W HY DO WE NEED T WO H OUSES OF P ARLIAMENT ? The term ‘Parliament’ refers to the national legislature. The legislature of the States is described as State legislature. The Parliament in India has two houses.
When there are two houses of the legislature, it is called a bicameral legislature. The two Houses of the Indian Parliament are the Council of States or the Rajya Sabha and the House of the People or the Lok Sabha. The Constitution has given the States the option of establishing either a unicameral or bicameral legislature. At present only seven States have a bicameral legislature.
l March . The Finance Minister had to roll back the increases in fertilizer prices under intense opposition pressure ( The Hindu , March ) l On June , the Lok Sabha witnessed acrimonious scenes over the hike in urea and petroleum process. The entire opposition staged a walkout. The issue rocked the house for two days leading to walkout by opposition.
The finance minister in his budget proposal had proposed a hike of paisa per kilogram of urea to reduce subsidy on it. This forced the finance minister Mr. Yashwant Sinha to roll back the hike in urea prices ( Hindustan Times , and June ) l February : In a rare move, the Lok Sabha today unanimously decided to suspend official business and give precedence to debate on Assam. Home Minister P.C.Sethi made a statement “I seek the cooperation of all members whatever their views and policies, in promoting harmony among different communities and groups living in Assam.
What is needed now is not acrimony but a healing touch.” ( Hindustan Times , February ) l Congress Members voiced protest against atrocities on Harijans in Andhra Pradesh ( The Hindu , March )