The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive

India ek democratic republic hai, jahan citizens apne representatives ko choose karte hain. Ye representatives milkar government banate hain aur laws banate hain.

• Parliamentary System ka Essence:
• India mein British system se inspired Parliamentary Democracy hai.
• Citizens ke paas Universal Adult Franchise (sab adult citizens ko vote ka adhikar) hai, jisse wo apne representatives ko direct elect karte hain.
• Ye elected representatives Parliament mein baithte hain, jo government ko control aur guide karti hai.
• Government people ki consent se chalti hai.

• Parliament ka Role:
• Supreme legislative body hai, jo desh ke liye laws banati hai.
• Elected representatives ka group hai.
• Government ke kaam ko control aur guide karti hai.

• Naya Parliament Building (Sansad Bhavan):
• Modern design, green construction use karta hai.
• Indian culture aur heritage ko reflect karta hai (peacocks, lotuses, tribal art).
• Three-sided design balance, inclusivity aur purpose ko signify karta hai.

• Historical Context:
• Independence ke baad, Constitution banaya gaya, jismein Universal Adult Franchise jaise foundational principles the.
• Ye system citizens ko apni governance mein decisions lene ka power deta hai.

Indian Parliament mein President aur do Houses hote hain: Lok Sabha aur Rajya Sabha. Is structure ko Bicameral System kehte hain.

• Bicameral System:
• 'Bi' ka matlab 'do' aur 'cameral' ka matlab 'chamber' ya 'house'.
• Iska matlab hai ki law-making ke liye do separate bodies hain.
• Constitution makers ne socha ki single directly elected House challenges ke liye inadequate hoga, isliye Rajya Sabha ko bhi zaroori mana gaya.

• Lok Sabha (House of the People / Lower House):
• Members: Directly elected by the people through Universal Adult Suffrage.
• Maximum Strength: Constitution ke according 550 members (originally 552, but 2 Anglo-Indian nominated seats ab remove kar diye gaye hain).
• Term: 5 saal, jab tak ki pehle dissolve na ho jaye.
• Representation: Seats population ke basis par allocate hoti hain.
• Presiding Officer: Speaker, jo members dwara elect kiya jaata hai. Speaker debates conduct karta hai, discipline maintain karta hai aur rules follow karwata hai.

• Rajya Sabha (Council of States / Upper House):
• Members: Indirectly elected by the electoral college (State Legislative Assemblies ke elected members).
• Maximum Strength: 250 members.
• Nominated Members: President 12 members ko nominate karte hain jinko art, literature, science aur social service mein special knowledge ya practical experience ho.
• Term: 6 saal. Har do saal mein 1/3rd members retire hote hain.
• Representation: Seats state ki population ke basis par allocate hoti hain.
• Presiding Officer: Vice President of India, jo iska ex-officio Chairperson hota hai.

• Importance of Bicameralism:
• Federalism: Rajya Sabha states ke interests ko represent karti hai, jo federal structure ke liye important hai.
• Second Thought: Koi bhi law banne se pehle do Houses mein discuss hota hai, jisse better laws ban paate hain.
• Checks and Balances: Ek House ki power ko dusra House check karta hai.

Indian Parliamentary System ke kuch core principles hain jo iski working ko define karte hain.

• Federalism:
• India mein federalism practice hota hai, jahan power Centre, States aur Local Governments ke beech distributed hoti hai.
• Ye system national unity aur local interests ke beech balance banaye rakhta hai.
• Constitution makers ne bicameral system ko federalism ke spirit mein zaroori mana, especially Rajya Sabha ko, jo states ke interests ko represent karti hai.

• Presiding Officers:
• Har House mein ek presiding officer hota hai jo debates aur discussions ko orderly manner mein conduct karta hai.
• Lok Sabha ka Speaker:
• Members dwara elect kiya jaata hai.
• Sessions conduct karta hai, members ko bolne ka mauka deta hai.
• Discipline maintain karta hai aur rules follow karwata hai.
• Rajya Sabha ka Chairperson:
• Vice President of India, jo ex-officio Chairperson hota hai.
• Rajya Sabha ki proceedings ko preside karta hai.

• The Sengol:
• Ek gold-plated silver sceptre jo transfer of power ka symbol hai.
• 14 August 1947 ko Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru ko diya gaya tha.
• Ab naye Lok Sabha mein Speaker ki chair ke paas rakha hai.
• Righteous aur just rule ka symbol hai, Chola period se inspired.

• Translation Services:
• Parliamentary discussions ko accessible banane ke liye multiple Indian languages mein translation services provide ki jaati hain.
• Pehle 12 languages mein thi, ab 6 aur add ki gayi hain (Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Urdu, Sanskrit).

• Union Executive:
• Parliament ki executive responsibility laws ko implement aur enforce karna hai.
• Union Executive mein President, Vice President aur Council of Ministers (PM ke headship mein) shamil hain.
• Council of Ministers Parliament ke MPs mein se choose ki jaati hai aur collectively Lok Sabha ke prati responsible hoti hai.

Parliament ke key functions ko broadly four heads mein classify kiya ja sakta hai:

1. Constitutional Functions:

• Parliament Indian Constitution ke core values ko uphold karta hai.
• Examples:
• President aur Vice President ka election.
• Constitution mein amendments karna.
• Universal Adult Suffrage ke through parliamentary democracy ko enable karna.
• Separation of Powers (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary ke beech) ko maintain karna.
• Federalism ensure karna.
• Laws aur policies banakar Fundamental Rights aur Directive Principles of State Policy ko uphold karna.

1. Lawmaking:

• Legislature ka primary responsibility laws banana hai.
• Law banne ka process elaborate aur rigorous hota hai.
• Bill se Act tak ka Safar (Example: RTE Act, 2009):
• Idea/Need: Directive Principles of State Policy mein roots, Right to Life ka part mana gaya.
• Constitutional Amendment: 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002 ne Article 21A add kiya, jismein 6-14 saal ke bachchon ke liye free aur compulsory education mandate ki gayi.
• Bill Introduction: Bill Parliament (kisi bhi House) mein introduce hota hai. RTE bill Rajya Sabha mein table kiya gaya.
• Scrutiny by Committee: Bill ko Standing Committee dwara thoroughly study kiya jaata hai, jo modifications suggest karti hai.
• Debate & Discussion: MPs bill par debate aur discussion karte hain (jaise RTE mein funding par debate).
• Voting: Bill ko dono Houses (Lok Sabha aur Rajya Sabha) mein pass hona zaroori hai.
• Presidential Assent: Dono Houses se pass hone ke baad, bill President ke paas assent ke liye jaata hai. President ke assent ke baad, bill Act ban jaata hai aur Gazette mein publish hota hai.

1. Executive Accountability:

• Parliament Executive (PM aur Council of Ministers) ko accountable rakhta hai.
• Mechanisms:
• Question Hour: Parliament session ka pehla ghanta, jahan MPs Ministers se government policies aur activities par questions poochhte hain. Ye Executive ko apne actions justify karne par majboor karta hai.
• Special Committees: Ye committees Ministries se unki policies par explanation aur answers maangti hain. Inmein different political parties ke MPs hote hain.
• Moral Responsibility: Jaise Lal Bahadur Shastri ne Railway Minister ke roop mein train accident ke baad resign kiya tha, Ministers ko apne Ministry ke actions ki moral responsibility leni hoti hai.

1. Financial Accountability:

• Parliament government expenditure ko approve aur monitor karta hai.
• Annual Budget: Government annual budget Parliament mein present karti hai, jise Parliament approve karta hai.
• Fund Distribution: Parliament funds ke distribution ko different ministries mein examine karta hai.
• Government ko Parliament ko timely aur accurate financial information provide karni hoti hai.
• Ye ensure karta hai ki public money ka sahi use ho.

Union Executive laws ko implement aur enforce karti hai. Ismein President, Vice President aur Council of Ministers shamil hain.

• 1) The President:
• Head of State aur nominal head of the Executive.
• Functions:
• Prime Minister aur other Ministers ko appoint karte hain.
• Parliament ko summon karte hain.
• Bills ko assent dete hain (unke sign ke baad hi bill Act banta hai).
• Council of Ministers President ko aid aur advise karti hai.
• Discretionary Powers: Kuch specific circumstances mein President discretionary powers exercise kar sakte hain, jaise political crises mein jab kisi party ko clear majority na mile.

• 2) The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers:
• Prime Minister (PM):
• De facto executive authority (real power holder) India ke Parliamentary system mein.
• President Lok Sabha mein majority party ya coalition ke leader ko PM appoint karte hain.
• PM Lok Sabha ke majority MPs ke support se serve karte hain.
• Key Functions:
• Council of Ministers ko lead karna.
• President ko advise karna.
• Different ministries ke kaam ko coordinate karna.
• National policies ko shape karna.
• Council of Ministers:
• PM aur Council of Ministers decisions lete hain aur government run karte hain.
• Ye collectively Lok Sabha ke prati responsible hote hain.
• Zyadatar bills jo Parliament mein discuss hote hain, government dwara hi initiate kiye jaate hain.
• Civil Servants:
• Permanent group of officials jo laws aur policies ko implement karne mein help karte hain.
• Ministers ke direction mein kaam karte hain aur government departments ko smoothly function karwate hain.
• Inhe administrators ya bureaucrats bhi kehte hain.

• Moral Responsibility (Lal Bahadur Shastri example):
• 1956 mein Railway Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri ne train accident ke baad resign kar diya tha.
• Unka मानना था ki minister ko apne ministry mein hone wali kisi bhi cheez ki moral responsibility leni chahiye, bhale hi unki direct galti na ho.
• Ye example Executive accountability aur ethics ko highlight karta hai.

Legislature aur Executive, dono Parliament ke important parts hain, lekin unke roles aur functions mein clear distinctions hain.

• Legislature (Sansad):
• Composition: President, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha.
• Main Role: Laws banana aur Executive ke kaam ko oversee karna.
• Functions:
• Kuch bills introduce kar sakta hai.
• Executive ki activities par questions poochhkar aur explanations maangkar check rakhta hai.
• Sabhi government-related expenses ko sanction karta hai.
• Different Parliamentary committees se consult karta hai.

• Executive (Sarkar):
• Composition: President, Vice-President, aur Council of Ministers (PM ke headship mein).
• Main Role: Legislature dwara banaye gaye laws ko enforce karna.
• Functions:
• Zyadatar bills Parliament mein Executive dwara introduce kiye jaate hain.
• Apne decisions aur actions par Legislature ko information aur explanations provide karta hai.
• President ko important matters par aid aur advise karta hai, jaise Parliament ke sessions ko call karna.
• Parliament dwara approve kiye gaye budget ko prepare aur implement karta hai.
• Day-to-day matters mein independently function kar sakta hai aur zarurat padne par committees se consult karta hai.

• Interdependence:
• Although distinct, ye dono organs interdependent hain.
• Executive Legislature ka part hoti hai (Ministers MPs hote hain).
• Legislature Executive ko control karti hai aur Executive laws ko implement karti hai jo Legislature banati hai.
• Ye interdependence checks and balances ka ek roop hai.

Judiciary government ka third branch hai, jo laws ko interpret aur apply karti hai. Ye checks and balances system mein crucial role play karti hai.

• Judiciary ka Role:
• Laws ka Interpretation: Laws ko explain aur interpret karti hai.
• Dispute Resolution: Disputes ko resolve karti hai.
• Constitution ka Custodian: Constitution ki raksha karti hai, ensure karti hai ki sabhi branches (Legislature, Executive) Constitutional framework ke andar kaam karein.
• Fundamental Rights ki Safeguarding: Citizens ke Fundamental Rights ko protect karti hai.
• Checks on Legislature: Agar Parliament dwara banaya gaya koi law Constitution ko violate karta hai, toh Judiciary us law ko unconstitutional declare kar sakti hai.
• Checks on Executive: Agar Executive dwara laws ka implementation Constitution ko violate karta hai, toh Judiciary intervene kar sakti hai.

• Separation of Powers:
• Legislature (laws banana), Executive (laws implement karna), aur Judiciary (laws interpret karna) ke beech powers ka separation hai.
• Ye separation ensure karta hai ki koi bhi organ too powerful na ho jaye.

• Checks and Balances System:
• Har organ dusre organ ke powers ko check karta hai.
• Legislature checks Executive: Question Hour, committees, no-confidence motion.
• Judiciary checks Legislature & Executive: Judicial Review (laws aur actions ki Constitutional validity check karna).
• Ye system democratic nature of society aur governance ko maintain karta hai aur citizens ke rights ko protect karta hai.

Union Government ki tarah, har state mein bhi apni Legislature aur Executive hoti hai.

• State Legislature (State Assembly):
• Members: Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), jo state ke subjects par laws banate hain.
• Lists of Subjects: Constitution mein teen lists hain:
• Union List: Subjects jin par sirf Union Government law bana sakti hai (e.g., Defence, Foreign Affairs).
• State List: Subjects jin par sirf State Government law bana sakti hai (e.g., Police, Public Health).
• Concurrent List: Subjects jin par Union aur State, dono law bana sakte hain (e.g., Education, Forests). Agar Union Government Concurrent List ke subject par law banati hai, toh State Government ko use follow karna hota hai (jaise RTE Act).

• Structure of State Legislatures:
• States mein Legislature unicameral (ek House) ya bicameral (do Houses) ho sakti hai.
• Unicameral: Sirf Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) hoti hai.
• Bicameral: Vidhan Sabha aur Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council) dono hote hain.
• Bicameral States: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, aur Uttar Pradesh.
• Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly):
• Directly elected members.
• Term 5 saal.
• Presiding Officer: Speaker.
• Money bills sirf Vidhan Sabha mein originate hote hain.
• Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council):
• Indirectly elected members.
• Permanent body, 1/3rd members har 2 saal mein retire hote hain.

• State Executive:
• Constitutional Head: Governor, jo President dwara appoint kiya jaata hai (5 saal ka term).
• Executive Head (De facto): Chief Minister (CM).
• CM ka Selection: Vidhan Sabha mein majority party/coalition ke leader ko Governor CM appoint karte hain.
• Council of Ministers: CM dwara select kiye jaate hain.
• Responsibility: Council of Ministers collectively Vidhan Sabha ke prati responsible hoti hai.

• Comparison: Union vs State Government:
• Constitutional Head: Union - President; State - Governor.
• Executive Head: Union - PM; State - CM.
• Legislature: Union - Bicameral (Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha); State - Unicameral/Bicameral (Vidhan Sabha, Vidhan Parishad).
• Responsibility: Union CoM to Lok Sabha; State CoM to Vidhan Sabha.

Indian Legislature, laws banane aur governance ko oversee karne mein critical role play karti hai, lekin iske samne kuch challenges bhi hain.

• Challenges to Effective Functioning:
• Absenteeism: Members ki regular absenteeism.
• Non-cooperative Conduct: Members ka non-cooperative behaviour aur communication.
• Reduced Quality of Debates: Important debates ki quality mein kami.
• Disruptions: Question Hour aur other proceedings mein disruptions.
• Criminal Cases: Kuch representatives par criminal cases hona.
• Angry/Biased Debates: Serious issues par constructive discussion ki jagah biased debates.
• Low Productivity: Sessions ka schedule time se kam chalna, bills ka lambe samay tak pending rehna.

• Parliamentary Sessions:
• Parliament typically teen baar saal mein milta hai:
• Budget Session
• Monsoon Session
• Winter Session
• Har session mein 'sittings' hoti hain jahan laws par deliberate kiya jaata hai, governance matters discuss hote hain aur Executive se explanations maangi jaati hain.
• Productivity ko actual functioning hours vs scheduled hours se measure kiya jaata hai.

• Strengthening Democracy aur Legislature:
• Citizen Engagement: Citizens ka informed aur engaged rehna bahut zaroori hai.
• Questions poochhna, views share karna, public discussions mein participate karna.
• Digital spaces par policymaking processes mein participate karna.
• Political representatives ke saath constructively engage karna.
• Media ka Role: Media electorate ki concerns ko communicate karne mein important role play karti hai.
• New Leadership: Young leaders aur diverse voices ka public life mein aana.
• Technology: Technology governance mein connectivity aur involvement ko easy bana rahi hai.
• Vajpayee ka Quote: "Sarkaarein aayengi, jaayengi. Paartiyaan banengi, bigadengi. Lekin yeh desh rehna chaahiye, is desh ka loktantra amar rehna chaahiye." Ye quote democratic values ko protect karne ki importance ko highlight karta hai, irrespective of political changes.

• Conclusion:
• Parliament aur State Assemblies ko thoughtful debates aur discussions ke liye spaces ke roop mein envision kiya gaya hai.
• Effective functioning ke liye challenges ko address karna aur citizen participation ko encourage karna vital hai.