INTRODUCTION
Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Indian Parliament, also known as the Council of States. It is one of the two houses of the Indian Parliament, with the other being the Lok Sabha or the House of the People. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body, and its members are not subject to re-election.
The Rajya Sabha represents the interests of the states and union territories of India. It has a total of 245 members, out of which 233 are elected by the legislative assemblies of the states and union territories, while the remaining 12 are nominated by the President of India.
The term of a member of Rajya Sabha is six years, and every two years, one-third of its members retire and new members are elected or nominated. Members of Rajya Sabha must be citizens of India and at least 30 years of age.
The Rajya Sabha has the power to initiate and pass legislation on matters that fall under the jurisdiction of the Parliament. It also has the power to initiate impeachment proceedings against the President of India, judges of the Supreme Court and high courts, and other high-ranking officials.
The Rajya Sabha also has a role in shaping the policies of the Indian government by participating in debates and discussions on matters of national importance. It is a forum where members can express their opinions and concerns on various issues, and help in shaping the laws and policies of the country.
COMPOSITION
The Rajya Sabha is composed of a total of 245 members. Out of these, 233 members are elected by the legislative assemblies of the states and union territories, while the remaining 12 members are nominated by the President of India.
The allocation of seats in Rajya Sabha is based on the population of each state and union territory. The number of seats for each state and union territory is determined by the Constitution of India. The distribution of seats is such that the larger states have more seats than the smaller ones.
The members of Rajya Sabha are elected or nominated for a term of six years. One-third of the members retire every two years, and new members are elected or nominated in their place. The retiring members are replaced by new members who are elected or nominated by the respective legislative assemblies or the President of India.
The eligibility criteria for being a member of Rajya Sabha are that the person must be a citizen of India and must have attained the age of 30 years. Additionally, the person must not hold any office of profit under the government of India or any state government.
The Rajya Sabha also has a Chairman who presides over the proceedings of the House. The Chairman is elected by the members of the Rajya Sabha and holds office for a term of six years. The Vice-Chairman is also elected by the members of Rajya Sabha and assists the Chairman in the conduct of the proceedings.
FUNCTIONS
- LEGISLATIVE FUNCTION : The Rajya Sabha has the power to initiate and pass bills on all matters that fall within the jurisdiction of the Parliament. While the Lok Sabha has more powers in matters of money bills and budgets, the Rajya Sabha can also suggest amendments to such bills and delay their passage.
- REPRESENTATION OF STATES : The Rajya Sabha is designed to represent the interests of the states and union territories of India. The allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha is based on the population of each state, ensuring that the interests of smaller states are also represented in the Parliament.
- EXPERTISE AND DIVERSITY : The Rajya Sabha is composed of members who are experts in various fields, including science, arts, literature, and social service. This diversity of expertise and experience allows the Rajya Sabha to provide valuable insights and perspectives on various issues.
- CHECKS AND BALANCES : The Rajya Sabha acts as a check on the Lok Sabha and the executive branch of the government. It can scrutinize and debate bills passed by the Lok Sabha, suggest amendments, and delay their passage. This helps to ensure that the government is accountable to the people and that the interests of all sections of society are taken into account.
- ELECTORAL FUNCTIONS : The Rajya Sabha plays a role in electing the President and Vice-President of India. The members of the Rajya Sabha, along with the members of the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, form the electoral college that elects these two key constitutional posts.
- OVERSIGHT FUNCTION : The Rajya Sabha has the power to conduct inquiries and investigations on matters of public importance. It can also summon government officials and demand answers to questions related to government policies and actions. This oversight function helps to ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of the government.
ROLES
- LEGISLATIVE ROLE : The Rajya Sabha is responsible for passing laws and legislation in India. It acts as a check on the Lok Sabha and can propose amendments to bills that have been passed by the Lok Sabha. It also has the power to introduce bills in certain circumstances, such as in matters related to the concurrent list, where both the central and state governments have legislative authority.
- REPRESENTATION OF STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES : The Rajya Sabha represents the interests of the states and union territories of India. The allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha is based on the population of each state and union territory, ensuring that the interests of smaller states are also represented in the Parliament.
- APPOINTMENT AND IMPEACHMENT ROLE : The Rajya Sabha has an important role in the appointment and impeachment of members of the executive and judiciary. It approves appointments of judges to the Supreme Court and high courts and also participates in the impeachment of judges, President, and Vice President of India.
- RECOMMENDATIONS ROLE : The Rajya Sabha makes recommendations for the removal of members of various constitutional bodies such as the Election Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General, and the National Human Rights Commission.
- DISCUSSION AND DEBATE ROLE : The Rajya Sabha provides a platform for discussions and debates on matters of national importance. Members can express diverse opinions and views from different parts of the country. This helps in ensuring that different perspectives are taken into account while making important decisions.
- ELECTORAL ROLE : The Rajya Sabha participates in the election of the President and Vice President of India. The members of the Rajya Sabha, along with the members of the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, form the electoral college that elects these two key constitutional posts.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the Rajya Sabha is an important institution in the Indian parliamentary system. As the upper house of parliament, it plays a crucial role in representing the states and union territories of India, checking the powers of the lower house, and ensuring that the interests of all sections of society are taken into account in the national decision-making process. Through its legislative, representation, appointment, impeachment, recommendation, discussion and debate, and electoral roles, the Rajya Sabha contributes to the functioning of Indian democracy and the smooth functioning of the Indian political system.