Syllabus subtopic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

News: On the occasion of its 250^th session, Rajya Sabha MPs have made the following suggestions:

1. Giving all States, irrespective of their population and size, an equal number of seats in the Rajya Sabha.
2. All members, irrespective of their parties’ strength in the House, the same amount of time to speak in debates.

Prelims focus: Rajya Sabha- elections, composition and functions.

Mains focus: significance of Rajya sabha, issues, challenges and solutions.

Need for Rajya Sabha:

1. The Upper House of the Indian Parliament traces its direct history to the first bicameral legislature introduced in British India in 1919 as a consequence of the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms.
2. Unlike the US Senate which ensures equal representation for all federal units (each state having two representatives), India’s Rajya Sabha does have more members from populous states.
3. Even though Indian states are ‘mere administrative units’ which don’t enjoy a constitutionally-assured permanence, their continued existence over all these years and the constitutional separation of power has given them the nature of autonomous units in their own spheres. Therefore, the ‘state-wise’ identity cannot be ruled out completely.
4. India’s Rajya Sabha has equal powers to the Lok Sabha except for money bills, where it has no jurisdiction.

Arguements that favour abolishing Rajya Sabha

1. The contemporary argument against it comes from two primary angles:
2. The first one suggests that a Lok Sabha that has representation from several regional parties more than adequately represents a federal country.
3. The second argument charges that the Rajya Sabha has become a haven for losers in elections, crony capitalists, compromised journalists and party fundraisers.

What can be done?

It is virtually impossible to abolish the Rajya Sabha without adopting a new Indian Constitution. The bicameral nature of the Indian Parliament is likely to be interpreted as a “basic structure” of the Indian Constitution, rendering it incapable of being amended. Even if this were to be tested, it would be ensnared in a judicial process for a very long time. It is much more practical to try and reform the Rajya Sabha than seeking to abolish it.

Reforms needed:

1. Have members of the Rajya Sabha be directly elected by the citizens of a state. This will reduce cronyism and patronage appointments.
2. This step should be combined with equal representation for each state (say, five members) so that large states do not dominate the proceedings in the House.
3. This streamlined Rajya Sabha should remain deliberative, but there should be deadlines set for responding to bills initiated in the Lok Sabha.

Syllabus subtopic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

News: The Haryana Cabinet has taken an in-principle decision to bring an amendment in Section 31 of the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, allowing devolution of powers to the Gram Sabha to ban liquor within the local area of a Gram Panchayat.

• The quorum of the Gram Sabha meeting for passing such a resolution shall be one-tenth of its members.

Prelims focus: About panchayati raj

Mains focus: Issues associated with their functioning, need for more powers.

About Gram sabha

• The term Gram Sabha is defined in the Constitution of India under Article 243(b).
• Gram Sabha is the primary body of the Panchayati Raj system and by far the largest.
• It is a permanent body.
• The power to annul a decision of the Gram Sabha rests with the Gram Sabha only.

Composition:

1. Persons, those who are above 18 years of age.
2. Living in the village.
3. Whose names are included in the electoral rolls for the Panchayat at the village level.

Powers and functions:

Constitution mentions that Gram Sabha exercises such powers and performs such functions at the village level as the Legislature of a State may, by law, provide.

Important and specific functions of Gram Sabha:

1. To help implementation of the development programmes and schemes of the Panchayat.
2. To identify beneficiaries for different programmes and schemes. However, if the Gram Sabha fails to identify such beneficiaries within a reasonable time, the Gram Panchayat shall identify the beneficiaries.
3. To solicit support — in cash or kind or both and voluntary labour — from the public for community welfare programmes.
4. To support the programmes of mass education and family welfare.
5. To promote unity and harmony among all sections of the society in the village.
6. To seek clarification from the Mukhiya, Up-Mukhiya and other members of the Gram Panchayat about any particular activity, scheme, income and expenditure.
7. To discuss and recommend appropriate action with regard to reports of the Vigilance Committee.
8. Other related matters brought to the notice of the Gram Sabha.
9. To consider levy of taxes, rates, rents & fees & enhancement of rates thereof.
10. To consider all such matters as may be referred by the Gram Panchayat for its decision.