Duration of Lok Sabha

India became a sovereign and democratic republic on 26 January 1950. The new form of India included all the princely states. The Indian Constitution mentioned the founding principles of the law of the land, which would govern India in its new form. Article 79 stated that the Indian Constitution included the two Houses of Parliament: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The Lok Sabha, or the House of the People, is the lower house of the Indian Parliament. The duration of Lok Sabha in Parliament is five years. Lok Sabha TV is the television channel of Lok Sabha, which has its headquarters in the premises of the Parliament.

Composition of the Lok Sabha:

The Lok Sabha, the lower house or the popular chamber, consists of people who choose based on adult suffrage. As envisaged by the constitution, the maximum number of members in the house is 552. These 552 members constitute representatives from the Union territories (20 or less than that), from territorial constituencies of different States (530 or less than that), and the Anglo-Indian community (2 or less than that). The Honorable President nominates two members of the Anglo-Indian community if they feel that they are not equally represented in the house.

The total elective membership distributed among the States is based on a ratio to be kept the same for all States. This is the state’s population ratio to the number of seats allotted to that state.

Functions of Lok Sabha:

• Certain subjects have been included in the concurrent list and the union list. The Lok Sabha is responsible for passing bills concerning all these subject matters.
• A money bill must be initiated in Lok Sabha. However, the Rajya Sabha can pass recommendations on the bill, which has to be returned to Lok Sabha with recommendations within 14 days from the date of receipt of the bill. The bill is finally considered as passed by both the Houses of Parliament if the Lok Sabha accepts these recommendations.
• The most important function of the lower house or Lok Sabha is “Control over the Executive.” Article 75(3) says that the ministry Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Duration of Lok Sabha – In normal times and in times of emergency

• Normally, the duration of Lok Sabha is five years. The date of its first meeting marks the beginning of 5 years. This is followed by the procedure of general elections and the ending with an automatic dissolution.
• The Lok Sabha can, however, be dissolved anytime by the president. The president has the authority to do this even before the end of the 5-year term. This process cannot be challenged in court. 
• If there is any case of national emergency, a law of Parliament can extend the Lok Sabha term one year at a time for any length of time.
• After the emergency has ended, this extension cannot last longer than six months.
•  One such example of the dissolution of Lok Sabha before the end of its term was in 1999. It was the 12th Lok Sabha that got elected in 1998 and was dissolved in 1999. 

What is the Dissolution of Lok Sabha?

• Although the duration of Lok Sabha is five years, it can be dissolved earlier also.
• The Lower House or the Lok Sabha is dissolved after the completion of five years from the first day of its meeting [Article 83 (2)].
• Elections are held for choosing the new members of parliament in this case.
• The dissolution of the Lok Sabha can take place before the five-year term by the President if he feels that no appropriate government can be formed after the fall of a regime.

What will happen to the Bills in case of Dissolution?

• Whether the bills originated in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, the pending ones will terminate after dissolution.
• There will also be a termination of those bills passed by Lok Sabha but are pending in Rajya Sabha.

What is Zero Hour in Lok Sabha?

In general, zero-hour is when a vital decision is scheduled. This may be when a notable event is to occur or a decisive change is to be made. Similarly, there is a certain duration of Zero Hour in Lok Sabha as well.

In Lok Sabha, Zero Hour is when issues of Urgent Public Importance are raised. The Members of Parliament or MPs raise these issues. The maximum duration of Zero Hour in Lok Sabha is 30 minutes, around 3 minutes for each member. The Zero Hour commences immediately following the question hour at noon.

Conclusion:

The Indian Parliament consists of two houses: Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha serves as a symbol of India’s socialist, secular, sovereign, and democratic republic. The Lok Sabha has remained a beacon of social and political principles despite all the ups and downs of Indian politics.