PARLIAMENT OF INDIA: The House of the People (Rajya Sabha)

The Rajya Sabha (RS) or Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India. Membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are nominated by the President of India for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social services.

The remainder of the body is elected by the state and territorial legislatures. Members sit for six-year terms, with one third of the members retiring every two years. The Rajya Sabha meets in continuous sessions and, unlike the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, is not subject to dissolution. 

The Vice President of India (currently, Hamid Ansari) is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who presides over its sessions. The Deputy Chairman, who is elected from amongst the RS's members, takes care of the day-to-day matters of the house in the absence of the Chairman. The Rajya Sabha held its first sitting on 13 May 1952.

Leader of the House:

Besides the Chairman (Vice-President of India) and the Deputy Chairman, there is also a function called Leader of the House.

This is a cabinet minister - the prime minister if he is a member of the House, or another nominated minister. The Leader has a seat next to the Chairman, in the front row.

MEMBER:

A person in order to be elected to the Rajya Sabha must (a) be a citizen of India, (b) be 30 years of age on more, (c) not be holding any office of profit under the central or state Govt. or local body and (d) posses all other qualification prescribed by the act of parliament from time to time.

Powers of Rajya Sabha:

So far as powers of Rajya Sabha is concerned it enjoys co-equal power with the Lok Sabha in respect of all bills other than money bill. In case of Money Bills Rajya Sabha has no powers Money Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. When it comes to the Rajya Sabha after being passed by the Lok Sabha, the former can keep it maximum for a period of 14 days only after which it is deemed to be passed.

Exclusive Functions of Rajya Sabha:

·                     The Rajya Sabha, under Article 249, may by a special majority of two-thirds votes adopt a resolution asking the Parliament to make laws on subjects of the State list, in the national interest. This resolution gets due attention from the Parliament. The resolution remains valid for one year only which however can be extended further in terms of another one year.

·                     Secondly, Rajya Sabha can take steps to create All India Services by adopting resolutions supported by special majority in the national interest.

·                     Thirdly, Rajya Sabha has the exclusive right to initiate a resolution for the removal of the Vice-President. This becomes the exclusive right of the Rajya Sabha because the Vice-President happens to be its Chairman and draws his salary as such.