Parliament
Parliament is the supreme legislative body of a country. Our Parliament
comprises of the President and the two Houses—Lok Sabha (House of the
People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The President has the power
to summon and prorogue either House of Parliament or to dissolve Lok Sabha.
The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950. The first
general elections under the new Constitution were held during the year
1951-52 and the first elected Parliament came into being in April, 1952,
the Second Lok Sabha in April, 1957, the Third Lok Sabha in April, 1962,
the Fourth Lok Sabha in March, 1967, the Fifth Lok Sabha in March, 1971,
the Sixth Lok Sabha in March, 1977, the Seventh Lok Sabha in January,
1980, the Eighth Lok Sabha in December, 1984, the Ninth Lok Sabha in December,
1989, the Tenth Lok Sabha in June, 1991, the Eleventh Lok Sabha in May,
1996, the Twelfth Lok Sabha in March, 1998 and Thirteenth Lok Sabha in
October, 1999.
Functions of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
The main function of both the Houses is to pass laws. Every Bill has to
be passed by both the Houses and assented to by the President before it
becomes law. The subjects over which Parliament can legislate are the
subjects mentioned under the Union List in the Seventh Schedule to the
Constitution of India. Broadly speaking, Union subjects are those important
subjects which for reasons of convenience, efficiency and security are
administered on all-India basis. The principal Union subjects are Defence,
Foreign Affairs, Railways, Transport and Communications, Currency and
Coinage, Banking, Customs and Excise Duties.
There are numerous other subjects on which both Parliament and State Legislatures
can legislate. Under this category mention may be made of economic and
social planning, social security and insurance, labour welfare, price
control and vital statistics. Besides passing laws, Parliament can by
means of resolutions, motions for adjournment, discussions and questions
addressed by members to Ministers exercise control over the administration
of the country and safeguard people’s liberties.
Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
(1) Members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the eligible voters.
Members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of State Legislative
Assemblies in accordance with the system of proportional representation
by means of single transferable vote. (2) The normal life of every Lok
Sabha is 5 years only while Rajya Sabha is a permanent body. (3) Lok Sabha
is the House to which the Council of Ministers is responsible under the
Constitution. Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. Also it
is Lok Sabha which grants the money for running the administration of
the country. (4) Rajya Sabha has special powers to declare that it is
necessary and expedient in the national interest that Parliament may make
laws with respect to a matter in the State List or to create by law one
or more all-India services common to the Union and the States.