It is noted that the term 'Parliament' in general is connected with the British system of parliamentary government, a definite system which has been instrumental in influencing the saga of the development of the international politics. Its impact has been felt largely also in the maturity of the representative assemblies throughout the global continuum. It is to be noted that the role and functions of the Parliament has assumed great significance in respect of the basic principles and assumptions associated with parliamentary democracy of the respective country. But what is the meaning of it to the general people? This very system denotes that it derives power honestly from the consent of the people that are expressed through periodic elections and with the conviction that it exists to implement the will of the people. On the other hand, the Executive operating as the perfect embodiment of the Separation of Powers exhibits that along with originating from the Parliament it is also accountable to Parliament and also to the people at the greatest extent for all its acts that deal with omission and commission. The foundation of this is on the basis of the principle that speaks eloquently about the representation of the Parliament of the will of the people and therefore there should be the authority to oversee and keep the Executive under control and constant close watch.
 ![[Indian Parliament]](http://web.archive.org/web/20070325015036/http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/gif/par1.jpg)
In the Indian context there is the existence of two houses, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the Parliamentary system. Lok Sabha or the lower house is composed of representatives of the people who get elected by the people on the basis of the adult suffrage. The maximum strength of the House envisaged by the Constitution is 552. In addition, a lot of precautionary measures are taken so as to keep the central character of the House in a uniform manner regarding the distribution of the elective membership among the States for the maintenance of the ratio between the number of seats allotted to each State and the population of the State. While the Rajya Sabha is the upper House consisting of 250 members. As directed by the constitution, both the houses have their rights to initiate, pass and amend ordinary bills of law. However in case of any dispute or conflict, which even cannot be resolved by the joint committee of the two Houses, a joint session of the Parliament is convened to reach the final solution.
|
PARLIAMENT OF INDIA
