Rajya Sabha has been transformed from a ‘useless stepney tyre’ to the most useful supporting organ in past few decades. Highlight the factors as well as the areas in which this transformation could be visible. (UPSC IAS Mains 2020 General Studies Paper – 2)
The Constituent Assembly favoured Rajya Sabha, as a vast country like India with immense diversities required a platform for the states at Parliament to raise their voices and to check legislation passed in haste. Rajya Sabha shares an unequal status with Lok Sabha in terms of matters like money bill, appropriation bill, no-confidence motion, etc. but its position is special as:
- It can authorise the Parliament to make a law on a subject enumerated in the State List (Article 249).
- Rajya Sabha can authorise the Parliament to create new All-India Services common to both the Centre and States (Article 312).
- It checks hasty, defective, careless and ill-considered legislation made by the Lok Sabha by making provision of revision and thought.
- It maintains the federal equilibrium by protecting the interests of the states against the undue interference of the Centre.
Rajya Sabha has emerged as the most useful supporting organ in the past few decades because of several factors:
- Cooperative Federalism: With the strengthening of democracy in India, the spirit of cooperative federalism has pervaded. It has obliged the Government to appropriate the advice of the Rajya Sabha.
- Rise of Regional Parties: Since the 1980s, a rise in the popularity of regional parties was witnessed. It allowed regional parties to have a greater share in the membership of Rajya Sabha, thus enhancing the influence of Rajya Sabha while passing a Bill.
- Coalition Governments: The 1990s brought a new era in Indian polity, an era of coalition government. It required a wider consensus in the enactment of statutes.
- Expert or Informed Opinion: Requirement of expert or informed opinion in matters like Personal Data Protection Bill, Surrogacy Bill, etc. have made the role of Rajya Sabha indispensable.
The transformation can be seen in:
- Abrogation of Article 370, where the support of Rajya Sabha was vital for the benefit of people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
- GST reforms was another subject where Rajya Sabha’s role was proactive. States’ support was essential in the implementation of the reforms.
- The passage of POTA Act in 2002 whereby due to objections of Rajya Sabha joint sitting of Parliament was called under Article 108 to discuss the provisions.
Even though the ups and downs of Indian politics, the Rajya Sabha has remained a vanguard for political and social values, a melting pot of cultural diversity. It has helped in assimilating the aspirations of the people of India and protecting their interests.
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