Council of State (India)

The Council of State, also known as the Rajya Sabha (Hindi for "Council of States"), is the upper house of the Parliament of India. It represents the states and union territories of India and plays a crucial role in the legislative process.

Composition and Structure:

The Rajya Sabha has a maximum permitted strength of 250 members, with 238 members representing the states and union territories, and 12 members nominated by the President of India for their special knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, art, and social service.

The allocation of seats to each state and union territory is based on their respective populations. Members representing states are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the states, in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. Members representing union territories are chosen in such manner as Parliament may by law prescribe.

Tenure and Elections:

Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term of six years, with one-third of the members retiring every two years. This ensures continuity and provides for a staggered renewal of the house. Re-election is permissible after the completion of the term.

Powers and Functions:

The Rajya Sabha shares legislative powers with the Lok Sabha (the lower house). A bill must be passed by both houses of Parliament before it can become law, except for money bills, which can originate only in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can suggest amendments to money bills, but the Lok Sabha can either accept or reject these amendments.

The Rajya Sabha also has certain exclusive powers. For example, it can authorize Parliament to legislate on subjects falling within the State List (subjects normally under the jurisdiction of state legislatures) if it deems it necessary in the national interest. It can also create new All India Services.

Chairman and Deputy Chairman:

The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Chairman presides over the proceedings of the House and maintains order. The Deputy Chairman is elected from among the members of the Rajya Sabha and performs the duties of the Chairman in his absence.

Relationship with the Lok Sabha:

While the Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people and is considered the more powerful house in terms of financial matters and confidence motions, the Rajya Sabha provides a vital check on the Lok Sabha and ensures that the interests of the states are adequately represented in the Parliament of India. The Rajya Sabha's role in scrutinizing legislation and initiating debates on important issues contributes significantly to the quality of parliamentary deliberation and legislation in India.