🏛️ The Legislature – Class 11 Political Science Notes

🌟 Why Do We Need a Parliament?

The Legislature is one of the three main organs of the government — along with the Executive and the Judiciary.
It is the law-making body of a country and represents the will of the people.

The Parliament is the supreme legislative institution in a democracy. It performs the crucial function of debating, discussing, and making laws for the nation.

✳️ Key Reasons for Having a Parliament:

1. Representation of the People:
   The Parliament reflects the collective voice and opinions of the citizens.
2. Law-Making Authority:
   It enacts laws on subjects of national and state importance.
3. Accountability of the Government:
   The Executive is responsible to the Legislature, ensuring democratic control.
4. Financial Control:
   The Parliament approves the budget and controls public expenditure.
5. Safeguarding Democracy:
   Through debates, discussions, and questions, it keeps the government answerable and transparent.

In short, the Parliament is the heart of democracy, where the people’s representatives work for the nation’s welfare.

🏗️ Why Two Houses? (Bicameral Legislature)

India has adopted a Bicameral Legislature at the Union level —
which means there are two Houses of Parliament:

1. Lok Sabha (House of the People)
2. Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

⚖️ Reasons for a Bicameral System:

1. Balance of Representation:
   • Lok Sabha represents the people directly.
   • Rajya Sabha represents the states of the Union.
2. Checks and Balances:
   Having two Houses prevents hasty or poorly thought-out legislation.
3. Detailed Discussion:
   Bills and policies undergo deeper debate and scrutiny.
4. Federal Spirit:
   Rajya Sabha upholds the interests of the states, maintaining India’s federal balance.

Thus, bicameralism ensures stability, maturity, and comprehensive law-making.

🏠 Lok Sabha – The House of the People

Composition:

• Maximum strength: 552 members
  • 530 from states
  • 20 from Union Territories
  • 2 nominated from the Anglo-Indian community (if required)
• Members are directly elected by the people.

Tenure:

• Five years, unless dissolved earlier.

Speaker:

• The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over its meetings and ensures order and discipline.

Key Features:

• Represents the voice of the people.
• Controls the Executive through questions, motions, and debates.
• Plays a dominant role in money matters.

🏛️ Rajya Sabha – The Council of States

Composition:

• Maximum strength: 250 members
  • 238 elected by States and Union Territories.
  • 12 nominated by the President for their expertise in arts, literature, science, or social service.

Tenure:

• It is a permanent body and cannot be dissolved.
• One-third of its members retire every two years.

Chairperson:

• The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.

Key Features:

• Represents the interests of states.
• Acts as a deliberative chamber, reviewing and improving legislation passed by the Lok Sabha.
• Upholds federalism and ensures that smaller states are not ignored.

⚖️ Powers of Rajya Sabha & Lok Sabha

The two Houses of Parliament enjoy distinct as well as shared powers. Let’s understand their areas of authority:

1. Legislative Powers

• Both Houses participate in making laws on subjects in the Union and Concurrent Lists.
• In case of disagreement, a Joint Sitting is held (Article 108).
  • Lok Sabha’s decision prevails in such cases.

2. Financial Powers

• The Lok Sabha has greater authority in financial matters.
• Money Bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
• Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes, which Lok Sabha may accept or reject.

3. Control Over Executive

• The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
• Lok Sabha can remove the government by passing a No-Confidence Motion.

4. Electoral Powers

• Both Houses participate in the election of the President and Vice-President.

5. Constitutional Powers

• Both Houses must approve constitutional amendments.

6. Judicial Powers

• Both Houses have roles in impeachment of the President, removal of judges, and punishment for breach of privilege.

🏁 Special Powers of Rajya Sabha:

• Can authorize Parliament to make laws on matters in the State List (Article 249).
• Can create All India Services (Article 312).

📜 The Legislative Process – How a Law is Made

Making a law is one of the most important functions of Parliament.
The Legislative Process goes through several stages to ensure careful examination and debate.

1. Introduction of a Bill

A Bill is a proposal for a new law or an amendment to an existing law.

• Introduced either in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, except for Money Bills (only in Lok Sabha).
• Known as the First Reading.

2. Committee Stage

• The Bill is referred to a Parliamentary Committee for detailed scrutiny.

3. Second Reading

• The Bill is debated clause by clause.
• Members can propose amendments or changes.

4. Third Reading

• The final version of the Bill is voted on.
• If passed, it goes to the other House for approval.

5. Approval by Both Houses

• Both Houses must pass the Bill in identical form.

6. President’s Assent

• After both Houses pass it, the Bill is sent to the President for approval.
• Once signed, it becomes an Act of Parliament.

🔎 Parliamentary Control Over the Executive

In a Parliamentary system, the Executive (Government) is accountable to the Legislature (Parliament).
This control ensures that the government works transparently and responsibly.

Mechanisms of Control:

1. Question Hour:
   Members ask questions to Ministers about their departments’ working.
2. Zero Hour:
   Members raise important issues without prior notice.
3. Adjournment Motions:
   Used to discuss urgent public matters by suspending normal business.
4. No-Confidence Motion:
   If passed, the government must resign.
5. Cut Motions:
   Used during budget discussions to reduce a demand for grants.
6. Debates and Discussions:
   Enable detailed examination of government policies.
7. Committees:
   Keep a check on the Executive by examining its functioning.

👉 Through these tools, Parliament ensures accountability, transparency, and good governance.

📚 Committees of Parliament

Parliamentary Committees are essential for detailed and efficient functioning of the legislative process.
They examine matters in depth and provide expert recommendations.

Types of Parliamentary Committees:

1. Standing Committees (Permanent)

• Function throughout the year.
• Examples:
  • Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
  • Estimates Committee
  • Committee on Public Undertakings

2. Ad hoc Committees (Temporary)

• Formed for a specific purpose and dissolved after completing their task.
• Examples:
  • Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on a particular issue.

Importance of Committees:

• Ensure detailed examination of complex issues.
• Reduce the burden of Parliament.
• Promote accountability of the Executive.
• Enable bipartisan cooperation among members.

🧭 Conclusion

The Legislature plays a vital role in shaping democracy.
It makes laws, represents the people, controls the Executive, and ensures responsible governance.

In India, the bicameral Parliament — with Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha — reflects the democratic ideals of representation, accountability, and federal balance.

Through debate, discussion, and dialogue, the Legislature safeguards the spirit of the Constitution and ensures that the government remains answerable to the people.