THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

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LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

COMPOSITION:

 It is the first or lower chamber of the state ligature. It consists of not less than 60 and not more than 500 members. These members are directly elected by the voters of the state. It is required that seats shall be reserved in the House for Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes.

Generally, for every 75,000 voters there is a representative in the Legislative Assembly. The members are elected from single-member constituencies. The members are elected by secret ballot.

QUALIFICATION OF MEMBERS AND TERM:

It is required that a candidate for the membership of the Legislative Assembly must be a citizen of India, he must be above 25 years of age and that he must fulfill every other qualification as laid down by an Act of Parliament. No person can be a member of both the Houses of the State Legislature, or a member of the Union Parliament simultaneously.

The normal term of the Legislative Assembly is 5 years. It is subjected to dissolution by the Governor at any time. The sitting of the Legislative Assembly are presided over by the Speaker. The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are elected by the members of the House.

 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY:

LEGISLATIVE POWERS:

All bills, to become laws, must be passed by the Legislative Assembly. It can make laws on any subject in the State List.

CONTROL OVER EXECUTIVE:

 It has control over the State Council of Ministers. The defeat of a ministry in the House means the defeat of the Government.

FINANCIAL POWERS:

 A money bill can originate only in this House. The Assembly passes the budget of the Government.

 CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS:

The Legislative Assembly takes part in the amendment of the Constitution in certain matters.

 MISCELLANEOUS POWERS:

The Legislative Assembly elects its Speaker and Deputy Speaker and may remove them by a vote of no-confidence. It takes part in the election of the President of India.

EVALUATION:

It appears that the Legislative Assembly is very powerful within the sphere of a state. It looks more or less analogous to LOK SABHA theoretically within its jurisdiction. The Assembly can make and unmake the State Council of Ministers. It is the representative body of the people of the state.