Legislature

In all democratic countries of the world, legislature exists to make laws. There can be two types of legislature Bi-Cameral and Uni-Cameral. When the legislature consists of two chambers (Houses), it is known as Bi-Cameral Legislature. In almost all the big countries like USA., India, Switzerland, Canada, UK. etc. there is a bicameral system of legislature. The British Parliament consists of House of Lords and House of Commons whereas Indian Parliament consists of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. But there are some countries like Pakistan, Finland, China, Portugal, Czechoslovakia etc., where there is a single House in the Legislature, it is known as Uni-Cameral legislature.

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By legislature we mean that the organ of Government which makes laws, alters them, amends them and repeals them. It is, in fact a very important organ of the Government. It is through this organ that the will of the people is expressed. It is a forum for the discussion of various matters affecting the life of the people. The representatives of the people belonging to all classes, sections and interests constitute the legislature. In a democracy the legislature is the most effective organ while it loses its significance under dictatorship.

In a modern democratic state legislature performs many functions as follows:

1. Law-making — The most important function of the legislature is to enact laws. It makes laws, alters them, amends the and repeals them.

2. Control over Finance — The national finance is controlled by the legislature in all the democratic states. Budget is passed by the legislature.

3. Amendment in the Constitution — In a democratic state the constitution is amended by legislature.

In India, the members of the Lok Sabha are elected directly by the people on the basis of Universal Adult Franchise.

A person must have the following qualifications to become a member of the Lok Sabha in India:

Essential Qualifications:

1. He should be a citizen of India.

2. He should not be less than 25 years of age.

3. He should not hold any office of profit under the Government.

4. He should not be a criminal or lunatic or a bankrupt.

5. His name should be in the voters’ list.

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