JOURNEY
OF PARLIAMENT – POLITY
News:
Farewell, old Parliament:
Iconic colonial-era building served as repository of India's democratic journey
What's
in the news?
●
On September 19, India's hallowed
legislature will move from the old colonial-era Parliament building to the
newly inaugurated triangular building as the country turns a new page in its
post-Independence history.
Key
takeaways:
●
In a final goodbye to the old Parliament,
the members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will assemble for group photographs at
the old building.
●
They will then participate in a function
to commemorate the rich legacy of Parliament of India and resolve to make
Bharat a developed nation by 2047 before moving to the new building.
Functions
of Parliament:
●
The Parliament has a key position and
serves a variety of purposes in the "Indian politico-administrative
system."
●
It has broad authority and carries out a
range of duties in order to fulfil the legally mandated job.
●
The following categories can be used to
group its powers and functions:
1.
Legislative Functions
2.
Executive Functions
3.
Financial Functions
4.
Electoral Functions
5.
Judicial Functions
6.
Constituent Functions
7.
Other powers and functions.
1.
Legislative function:
●
Making laws for the nation's governance is
the main duty of Parliament. It has the only authority to enact legislation on
the topics included in the Union List.
2.
Executive function:
●
The Indian Constitution created a
parliamentary system of governance in which the Parliament holds the Executive
accountable for its decisions and actions.
●
Hence, the Parliament exercises control
over the Executive through question-hour, zero hour, half-an-hour discussion,
short duration discussion, calling attention motion, adjournment motion,
no-confidence motion, censure motion and other discussions.
3.
Financial Functions:
●
When it comes to finances, Parliament is
the final authority. Without parliamentary approval, the Executive cannot spend
a single rupee.
●
The Executive is not permitted to levy or
collect taxes or make purchases without the consent and authorization of
Parliament.
●
As a result, the budget is presented to
the Parliament for approval.
4.
Electoral Functions:
●
Along with the state legislative
assemblies, the Parliament votes for the President and chooses the Vice
President.
●
While the Rajya Sabha elects its Deputy
Chairman, the Lok Sabha elects its Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
●
Additionally, the Parliament has the power
to pass laws governing the elections for the positions of President and
Vice-President, as well as for both Houses of Parliament and the state
legislature.
●
As a result, the Representation of People
Act (1950), the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Election Act (1952), and
other laws were passed by Parliament.
5.
Judicial Functions:
●
If members of the House violate their
privileges, the Parliament has the authority to penalise them.
●
When one of the MPs' privileges is
violated, it is referred to as a breach of privilege.
●
In most cases, the ability of Parliament
to punish its members is not susceptible to judicial review.
●
Other judicial powers of Parliament
include the ability to impeach the President, Vice President, Supreme Court and
High Court justices, the Auditor-General, and others.
6.
Constituent Powers and Functions:
●
The authority to add to, amend, or repeal
any provision of the Constitution is granted to the Parliament.
7.
Other Powers and Functions:
●
Parliament acts as the country's highest
deliberative body. It addresses a variety of national and international
concerns.
●
It authorizes all three categories of
emergencies declared by the President (national, state, and financial).
●
On the suggestion of the relevant state
legislative assemblies, it can establish or dissolve state legislative
councils.
●
It has the authority to change the extent,
the borders, and the names of Indian Union states.
●
It has the authority to govern the
organisation and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and high courts, as well as
to form a joint high court for two or more states.
Significance
of Parliament:
Is
the role of Parliament declining?
WAY
FORWARD:
1.
The 15-point charter proposed by Former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu:
2. The government can
introduce the Legislative Impact
Assessment:
●
Every legislative proposal must incorporate
a detailed account of social, economic, environmental, and administrative
impact for wider awareness and subsequent legal assessment.
● A new Legislation Committee should be formed in the Parliament to oversee and coordinate legislative planning.
3. Shadow cabinet: In order to strengthen the role of the opposition, the institution of the shadow cabinet can be formed in India like Britain.
4.
Mandatory committee stage: The government can amend the rules of
procedure of both the Houses of Parliament under Article 118 of the Indian
Constitution. It will make it mandatory to refer bills to the parliamentary
committees and prescribe appropriate action against unruly members.