Legislative Council in Bengal

  • The West Bengal government has decided to set up a Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad).
  • The Legislative Council in the State was abolished in 1969. 

FORMATION OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

  • The states can have a Legislative Council in addition to the Legislative Assembly through Article 169 of the Constitution.
  • For setting up the Council, a Bill has to be introduced in the Assembly and then a nod from the Governor is required.
  • The Parliament can abolish a Legislative Council (where it already exists) or create it (where it does not exist) by a simple majority, that is, a majority of the members of each House present and voting, if the legislative assembly of the concerned state, by a special majority, passes a resolution to that effect.
  • Special majority implies a majority of the total membership of the assembly and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the assembly present and voting.

COMPOSITION AND TENURE

  • Under Article 171 of the Constitution, the Legislative Council of a state shall not have more than one-third of the total strength of the State Assembly, and not less than 40 members.
  • The legislative council is a continuing chamber, that is, it is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. 
  • The tenure of a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) is six years, with one-third of the members retiring every two years.

MANNER OF ELECTION

  • One-third of the MLCs are elected by the state’s MLAs,
  • Another 1/3rd by a special electorate comprising sitting members of local governments such as municipalities and district boards.
  • 1/12th by an electorate of teachers and another 1/12th by registered graduates.
  • The remaining members are appointed by the Governor for distinguished services in various fields namely, literature, science, art, cooperative movement and social service.
  • MLCs cannot vote in elections for the President and Vice President. 
  • A member from the Council itself is chosen as the Council Chairperson.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS IN INDIA

  • Six States having a Legislative Council: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka. 
  • In 2020, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed the resolution for abolition of the Legislative Council. This resolution is yet to be cleared by the Parliament of India to finally abolish the council.
  • In 2019, the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Council was abolished through the J&K Reorganization Bill, 2019, which reduced the State of J&K to the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.


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