What is State Legislature?
Historical Background
Key Points
9 points- 1.
Composed of the Governor and one or two houses (Legislative Assembly and/or Legislative Council).
- 2.
The Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) is the lower house and is directly elected by the people.
- 3.
The Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) is the upper house and is indirectly elected or nominated.
- 4.
The size of the Legislative Assembly depends on the population of the state.
- 5.
The term of the Legislative Assembly is generally 5 years.
- 6.
The State Legislature makes laws on subjects listed in the State List and Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
- 7.
The Governor can summon, prorogue, and dissolve the Legislative Assembly.
- 8.
Money Bills can only be introduced in the Legislative Assembly.
- 9.
The State Legislature can impeach the Governor for violation of the Constitution.
Visual Insights
Law Making Process in State Legislature
Flowchart illustrating the law-making process in a State Legislature.
- 1.Bill Introduced in Legislative Assembly
- 2.First Reading: Bill Published in Gazette
- 3.Second Reading: General Discussion, Clause-by-Clause Consideration
- 4.Third Reading: Voting on the Bill
- 5.Bill Passed in Legislative Assembly
- 6.Bill sent to Legislative Council (if bicameral)
- 7.Bill Passed in Legislative Council (or rejected/amended)
- 8.Bill sent to Governor for Assent
- 9.Governor gives Assent
- 10.Act Published in Gazette
Recent Developments
5 developmentsDemands for the creation or abolition of Legislative Councils in various states.
Increased use of technology in legislative proceedings.
Debate on the role and effectiveness of Legislative Councils.
Efforts to improve the quality of legislative debates and law-making.
Focus on transparency and accountability in the functioning of State Legislatures.