Parliament
As India steps into 2025, the Parliament has already introduced crucial bills, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at implementing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to standardize election timelines across Union Territories. These legislative initiatives are poised to reshape the country’s political framework in the year ahead.
Introduction
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body in the country. As the cornerstone of India’s democracy, Parliament plays a crucial role in shaping the nation’s laws, policies, and governance. With its bicameral structure, it represents the people’s voice and ensures that the government functions according to the rule of law. This article takes a comprehensive look at everything you need to know about the Indian Parliament.
The Structure of Indian Parliament:
The Parliament of India is a bicameral legislature, which means it consists of two houses:
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Lok Sabha (House of the People):
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Composition: The Lok Sabha is made up of representatives directly elected by the people of India. The total number of members is 545, of which 543 are elected and 2 were previously nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community. However, this provision was abolished in January 2020 through the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2019.
Term: Lok Sabha has a tenure of five years, unless dissolved earlier.
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Functions: The Lok Sabha is primarily responsible for law-making, approving the budget, and holding the government accountable through questions and debates. It holds significant power over finances, including approving expenditure and taxes.
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Rajya Sabha (Council of States):
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Composition: The Rajya Sabha consists of 245 members, who are not directly elected by the people, but are elected by the members of the State Legislative Assemblies and Union Territories, as well as by members of the Legislary Council, through a system of proportional representation.
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Functions: As a revising chamber, the Rajya Sabha reviews and revises the bills passed by the Lok Sabha. It also plays a major role in representing the states of India in the Parliament, ensuring regional interests are considered in national legislation.
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The Role of the President of India:
The President of India plays a significant role in Parliament. Although the President is the ceremonial head of state, they possess certain powers in the legislative process:
- Summoning and Dissolving Parliament: The President has the authority to summon and prorogue sessions of Parliament. They also have the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha.
- Assent to Bills: The President must give assent to a bill for it to become law. They may also withhold assent or return the bill for reconsideration.
The Legislative Process:
The process of law-making in the Indian Parliament involves several stages:
- Introduction of Bills: A bill can be introduced in either house of Parliament. It can be introduced by a minister or a member of Parliament.
- Debate and Discussion: After a bill is introduced, it goes through a series of debates and discussions in both houses.
- Voting: Once both houses agree on the bill, it is sent to the President for assent. Once the President assents, it becomes law.
Key Functions of Parliament:
Law-Making: Parliament’s primary function is to make laws for the country. It passes bills on a wide range of issues, including national security, economy, and social welfare.
Oversight and Accountability: Parliament holds the executive accountable through regular questioning, debates, and the power to pass motions of no confidence.
Debates and Discussions: Parliament serves as a forum for discussing important national and international issues. Members of both houses participate actively in debates, scrutinizing government policies and actions.
Approval of the Budget: One of the most crucial functions of Parliament is to approve the government’s annual budget. The Lok Sabha has a significant role in this process, as it is the main body responsible for financial matters.
Amendment of the Constitution: Parliament has the authority to amend the Constitution of India, but the process requires a special majority, and in some cases, ratification by state legislatures.
Transparency and Public Access to Parliamentary Proceedings
Access to Legislative Proceedings: Indian Parliament upholds transparency by offering public access to legislative proceedings and records, allowing citizens to monitor the process and ensure thorough discussion before bills become law.
Access to Parliamentary Debates: The Parliament Digital Library provides comprehensive records of Lok Sabha debates from the 1st to the 17th Lok Sabha (1952–2024) in English and Hindi, available for browsing by Lok Sabha number, title, date, and language version.
Bill Tracking and Legislative Activity: PRS Legislative Research offers detailed information on bills’ status, including introduction dates, debate schedules, and passage records, allowing the public to track specific bills and understand legislative priorities.
Annual Reports and Reviews: The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs publishes annual reviews summarizing legislative activities. For instance, the Year End Review 2023 highlighted 49 bills passed, including the “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,” which reserves 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Public Engagement and Participation: Parliament fosters public engagement by making legislative documents and proceedings accessible online, supporting an informed and participatory democracy.
Instances of Bills Passed with Minimal Debate
Despite transparency efforts, some bills have been passed with minimal debate, particularly during disruptions or when opposition members were suspended:
Passage of Key Bills Amidst Opposition Suspensions (December 2023): The Lok Sabha passed several significant bills, including the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, with minimal debate due to the suspension of 143 opposition members after protests.
Passage of 14 Bills Without Debate (July 2023): 14 bills, including the Finance Bill 2023, were passed without debate during the frequently disrupted Monsoon Session.
Passage of Key Bills During a Shortened Session (March 2020):Several significant bills, including the Farm Bills, were passed during a reduced session with limited debate, amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on physical attendance.
Committees in Parliament:
Committees play a vital role in the functioning of the Indian Parliament. They scrutinize bills in detail, review policies, and investigate issues of public importance. Some of the prominent committees include:
Public Accounts Committee (PAC): The PAC reviews the government’s spending to ensure public funds are used efficiently. It holds the executive accountable for financial mismanagement.
Estimate Committee: This committee evaluates the financial estimates provided by the government. It ensures that the proposed expenditures are necessary and within the country’s budgetary limits.
Select Committees: These committees are formed to examine specific bills or matters in detail. They make recommendations and suggest amendments before the bill is debated in Parliament.
Challenges Faced by the Indian Parliament:
While Parliament plays a crucial role in the democratic setup, it faces several challenges:
- Disruptions and Obstructions: Frequent disruptions in the proceedings, such as walkouts and protests, hinder the legislative process.
- Lack of Participation: In some cases, the engagement of members in debates and discussions is minimal, affecting the quality of decision-making.
- Political Polarization: Growing political polarization sometimes undermines the spirit of consensus and collaborative governance.
Proposed Solutions to Enhance Parliamentary Functioning:
To address these challenges, several reforms have been proposed:
Strengthening Parliamentary Rules: Implementing stricter adherence to parliamentary procedures can reduce disruptions and ensure orderly conduct.
Empowering Committees: Enhancing the role of parliamentary committees can lead to more detailed scrutiny of bills and policies, improving legislative quality.
Promoting Dialogue Between Government and Opposition: Encouraging constructive discussions can bridge divides and foster collaborative governance.
Electoral Reforms: Reforming the electoral system and political party structures can address issues like political defections and improve representation.
Adopting Technology: Utilizing digital platforms can facilitate virtual sessions, making parliamentary proceedings more accessible and efficient.
Conclusion:
The Parliament of India is at the center of the country’s democracy, holding the executive accountable and ensuring that the laws enacted reflect the will of the people. While it faces several challenges, its role as the supreme legislative body cannot be overstated. Understanding the structure, functions, and processes of the Parliament is essential for anyone who seeks to understand how India’s democratic system works.
Practice Essay:
“The Indian Parliament: Governance, Legislation, and Accountability“
