LOK SABHA AND RAJYA SABHA

RAJYA SABHA The Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper

house of the Parliament of India. Rajya means state and Sabha means "assembly" in Sanskrit. Membership is

limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature, science, and social services. These members are known as nominated members. The remainder of the body is elected by the state and territorial legislatures. Terms of office are six years, with one third of the members retiring

every two years.

MEMBERSHIP The Rajya Sabha has at most 250 members, of which 238 are elected indirectly by the legislatures of each state and union territory. (As of 2011, however, the only union territories with their own legislatures are the National Capital Territory of Delhi and Pondicherry). Seats are allotted in proportion to the population of each state or union territory. The other 12 members are nominated by the President of India.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE Besides the Chairman (Vice-President of India) and the Deputy Chairman, there is 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

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

Besides the Leader of the House, who is leading the majority, there is also a Leader of the Opposition - leading the minority parties. The function was only recognized in the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of the Opposition in Parliament Act 1977. This is commonly the leader of the largest minority party, and is recognized as such by the Chairman.

• The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India. The Constitution limits the Lok Sabha to a maximum of 552 members, including no more than 20 members representing people from the Union Territories, and two appointed non-partisan members to represent the Anglo-Indian community

LOK SABHA

MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS Membership of the Lok Sabha requires that the person

be a citizen of India, aged 25 or over, mentally sound, should not be bankrupt and if the person is facing criminal proceedings in courts, the person has to mention it when they file their affidavit to the election commission. However, the person must not have been criminally convicted. For reserved seats, one should be member of the appropriate castes and/or tribes. He must not be holding an office of profit under the Govt. of India. He must not also be disqualified under any other Laws passed by the Parliament.

ELECTION MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT

The Model Code of Conduct set by Election Commission of India gives guidance to political parties and candidates, and sets norms that bind them to respect and observe these guidelines in letter and spirit. The Election Commission of India is also implementing Supreme Court’s order dated 13 March 2003 relating to right to information of electors regarding criminal antecedents, assets and liabilities and educational qualifications of candidates. This makes it mandatory for candidates to disclosure of information about their assets and liabilities together with those of spouse or dependent children, through filing the nomination forms. The Election Commission of India is responsible for publishing this information