The politics of Rajya Sabha

The Indian Parliamentary system comprises of two legislative institutions at the union level - the upper house called Rajya Sabha and the lower house Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha is the federal chamber that represents states/union territories and enjoys certain special powers such as:

• Based on article 249 of Indian Constitution, Rajya Sabha is empowered to make laws in respect of any matter enumerated in the State List in the national interest by adopting a resolution to this effect;
• Based on article 312 to create All India Services ; and
• Approving Proclamations (issued under article 352 or article 356 or article 360) if the Lok Sabha stand dissolved or the dissolution of the Lok Sabha takes place within the period allowed for the approval of the Proclamation by Parliament.

The very objective of having two houses is to ensure the inclusion of pick of the bunch of people from various sectors as the members of Parliament; and for the same Rajya Sabha has been functioning as the exclusive institution.

In contemporary India, the purpose of Rajya Sabha has been defeated. It is so because instead of smarts, the wealthy people are being chosen for the institution as its members. Consider the case of recent selection of members by various parties for the looming Rajya Sabha polls. It reveals the very fact.

News has been making rounds that lobbying takes place even in the case of the 12 members of Parliament who are nominated by the President of India, himself. If such a situation prevails to continue, there is no meaning of functioning of Rajya Sabha.

There is a need to take up this issue by the media as the most important concern for the debates. Such debates should have the elite people from the various sectors of the societies as the participants.

Isn’t this a point to ponder? Folks, just think………!!!!