Structure of Answer:

You are supposed to bring out the weakness of the functioning of Rajya Sabha… and how it needs to reformed to pay a more significant role in the Indian Political system.

1. Introduction- define Bicameral system
2. Importance of Bicameral system
3. Role of Rajya Sabha- First explain its failure (hence the demand to remove it)… then its importance ( why we should not remove it and it should continue)…. Conclude by giving measure to reform

Content:

In government, bicameralism (bi, "two" + camera, "chamber") is the practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chambers. Thus, a bicameral parliament or bicameral legislature is a legislature which consists of two chambers or houses. Bicameralism is a defining feature of the idea of mixed government.

Rajya Sabha or the council of state is the upper house of the parliament and has been integral to India’s parliamentary democratic process. Rajya sabha or the Upper house in India is a well thought institution by the constitution makers and thanks to British legacy too.

Of late its utility and position has been questioned. Thus it need a merit based evaluation to ascertain whether we need it or not.

EVALUATION

Demerits

• LS is federal in nature and hence no need for another body which has indirectly elected reps and accused of favouritism
• RS is to be a deliberative body but has recently outdone itself by reversing land bill, creating non- passé for GST
• RS is being accused of being a body of election losers, crony capitalists, party fund- raisers
• It acts as an obstruction to legislative process.
• Unequal seats for each state. So federal element appears biased
• While Lok Sabha have members for each state, the Hindi belt domination is a constant Hence other state interest, like those in North East, may be jeopardised.
• Rajyasabha is a superfluous body as it can’t make or unmake government
• Owing to its susceptibility to politics of crony ism, nepotism and patronage, the freedom of speech is seriously Anti-defection law makes the picture grimmer..
• With the party line functioning of members increasing day by day owing to the provision of defection laws(Sch. 10) of the constitution, it has become a predicted affair in the RS too
• Politics of boycotting the house and toeing on the party - line even on the issue that won't attract disqualification provisions is a worrying thing
• The argument of Rajya Sabha being a representative of state that maintains federal balance is also getting questioned after the rise of regional parties in Lok It makes this function of Rajya Sabha redundant
• Low attendance in RS as well is the issue of concern to many. It has been seen as the backdoor entry for the politicians who have lost the general elections etc. is also not a healthy trend

Merits of Rajyasabha

• RS acts as a second chamber and not as a secondary chamber in the parliament. RS is generally expected to give a well thought and studied discussion on Bills in the house. Bills passed in haste in the Lower house needs to be given proper thought upon
• Despite above shortcomings we have to realise that RS is a house which was able to undo or block many bills which was disputed by vast sections of society like LAND BILL in this year
• The diversity in the house also brings fractured mandate and lack of convergence in the It is evident by the poor performance of the lower house in the last decade. So, although the representative aspect of democracy is satisfied by the lower house, the deliberative part is missing. This demands a non-populist environment free from electoral pressures to debate upon the legislations. Hence, the need.
• RS keeps a watch on the centre's intrusion on the state's list and many a times instances have been seen how effectively a RS MP has raised voiced in the house and the voice has been echoed in the LS too
• Federal politics can be ensured by Lok Sabha
• Retaining talent is essential for any system. Loosing valuable talent during election fervours can be corrected by it. It also gives entry to other experts like scientist, artist, sportsmen etc that can rarely face the electoral policies
• Special powers like decision to create ALL INDIA SERVICES and allowing LOK SABHA to legislate on a state subject even in non- emergency situation provide credential to its claims at representing the balance between states and the union
• In case of disagreement, the members can voice their concern frugally in a joint sitting
• Serves a strong check on arbitrary legislations and decision making especially in case of coalition led governments influenced by political and other motives.
• Thus, undermining the importance of the upper chamber in a still evolving and vibrant democracy will be detrimental to public interest and moreover, the RAJYA SABHA serves as the only means of connect between the states and the union at equitable terms. Therefore, efforts should be at strengthening this role and fully harmonising the relations between the two chambers of the parliament for effective policy making.

RS is an effectively envisaged institutions and it is said that an institution becomes better or worse depends on the how the stakeholders presents it , uses it for the betterment of people on whole. The need of the hour is let us make the institution as the voice of people rather that voice of different political parties singing in different chorus

Although the time may be ripe to make reforms like:

1. Direct election of members of RS
2. Changing composition of seats with higher allocation to NE states than just a single at present (except Assam) and reserving seats for other UTs (Only Delhi and Puducherry have seats)
3. Higher representation from experts like academicians, experts

Thus Rajya Sabha is not an extra baggage but a vital organ of the parliamentary democracy that can’t be dropped.