In what aspects is the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) different from the Rajya Sabha, considering…

Question

In what aspects is the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) different from the Rajya Sabha, considering its role at the state level?

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

Unlike the permanent Rajya Sabha, the Legislative Council is optional under Article 169, has a mixed membership elected by local bodies, graduates and teachers plus nominees, and has no federal role. It can only delay ordinary bills for four months, cannot reject money bills and has no joint sitting.

**Introduction**

The Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) and Rajya Sabha both serve as upper houses but differ significantly in constitutional design, powers, and federal role, impacting state governance differently.

**Distinct Institutional Design and Composition**

1. **Constitutional Status and Permanence**: Rajya Sabha is a permanent body under Article 80 with staggered six-year terms; Legislative Council is optional under Article 169, requiring state assembly resolution and Parliament approval, making it vulnerable to abolition and less stable.

2. **Mode of Election and Membership**: Rajya Sabha members are elected by State Legislative Assemblies via proportional representation, ensuring federal coherence; Legislative Council’s heterogeneous membership includes local authorities, graduates, teachers, and gubernatorial nominees, weakening cohesiveness and federal character.

**Challenges in Functioning and Impact on Governance**

3. **Legislative Powers and Deadlock Resolution**: Rajya Sabha has near-equal powers with Lok Sabha except on money bills, with joint sittings to resolve deadlocks; Legislative Council can only delay ordinary bills for four months, cannot amend or reject money bills, and lacks joint sittings, making Assembly supreme.

4. **State-Level Debates and Accountability**: States like ==Andhra Pradesh== debate Council utility due to cost and limited influence; Council lacks executive accountability as ministers answer only to Assembly, limiting its oversight role unlike Rajya Sabha’s participation in national executive scrutiny.

**Reform Prospects**

5. **Enhancing Effectiveness**: Proposals include strengthening electoral base per Second Administrative Reforms Commission, clarifying legislative role with mechanisms for deadlock resolution, promoting expert nominations like Rajya Sabha, and state-specific evaluations for abolition or reform based on empirical evidence.

**Conclusion**

The Legislative Council’s subordinate, advisory role contrasts with Rajya Sabha’s federal significance, necessitating reforms for greater state-level impact.

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