Bicameral legislature - Pros and Cons
Bicameral legislature – Pros and Cons
Since the time of formation of the Constituent Assembly, the question of whether a bicameral legislature at the state level should be formed is debatable. Currently, 3 states are in the process of deciding whether such a legislature is beneficial for them.
Benefits
• Second chamber will increase the space for representative democracy
• Council from the Upper House may benefit the Lower House in diverse ways; age and maturity bestow wisdom
• A bicameral legislature is also critical for accommodating greater number of sections of society for legislating and decision making
• Second chamber can also play a major advisory role as far as legislative matters are concerned
Drawbacks
• Bicameral legislature is a political backdoor for those who cannot win elections and it may further vested interests of politicians
• CMs also chose the Legislative Council route when the option is present
• It can become a weapon in hands of those who wish to be politically partial or reward defeated political leaders
• There is no consensus within the states regarding such a legislature
Conclusion
Parliamentary committee examining the Rajasthan and Assam case for creation of the Legislative Council indicates that there should be a national policy on a permanent second chamber rather than abolishment of the same at will. This is a more effective way of ascertaining whether a second chamber would save valuable time and resources and the present scheme of providing representations to graduates and teachers needs modification for involvement of other sections of society and varied stakeholders.
Facts and Stats
• Currently 7 states have bicameral legislature namely AP, Telangana, Bihar, J&K, Maharashtra, UP and Karnataka
• In TN, the AlADMK abolished the Council in the year 1986 and oppose the move by the DMK for its revival; however, Parliament has passed legislation to revive the chamber in TN, however
• In AP, TDP abolished the Council in the year 1985 but it was revived by the Congress in 2007
Discussion
- RE: Bicameral legislature – Pros and Cons -Deepa Kaushik (03/28/15)
- Bicameral legislature has its own benefits and drawbacks. All these depends on the requirement at the state level. If we are talking of the bicameral legislature at the state level, we need to check the efficiency of the existing Governance before making any changes.
If the existing government is running at its best, we should not be thinking of making any changes. The benefits being the increased assembly members to represent the views of the common man, but that is not the soul ground to create a new form of governance. We need to take account the scenarios that creates the urgency for the change in the form of legislature.
Creating the bicameral legislature will increase the doors for new members in the assembly. India already lingering within the trance of the corruption, would find it hard to manage or increase the possibilities of corruption within the government set-up. By far, it would be better to have the bicameral legislature at the centre; but the state assemblies could be well managed if they remain unicameral.
