A Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha (abbreviated: MP) is the representative of a legislative constituency in the Lok Sabha; the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of parliament of Lok Sabha are chosen by direct elections on the basis of the adult suffrage. The maximum permitted strength of members of parliament in the Lok Sabha is 550. This includes the maximum 530 members to represent the constituencies and states and up to 20 members to represent the union territories (both chosen by direct elections). Between 1952 and January 25,2020 two seats were reserved for members of the Anglo-Indian community. The current elected strength of the Lok Sabha is 543. The party—or coalition of parties—having a majority in the Lok Sabha chooses the Prime Minister of India.[2][3][4]
History
The first instance of member of parliament equivalent in India dates back to 9 December 1946, the day Constituent Assembly of India was formed with the purpose of drafting a constitution for India. As opposed to be elected on the basis of adult suffrage, the Constituent Assembly of India consisted of indirectly elected representatives and were not categorised between Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Muslims and Sikhs were given special representation as minorities. The Constituent Assembly of India took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to draft the constitution for independent India and was dissolved in 1949.[5]
Has been punished for preaching and practising social crimes such as untouchability, dowry, or sati.
Has been convicted for an offence and sentenced to imprisonment of more than two years.
Has been dismissed for corruption or for disloyalty to the state (in case of a government servant).[4][10]
Term
The term of a member of parliament of Lok Sabha (dissolved) is five years from the date appointment for its first meeting. During a state of emergency, the term however can be extended by the Parliament of India by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time. After the state of emergency ends, the extension cannot exceed beyond a period of six months.[11]
Responsibilities of members of parliament
Broad responsibilities of the members of parliament of Lok Sabha are;
Oversight responsibility: To ensure that the executive (i.e. government) performs its duties satisfactorily.
Representative responsibility: To represent the views and aspirations of the people of their constituency in the Parliament of India (Lok Sabha).
Power of the purse responsibility: To approve and oversee the revenues and expenditures proposed by the government.
The Union Council of Ministers, who are also members of parliament have an additional responsibility of the executive as compared to those who are not in the Council of Ministers.[10]
Salary, allowances and entitlements
India paid ₹176 crore (equivalent to ₹266 crore or US$33 million in 2023) to its 543 Lok Sabha members in salaries and expenses over 2015, or just over ₹2.7 lakh (equivalent to ₹4.1 lakh or US$5,100 in 2023) per month per member of parliament in including pensions to dependents of ex MPs .[12] The Salary, allowances and pension of Member of the Lok Sabha is governed by the Members of Parliament Act, 1954. The act is in pursuance to the constitutional provisions where article 106 of the Constitution of India provides that the members of either House of Parliament shall be entitled to receive such salaries and allowances as may from time to time be determined by Parliament by law.
The rules governing salaries, allowances and facilities such as medical, housing, telephone facilities, daily allowance etc... is looked after by a joint committee of both the houses (Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha). The committee is constituted from time to time after consultation with the Government of India.[1]
Strength
Seat distribution of 545 members of parliament in the 17th Lok SabhaThe map of 543 Lok Sabha constituencies in which elections are conducted for the current 17th Lok Sabha
Article 81 of the Constitution of India 1949 has specified maximum strength of members of parliament in the Lok Sabha to be 552. The number of members of parliament is distributed among the States in such a way that the ratio between the number of seats allotted to each State and the population of the State is, so far as practicable, the same for all States.[13] Out of the maximum permitted strength,
Not more than 530 members to be chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the Indian states.
Total permitted maximum strength of 550 members.[2][3]
"Strength of Member of Parliament in Lok Sabha as defined in Article 81 of the Constitution of India",
(1) Subject to the provisions of article 331, the House of the People shall consist of
(a) not more than 530 (five hundred and thirty members) chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the States, and
(b) not more than 20 (twenty members) to represent the Union territories, chosen in such manner as Parliament may by law provide.
(2) For the purposes of sub-clause (a) of clause (1),
(a) there shall be allotted to each State a number of seats in the House of the People in such manner that the ratio between that number and the population of the State is, so far as practicable, the same for all States; and
(b) each State shall be divided into territorial constituencies in such manner that the ratio between the population of each constituency and the number of seats allotted to it is, so far as practicable, the same throughout the State:
(Provided that the provisions of sub-clause (a) of this clause shall not be applicable for the purpose of allotment of seats in the House of the People to any State so long as the population of that State does not exceed six millions.)
(3) In this article, the expression "population" means the population as ascertained at the last preceding census of which the relevant figures have been published:
(Provided that the reference in this clause to the last preceding census of which the relevant figures have been published shall, until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year 2016 have been published).
(i) for the purposes of sub-clause (a) of clause (2) and the proviso to that clause, as a reference to the 1971 census; and
(ii) for the purposes of sub-clause (b) of clause (2) as a reference to the 2001 census.
Members of the lower house of the Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha) were elected in the Indian general election, 2019 held in April–May 2019. The total strength of the 17th Lok Sabha is 544, against the then-approved strength of 552.[15]
Number of constituencies: 1951–2019
The following is a list of the number of constituencies in the Lok Sabha in each election year, beginning in 1951. The numbers do not include two seats from the Anglo-Indian community, to which individuals were nominated by the President of India.
In January 2020, the Anglo-Indian reserved seats in the Parliament and State Legislatures of India was discontinued by the 126th Constitutional Amendment Bill of 2019, when enacted as 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019.[16][17] As a result the maximum permitted strength of the Lok Sabha was reduced from 552 to 550.
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