imported>Dev Adhi No edit summary |
->Dhruv edits Undid revision 1066073590 by 2409:4042:E05:A5F1:BC98:C52D:CD95:6C35 (talk). Incorrect edit |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Upper house of the Parliament of India}} | {{Short description|Upper house of the Parliament of India}} | ||
{{About||the lower house|Lok Sabha|current list of Rajya Sabha members|List of current members of the Rajya Sabha}} | {{About||the lower house|Lok Sabha|current list of Rajya Sabha members|List of current members of the Rajya Sabha}} | ||
{{Coord|28|37|0|N|77|12|30|E|display=title}} | {{Coord|28|37|0|N|77|12|30|E|display=title}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2020}} | {{Use Indian English|date=May 2020}} | ||
| Line 8: | Line 7: | ||
| background_color = #BE0E0E | | background_color = #BE0E0E | ||
| name = Rajya Sabha | | name = Rajya Sabha | ||
| coa_pic = | | coa_pic =emblem of India.svg | ||
| coa_caption = [[State Emblem of India|Emblem of India]] | | coa_caption = [[State Emblem of India|Emblem of India]] | ||
| coa_res = 150px | | coa_res = 150px | ||
| coa_alt = Emblem of | | coa_alt =Emblem of india | ||
| house_type = Upper house | | house_type = Upper house | ||
| body = Parliament of India | | body = Parliament of India | ||
| Line 24: | Line 23: | ||
| election2 = 14 September 2020 | | election2 = 14 September 2020 | ||
| leader3_type = Secretary General | | leader3_type = Secretary General | ||
| leader3 = | | leader3 = P.C Mody | ||
| party3 = | | party3 = | ||
| election3 = | | election3 = 12 November 2021 | ||
| leader4_type = [[Leader of the House (Rajya Sabha)|Leader of the House]] | | leader4_type = [[Leader of the House (Rajya Sabha)|Leader of the House]] | ||
| leader4 = [[Piyush Goyal]]<br /> {{small|([[Second Modi ministry|Union Cabinet Ministers]])}} | | leader4 = [[Piyush Goyal]]<br /> {{small|([[Second Modi ministry|Union Cabinet Ministers]])}} | ||
| Line 48: | Line 47: | ||
| structure1_alt = Rajya Sabha | | structure1_alt = Rajya Sabha | ||
| political_groups1 = | | political_groups1 = | ||
'''[[ | '''[[Government of India|Government]] (119)'''<br>'''[[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] (119)''' | ||
* {{colorbox|{{Bharatiya Janata Party | * {{colorbox|{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}}} [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] (97) | ||
* {{colorbox|{{All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | * {{colorbox|{{party color|All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}} [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]] (5) | ||
* {{colorbox|{{Janata Dal (United) | * {{colorbox|{{party color|Janata Dal (United)}}}} [[Janata Dal (United)|JD(U)]] (4) | ||
* {{colorbox|{{Asom Gana Parishad | * {{colorbox|{{party color|Asom Gana Parishad}}}} [[Asom Gana Parishad|AGP]] (1) | ||
* {{colorbox|{{National People's Party (India) | * {{Color box|{{party color|Mizo National Front}}}} [[Mizo National Front|MNF]] (1) | ||
* {{ | * {{colorbox|{{party color|National People's Party (India)}}}} [[National People's Party (India)|NPP]] (1) | ||
* {{colorbox|{{Tamil Maanila Congress | * {{Color box|{{party color|Naga People's Front}}}} [[Naga People's Front|NPF]] (1) | ||
* {{colorbox|#99ff00}} [[Pattali Makkal Katchi|PMK]] (1) | |||
* {{colorbox|{{party color|Tamil Maanila Congress}}}} [[Tamil Maanila Congress|TMC(M)]] (1) | |||
* {{colorbox|#000080}} [[Republican Party of India (A)|RPI(A)]] (1) | * {{colorbox|#000080}} [[Republican Party of India (A)|RPI(A)]] (1) | ||
* {{Color box|{{ | * {{Color box|{{party color|Janata Dal (Secular)}}}} [[Janata Dal (Secular)|JD(S)]] (1) | ||
* {{colorbox|# | *{{Color box|#EF426F}} [[Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt)|SAD(S)]] (1) | ||
* {{colorbox|#CDCDCD}} [[Independent politician|IND]] (1) | |||
* {{colorbox|#000000}} [[Nominated|NOM]] (3) | * {{colorbox|#000000}} [[Nominated|NOM]] (3) | ||
'''[[Parliamentary Opposition|Opposition]] (118)'''<br>'''[[United Progressive Alliance|UPA]] (55)''' | '''[[Parliamentary Opposition|Opposition]] (118)'''<br>'''[[United Progressive Alliance|UPA]] (55)''' | ||
* {{Color box|{{Indian National Congress | * {{Color box|{{party color|Indian National Congress}}}} [[Indian National Congress|INC]] (34) | ||
* {{Color box|{{Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | * {{Color box|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}} [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]] (10) | ||
* {{Color box|#008F8F}} [[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]] (4) | * {{Color box|#008F8F}} [[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]] (4) | ||
* {{Color box|#FF6634}} [[Shiv Sena|SS]] (3) | |||
* {{Color box|#159815}} [[Indian Union Muslim League|IUML]] (1) | * {{Color box|#159815}} [[Indian Union Muslim League|IUML]] (1) | ||
* {{Color box|#8A0000}} [[Jharkhand Mukti Morcha|JMM]] (1) | * {{Color box|#8A0000}} [[Jharkhand Mukti Morcha|JMM]] (1) | ||
* {{Color box|{{Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | * {{Color box|{{party color|Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}} [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|MDMK]] (1) | ||
* {{colorbox|# | * {{colorbox|#FD5B78}} [[Anchalik Gana Morcha|AGM]] (1) | ||
'''Others ( | '''Others (66)''' | ||
* {{Color box|{{All India Trinamool Congress | * {{Color box|{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}}} [[All India Trinamool Congress|AITC]] (13) | ||
* {{Color box|{{Biju Janata Dal | * {{Color box|{{party color|Biju Janata Dal}}}} [[Biju Janata Dal|BJD]] (9) | ||
* {{Color box|{{Telangana Rashtra Samithi | * {{Color box|{{party color|Telangana Rashtra Samithi}}}} [[Telangana Rashtra Samithi|TRS]] (6) | ||
* {{Color box|{{YSR Congress Party | * {{Color box|{{party color|YSR Congress Party}}}} [[YSRCP]] (6) | ||
* {{Color box|#8C0000}} [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]] (6) | * {{Color box|#8C0000}} [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]] (6) | ||
* {{Color box|{{party color|Rashtriya Janata Dal}}}} [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]] (5) | |||
* {{Color box|#EE0000}} [[Samajwadi Party|SP]] (5) | * {{Color box|#EE0000}} [[Samajwadi Party|SP]] (5) | ||
* {{Color box|{{Bahujan Samaj Party | * {{Color box|{{party color|Bahujan Samaj Party}}}} [[Bahujan Samaj Party|BSP]] (3) | ||
* {{Color box|#0093ED}} [[Aam Aadmi Party|AAP]] (3) | * {{Color box|#0093ED}} [[Aam Aadmi Party|AAP]] (3) | ||
* {{Color box|#BD710F}} [[Shiromani Akali Dal|SAD]] ( | * {{Color box|#BD710F}} [[Shiromani Akali Dal|SAD]] (2) | ||
* {{Color box|# | * {{Color box|#FF7E7E}} [[Communist Party of India|CPI]] (1) | ||
* {{Color box|#FFFF00}} [[Telugu Desam Party|TDP]] (1) | * {{Color box|#FFFF00}} [[Telugu Desam Party|TDP]] (1) | ||
* {{Color box| | * {{Color box|#CC9900}} [[Kerala Congress (M)|KC(M)]] (1) | ||
* {{Color box|#00A955}} [[Loktantrik Janata Dal|LJD]] (1) | * {{Color box|#00A955}} [[Loktantrik Janata Dal|LJD]] (1) | ||
* {{Color box|#FFFC06}} [[Sikkim Democratic Front|SDF]] (1) | * {{Color box|#FFFC06}} [[Sikkim Democratic Front|SDF]] (1) | ||
'''Vacant ( | '''Vacant (8)''' | ||
* {{Color box|#FFFFFF}} Vacant ( | * {{Color box|#FFFFFF}} Vacant (8) | ||
| voting_system1 = 233 members by [[single transferable vote]] by state legislatures, 12 appointed by the President | | voting_system1 = 233 members by [[single transferable vote]] by state legislatures, 12 appointed by the President | ||
| last_election1 = [[2021 Indian Rajya Sabha elections| | | last_election1 = [[2021 Indian Rajya Sabha elections|October 2021]] | ||
| next_election1 = [[ | | next_election1 = [[2022 Indian Rajya Sabha elections|2022]] | ||
| session_room = New Delhi government block 03-2016 img3.jpg | | session_room = New Delhi government block 03-2016 img3.jpg | ||
| session_res = 250px | | session_res = 250px | ||
| Line 101: | Line 102: | ||
| footnotes = {{note|cap|†}}Includes 9 [[List of nominated members of Rajya Sabha|nominated]] members taking the BJP whip. | | footnotes = {{note|cap|†}}Includes 9 [[List of nominated members of Rajya Sabha|nominated]] members taking the BJP whip. | ||
}} | }} | ||
The Rajya Sabha has equal footing in legislation with the Lok Sabha, except in the area of [[Loss of supply|supply]], where the latter has overriding powers. In the case of conflicting legislation, a [[Joint Session of Indian Parliament|joint sitting]] of the two houses can be held, where the Lok Sabha would hold greater influence because of its larger membership. The [[Vice President of India]] (currently, [[Venkaiah Naidu]]) is the ''[[ex-officio]]'' Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who presides over its sessions. The [[Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha|Deputy Chairman]], who is elected from amongst the house's members, takes care of the day-to-day matters of the house in the absence of the Chairman. The Rajya Sabha held its first sitting on 13 May 1952.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/intro/p1.htm|title=OUR PARLIAMENT|publisher=Indian Parliament|access-date=11 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517025653/http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/intro/p1.html|archive-date=17 May 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | The '''Rajya Sabha''', [[wikisource:Constitution_of_India/Part_V#Article_80|constitutionally]] the '''Council of States''' (informally known as the '''House of Elders''')<ref>''WOMEN MEMBERS OF RAJYA SABHA''.<br>p. 91. "''The House is known as the House of Elders ''”.<br>p. 119. "''this House is known as the House of Elders''".<br>{{cite web |url=https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/publication_electronic/Women_Members_Rajya%20Sabha.pdf |title=WOMEN MEMBERS OF RAJYA SABHA |publisher=Rajya Sabha |website=rajyasabha.nic.in |access-date=December 6, 2021}}</ref> is the [[upper house]] of the [[bicameral]] [[Parliament of India]]. {{As of|2021}} it has a maximum membership of 245, of which 233 are elected by the legislatures of the states and union territories using [[single transferable vote]]s through Open Ballot while the [[President of India|President]] can appoint 12 members for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social services. The potential seating capacity of the Rajya Sabha is 250 (238 elected, 12 appointed), according to article 80 of the [[Constitution of India|Indian Constitution]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rajya Sabha Introduction|url=https://rajyasabha.gov.in/rsnew/about_parliament/rajya_sabha_introduction.asp|access-date=2020-08-03|website=rajyasabha.gov.in|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815105314/https://rajyasabha.gov.in/rsnew/about_parliament/rajya_sabha_introduction.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> Members sit for [[Staggered elections|staggered terms]] lasting six years, with about a third of the 233 designates up for election every two years, in even-numbered years.<ref>{{cite web|last=Deshmukh|first=Yashwant|title=Crucial polls today: A guide to calculus of Rajya Sabha for dummies|website=Firstpost|date=11 June 2016|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/the-calculus-of-rajya-sabha-elections-for-dummies-a-brief-guide-2822478.html|access-date=20 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619100417/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/the-calculus-of-rajya-sabha-elections-for-dummies-a-brief-guide-2822478.html|archive-date=19 June 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Rajya Sabha meets in continuous sessions, and unlike the [[Lok Sabha]], [[lower house|being the lower house of the Parliament]], the Rajya Sabha is not subjected to dissolution. However, the Rajya Sabha, like the Lok Sabha can be [[Prorogation|prorogued]] by the President. | ||
The Rajya Sabha has equal footing in legislation with the Lok Sabha, except in the area of [[Loss of supply|supply]], where the latter has overriding powers. In the case of conflicting legislation, a [[Joint Session of Indian Parliament|joint sitting]] of the two houses can be held, where the Lok Sabha would hold a greater influence because of its larger membership. The [[Vice President of India]] (currently, [[Venkaiah Naidu]]) is the ''[[ex-officio]]'' Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who presides over its sessions. The [[Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha|Deputy Chairman]], who is elected from amongst the house's members, takes care of the day-to-day matters of the house in the absence of the Chairman. The Rajya Sabha held its first sitting on 13 May 1952.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/intro/p1.htm|title=OUR PARLIAMENT|publisher=Indian Parliament|access-date=11 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517025653/http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/intro/p1.html|archive-date=17 May 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | |||
The Rajya Sabha meets in the eponymous chamber in [[Parliament House (India)|Parliament House]] in [[New Delhi]]. Since 18 July 2018, the Rajya Sabha has facility for simultaneous interpretation in all the [[Languages with official status in India|22 scheduled languages of India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rajya-sabha-mps-can-now-speak-in-22-indian-languages-in-house/articleshow/65036650.cms|title=Rajya Sabha MPs can now speak in 22 Indian languages in House|access-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008234905/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rajya-sabha-mps-can-now-speak-in-22-indian-languages-in-house/articleshow/65036650.cms|archive-date=8 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | The Rajya Sabha meets in the eponymous chamber in [[Parliament House (India)|Parliament House]] in [[New Delhi]]. Since 18 July 2018, the Rajya Sabha has facility for simultaneous interpretation in all the [[Languages with official status in India|22 scheduled languages of India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rajya-sabha-mps-can-now-speak-in-22-indian-languages-in-house/articleshow/65036650.cms|title=Rajya Sabha MPs can now speak in 22 Indian languages in House|access-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008234905/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rajya-sabha-mps-can-now-speak-in-22-indian-languages-in-house/articleshow/65036650.cms|archive-date=8 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
==Qualifications== | ==Qualifications== | ||
{{Primary sources section|date=January 2021}} | |||
Article 84 of the Constitution lays down the qualifications for membership of Parliament. A member of the Rajya Sabha must:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/council_state/council_state.asp|title=Council of States (Rajya Sabha) – rajyasabha.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618020042/http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/council_state/council_state.asp|archive-date=18 June 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | Article 84 of the Constitution lays down the qualifications for membership of Parliament. A member of the Rajya Sabha must:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/council_state/council_state.asp|title=Council of States (Rajya Sabha) – rajyasabha.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618020042/http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/council_state/council_state.asp|archive-date=18 June 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | ||
* Be a citizen of India. | * Be a citizen of India. | ||
| Line 125: | Line 128: | ||
===Money bills=== | ===Money bills=== | ||
The definition of a money bill is given in article 110 of constitution of India. A money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha by a minister and only on recommendation of President of India. When the Lok Sabha passes a money bill then the Lok Sabha sends money bill to the Rajya Sabha for 14 days during which it can make recommendations. Even if Rajya Sabha fails to return the money bill in 14 days to the Lok Sabha, that bill is deemed to have passed by both the Houses. Also, if the Lok Sabha rejects any (or all) of the amendments proposed by the Rajya Sabha, the bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses of Parliament of India in the form the Lok Sabha finally passes it. Hence, Rajya Sabha can only give recommendations for a money bill but Rajya Sabha cannot amend a money bill. This is to ensure that Rajya Sabha must not add any non money matters | The definition of a money bill is given in article 110 of the constitution of India. A money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha by a minister and only on the recommendation of the President of India. When the Lok Sabha passes a money bill then the Lok Sabha sends the money bill to the Rajya Sabha for 14 days during which it can make recommendations. Even if Rajya Sabha fails to return the money bill in 14 days to the Lok Sabha, that bill is deemed to have passed by both the Houses. Also, if the Lok Sabha rejects any (or all) of the amendments proposed by the Rajya Sabha, the bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses of Parliament of India in the form the Lok Sabha finally passes it. Hence, Rajya Sabha can only give recommendations for a money bill but Rajya Sabha cannot amend a money bill. This is to ensure that Rajya Sabha must not add any non-money matters to the money bill. There is no joint sitting of both the houses for money bills, because all final decisions are taken by the Lok Sabha.<ref>{{cite web|title=Website of the Rajya Sabha – Legislation|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/legislation/introduction.asp|access-date=2 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019215856/http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/legislation/introduction.asp|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=January 2022}} | ||
===Joint Sitting of the Parliament=== | ===Joint Sitting of the Parliament=== | ||
Article 108 provides for a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament in certain cases. A joint sitting can be convened by the President of India when one house has either rejected a bill passed by the other house, has not taken any action on a bill transmitted to it by the other house for six months, or has disagreed | {{Unreferenced section|date=January 2022}} | ||
Article 108 provides for a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament in certain cases. A joint sitting can be convened by the President of India when one house has either rejected a bill passed by the other house, has not taken any action on a bill transmitted to it by the other house for six months, or has disagreed with the amendments proposed by the Lok Sabha on a bill passed by it. Considering that the numerical strength of Lok Sabha is more than twice that of Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha tends to have a greater influence in a joint sitting of Parliament. A joint session is chaired by the Speaker of Lok Sabha. Also, because the joint session is convened by the President on the advice of the government, which already has a majority in Lok Sabha, the joint session is usually convened to get bills passed through a Rajya Sabha in which the government has a minority. | |||
Joint sessions of Parliament are a rarity, and have been convened three times in last 71 years, for | Joint sessions of Parliament are a rarity, and have been convened three times in the last 71 years, for passage of a specific legislative act, the latest time being in 2002: | ||
* 1961: ''Dowry Prohibition Act, 1958'' | * 1961: ''Dowry Prohibition Act, 1958'' | ||
* 1978: ''Banking Services Commission (Repeal) Act, 1977'' | * 1978: ''Banking Services Commission (Repeal) Act, 1977'' | ||
| Line 136: | Line 140: | ||
===No-confidence motion=== | ===No-confidence motion=== | ||
Unlike the Lok Sabha, a member of the Rajya Sabha cannot bring to the house a [[Motion of no confidence|no-confidence motion]] against the government. | Unlike the Lok Sabha, a member of the Rajya Sabha cannot bring to the house a [[Motion of no confidence|no-confidence motion]] against the government.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}} | ||
==Powers== | ==Powers== | ||
| Line 145: | Line 149: | ||
The Constitution empowers the Parliament of India to make laws on the matters reserved for States. However, this can only be done if the Rajya Sabha first passes a resolution by a [[Supermajority#Two-thirds vote|two-third majority]] granting such a power to the Union Parliament. The Union government cannot make a law on a matter reserved for states without any authorisation from Rajya Sabha. | The Constitution empowers the Parliament of India to make laws on the matters reserved for States. However, this can only be done if the Rajya Sabha first passes a resolution by a [[Supermajority#Two-thirds vote|two-third majority]] granting such a power to the Union Parliament. The Union government cannot make a law on a matter reserved for states without any authorisation from Rajya Sabha. | ||
The Union government reserves power to make laws directly affecting the citizens across all the states whereas, a single State in itself reserves power to make rules and governing laws of their region. If any bill passes through Rajya Sabha, that means, majority of states of the Union want that to happen. Rajya Sabha therefore, plays a vital role protecting the states' culture and | The Union government reserves the power to make laws directly affecting the citizens across all the states whereas, a single State in itself reserves the power to make rules and governing laws of their region. If any bill passes through Rajya Sabha, that means, majority of states of the Union want that to happen. Rajya Sabha, therefore, plays a vital role in protecting the states' culture and interests. | ||
===Creation of All-India Services=== | ===Creation of All-India Services=== | ||
The Rajya Sabha, by a two-thirds supermajority can pass a resolution empowering the Government of India to create more All-India Services common to both the Union and the States. | The Rajya Sabha, by a two-thirds supermajority, can pass a resolution empowering the Government of India to create more All-India Services common to both the Union and the States. | ||
==Membership by party== | ==Membership by party== | ||
Members of Rajya Sabha by their political party: | |||
Members of Rajya Sabha by their political party | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" | {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" | ||
! colspan=2|Alliance | ! colspan=2|Alliance | ||
! colspan=2| Party | ! colspan=2| Party | ||
! No.of MPs | ! No.of MPs | ||
! Leader of the Party | ! Leader of the Party | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | rowspan="18" bgcolor="FF99933" | | ||
| | | rowspan="18" |'''[[National Democratic Alliance]]'''<br />Seats: '''144''' | ||
| bgcolor=#FF99933| | | bgcolor=#FF99933| | ||
| [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] | | [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] | ||
| | | 98 | ||
| [[Piyush Goyal]] | | [[Piyush Goyal]] | ||
|- | |||
| bgcolor="#006400" | | |||
| [[Biju Janata Dal|BJD]] | |||
| 9 | |||
| [[Prasanna Acharya]] | |||
|- | |||
| bgcolor="#F84996" | | |||
| [[Telangana Rashtra Samithi|TRS]] | |||
| 7 | |||
| [[K. Keshava Rao]] | |||
|- | |||
| bgcolor="#1569C7" | | |||
| [[YSRCP]] | |||
| 6 | |||
| [[V. Vijayasai Reddy]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=#007500| | | bgcolor=#007500| | ||
| [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]] | | [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]] | ||
| | | 5 | ||
| [[A. Navaneethakrishnan]] | | [[A. Navaneethakrishnan]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 180: | Line 198: | ||
| 1 | | 1 | ||
| [[Birendra Prasad Baishya|B.P Baishya]] | | [[Birendra Prasad Baishya|B.P Baishya]] | ||
|- | |||
| bgcolor=#138808| | |||
| [[Janata Dal (Secular)|JD(S)]] | |||
| 1 | |||
| [[H. D. Deve Gowda|HD Devegowda]] | |||
|- | |||
| bgcolor=##EF426F| | |||
| [[Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt)|SAD(S)]] | |||
| 1 | |||
| [[Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa|S.S.Dhindsa]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=#DB7093| | | bgcolor=#DB7093| | ||
| Line 185: | Line 213: | ||
| 1 | | 1 | ||
| [[Wanweiroy Kharlukhi|W. Kharlukhi]] | | [[Wanweiroy Kharlukhi|W. Kharlukhi]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=#99FF00| | | bgcolor=#99FF00| | ||
| Line 206: | Line 229: | ||
| [[Ramdas Athawale]] | | [[Ramdas Athawale]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=#CDCDCD| | | bgcolor=#990066| | ||
| [[Naga People's Front|NPF]] | |||
| 1 | |||
| [[K. G. Kenye]] | |||
|- | |||
| bgcolor=#2E5694| | |||
| [[Mizo National Front|MNF]] | |||
| 1 | |||
| [[K. Vanlalvena]] | |||
|- | |||
| bgcolor="#FFFF00" | | |||
| [[Sikkim Democratic Front|SDF]] | |||
| 1 | |||
| [[Hishey Lachungpa]] | |||
|- | |||
| bgcolor="#CDCDCD" | | |||
| [[Independent politician|IND]] | | [[Independent politician|IND]] | ||
| 1 | | 1 | ||
| | | [[Subhash Chandra]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=#000000| | | bgcolor=#000000| | ||
| NOM | |||
|3 | | 3 | ||
|'''NA''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | rowspan="19" bgcolor="00BFFF" | | ||
| | | rowspan="19" |'''Opposition''' | ||
'''[[United Progressive Alliance]]'''<br />Seats: ''' | '''[[United Progressive Alliance]]'''<br />Seats: '''96''' | ||
| bgcolor=#00BFFF| | | bgcolor=#00BFFF| | ||
| [[Indian National Congress|INC]] | | [[Indian National Congress|INC]] | ||
| 34 | | 34 | ||
| [[Mallikarjun Kharge|M. Kharge]] | | [[Mallikarjun Kharge|M. Kharge]] | ||
|- | |||
| bgcolor="#3CB371" | | |||
| [[All India Trinamool Congress|AITC]] | |||
| 13 | |||
| [[Derek O'Brien (politician)|Derek O'Brien]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=#DD1100| | | bgcolor=#DD1100| | ||
| [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]] | | [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]] | ||
| | | 10 | ||
| [[Tiruchi Siva]] | | [[Tiruchi Siva]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=#008000| | | bgcolor="#FF0000" | | ||
| [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]] | |||
| 6 | |||
| [[Elamaram Kareem]] | |||
|- | |||
| bgcolor="#008000" | | |||
| [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]] | | [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]] | ||
| 5 | | 5 | ||
| [[Prem Chand Gupta|P.C. Gupta]] | | [[Prem Chand Gupta|P.C. Gupta]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=#00B2B2| | | bgcolor="#EE0000" | | ||
| [[Samajwadi Party|SP]] | |||
| 5 | |||
| [[Ram Gopal Yadav]] | |||
|- | |||
| bgcolor="#00B2B2" | | |||
| [[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]] | | [[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]] | ||
| 4 | | 4 | ||
| [[Sharad Pawar]] | | [[Sharad Pawar]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=# | | bgcolor=#FF6634| | ||
| [[ | | [[Shiv Sena|SS]] | ||
| | | 3 | ||
| [[ | | [[Sanjay Raut]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor= | | bgcolor="#22409A" | | ||
| [[Bahujan Samaj Party|BSP]] | | [[Bahujan Samaj Party|BSP]] | ||
| 3 | | 3 | ||
| [[Satish Chandra Mishra|Satish Mishra]] | | [[Satish Chandra Mishra|Satish Mishra]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=# | | bgcolor="#0066A4" | | ||
| [[Aam Aadmi Party|AAP]] | | [[Aam Aadmi Party|AAP]] | ||
| 3 | | 3 | ||
| [[Sanjay Singh (Indian politician)|Sanjay Singh]] | | [[Sanjay Singh (Indian politician)|Sanjay Singh]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=#BD710F| | | bgcolor="#BD710F" | | ||
| [[Shiromani Akali Dal|SAD]] | | [[Shiromani Akali Dal|SAD]] | ||
| | | 2 | ||
| [[Balwinder Singh Bhunder|B.S. Bhunder]] | | [[Balwinder Singh Bhunder|B.S. Bhunder]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=# | | bgcolor="#FF4A4A" | | ||
| [[ | | [[Communist Party of India|CPI]] | ||
| | | 1 | ||
| [[ | | [[Binoy Viswam]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=#FFFF00| | | bgcolor="#FFFF00" | | ||
| [[Telugu Desam Party|TDP]] | | [[Telugu Desam Party|TDP]] | ||
| 1 | | 1 | ||
| [[Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar|K. Ravindra]] | | [[Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar|K. Ravindra]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=# | | bgcolor="#8A0000" | | ||
| [[ | | [[Jharkhand Mukti Morcha|JMM]] | ||
| 1 | |||
| [[Shibu Soren]] | |||
|- | |||
| bgcolor="#00FF7F" | | |||
| [[Loktantrik Janata Dal|LJD]] | |||
| 1 | | 1 | ||
| [[ | | [[M. V. Shreyams Kumar|Shreyams Kumar]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=# | | bgcolor="#CC9900" | | ||
| [[ | | [[Kerala Congress (M)|KC(M)]] | ||
| 1 | | 1 | ||
| [[ | | [[Jose K. Mani]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=# | | bgcolor="#008500" | | ||
| [[ | | [[Indian Union Muslim League|IUML]] | ||
| 1 | | 1 | ||
| [[ | | [[Abdul Wahab]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=# | | bgcolor="#996699" | | ||
| [[ | | [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|MDMK]] | ||
| 1 | | 1 | ||
| [[ | | [[Vaiko]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor=# | | bgcolor="#FD5B78" | | ||
| [[ | | [[Anchalik Gana Morcha|AGM]] | ||
| 1 | | 1 | ||
| [[ | | [[Ajit Kumar Bhuyan]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan="4"|'''Vacant''' | | colspan="4" |'''Vacant'''<br />Seats: '''7''' | ||
| colspan="2" |{{bulleted|Bihar (2)|Jammu and Kashmir (4)|Karnataka (1)|Telangana (1)}} | |||
|{{bulleted | |||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan="4"|'''Total''' | | colspan="4" |'''Total''' | ||
|'''245''' | | colspan="2" |'''245''' | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Composition== | ==Composition== | ||
Seats are allotted in [[Degressive proportionality|degressive proportion]] to the population of each state or [[union territory]], meaning that smaller states have a slight advantage over more populous states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://india-seminar.com/2013/642/642_sidharth_chauhan.htm|title=642 Sidharth Chauhan, Bicameralism: comparative insights and lessons|access-date=15 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092647/http://india-seminar.com/2013/642/642_sidharth_chauhan.htm|archive-date=18 May 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Certain states even have more representatives than states more populous than them, because in past they too had high population : for example, Tamil Nadu has 18 representatives for 72 million inhabitants (in 2011) whereas Bihar (104 million) and West Bengal (91 million) only have 16. As the members are elected by the state legislature, some small Union Territories, those without legislatures, cannot have representation. Hence, [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]], [[Chandigarh]], [[Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu]], [[Ladakh]] & [[Lakshadweep]] do not send any representatives. 12 members are nominated by the [[President of India|President]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/faq/freaq1.asp#six|title=FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RAJYA SABHA|publisher=Indian Parliament|access-date=8 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive. | Seats are allotted in [[Degressive proportionality|degressive proportion]] to the population of each state or [[union territory]], meaning that smaller states have a slight advantage over more populous states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://india-seminar.com/2013/642/642_sidharth_chauhan.htm|title=642 Sidharth Chauhan, Bicameralism: comparative insights and lessons|access-date=15 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092647/http://india-seminar.com/2013/642/642_sidharth_chauhan.htm|archive-date=18 May 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Certain states even have more representatives than states more populous than them, because in past they too had high population : for example, Tamil Nadu has 18 representatives for 72 million inhabitants (in 2011) whereas Bihar (104 million) and West Bengal (91 million) only have 16. As the members are elected by the state legislature, some small Union Territories, those without legislatures, cannot have representation. Hence, [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]], [[Chandigarh]], [[Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu]], [[Ladakh]] & [[Lakshadweep]] do not send any representatives. [[List of nominated members of the Rajya Sabha|12 members]] are nominated by the [[President of India|President]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/faq/freaq1.asp#six|title=FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RAJYA SABHA|publisher=Indian Parliament|access-date=8 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130724045633/http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/faq/freaq1.asp#six|archive-date=24 July 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=RSat-work>{{cite web|title=Composition of Rajya Sabha – Rajya Sabha At Work|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/rsat_work/chapter-2.pdf|website=rajyasabha.nic.in|publisher=Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi|access-date=20 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305020442/http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/rsat_work/chapter-2.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | ||
<ref name=RSat-work>{{cite web|title=Composition of Rajya Sabha – Rajya Sabha At Work|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/rsat_work/chapter-2.pdf|website=rajyasabha.nic.in|publisher=Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi|access-date=20 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305020442/http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/rsat_work/chapter-2.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | |||
As per the '''Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of India''' on 26 January 1950, the Rajya Sabha was to consist of 216 members of which 12 members were to be nominated by the President and the remaining 204 elected to represent the States.<ref name=RSat-work /> The present strength, | As per the '''Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of India''' on 26 January 1950, the Rajya Sabha was to consist of 216 members of which 12 members were to be nominated by the President and the remaining 204 elected to represent the States.<ref name=RSat-work /> The present sanctioned strength of Rajya Sabha in the constitution of India is 250 which can be increased by constitutional amendment. However, the present strength is 245 members according to the [[Representation of People Act, 1951]] which can be increased up to 250 by amending the act itself, of whom 233 are representatives of the states and union territories and 12 are nominated by the President.<ref name=RSat-work /> The 12 nominated members of the Rajya Sabha are persons who are eminent in particular fields and are well-known contributors in the particular field. | ||
=== List of members by State/Union Territory === | === List of members by State/Union Territory === | ||
| Line 465: | Line 473: | ||
===Leader of the House=== | ===Leader of the House=== | ||
{{main|Leader of the House | {{main|Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha}} | ||
Besides the Chairman (Vice-President of India) and the Deputy Chairman, there is also a position called ''Leader of the House''. This is a cabinet minister – the Prime Minister if he is a member of the House | Besides the Chairman (Vice-President of India) and the Deputy Chairman, there is also a position called ''Leader of the House''. This is a cabinet minister – the Prime Minister if he is a member of the House or another nominated Minister. The Leader has a seat next to the Chairman, in the front row. | ||
===Leader of the Opposition=== | ===Leader of the Opposition=== | ||
{{main|Leader of the Opposition (India)}} | {{main|Leader of the Opposition (India)}} | ||
Besides the Leader of the House, who is the government's chief representative in the House, there is also a Leader of the Opposition (LOP) – leading the opposition parties. The function was only recognized in the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of the Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977. This is commonly the leader of the largest non-government party | Besides the Leader of the House, who is the government's chief representative in the House, there is also a Leader of the Opposition (LOP) – leading the opposition parties. The function was only recognized in the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of the Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977. This is commonly the leader of the largest non-government party and is recognized as such by the Chairman. | ||
==Secretariat== | ==Secretariat== | ||
The Secretariat of Rajya Sabha was set up | The Secretariat of Rajya Sabha was set up under the provisions contained in Article 98 of the Constitution. The said Article, which provides for a separate secretarial staff for each House of Parliament, reads as follows:- 98. Secretariat of Parliament – Each House of Parliament shall have a separate secretarial staff: Provided that nothing in this clause shall be construed as preventing the creation of posts common to both Houses of Parliament. (2) Parliament may by law regulate the recruitment and the conditions of service of persons appointed to the secretarial staff of either House of Parliament.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}} | ||
The Rajya Sabha Secretariat functions under the overall guidance and control of the Chairman. The main activities of the Secretariat ''[[inter alia]]'' include the following : | The Rajya Sabha Secretariat functions under the overall guidance and control of the Chairman. The main activities of the Secretariat ''[[inter alia]]'' include the following : | ||
| Line 482: | Line 490: | ||
(iv) preparing research and reference material and bringing out various publications; | (iv) preparing research and reference material and bringing out various publications; | ||
(v) recruitment of manpower in the Sabha Secretariat and attending to personnel matters; and | (v) recruitment of manpower in the Sabha Secretariat and attending to personnel matters; and | ||
(vi) preparing and publishing a record of the day-to-day proceedings of the Rajya Sabha and bringing out such other publications, as may be required concerning the functioning of the Rajya Sabha and its Committees. | (vi) preparing and publishing a record of the day-to-day proceedings of the Rajya Sabha and bringing out such other publications, as may be required concerning the functioning of the Rajya Sabha and its Committees.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}} | ||
In the discharge of his constitutional and statutory responsibilities, the | In the discharge of his constitutional and statutory responsibilities, the chairman of the Rajya Sabha is assisted by the Secretary-General, who holds the rank equivalent to the Cabinet Secretary to the government of India. The Secretary-General, in turn, is assisted by senior functionaries at the level of Secretary, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary and other officers and staff of the Secretariat. Present secretary-general is Desh Deepak Verma, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.5/newsite/rssorgchart/sg.aspx|title=Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha|access-date=18 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811163311/http://164.100.47.5/newsite/rssorgchart/sg.aspx|archive-date=11 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In winter 2019 session, uniforms of Rajya Sabha marshals were restyled from traditional Indian attire comprising turbans to dark navy blue and olive green military-style outfits with caps.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/curb-rampant-copying-of-military-uniform-867021|title=Curb rampant copying of military uniform|last=Harwant Singh (retd)|first=Lt Gen|website=The Tribune|language=en|access-date=2019-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226213523/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/curb-rampant-copying-of-military-uniform-867021|archive-date=26 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/naidu-orders-review-of-new-military-style-uniform-of-marshals-863078|title=Naidu orders review of new military-style uniform of marshals|last=Service|first=Tribune News|website=The Tribune|language=en|access-date=2019-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226213527/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/naidu-orders-review-of-new-military-style-uniform-of-marshals-863078|archive-date=26 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
==Media== | ==Media== | ||
{{Main|Rajya Sabha TV}} | |||
The Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) is a 24-hour a day continuous parliamentary TV channel owned and operated by the body. The channel aims to provide in-depth coverage and analysis of parliamentary affairs especially its functioning and policy development. During sessions, RSTV provides live coverage and presents an analysis of the proceedings of the House as well as other day-to-day parliamentary events and developments. | |||
Now it has been merged in SansadTV along with LSTV and are being run by same channel.<ref name="RSTV">{{cite web|title=About Rajya Sabha TV|url=http://rstv.nic.in/rstv/aboutus.asp|publisher=Rajya Sabha|access-date=19 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209173947/http://rstv.nic.in/rstv/aboutus.asp|archive-date=9 February 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
*[[Lok Sabha]] | *[[Lok Sabha]] | ||
*[[List of current members of the Rajya Sabha]] | *[[List of current members of the Rajya Sabha]] | ||
*[[State legislative councils of India]] | *[[State legislative councils of India]] | ||
| Line 504: | Line 513: | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* | * {{Official website}} | ||
{{Rajya Sabha}} | {{Rajya Sabha}} | ||
Revision as of 01:12, 17 January 2022
28°37′0″N 77°12′30″E / 28.61667°N 77.20833°E
Rajya Sabha | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | of the Parliament of India |
Term limits | 6 years |
| Leadership | |
Secretary General | P.C Mody since 12 November 2021 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 245 (233 Elected + 12 Nominated) |
Political groups | Government (119) NDA (119)
Opposition (118) Others (66)
Vacant (8)
|
| Elections | |
| 233 members by single transferable vote by state legislatures, 12 appointed by the President | |
Last election | October 2021 |
Next election | 2022 |
| Meeting place | |
![]() | |
| Rajya Sabha chamber, Sansad Bhavan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi, India - 110 001 | |
| Website | |
| rajyasabha | |
| Constitution | |
| Constitution of India | |
| Rules | |
| The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) (English) | |
| Footnotes | |
| ^† Includes 9 nominated members taking the BJP whip. | |
The Rajya Sabha, constitutionally the Council of States (informally known as the House of Elders)[2] is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of India. As of 2021[update] it has a maximum membership of 245, of which 233 are elected by the legislatures of the states and union territories using single transferable votes through Open Ballot while the President can appoint 12 members for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social services. The potential seating capacity of the Rajya Sabha is 250 (238 elected, 12 appointed), according to article 80 of the Indian Constitution.[3] Members sit for staggered terms lasting six years, with about a third of the 233 designates up for election every two years, in even-numbered years.[4] The Rajya Sabha meets in continuous sessions, and unlike the Lok Sabha, being the lower house of the Parliament, the Rajya Sabha is not subjected to dissolution. However, the Rajya Sabha, like the Lok Sabha can be prorogued by the President.
The Rajya Sabha has equal footing in legislation with the Lok Sabha, except in the area of supply, where the latter has overriding powers. In the case of conflicting legislation, a joint sitting of the two houses can be held, where the Lok Sabha would hold a greater influence because of its larger membership. The Vice President of India (currently, Venkaiah Naidu) is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who presides over its sessions. The Deputy Chairman, who is elected from amongst the house's members, takes care of the day-to-day matters of the house in the absence of the Chairman. The Rajya Sabha held its first sitting on 13 May 1952.[5]
The Rajya Sabha meets in the eponymous chamber in Parliament House in New Delhi. Since 18 July 2018, the Rajya Sabha has facility for simultaneous interpretation in all the 22 scheduled languages of India.[6]
Qualifications
Template:Primary sources section Article 84 of the Constitution lays down the qualifications for membership of Parliament. A member of the Rajya Sabha must:[7]
- Be a citizen of India.
- Make and subscribe before some person authorized in that behalf by the Election Commission an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule to the Constitution.
- Be at least 30 years old. (article 84 constitution of India)
- Be elected by the Legislative Assembly of States and Union territories by means of single transferable vote through proportional representation.[8]
- Not be a proclaimed criminal.
- Not be a subject of insolvent, i.e. he/she should not be in debt that he/she is not capable of repaying in a current manner and should have the ability to meet his/her financial expenses.
- Not hold any other office of profit under the Government of India.
- Not be of unsound mind.
- Possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed in that behalf by or under any law made by Parliament.
In addition, twelve members are nominated by the President of India having special knowledge in various areas like arts and science. However, they are not entitled to vote in Presidential elections as per Article 55 of the Constitution.
Limitations
The Constitution of India places some restrictions on Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha (The lower house, House of People) is more powerful in certain areas.
Money bills
The definition of a money bill is given in article 110 of the constitution of India. A money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha by a minister and only on the recommendation of the President of India. When the Lok Sabha passes a money bill then the Lok Sabha sends the money bill to the Rajya Sabha for 14 days during which it can make recommendations. Even if Rajya Sabha fails to return the money bill in 14 days to the Lok Sabha, that bill is deemed to have passed by both the Houses. Also, if the Lok Sabha rejects any (or all) of the amendments proposed by the Rajya Sabha, the bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses of Parliament of India in the form the Lok Sabha finally passes it. Hence, Rajya Sabha can only give recommendations for a money bill but Rajya Sabha cannot amend a money bill. This is to ensure that Rajya Sabha must not add any non-money matters to the money bill. There is no joint sitting of both the houses for money bills, because all final decisions are taken by the Lok Sabha.[9][non-primary source needed]
Joint Sitting of the Parliament
This section does not cite any sources. (January 2022) |
Article 108 provides for a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament in certain cases. A joint sitting can be convened by the President of India when one house has either rejected a bill passed by the other house, has not taken any action on a bill transmitted to it by the other house for six months, or has disagreed with the amendments proposed by the Lok Sabha on a bill passed by it. Considering that the numerical strength of Lok Sabha is more than twice that of Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha tends to have a greater influence in a joint sitting of Parliament. A joint session is chaired by the Speaker of Lok Sabha. Also, because the joint session is convened by the President on the advice of the government, which already has a majority in Lok Sabha, the joint session is usually convened to get bills passed through a Rajya Sabha in which the government has a minority.
Joint sessions of Parliament are a rarity, and have been convened three times in the last 71 years, for passage of a specific legislative act, the latest time being in 2002:
- 1961: Dowry Prohibition Act, 1958
- 1978: Banking Services Commission (Repeal) Act, 1977
- 2002: Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002
No-confidence motion
Unlike the Lok Sabha, a member of the Rajya Sabha cannot bring to the house a no-confidence motion against the government.[citation needed]
Powers
This section does not cite any sources. (May 2020) |
In the Indian federal structure, the Rajya Sabha is a representative of the States in the Union legislature (hence the name, Council of States). For this reason, the Rajya Sabha has powers that protect the rights of States against the Union.
Union-state relations
The Constitution empowers the Parliament of India to make laws on the matters reserved for States. However, this can only be done if the Rajya Sabha first passes a resolution by a two-third majority granting such a power to the Union Parliament. The Union government cannot make a law on a matter reserved for states without any authorisation from Rajya Sabha.
The Union government reserves the power to make laws directly affecting the citizens across all the states whereas, a single State in itself reserves the power to make rules and governing laws of their region. If any bill passes through Rajya Sabha, that means, majority of states of the Union want that to happen. Rajya Sabha, therefore, plays a vital role in protecting the states' culture and interests.
Creation of All-India Services
The Rajya Sabha, by a two-thirds supermajority, can pass a resolution empowering the Government of India to create more All-India Services common to both the Union and the States.
Membership by party
Members of Rajya Sabha by their political party:
| Alliance | Party | No.of MPs | Leader of the Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Democratic Alliance Seats: 144 |
BJP | 98 | Piyush Goyal | ||
| BJD | 9 | Prasanna Acharya | |||
| TRS | 7 | K. Keshava Rao | |||
| YSRCP | 6 | V. Vijayasai Reddy | |||
| AIADMK | 5 | A. Navaneethakrishnan | |||
| JD(U) | 5 | R.N.Thakur | |||
| AGP | 1 | B.P Baishya | |||
| JD(S) | 1 | HD Devegowda | |||
| SAD(S) | 1 | S.S.Dhindsa | |||
| NPP | 1 | W. Kharlukhi | |||
| PMK | 1 | A. Ramadas | |||
| TMC(M) | 1 | G. K. Vasan | |||
| RPI(A) | 1 | Ramdas Athawale | |||
| NPF | 1 | K. G. Kenye | |||
| MNF | 1 | K. Vanlalvena | |||
| SDF | 1 | Hishey Lachungpa | |||
| IND | 1 | Subhash Chandra | |||
| NOM | 3 | NA | |||
| Opposition
United Progressive Alliance |
INC | 34 | M. Kharge | ||
| AITC | 13 | Derek O'Brien | |||
| DMK | 10 | Tiruchi Siva | |||
| CPI(M) | 6 | Elamaram Kareem | |||
| RJD | 5 | P.C. Gupta | |||
| SP | 5 | Ram Gopal Yadav | |||
| NCP | 4 | Sharad Pawar | |||
| SS | 3 | Sanjay Raut | |||
| BSP | 3 | Satish Mishra | |||
| AAP | 3 | Sanjay Singh | |||
| SAD | 2 | B.S. Bhunder | |||
| CPI | 1 | Binoy Viswam | |||
| TDP | 1 | K. Ravindra | |||
| JMM | 1 | Shibu Soren | |||
| LJD | 1 | Shreyams Kumar | |||
| KC(M) | 1 | Jose K. Mani | |||
| IUML | 1 | Abdul Wahab | |||
| MDMK | 1 | Vaiko | |||
| AGM | 1 | Ajit Kumar Bhuyan | |||
| Vacant Seats: 7 |
Template:Bulleted | ||||
| Total | 245 | ||||
Composition
Seats are allotted in degressive proportion to the population of each state or union territory, meaning that smaller states have a slight advantage over more populous states.[10] Certain states even have more representatives than states more populous than them, because in past they too had high population : for example, Tamil Nadu has 18 representatives for 72 million inhabitants (in 2011) whereas Bihar (104 million) and West Bengal (91 million) only have 16. As the members are elected by the state legislature, some small Union Territories, those without legislatures, cannot have representation. Hence, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Ladakh & Lakshadweep do not send any representatives. 12 members are nominated by the President.[11][12]
As per the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of India on 26 January 1950, the Rajya Sabha was to consist of 216 members of which 12 members were to be nominated by the President and the remaining 204 elected to represent the States.[12] The present sanctioned strength of Rajya Sabha in the constitution of India is 250 which can be increased by constitutional amendment. However, the present strength is 245 members according to the Representation of People Act, 1951 which can be increased up to 250 by amending the act itself, of whom 233 are representatives of the states and union territories and 12 are nominated by the President.[12] The 12 nominated members of the Rajya Sabha are persons who are eminent in particular fields and are well-known contributors in the particular field.
List of members by State/Union Territory
| State and Union Territory | Seats |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh[13] | 11 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 1 |
| Assam | 7 |
| Bihar | 16 |
| Chhattisgarh | 5 |
| Goa | 1 |
| Gujarat | 11 |
| Haryana | 5 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 3 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 4 |
| Jharkhand | 6 |
| Karnataka | 12 |
| Kerala | 9 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 11 |
| Maharashtra | 19 |
| Manipur | 1 |
| Meghalaya | 1 |
| Mizoram | 1 |
| Nagaland | 1 |
| NCT Of Delhi | 3 |
| Odisha | 10 |
| Puducherry | 1 |
| Punjab | 7 |
| Rajasthan | 10 |
| Sikkim | 1 |
| Tamil Nadu | 18 |
| Telangana[13] | 7 |
| Tripura | 1 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 31 |
| Uttarakhand | 3 |
| West Bengal | 16 |
| Presidential nominees | 12 |
| Total | 245 |
Officers
Leader of the House
Besides the Chairman (Vice-President of India) and the Deputy Chairman, there is also a position called Leader of the House. This is a cabinet minister – the Prime Minister if he is a member of the House or another nominated Minister. The Leader has a seat next to the Chairman, in the front row.
Leader of the Opposition
Besides the Leader of the House, who is the government's chief representative in the House, there is also a Leader of the Opposition (LOP) – leading the opposition parties. The function was only recognized in the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of the Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977. This is commonly the leader of the largest non-government party and is recognized as such by the Chairman.
Secretariat
The Secretariat of Rajya Sabha was set up under the provisions contained in Article 98 of the Constitution. The said Article, which provides for a separate secretarial staff for each House of Parliament, reads as follows:- 98. Secretariat of Parliament – Each House of Parliament shall have a separate secretarial staff: Provided that nothing in this clause shall be construed as preventing the creation of posts common to both Houses of Parliament. (2) Parliament may by law regulate the recruitment and the conditions of service of persons appointed to the secretarial staff of either House of Parliament.[citation needed]
The Rajya Sabha Secretariat functions under the overall guidance and control of the Chairman. The main activities of the Secretariat inter alia include the following :
(i) providing secretarial assistance and support to the effective functioning of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha); (ii) providing amenities as admissible to Members of Rajya Sabha; (iii) servicing the various Parliamentary Committees; (iv) preparing research and reference material and bringing out various publications; (v) recruitment of manpower in the Sabha Secretariat and attending to personnel matters; and (vi) preparing and publishing a record of the day-to-day proceedings of the Rajya Sabha and bringing out such other publications, as may be required concerning the functioning of the Rajya Sabha and its Committees.[citation needed]
In the discharge of his constitutional and statutory responsibilities, the chairman of the Rajya Sabha is assisted by the Secretary-General, who holds the rank equivalent to the Cabinet Secretary to the government of India. The Secretary-General, in turn, is assisted by senior functionaries at the level of Secretary, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary and other officers and staff of the Secretariat. Present secretary-general is Desh Deepak Verma, IAS.[14] In winter 2019 session, uniforms of Rajya Sabha marshals were restyled from traditional Indian attire comprising turbans to dark navy blue and olive green military-style outfits with caps.[15][16]
Media
The Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) is a 24-hour a day continuous parliamentary TV channel owned and operated by the body. The channel aims to provide in-depth coverage and analysis of parliamentary affairs especially its functioning and policy development. During sessions, RSTV provides live coverage and presents an analysis of the proceedings of the House as well as other day-to-day parliamentary events and developments.
Now it has been merged in SansadTV along with LSTV and are being run by same channel.[17]
See also
References
- ↑ Press Trust of India (17 February 2021). "Cong leader Mallikarjun Kharge is new Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha". www.business-standard.com. Business Standard. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
- ↑ WOMEN MEMBERS OF RAJYA SABHA.
p. 91. "The House is known as the House of Elders ”.
p. 119. "this House is known as the House of Elders".
"WOMEN MEMBERS OF RAJYA SABHA" (PDF). rajyasabha.nic.in. Rajya Sabha. Retrieved 6 December 2021. - ↑ "Rajya Sabha Introduction". rajyasabha.gov.in. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- ↑ Deshmukh, Yashwant (11 June 2016). "Crucial polls today: A guide to calculus of Rajya Sabha for dummies". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 19 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ↑ "OUR PARLIAMENT". Indian Parliament. Archived from the original on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
- ↑ "Rajya Sabha MPs can now speak in 22 Indian languages in House". Archived from the original on 8 October 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- ↑ "Council of States (Rajya Sabha) – rajyasabha.in". Archived from the original on 18 June 2012.
- ↑ "HANDBOOK FOR RETURNING OFFICERS – FOR ELECTIONS TO THE COUNCIL OF STATES AND STATE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS" (PDF). Election Commission of India. 1992. pp. 400–426. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 January 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ↑ "Website of the Rajya Sabha – Legislation". Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ↑ "642 Sidharth Chauhan, Bicameralism: comparative insights and lessons". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ↑ "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RAJYA SABHA". Indian Parliament. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Composition of Rajya Sabha – Rajya Sabha At Work" (PDF). rajyasabha.nic.in. Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Rajya Sabha members allotted to Telangana, Andhra Pradesh". The Economic Times. 30 May 2014. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- ↑ "Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha". Archived from the original on 11 August 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- ↑ Harwant Singh (retd), Lt Gen. "Curb rampant copying of military uniform". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 26 December 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
- ↑ Service, Tribune News. "Naidu orders review of new military-style uniform of marshals". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 26 December 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
- ↑ "About Rajya Sabha TV". Rajya Sabha. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
Further reading
- The Nominated Members of India's Council of States: A Study of Role-Definition J. H. Proctor, Legislative Studies Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 1, Feb 1985, pp. 53–70.
- Alistair, McMillan. "Constitution 91st Amendment Bill: A Constitutional Fraud?". nuff.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
External links
{{URL|example.com|optional display text}}
