RELEVANCE OF RAJYA SABHA IN INDIA’S PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY

Author Name: Majid Hussain Khan

Volume: 01 &  Issue:

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: http://www.doi-ds.org/doilink/01.2021-39576175/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Ph.D Scholar in the Department of Political Science, Punjabi University Patiala, Punjab, India

ABSTRACT

Bicameralism has been one of the most important features of India's parliamentary democracy. Since the Rajya Sabha represents the interest of the States and Union Territories, it should play a better role in preserving the federal structure mandated by the Constitution. In conclusion, although it is a fact that India is astable and the largest democracy, yet Alistair Macmillan calls Indian democracy a "deviant" democracy. Should Indians be complacent about the democratic deficits in Indian polity? The Question Hour is repeatedly hijacked, many Members of Parliament don't consider scrutiny of governance seriously, many Indians are still denied preambular promises, our representatives, instead of presenting our views in Parliament, represent the views that party wants and there is absence of political morality. Ever since the coming into force of the Constitution, both the Chambers of Indian Parliament have been complementing each other in more than ways than one. The ever increasing activities of the Upper House - Rajya Sabha - havereinforced the expectations of founding fathers for a bicameral legislature. Over the years, the Rajya Sabha has proved to be an effective deliberative and revisory chamber. This paperinter-alia covers information about the history, organizational structure, powers and functions of the Rajya Sabha and analyses its status vis a vis the Lok Sabha. I hope this paper will be of use to all those who wish to have an over view of the Rajya Sabha in a nutshell.

Key words: Parliament,Legislature, Bicameralism, Council of States, Rajya Sabha, Upper House, Lok Sabha Constituent assembly Debates