In this article you will learn about the Rajya Sabha in Political Science.
Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Indian Parliament and is also known as the Council of States. It gives representation to the States of the Union Parliament. However, unlike other countries like the USA and Switzerland, the Indian States have not been given equal representation in the Rajya Sabha. These have been given representation on the basis of the size of the population of the countries. The Rajya Sabha consists of 250 members, of which 238 members are elected by the legislatures of the states and union territories, and the remaining 12 members are appointed by the President of India for their contributions to the fields of art, science, literature, and social service.
Presently, the total strength of the Rajya Sabha stands at 245 out of which 233 are the representatives of the States and Union Territories and 12 are nominated members. In the Rajya Sabha, the allocation of seats, the Constitution takes into account the population of each State as a unit and other geographic and social factors.
Method of Election : The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected indirectly by the members of the state legislative assemblies through the method of proportional representation – single transferable vote system. Each State Legislative Assembly elects as many representatives as stands allocated to it by the Constitution. The President nominates 12 members from amongst persons who have attained distinction in the field of science, arts, literature and social service.
Qualifications of Members : The Constitution lays down the following qualifications for the membership of Rajya Sabha.
- He/she must be a citizen of India.
- He/she must be above the age of 30 years.
- He/she must possess all other qualifications as may be laid down by the Parliament.
- He/she must not hold any office or profit under any government.
- He/she should not be insane or bankrupt.
- He/she should not have been disqualified under any law of the Parliament.
The Supreme Court of India has ruled that since there is uniform single citizenship for every Indian, any person can contest an election for Rajya Sabha from any state. The Rajya Sabha is a quasi-permanent House and the tenure of a member of Rajya Sabha is 6 years.
The Rajya Sabha has several important roles and functions. One of the primary functions of the Rajya Sabha is to review and approve bills passed by the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament. This is an important role as it ensures that laws are carefully scrutinised before they are passed. Additionally, the Rajya Sabha can initiate and pass bills as well, although money bills must be initiated in the Lok Sabha.
Another important role of the Rajya Sabha is to ensure that the interests of the states and union territories are represented in the Parliament. This is because the members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the state legislatures and union territories, and they are expected to represent the interests of their respective regions. The Rajya Sabha also serves as a forum for debate and discussion on important issues facing the country.
The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term of six years, and one-third of the members retire every two years. This ensures that there is continuity in the functioning of the Rajya Sabha, while also providing an opportunity for new members to be elected and bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the Parliament.
The Rajya Sabha has several committees that play an important role in its functioning. These committees are responsible for examining bills, conducting inquiries and investigations, and providing expert opinion and advice on various matters. Some of the important committees of the Rajya Sabha include the Committee on Petitions, the Committee on Public Accounts, and the Committee on Subordinate Legislation.
One of the unique features of the Rajya Sabha is its power to impeach the President of India. If the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority that the President is guilty of violating the Constitution, the matter is referred to the Lok Sabha, which then sets up a committee to investigate the charges. If the committee finds the charges to be true, the President can be impeached.
The Rajya Sabha has played an important role in shaping the political landscape of India. Over the years, it has seen several important debates and discussions on issues ranging from economic policies to social issues. Some of the landmark legislations that have been passed by the Rajya Sabha include the Right to Information Act, the Protection of Human Rights Act, and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
In recent times, the Rajya Sabha has seen several instances of disruptions and protests, which have led to the adjournment of proceedings. While protests and disruptions are a legitimate way for members to voice their dissent, they should not be allowed to disrupt the functioning of the House. It is important for the members to maintain decorum and engage in constructive debate and discussion on issues facing the country.
In conclusion, the Rajya Sabha is an important institution that plays a crucial role in the functioning of the Indian Parliament. Its unique composition and powers ensure that the interests of the states and union territories are represented in the Parliament, while also providing an opportunity for constructive debate and discussion on important issues facing the country.
This article on Rajya Sabha in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.