Legislative Bodies: Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
The Rajya Sabha, India's Upper House of Parliament, holds a crucial position in the bicameral legislature, acting as a representative for the states and union territories, maintaining federal balance, and serving as a permanent, deliberative body in law-making and democratic discourse.
One of the key roles of the Rajya Sabha is to ensure that the diverse views and rights of individual states and union territories are heard in the Parliament, thereby preserving India's federal structure and balancing the population-based representation of the Lok Sabha.
In terms of legislative powers, the Rajya Sabha shares these with the Lok Sabha, with most bills requiring approval from both houses. However, unlike the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha cannot introduce or reject revenue bills or issue a vote of confidence. It can introduce other types of bills and has exclusive powers, such as authorizing Parliament to legislate on state subjects by a two-thirds majority.
The Rajya Sabha is a permanent chamber, providing stability and continuity in legislative processes and deeper reflection on laws and policies affecting the nation’s socio-economic fabric. It offers a platform for robust debate and discussion, including representation from eminent citizens nominated for their contributions to literature, science, arts, and social service. This elevates the quality of debate and brings diverse perspectives influencing socio-economic reform.
By enabling state voices and preventing hasty legislation, the Rajya Sabha promotes more balanced and equitable socio-economic policies that reflect India’s diversity, thereby supporting inclusive national development.
The Rajya Sabha has played a significant role in passing bills that contribute to democratic discourse, law-making, and socio-economic changes. However, it has faced criticism for failing to protect the interests of states in certain cases, such as the reduced status of J&K from a state to a UT, the reduction of powers of the NCT Delhi government through amendment, and the passage of the farm bills.
The Rajya Sabha also has the potential to act as a voice of states to protect constitutional morality, and the M. M. Punchhi Commission has suggested equal numbers of seats in the Rajya Sabha as in the Lok Sabha, on the pattern of the United States.
In addition to its legislative role, the Rajya Sabha can recommend the President for the removal of Chief Justice and judges of the Supreme Court and high courts, the chief election commissioner, and the comptroller and auditor general. This underscores its role as a critical check and balance in the Indian democratic system.
- War-and-conflicts, migration, and crime-and-justice are significant topics that often find their way into the debates within the Rajya Sabha, contributing to its role in democratic discourse and law-making.
- In the realm of policy-and-legislation, the Rajya Sabha has been instrumental in shaping socio-economic reforms, giving a voice to the states and promoting legislations that support general-news issues, such as federal balance and democratic checks and balances.
- Beyond its legislative responsibilities, the Rajya Sabha serves as a platform for discussing topics of national importance, including sports, with the aim of fostering a more inclusive and equitable nation, reflective of India's diverse society.
%20and%20Rajya%20Sabha%20(Council%20of%20States)){kind=link}