Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these
3. Recently the State of Andhra Pradesh was in news for the abolishment of the legislative council; going by the assertion that the ‘Upper House’ didn’t deserve to exist if it is rejecting key bills by violating rules . In such a situation critically examine the significance of the Legislative councils in the Indian parliamentary system. (250 words)
Reference: Live Mint
Why this question:
The Andhra Pradesh assembly Monday passed the statutory resolution to abolish the state legislative council, with 133-0 votes. Thus the question aims to examine the significance of having legislative councils.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the importance of Legislative councils; explain the pros and cons associated.
Directive:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining what legislative councils are.
Body:
- Discuss what is a legislative council? – India has a bicameral parliamentary system, with two Houses of Parliament. So, states have a legislative assembly, and may or may not have the legislative council.
- Explain that while on one hand the creation of legislative councils is supposed to put in place checks and balances for hasty decisions, on the other hand, it is often criticized for being an entry point for leaders who could not win an election.
- The arguments against creation of legislative councils also centre around the financial strain that it has on a state.
- Explain why some states do have it and others don’t?
- Discuss the role played by legislative councils.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
