Describe the powers and functions of the council of states. compare its powers with those of the house of the people
Answers
Rajya Sabha: Functions and Position of the Rajya Sabha!
The Rajya Sabha, i.e., the Council of States, is the Upper House of the Union Parliament. It gives representation to the States of the Indian. However, the states do not enjoy an equal representation in the Rajya Sabha. These have been given representations on the basis of the size of their populations.
I. Composition of the Rajya Sabha:
The Rajya Sabha can have a maximum strength of 250 members; out of these 238 are to be the representatives of the States and remaining 12 members are to be nominated by the President from amongst persons who have achieved distinctions in the fields of art, literature, science or social services.
At present, the Rajya Sabha has 245 members 233 elected and 12 nominated. Members of each State Legislative Assembly, together elect their allotted number of MPs for Rajya Sabha. The President nominates 12 MPs of Rajya Sabha. Odisha has 10 seats in the Rajya House.
II. Method of Election:
The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected indirectly by the people. The people of each state elect the members of their state legislative assembly who then elect the members of Rajya Sabha by a method of proportional representation—single transferable vote system. Each State Legislative Assembly elects as many representatives as have been allocated to it by the Constitution. Odisha Legislative Assembly has 147 MLAs who together elect 12 members of Rajya Sabha.
III. Qualifications for the membership of Rajya Sabha:
(a) He must be a citizen of India.
(b) He must be above the age of 30 years.
(c) He must possess all other qualifications as laid down by the Parliament.
(d) He must not hold any office of profit under any government.
(e) He should not be an insane or a bankrupt.
(f) He should not have been disqualified under any law of the Parliament.
Now any person residing in any part of India can contest election to the Rajya Sabha from any state. For this purpose residence of the concerned state is not essential.
IV. Tenure:
The Rajya Sabha is a quasi-permanent House. It is not subject to dissolution as a whole. One third of its members retire after every two years and elections are held only for the vacant seats. The tenure of each member of the Rajya Sabha is six years.
V. Sessions:
The President convenes the sessions of the Rajya Sabha usually along with the sessions of the Lok Sabha or whenever he feels it necessary. However, there cannot be a gap of more than six months within the two sessions of the Rajya Sabha. The President can call a special session of Rajya Sabha for getting approved an emergency declaration at a time when Lok Sabha stands dissolved.
VI. Quorum for the Meetings of Rajya Sabha:
The quorum for the meetings of Rajya Sabha is 1/10th of its members. It means that at least 1/10th of the members of the Rajya Sabha must be present for carrying out the work of the House.
VII. Privileges of Members:
The members of the Rajya Sabha enjoy several privileges. They enjoy unrestricted freedom to express their views in the House. Ho action can be taken against them for anything said by them in the House. They cannot be arrested for any civil offence during, and 40 days before and after the session of the Rajya Sabha. For protecting the privileges of the members of the House, the Committee on Privileges has been in existence since the inception of the Rajya Sabha.