Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA)

Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA)

Members of Vidhan Sabha are called Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA). MLA's are the elected representative of the constituency from which they fight the state elections. They are responsible for working on the development of their constituency, amongst other things. Additionally, MLAs are also responsible for drafting and proposing bills which are introduced in Legislative Assembly. It is only MLA's have the power to introduce Money Bills* in the state legislature.

In matters concerning government formation, the Members of Legislative Assembly are preferred over Members of Legislative Council, and hence, a vast majority of any ministry consists of MLAs. MLAs serve for a term of 5 years. To become an MLA, a person must be a citizen of India. Additionally, they need to be a minimum of 25 years of age, be mentally sound, and not be bankrupt. They must also be enrolled on the voters' list of the state from which they are contesting an election, and they may not be a Member of Parliament.

*"A Bill is said to be a Money Bill if it only contains provisions related to taxation, borrowing of money by the government, expenditure from or receipt to the Consolidated Fund of India. Bills that only contain provisions that are incidental to these matters would also be regarded as Money Bills"

Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha)

Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha)

The Vidhan Sabha (State Legislative Assembly) refers to the lower house of the State Legislature. Members of the assembly are elected directly by the people through the state election. Following Legislative Assembly elections in a state, the state's Governor invites the party with a majority of seats to form the government. 

A state Legislative Council can be established or abolish by the State Legislative Council through passing a resolution. To come into effect, such a resolution has to be supported by a majority of two-thirds or more members of the Legislative Assembly who are present and voting.

The Legislative Assembly consists of a maximum of 500 and a minimum of 60 members. An individual must be at least 25 years of age to get membership in the Legislative Assembly.  Only the State Legislative Assembly can introduce a motion of no confidence against the ruling government in the state. If such a motion is passed by a majority vote, then the Chief Minister and their Council of Ministers have to collectively resign. One term of the assembly spans 5 years unless it is dissolved sooner. 

Member of Legislative Council (MLC)

Member of Legislative Council (MLC)

Members of Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council) are called Member of Legislative Council (MLCs). The bills proposed by the Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA’s) are discussed and deliberated by MLC’s. They play a role similar to that of Rajya Sabha members at the center.

MLCs can either be nominated members of the legislature or are elected by a restricted electorate of individuals such as teachers and lawyers. The MLCs are mostly either experts from various fields or influential people from diverse backgrounds. To be appointed as an MLC, one must be a citizen of India and at least 30 years of age. Additionally, to qualify, one has to mentally sound and enrolled on the voters' list of the state from which they are contesting an election. 

A person can not simultaneously be an MLC and be a Member of Parliament or a Member of the State Legislative Assembly. MLCs serve their term for a period of 6 years. After every two years, one-third of the members of Legislative Council retire, similar to the members of the Rajya Sabha.

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Vidhan Parishad

Vidhan Parishad

In Indian states which have a bicameral legislature, the Vidhan Parishad (State Legislative Council) serves as the upper house. The Indian Constitution provides limited powers to the Legislative Council. It can neither create nor dissolve a state government. The Legislative Council also plays no role in passing Finance Bills.

A state's Legislative Council comprises one-third or less than one-third of the members of the state Legislative Assembly. Additionally, it's size can also not be less than 40 members. The election of the Chairman of Legislative Council and the Deputy Chairman is done through the members of the council.

Legislature

Legislature

Each state in India has a legislature that comprises the Governor and either one house (unicameral) or, two houses (bicameral). In a majority of the states, there is only one house called the Legislative Assembly. Two houses known as Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly exist only in the states of Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. The Parliament has the power to abolish an existing Legislative Council and it can also establish a Legislative Council in a state. This can only be done if their plan is supported by the Legislative Assembly of that state. 

In order to watch over the daily activities of the Executive, State Legislatures use parliamentary devices like questions, discussions, debates, adjournments, and no-confidence motions. They also have their committees which ensure that the grants sanctioned by the legislature are used properly.