Answer the following questions:

Write a note on the houses of parliament.

The parliament consists of the two houses upper and lower house.

Rajya Sabha:

The upper house also known as the Rajya Sabha is a permanent house meaning the house does not get dissolved wholly rather every one-third member of the house retires after completion of 6 years term every second year.

The 238 members of the Rajya Sabha among 250 (constitutional provision- total strength) total members are indirectly elected i.e. by the elected members of legislative assemblies of the state and Union Territories. The rest 12 members, who are experts from various fields like literature, art, science and social work are nominated by the President. This House is also known as the House of Elders. Present strength of Rajyasabha is 245 from which 233 are indirectly elected and 12 are nominated by The President.

The members of this house must be not less than 30 years of age. The Vice president is the ex officio chairman of the house and the deputy chairman is from amongst the member. The house should meet at least twice a year.

Lok Sabha:

The Lower house also called the Lok Sabha. The members of the Lok Sabha are elected directly by the people i.e. voting by means of adult franchise. The members of the house are elected for the term of 5 years and after every five years elections are held. The house can be dissolved during an emergency or on the recommendation of the Prime Minister to the president may also dissolve the house, unlike Rajya Sabha which is a permanent house.

The maximum seats according to the constitution are 552 but right now the strength of Loksabha is 545 among them 543 are elected and 2 are nominated by the president from the Anglo Indians.

The minimum age of the members of the house must not be less than 25 years.

The speaker and the deputy speaker are elected from among themselves. The speaker maintains the decorum of the house.