THE LOK SABHA OF INDIAN PARLIAMENT (THE HOUSE OF PEOPLE)

THE LOK SABHA OF INDIAN PARLIAMENT (THE HOUSE OF PEOPLE)

COMPOSITION:

LOK SABHA is not a permanent body and subjected to dissolution. Article 81 of the Constitution of India deals with the composition of the LOK SABHA. The maximum strength of the LOK SABHA which was fixed at 547 including 2 nominated members by the 31^st Amendment Act of 1973. The LOK SABHA shall consist of:

a) not more than 525 members from states;

b) not more than 20 members from the Union Territories and

 c) 2 members may be nominated by the President of the Anglo-Indian community if it is not adequately represented in the LOK SABHA.

The maximum strength of the LOK SABHA was again fixed by the Goa, Daman and Diu Reorganization Act, 1987 as follows-

a) not more than 530 members from the States;

 b) not more than 20 members from the Union Territories and

c) 2 members to be nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community.

 ELECTION OF THE MEMBERS:

The seats of the various states and the union territories are allotted in proportion to their population. The Constitution provides for reservation of seats for ST and SC. For the election of the members, the whole country is divided into certain Constituencies according to the number of seats fixed for the purpose. From each Constituency, one member is elected by the voters on the basis of universal adult suffrage. The members of the LOK SABHA are directly elected by the voters.

QUALIFICATIONS:            

To be qualified for election to LOK SABHA a person

 1) must be a citizen of India.

 2) must be above 25 years of age,

 3) must passes all other qualifications that are prescribed by the Parliament. No person can be a member of either House of Parliament and of some state legislature at the same time.

4)  he must not hold an office of profit under the Government of India or of state.

 DISQUALIFICATIONS:

The representation of the People Act of 1951 also lays down certain conditions for disqualifications. These are applicable to members of the State Legislature as well. These are;

1)           A member of the House who remains absent for more than 60 days continuously without information may be disqualified.

2) A member must not have been found guilty by a Court or an Election Tribunal of certain election offences or corrupt practices in the election.

3) He must not have been convicted by a court of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a period of more than two years.

4) He must not have failed to lodge an account of his election expense within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

5) He must not have been dismissed from Government service for corruption or disloyalty.

 6) He must not be a director or a managing agent, nor must hold an office of profit under any corporation in which the Government has any financial interest.

TERM:

The normal term of the LOK SABHA is 5 years. It begins from the date of its first meeting. The President has the power to dissolve it at any time. The action of the President cannot be challenged in the court of law. The term of the LOK SABHA may be extended by the President during National Emergency.

QUORUM:

The quorum of the House is 1/10 of the total membership. The members of the LOK SABHA possess the same privileges as the members of the RAJYA SABHA including salary.

 SESSIONS:

The LOK SABHA must be summoned at least twice a year. The LOK SABHA  must  be summoned by the President when a notice in writing signed by not less than 1/10 of the members of the LOK SABHA is submitted to him for revocation of the proclamation of emergency under Article 352. The notice is given to the President when the House is not in session. The President also may convene a joint session of both the Houses of the Parliament.

SPEAKER:

The Speaker conducts the proceedings of the House. In his absence, the Deputy Speaker performs his duties. The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are elected by the members of the LOK SABHA from among themselves.

SECRETARIAT OF THE LOK SABHA:

Each House of the Parliament has a Secretariat. Each Secretariat is headed by a Secretariat. He is a permanent official. He has many administrative powers and not connected with party politics. The LOK SABHA Secretariat functions under the control of the Speaker of the LOK SABHA. It also looks after the problems of the members of the House.

CONTEMPT OF THE HOUSE:

Like the RAJYA SABHA, the LOK SABHA can punish offenders for contempt of itself. The House can punish him according to laws.

OATH:

The Speaker of the LOK SABHA or any on authorized by him administers the oath of the members.

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