WORKING OF PARLIAMENT

India - with a population of a billion and a quarter and an electorate of 814 million (2014) - is the world's
largest democracy.India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic with a parliamentary system
of government. Article 74 and 75 deals with the parliamentary system at the Centre and Article 163 and
164 in the State. The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of our country. It consists of two
Houses - Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Lok Sabha is the
epicentre of Parliament, and its public presence has grown enormously over the years The President of
India has the power to summon and prorogue either of the two Houses of Parliament or to dissolve the
Lok Sabha.

The Lok Sabha- is the body of representatives of the people. Its members are directly elected, normally
once in every five years by the adult population above 18 years. Unless sooner dissolved by the President,
the Lok Sabha continues for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting. Lok Sabha elects one
of its own members as its Presiding Officer and who is called the Speaker. The conduct of business in
Lok Sabha is the responsibility of the Speaker.

Rajya Sabha- is the Upper House of Parliament. Its members are not elected by the people directly, but
indirectly by the members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States. Twelve of the Rajya Sabha
members are nominated by the President. Rajya Sabha is a permanent body. It is not subject to
dissolution.

Parliament is the highest law making body in the country and State, where the division of limits of
legislation is according to list provided under schedule VII of the constitution. Into its legislative function,
it keeps a check on the government and its working. As a representative institution, it also highlights
issues being faced by the people.. The main function of both the Houses is to pass Bills to become law. A
Bill is a draft statute which becomes law after it is passed by both the Houses of Parliament and assented
to by the President. All legislative proposals are brought before Parliament in the forms of Bills. .Bills
may be broadly classified into Government Bills and Private Members’ Bills depending upon their
initiation in the House by a Minister or a Private Member Besides passing laws, Parliament can, by means
of resolutions, motions for adjournment, discussions and questions addressed by members, exercise
control over the administration of the country and safeguard people's liberties.

Proceeding of parliament starts with the Question Hour which has a special significance in the
proceedings of the Parliament as asking question is not only an inherent and unfettered parliamentary
right of the members but also a fundamental characteristic of a democracy. During the Question Hour
members can ask questions on every aspect of administration and government activity.

There are four types of questions which can be asked during the Question Hour - Starred, Unstarred,
Short Notice Questions, and Questions addressed to Private Members. The difference between the two is
that an oral answer is expected for the starred questions, while un-starred questions are expected to
receive a written reply. Furthermore, in case of starred questions, the member is allowed to ask a
supplementary question after the reply from the concerned minister, which is not available for un-starred
questions. Both the types of questions are to be asked with not less than fifteen clear days' notice, given in
writing.
The Question to a Private Member is addressed to the Member himself/herself and it is asked when the
subject matter of it pertains to any Bill, Resolution or any matter relating to the Business of the House for
which that Member is responsible. For such Questions, the same procedure is followed as in the case of
Questions addressed to a Minister with such variations as the Speaker may consider necessary or
convenient.

There are various discussion hour given but there are some cases which are not discussed , in that case
Special mention held in Rajya Sabha and in parallel to this Notice is held in Lok Sabha.These questions
must relate to a subject-matter considered by the Chairman to be of urgent public importance.

Parliament has established a series of committees with necessary powers to scrutinize the working of the
different departments of the government like Public accounts committee, standing committee etc. The
Parliamentary Committees ensure an effective and comprehensive examination of all the proposed
policies. Very often, the Committees provide an ideal context for discussing controversial and sensitive
matters in a non-partisan manner, away from the glare of publicity.

At last , role and functions of Parliament assume great significance in view of the basic principles and
assumptions associated with parliamentary democracy. A parliamentary form of government
acknowledges the fact that in this system, Parliament derives its power directly from the consent of the
people expressed through periodic elections and that it exists to implement the will of the people. This
accountability of the Executive to Parliament is based on the principle that since Parliament represents the
will of the people, it should be able to oversee and keep the Executive under control and constant
surveillance.