What is Sansad?
Sansad is a Hindi word which translates to English as ‘Parliament’. It is a legislative body that represents the citizens of India and is responsible for making laws, debating important issues, and overseeing the functioning of the government.
Structure of Sansad
The Sansad consists of two houses – the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Lok Sabha is composed of members directly elected by the people, while the Rajya Sabha is made up of members appointed by the President of India.
Functions of Sansad
1. Making laws: The primary function of the Sansad is to pass laws that govern the country.
2. Oversight of the government: The Sansad holds the government accountable by questioning ministers and examining their policies and actions.
3. Debating national issues: Members of the Sansad discuss and debate important issues affecting the country and its citizens.
Importance of Sansad
The Sansad plays a crucial role in the democratic system of India by representing the interests of the people, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance, and upholding the principles of the constitution.
Examples of Sansad in Action
1. The passage of the Right to Information Act in 2005, which promotes transparency and accountability in the government.
2. The debate on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, which led to its eventual implementation in 2017.
Case Study: Women’s Reservation Bill
The Women’s Reservation Bill, which seeks to reserve 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for women, has been a topic of debate in the Sansad for years. Despite being introduced in 1996, the bill has not been passed yet due to opposition from some political parties.
Statistics on Sansad
1. The Lok Sabha has a total of 545 seats, with 543 members being elected from constituencies and 2 members nominated by the President.
2. The Rajya Sabha has a total of 245 members, with 233 members being elected by the state legislatures and union territories and 12 members nominated by the President.
