Introduction:

The Rajya Sabha is the Council of States, which is the upper house of the Parliament of India. As per the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of India on 26 January 1950, the Rajya Sabha was to consist of 216 members of which 12 members were to be nominated by the President and the remaining 204 elected to represent the States. This article will highlight some important functions and significance with Rajya Sabha. 

What is the Parliament of India?

The Parliament of India is the bicameral legislature of the union and located at West Central District in New Delhi. The Parliament of India consists of two houses known as Lok Sabha, that is the lower house and Rajya Sabha, which is the upper house. All bills introduced in Lok Sabha are examined by a committee known as Lok Sabha Standing Committee before they can be taken up in Rajya Sabha.

What is Rajya Sabha?

Rajya Sabha is the upper house created through the British Indian Constitution. This upper House plays an important role regarding policy making, constitution amendments and budget approval. Also members of this upper House represent States on different committees that work for nation wellbeing. As per the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of India on 26 January 1950, the Rajya Sabha was to consist of 216 members of which 12 members were to be nominated by the President and the remaining 204 elected to represent the States.This Rajya Sabha also serves as the scrutiny body for financial proposals of the union, which are related to the union. Rajya Sabha has its own secretariat, where all members have access to information and documents related to their work.

Significance of Rajya Sabha:

The Rajya Sabha is very important in Indian Politics, as it functions largely to check the powers of the Lok Sabha through its power of amendment. The Rajya Sabha monitors and regulates laws that are passed by the Lok Sabha and ensures they comply with the constitution. Also, its members represent a cross-section of society unlike in Lok Sabha where members are directly elected by popular vote. It also represents a link between state governments and the union government. The Rajya Sabha does not have any say over budget related matters, as this remains under control of Lok-Sabha alone.

Powers and Functions of Rajya Sabha:

1) Rajya Sabha has the power to amend any legislation passed by the Lok Sabha.

2) Rajya Sabha also has a supervisory role over Lok-Sabha and its proceedings.

3) Rajya Sabha can summon both ministers and civil servants for questioning and it can also initiate investigations on its own.

4) It also has a role of formulating guidelines for Lok-Sabha for conduct of various business in the House.

5) The Rajya Sabha, in a majority of cases, approves resolutions relating to members who are not competent enough to vote on them directly. These decisions are binding on all members of Lok-Sabha, so long as they remain in office.

6) Rajya Sabha can ask for a debate on any bill.

7) Rajya Sabha comprises members who have been designated by the State Governments and nominated by the President of India.

8) They are elected from different States in proportion to the population of their State.

9) The number of seats reserved for women is 32, out of a total 250.

10) The number of seats reserved for SCs and STs is six and eight respectively.

11) The number of Senate seats allotted to the states are:

(1) Four seats for each Union Territory (2) Two seats for each state.

12) The term of Rajya Sabha stands for a maximum of six years, but two thirds of its members retire every second year, until it becomes a halfway house controlled by the elected House.

Functions: (The above are major functions which Rajya Sabha performs .)

1) To ensure that the bills which it passes conform with the spirit and objectives laid down in the Constitution.

2) To scrutinize all laws passed by Parliament and seek to make suggested amendments or changes.

3) Consider the annual budget and approve it after passing necessary amendments.

4) To discuss the five-year plans and give suggestions to improve them, if necessary.

5) To examine the reports of various parliamentary committees (Lok-Sabha, Rajya Sabha and so on).

6) Members are made responsible for discussing and debating current issues with due sensitivity to maintain law and order.

7) Members suggest ways in which the government can function more efficiently. 

8) It passes financial bills (Budget, Railway Budget, Banking Laws etc.) related to union.

9) Its job is to discuss matters related to both centre and state governments.

Conclusion:

Although Rajya Sabha has played an important role in Indian politics, the number of members is relatively less than Lok Sabha. Another drawback of Rajya Sabha is that the term of its members remains for a maximum of six years, which also results in few fresh faces. A majority of members remain on the same benches and no cross-party coalitions are formed in Rajya Sabha. The number of seats reserved for women and Dalits are relatively small as compared to Lok Sabha. However, it still retains its significance as a part of Indian politics to check any power of Lok-Sabha over the union government.