Polity

Union Legislature: The Parliament

The Parliament is known as Union Legislature or National Legislature, which is a supreme body of decision making and symbol of democratic governance. The Parliament is the most powerful platform with accountability for debating on the issues regarding welfare of the country and its people and enacting laws and making changes to the constitution.

It has two important powers and functions called as legislative and fi nancial. T h e legislative powers are for law making and the fi nancial powers are to prepare money bill as called as budget. Also the parliament has electoral functions with regard to elect the President and the VicePresident of India.

T h e Parliament has judicial function also on the matters of the proposals for the removal of the President, Vice – President, Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts and the process of removal is called ‘impeachment’. It is the duty of the President to summon the Parliament and it must have not less than two sessions in a year. Every year, at the commencement of the fi rst session of the parliament, the President delivers his special address which would be the future course of action of the parliament in view of giving framework for new policies, programmes and initiatives of the government.

Th e cabinet, both individually and collectively is accountable to and removable by the Loksabha.

When the Parliament meet for discussing various agenda and approving bills, motions with a scheduled meeting is called Session. The Parliament holds THREE sessions in a year.

1. Budget session (February-May)

2. Monsoon Session (July-August)

3. Winter Session (November-December

Activity – Interpretation of Cartoon

Women members in the Rajya Sabha urged the Government to ensure the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha. The Bill, which proposes 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State legislatures, was passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2010 but has been stuck in the lower house for nine years. The Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill, commonly known as the Women’s Reservation Bill, needs to be approved by the Lok Sabha in order to become law.

Cartoon Courtesy : The Hindu, 13.3.2010.

As a class, discuss what you already know or think about the following topics: a. Women’s Reservation Bill b. 33% quota c. Needs to be approved by the Lok Sabha.

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