Class 8 SST Civics Need and Importance of Parliament

 

Importance of Parliament

We in India pride ourselves on being a democracy. There is relation between the ideas of participation in decision-making and the need for all democratic governments to have the consent of their citizens.

It is these elements that together make us a democracy and this is best expressed in the institution of the Parliament. Parliament enables citizens of India to participate in decision making and control the government, thus making it the most important symbol of Indian democracy and a key feature of the Constitution.

People Power

India became independent on 15 August 1947. Many sections of society participated in the struggle. People from various backgrounds joined the struggle and they were inspired by the ideas of freedom, equality and participation in decision making. Under colonial rule, the people had lived in fear of the British government and did not agree with many of the decisions that they took. But they faced grave danger if they tried to criticise these decisions. The freedom movement changed this situation. The nationalists began to openly criticise the British government and make demands. As far back as 1885, the Indian National Congress demanded that there be elected members in the legislature with a right to discuss the budget and ask questions. The Government of India Act 1909, allowed for some elected representation. The dreams and aspirations of the freedom struggle were made concrete in the Constitution of independent India that laid down the principle of universal adult franchise, i.e. that all adult citizens of the country have the right to vote.

People and their Representatives

The take-off point for a democracy is the idea of consent, i.e. the desire, approval and participation of people. It is the decision of people that creates a democratic government and decides about its functioning. The basic idea in this kind of democracy is that the individual or the citizen is the most important person and that in principle the government as well as other public institutions needs to have the trust of these citizens.

People elect their representatives to the Parliament, then, one group from among these elected representatives forms the government. The Parliament, which is made up of all representatives together, controls and guides the government. In this sense people, through their chosen representatives, form the government and also control it.

The Role of the Parliament

The Indian Parliament is an expression of the faith that the people of India have in principles of democracy. These are participation by people in the decision making process and government by consent. The Parliament in our system has immense powers because it is the representative of the people. Elections to the Parliament are held in a similar manner as they are for the state legislature. The Lok Sabha is usually elected once every five years. The country is divided into numerous constituencies. Each of these constituencies elects one person to the Parliament. The candidates who contest elections usually belong to different political parties. Once elected, these candidates become Members of Parliament or MPs. These MPs together make up the Parliament.

Once elections to the Parliament have taken place, the Parliament needs to perform the following functions:

A. To Select the National Government

The Parliament in India consists of the President, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. After the Lok Sabha elections, a list is prepared showing how many MPs belong to each political party. For a political party to form the government, they must have a majority of elected MPs. Since there are 543 elected (plus 2 nominated) members in Lok Sabha, to have a majority a party should have at least half the number i.e. 272 members or more. The Opposition in Parliament is formed by all the political parties that oppose the majority party/coalition formed. The largest amongst these parties is called the Opposition party.

One of the most important functions of the Lok Sabha is to select the executive. The executive is a group of persons who work together to implement the laws made by the Parliament.

The Prime Minister of India is the leader of the ruling party in the Lok Sabha. From the MPs who belong to her party, the Prime Minister selects ministers to work with her to implement decisions. These ministers then take charge of different areas of government functioning like health, education, finance etc.

The Rajya Sabha functions primarily as the representative of the states of India in the Parliament. The Rajya Sabha can also initiate legislation and a bill is required to pas through the Rajya Sabha in order to become a law. It, therefore, has an important role of reviewing and altering (if alterations are needed) the laws initiated by the Lok Sabha. The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of various states. There are 233 elected members plus 12 members nominated by the President.

B. To Control, Guide and Inform the Government

The Parliament, while in session, begins with a question hour. The question hour is an important mechanism through which MPs can elicit information about the working of the government. This is a very important way through which the Parliament controls the executive. By asking questions the government is alerted to its shortcomings, and also comes to know the opinion of the people through their representatives in the Parliament, i.e. the MPs. Asking questions of the government is a crucial task for every MP. The Opposition parties play a critical role in the healthy functioning of a democracy. They highlight drawbacks in various policies and programmes of the government and mobilise popular support for their own policies.

People in Parliament

The Parliament now has more and more people from different backgrounds. For example, there are more rural members as also members from many regional parties. Groups and peoples that were till now unrepresented are beginning to get elected to the Parliament.

There has also been an increase in political participation from the Dalit and backward castes and the minorities.

1. Summary

India is a parliamentary democracy. The parliament is the most important symbol of democracy. An important constitutional right is the right to vote. This is based on the principles of democracy and universal adult franchise.

Democracy means citizens of a country must elect their representatives to govern them. Universal adult franchise means every adult citizen has a right to vote regardless of their gender or religion.

India is divided into 552 parliamentary constituencies. Citizens must stand for election from each constituency but only one can be elected. The citizens elected to parliament are called Members of Parliament or MPs. The MPs you elect must enjoy your approval on all the work that they do! A person must be a nationalized citizen of India and over 18 years of age.

There are two governments—one at the centre, which we refer to as the Sansad, and one at the state-level called the Vidhan Sabha. The sansad consists of the President, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

The Lok Sabha is the house of the people to which you elect members of parliament. The MPs perform three main functions: select the national government, control, guide and inform the government, and make laws.

If no one party is able to get the 272 seats required to form a government, they must invite other like-minded parties to join them. This is called a coalition government. The Prime Minister is the leader of the ruling party or coalition government.

The Opposition plays a critical role in the healthy functioning of a democracy. They provide feedback to the executive and control, guide and inform the government. It is only through the active participation of the executive and The Opposition that the laws can meet public approval and ensure that everyone is represented! 

 

Rajya Sabha

Council of States came into being in 1919, under the Government of India Act, 1919. The name Rajya Sabha in Hindi was adopted on August 23, 1954. The total number of members in Rajya Sabha is 250. Out of these 238 members will be from different States and Union Territories while the remaining 12 members are nominated by President. Each member is elected for six years.

Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and can not be dissolved fully. One third of the members are replaced by newly elected members every second year. The Rajya Sabha represents the States of India. It is indirectly elected by residents of the State. The citizens elect members to State Legislative Assembly (MLA) and these MLAs then elect members of Rajya Sabha (MP).

The Council of States was a deformed version of second chamber of India before independence and does not reflect true federal features.

The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The House also has Deputy Chairman and a panel of "Vice Chairmen." The senior most Minister of Rajya Sabha, is appointed by the Prime Minister.

Lok Sabha

The House of People was constituted in 1952 after the General Elections as was named Lok Sabha in Hindi on 14 May, 1954.

The representatives of Lok Sabha are chosen by election of the territorial constituencies directly. Presently there are 543 constituencies. The total strength of the House is 552 members, consisting of 530 member representatives of the States, 20 members representing the Union Territories and 2 members are nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian Community.

Usually Lok Sabha is formed for a period of five years. But in case of emergency this period may be extended by Parliament as per law for a period upto one year at a time and beyond six months after the conclusion of the declaration.

The Lok Sabha may be dissolved before completing its term if no party or alliance is able to form the government or the Prime Minister and President wants to hold fresh elections.

Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

1. Members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the eligible voters who are the citizens of India whereas the members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies.
2. Lok Sabha is constituted for 5 years only then after that elections are held and new members replace the old ones while Rajya Sabha is a permanent body.
3. The Council of Ministers of Lok Sabha is responsible for the introduction of money bills.
4. Rajya Sabha enjoys special powers to declare laws in Parliament regarding the matter listed in the State List or to create by law one or more all-India services common to the Union and the States. 

Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

- Lok Sabha is the house of the people, members directly elected by the people, while Rajya Sabha is the federal chamber, a house elected by the elected members of Assemblies of the States and two Union Territories.

- Lok Sabha can have a maximum of 552 members whereas the Rajya Sabha can have 250 members.

- The minimum age to be an elected member of Lok Sabha is 25 whereas it is 35 for Rajya Sabha.

- Rajya Sabha or the Council of States is the second chamber with a restricted franchise. It has no say in the financial matters such as the budget of the country.

- Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha, they can pass confidence motion, show power in the question hour, pass adjournment motion but Rajya Sabha cannot make or unmake the Government.

- However, a Constitution amendment Bill has to be passed by both Houses by a specific majority.

- Also Rajya Sabha has special powers on the matters under state list. In general terms, the matters under the union list and state list are mutually exclusive, but Rajya Sabha can pass a resolution by two-thirds majority empowering the Lok Sabha to make law on a matter enumerated in the State List, in the national interest.

- The Speaker preside the sittings of the Lok Sabha, while the Vice-President of India ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha presides over Rajya Sabha sitting

 

3. Why Do We Need Parliament?

This chapter tells us about Indian parliament and its role.
Under colonial rule, the people had lived in fear of the British Government & did not agree with many of the decisions that they took, but they faced grave danger if they tried to criticise these decisions. But the freedom movement changed this situation. Back in 1885, the National Congress demanded that there be elected members in a legislative with a right to discuss budget & ask questions

• The Govt. of India Act 1909, allowed for some elected representation, but did not allow for all adults to vote.
• As citizens of a free country, after Independence, the dreams & aspirations of the freedom struggle were made the basis of the Constitution of independent India. This laid down the principle of universal adult franchise i.e., that all adult citizens of the country have the right to vote.
• India became independent on 15 August, 1947.

3.1   People & their representatives

The very basis of a democracy is the idea of consent i.e., the desire, approval & participation of people.

• It is the decision of people that creates a democratic government & decides about its functioning.
• In principle, the govt. as well as other public institutions need to have the trust of its citizens.
• People elect their representative to the Parliament.
• One group from among these elected representative forms the govt.
• The Parliament, which is made up of all representatives together, controls & guides the govt. So, people, through their chosen representatives from the govt & also control it.

3.2   The Role of the Parliament

Indian Parliament was created in 1947

• Indian Parliament is an expression of the faith that people of India have in principles of democracy.
• The principles of democracy are participation by people in the decision-making process & govt by consent.
• The Parliament in our system has immense powers as it is the representative of the people.
• The Lok Sabha is usually elected once every five years.
• Country is divided into numerous constituencies, each electing one person to the Parliament.
• Once elected, these candidates become Members of Parliament or MPs. These MPs together make up the Parliament.

3.3   Functions of the Parliament

3.3.1    To select the National Government

The Parliament in India consists of the President, the Rajya Sabha & the Lok Sabha.

• For a Political party to form a govt., it must have a majority of elected MPs.
• Out of total 543 elected members plus 2 nominated members in Lok Sabha, a party should have at least half the number i.e., 272 members for majority.
• Opposition is formed by the parties opposing the majority party. The largest party amongst these parties is called the opposition party.

3.3.1.1         Lok Sabha

One of the most important functions of the Lok Sabha is to select the executive. The executive, is a group of persons who work together to implement the laws made by the Parliament.

• Prime Minister is the leader of the ruling party in Lok Sabha.,
• Prime Minister selects ministers from the MPs who belong to his party who take charge of different areas of govt. functioning.

Coalition Government

When it is difficult for a single political party to get the majority to form the govt., they join together with different political parties who are interested in similar concerns to from a govt. as Coalition Govt.

3.3.1.2     Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha functions primarily as the representatives of the states of India in the Parliament.

• The Rajya Sabha can also initiate legislation & a bill is reqd. to pass through the Rajya Sabha to become a law.
• The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of various states.
• Rajya Sabha has 233 elected members plus 12 members nominated by the President.

3.3.2    To Control, Guide & Inform the Government

3.3.2.1     Question Hour

The Parliament, while in session, begins with a question hour.

• The question hour is an important mechanism through which MPs can elicit information about the working of the govt.
• This is a very important way through which the Parliament controls the executive.
• By asking questions, the govt. is alerted to its shortcomings, & also comes to know the opinion of the people through their representatives in the Parliament, i.e. the MPs
• Asking the questions from the govt is a crucial task for every MP.
• The opposition parties play a critical role in the healthy functioning of a democracy.
• They highlight the drawbacks in various policies & programmes of the govt & mobilize popular support for their own policies.
• The govt. gets valuable feedback & is kept on its toes by the questions asked by the MPs.
• This is one of the several ways in which the Parliament controls, guides & informs the govt.

3.3.3    Law-Making

The Parliament has people from different backgrounds Groups & people that were till now unrepresented, are beginning to get elected to the Parliament.

• A representative democracy cannot produce a perfect reflection of society.
• To ensure that the communities that have been historically marginalised are given adequate representation, some seats are reserved in the Parliament for SCs & STs.
• Similarly, it has recently been suggested that there should be reservation of seats for women as half of our population is women.
• The fact that we can ask questions & work towards answers is a reflection of strength & the faith that people is India have in a democratic form of government.

Important Questions

Q 1: Why do you think our national movement supported the idea that all adults have a right to vote?         

Under colonial rule, the people had lived in fear of the British govt. & did not agree with many of the decisions that they took.

• But they faced great danger if they tried to criticised these decisions.
• The freedom movement changed this situation & the nationalists began to openly criticise the British govt & make demands.
• They demanded that there be elected members in the legislature with a right to discuss the budget & ask questions.

That is why nationalist movement supported the idea of universal adult franchise, so that the people can take part in the decision making of the country.

Q 2: Use the term ‘Constituency’ and ‘Represent’ to explain who an MLA is and how the person gets elected?

An MLA is the Member of Legislative Assembly. Each state is divided into different ‘Constituencies’. The MLA is the elected member who represents a particular constituency.

Q 3: Discuss with your teacher the difference between a State Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and the Parliament (Lok Sabha)

Parliament (Lok Sabha)	State Legislature Assembly (Rajya Sabha)
The Members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people	The members of Rajya Sabha are indirectly elected by members of various legislative assemblies
There are 542 members & 2 are nominated by the President	There are 245 members, out of which 12 are nominated by the President
Its term is for 5 years	It’s term is for 6 years
Lok Sabha can be dissolved by the President That is why, it is known as the Temporary House	It cannot be dissolved because it is a Permanent House & 2/3 of its members retire after every two Years & new members join in their place

Vidhan Sabha (State Legislative Assembly)	Parliament (Lok Sabha)
Vidhan Sabha is the lower house of the state	Lok Sabha is known as lower house of the Parliament
The members of Vidhan Sabha are known as MLAs	The members of Lok Sabha are known as MPs

Q 4: From the list below, identify the work of a State government and that of a Central government

1. The decision of the Indian Govt. to maintain peaceful relations with China. (Central Govt.)
2. The decision of the Madhya Pradesh govt. todiscontinue Board exams in Class VIII for all schools under this Board. (State Govt.)
3. Introduction of a new train connection between Ajmer & Mysore (Central govt.)
4. Introduction of a new 1,000 rupee note (central Govt.)

Q 5: Fill in the blanks

Democratic governments, in our times are usually referred to as representatives’ democracies. In representative democracies, people do not participate directly but, instead, choose their representative through an election process. These MLA’s meet & make decisions for the entire population. These days, a govt. can not call itself democratic unless it allows what is known as Universal Adult Franchise. This means that all adult citizens in the country are allowed to vote.

Q 6: Why do we have a system whre the representatives are elected for a fixed period and not for life?

We have a system where the representatives are elected for a fixed period & not for life. This is because –

1. So that the elected representative may not become strong & try to misuse their powers.
2. If we will choose a representative for lifetime, it will be against the democracy.

Q 7: Describe the ways other than participating in elections to express approval or disapproval of actions of government.

People participate in ways other than participating in elections & not just through elections to express approval or disapproval of the actions of govt. Three ways in which they do so are

1. For the election of MLA, the area is divided into various constituencies of a state.
2. Elections are held on the basis of Universal Adult Franchise.
3. From every constituency, one MLA is elected.