuity of life. Under the constitution, the Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved. The term of the members of the Rajya Sabha is six years and in this respect it resembles the senate of the United States whose members are also chosen for six years.

In fact, the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body like the American Senate, one third of the members of the Rajya Sabha retire after every two years.

Chairman and Deputy-Chairman of the Rajya Sabha- The Vice-President of India is ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He is elected by an electoral college consisting of the members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

While the office of the chairman is vacant, or during any period when the Vice- President acts as the President of India or discharges the functions of the President, the duties of the chairman of the Rajya Sabha are performed in the Deputy Chairman.

The Rajya Sabha also has a parel of members called Vice- Chairman’ nominated by the chairman for the purpose of presiding over the Rajya Sabha in the absence of both the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

Powers of the Parliament:

The powers of the Parliament may be enumerated under the following classes.”

(1) Legislative Powers:

The Parliament is mainly a law-making organ. It can make laws on all the matters specified in the union list and concurrent list.

The state list is beyond the jurisdiction of the union parliament; but under certain circumstances it can also make laws on the subjects enumerated under this list. When the President has declared an emergency, the Parliament gets power to make law on the state list in normal times. The Parliament can make laws on the state lists if:

(a)the council of states has declared by a resolution supported by not less than two-third of its members present and voting that it is necessary for expedient in the national interests that the Parliament should make laws with respect to any particular matter specified in the state list.

(b) Two or more states request the Parliament to make a law on a particular subject for them;

(c) Such a law is necessary for implementing any treaty, agreement or convention with any other country or countries or any decision made at any international conference, association or such other body.

(2) Executive Powers:

Under a parliamentary Government, there being no strict separation of powers, the legislative organ controls the executive organ. The Parliament exercises control over the executive through numerous measures. It can move adjournment motions and can thereby bring to light the omissions and commissions of the administration.

It can put questions to the executive to elicit any information regarding administration. It can appoint investigation committees to go into any aspect of administration. In extreme cases, the Parliament can get rid of the by passing a motion of no-confidence against it.

Any rejection of a Government Bill may also compel the ministry remains in office so long as if enjoys the confidence of the Parliament, parliamentary control and vigilance keeps the executive on its toes and prevents it from acting in an autocratic way.

(3) Financial powers:

The Parliament controls the union purse. No taxes can be levied and no expenditure can be made by the Government without its approval. It determines the financial policy of the country.

(4) Constituent powers:

The Parliament has the power to amend the constitution. It is worthy of note that while certain provisions of the constitution may be amended without the consent of the states, none of the provisions can be amended without the approval of the parliament.

There are some provisions of the constitution which the Parliament can amend by a simple majority while certain others, it can amend by a two-third majority. There are only a few matters which require the consent of the units.

(5) Deliberative powers:

The Parliament is also a debating assembly. It is the place where national questions are debated upon and policies for emulated. It is here that the actions of Government are reviewed and criticised. The discussion in the Parliament attracts the attention of the entire country and compel the Government to its- intentions and policies.

(6) Miscellaneous Powers:

The Parliament constitutes a part of the electoral college to elect the President of India. It alone elects the Vice-President. It has the power to impeach the President.

It can recommend to the President the removal of other high officers of the state including the judges of the Supreme Court. Finally, the proclamation of Emergency by the President is subject to the approval of the parliament.

To sum up it may be said that the constitution vests wide powers in the parliament.