Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha :

          The maximum strength of Lok Sabha envisaged by the Constitution is now 552.  (530 from states + 20 from UT’s + not more than 2 nominated Anglo- Indians by thePresident.)

The Lok Sabha at present consists of 545 members . of these, 530 members are directly elected from the States and 13 from UTs while two are nominated by the President to represent the  Anglo Indian community .  This includes one vacant seat of Banka Constituency of Bihar and the seat of MP Smt. Meira Kumar who has become Speaker of Lok Sabha and two nominated members of Anglo- Indian Community.

84^th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2001, says that the total number of existing seats as allocated to various states in the Lok Sabha on the basis of the 1971 Census shall remain unaltered till the first Census to be taken after the year 2026.

The tern of Lok Sabha , unless dissolved earlier is five years from the date appointed for its first meeting .  However, while a proclamation of Emergency is in operation , this period may be extended by parliament by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time and not extending      in any case. Beyond a period of six months after the Proclamation has ceased to operate.

In order to be chosen a member of Parliament ,a member must be a citizen of India and not less than 30 years of age in the case of Rajya Sabha and not less than 25 years of age in the case of Lok Sabha.

As in other parliamentary democracies ,the Parliament in India has the cardinal functions of legislation overseeing of administration, passing of the Budget, ventilation of public grievances and discussing various subjects like development plans, national policies and international relations.

All legislation require consent of both the Houses of Parliament.  In the case of money bills, however, the will of the Lok Sabha prevails.

Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha :

              The Constitution provides that the Rajya Sabha shall consist of 250 members of which 12 members shall be nominated by the President from Literature , Science , art and Social Service fields , remaining 238 representatives of the states and the UTs. Elections to Rajya sabha  are held indirectly for states and those representing UT’s are chosen by a law prescribed by the Parliament.

              The Rajya Sabha is not subject to dissolution : one-third of its members retire every second year.

              Rajya Sabha , at present ,has 244 seats. Of these 232 members represent ,the States and UTs and 12 member have been nominated by the President.

Legislature

Legislature :

              Legislature of the Union which is called Parliament ,consists of President and two Houses (  Each house has to meet within 6 months of previous sitting.

Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha ).

The Union

       The Union :

             The President is elected  by the members of electoral college consisting of elected members of both Houses of Parliament  , Legislative Assemblies of the states in accordance with  the system of proportional  representation by means of single transferable vote.

             The President must be a citizen of India, not less than 35 years of age and qualified for election as member of the Lok Sabha. His term of office is five years and he is  eligible for re- election His removal from office is to be in accordance with procedure prescribed in Art. 61 of the Constitution.  He may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Vice- President resign his office.

             Executive power of the Union is vested in the President and is exercised by him either directly or through officers of subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution . Supreme Command of defence forces of the Union also vests in him.

The President summons , prorogues , addresses, sends messages to parliament and dissolves the Lok Sabha; promulgates Ordinances at any time , except when both Houses of Parliament are in session; makes recommendations for introductions for introducing financial and money bills and gives assent to bills ;grants pardons , reprieves , respites or remission of punishment or suspends, remits or commutes sentences in certain cases.

              The President can proclaim emergency in the country if he is satisfied that a grave emergency exists whereby security of India or any part of its territory is threatened whether by war or external aggression or armed rebellion. 

Fundamental Rights

Fundamental Rights :

                                                             Fundamental rights are justiciable . Directive principles of state policy are not justiciable  but they are “Fundamental in governance of the country’ and it is the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws.

Fundamental Duties

Fundamental Duties :
                          By the 42^nd Amendment of the Constitution , adopted in 1976, Fundamental Duties of the  citizens have been enumerated.  Article 51’A’ in part IV A of the Constitution deals with Fundamental Duties .  These enjoin upon a citizen among other things , to abide by the Constitution, to  cherish and follow noble ideals which inspired India’s struggle for freedom ,to defend the country and render national service when called upon t do so and  to promote harmony and spirit of common brotherhood transcending religious , linguistic and regional or sectional diversities.