The normal life of the Assembly is five years; but it may be dissolved earlier by the Governor. In case of an emergency, its life may be extended by a law of Parliament, one year at a time, but in any case not beyond six months after the Proclamation of Emergency has ceased to operate.
The Council, on the other hand, is a permanent body which renews one-third of its membership after every two years. In this respect, it follows the pattern of the Council of States.
There is hardly any special qualification fixed for election to the State Legislature except one of age. As in the case of a member of the House of the People, a member of the Assembly should have completed the minimum age of 25 years at the time of election. In the case of a member of the Council the minimum age prescribed is 30 years.
The Assembly has two elected officers, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, to conduct its business. The position of these officers in the conduct of the business of the House, and their powers and functions in the Assembly, are respectively the same as those of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of People.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
They may be removed from office by a resolution of the House supported by at least a majority of all the existing members of the House. The Council has a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman both elected by the Council, and they have the same powers and functions as their counterparts in the Assembly.
They can also be removed from office by a resolution of the Council supported by a majority of existing members in the Council at the time of passing such resolution.
The Constitution provides for each House of the State Legislature a separate secretarial staff whose members are independent of the executive in matters of recruitment and conditions of service.