82) Celebrating 60 years (Diamond Jubilee) of the Indian Parliament in 2012

82) Celebrating 60 years (Diamond Jubilee) of the Indian Parliament in 2012:

The term “Parliament” is derived from the French word “parlement” (meaning the action of “parler” – “to speak/talk or discuss”. 

As a corollary, “parlement” means a discussion and refers to a meeting or a forum or a group of people meeting to discuss matters of State. (To “parley” means “to have a conference for debating the points in dispute” for the purpose of arriving at a consensus). 

A Parliament in a broader sense is tasked with three functions: representation of the people, Legislation and Parliamentary control through Committees, hearings and enquiries both personal and through debates.

Historical Development of Parliaments around the World:

Ø  In Spain, the first Spanish Parliament “Cortes” was held in the Kingdom of Leon in 1188, where Prelates, nobles and commoners met in the three Houses of the Parliament, superseding earlier unicameral councils. This is the first example of a Parliament in European history.

Ø  The term “Parliament” was first used in England in 1236 superseding the earlier term “Council” which discussed State matters with the King. In keeping with the terms of the Magna Carta, King John expanded his “Council of Ministers” made up from the ruling classes/nobility, to include Commoners coming from the landed gentry, merchants and lawyers etc. to counsel him on Matters of State. Later this practice developed into not only talking/counselling but to facilitate decision making and Legislation.

Ø  In ancient tribal societies, there were councils or a Headman/chief, whose decisions were accessed by village elders. This system is still prevalent in India in the form of village “Khaps” and “Gram Panchayats”.

Ø  Ancient Athens is credited with being the progenitor of democracy. The Athenian Assembly (called “Ekklesia) was an important forum where every citizen could participate in the deliberations. Nevertheless, the “Ekklesia” was less in the nature of elected representatives and more in the nature of direct appointments, hence it was not a Parliament in the strictest sense.

Ø  The Roman Empire too had Legislative Assemblies with wide ranging powers during war-time and peace while the Roman Senate controlled financial powers, administration and macro-level foreign policy.

Ø  In France, the “Parliament of Paris” was created out of the Curia Regis in 1307 and located inside the medieval Royal Palace (now the Paris Hall of Justice) which had powers of jurisdiction all over France. Several province-level Parliaments were created all over France from 1443 onwards until the French Revolution. Later, these Parliaments were overwhelmed by the “Estates General” when the National assembly became the Lower House of Legislature.

Ø  In Iceland, Scandinavia and Germany, rudimentary forms of Governing Assemblies called “Ting” comprising free men of the community legislated for the communities and elected chieftains and Kings.

Ø  In Poland, a legendary Polish ruler “Siemowit” founder of the Piast Dynasty was chosen by a “Wiec” (which was a popular assembly in medieval Slavic countries. In 1182, the “Weic” metamorphosed into the present day Polish Parliament “Sejm” (meaning meeting of the populace).

Ø  Even in old Anglo-Saxon England, the “Witena gamut” or the “meeting/council of wise-men” was enacting laws in consultation with local assemblies and are considered a rudimentary form of English Parliament as we know it today.

Ø  In Scotland during the 10^th century, Regional kingdoms were ruled by chiefs (toisechs) and sub-kings (Mormaers) under the suzerainty of a High King.  The Parliament of Scotland evolved during the Middle Ages from the King’s Council of Bishops and Earls. The first unicameral Parliament functioned in 1235 at Kirkliston village in present day Edinburgh and was called the “colloquium”. Till 1707, the Parliament of Scotland referred to as the “Estates of Scotland” or the “Auld Scots Parliament” legislated for Scotland till the Parliament of Scotland merged with the Parliament of Great Britain in that year. However, in 1998, after a referendum, the Parliament of Scotland was revived in Edinburgh.

Ø  The British Model of Parliament known as the “Westminster Model” is regarded as the Mother of all Parliaments” (a distortion of a quote by John Bright who mentioned in 1865 that “England is the Mother of Parliaments”) developed over a period of time through tradition and evolution of practices with the basic distinction between the Lords and the Commoners being maintained in two Chambers or Houses of Parliament. The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in 1707 by the Acts of Union that replaced the former Parliaments of England and Scotland. The Parliament consists of a three tier model – A House of Lords, a House of Commons and the Monarch (largely ceremonial – present day).

Ø  Based on the British Model, most parliaments are bicameral and sometimes they can be Unicameral or Tricameral as opposed to the Presidential system in the USA where there is a well-defined separation of powers between the Congress and the President.

The Parliament of India :

v  The Parliament of India is bicameral and is the supreme legislative entity in the country.  It is identically patterned on that of the Parliament of Great Britain with the President of India (in place of the British Monarch), and the two Houses –   “Rajya Sabha” or the “Council of States”(patterned on the British “House of Lords”) and the “Lok Sabha” or the “House of the People”(patterned on the British “House of Commons”). The President, although a titular Head, much like the present day British monarchy, has the powers to summon and prorogue either House of Parliament of dissolve the Lok Sabha.

v  The President of India is elected from a group of nominees by the elected members of both Houses of the Parliament as well as of the State legislatures (Vidhan Sabhas) for a five year term.

v  The combined strength of the Parliament is 795 members representing about 720 million registered Indian voters. The Lok Sabha can have a maximum strength of 552 as per the Constitution and presently has 545 members (525 from State Constituencies and 20 from the Union Territories) with every member being elected for a five-year term and General elections to the Lok Sabha being held once every five years, unless contingencies require a mid-term election.   To be eligible to contest for a Lok Sabha seat, a candidate should be of 25 years or above in age. On the other hand, the Rajya Sabha can have a maximum strength of 250 members as per the Constitution ( 238 from the states and 12 from the Union Territories) with each member being elected for a term of six years and elections being held for one-third seats every two years. To be eligible for a Rajya Sabha seat, a candidate must be at least 30 years of age.

v  The Members of the Lok Sabha are elected directly by the Indian public

and the MPs of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the members of the State Legislative Assemblies in accordance with proportional representation.

v  The Indian Parliament when it came into existence six decades ago,  was an institution constituted by stalwarts who had fought for the Independence of India from the British Raj and the quality of debates and commitment of the members towards development of the newly independent nation was beyond question, although the schools of thought they subscribed to were different, and the methods of approaching the set goals were divided along party lines. It was a Parliament with divergent voices and views. Nevertheless, even when MPs differed during debates/proposals with their opponents, Parliamentary decorum was maintained.

v  This was a far cry from present day Parliaments where disorder has become the order of the day in both Houses and the values and issues which the first Parliament stood for have almost disappeared and partisan goals appear to have set in superseding the overriding concern for the public good.

Some interesting tit-bits about the Parliament of India:

Ø  The first meeting of the Lok Sabha took place on May 13, 1952.

Ø  The first Chairman of the Rajya Sabha was S. Radhakrishnan (later the President of India).

Ø  The first Speaker of the Lok Sabha was G.V. Mavalankar.

Ø  In the first Lok Sabha, there was no Member of Parliament over the age of 70 years. This number has risen to 7% present day. The number of MPs below 40 has decreased from 26% in 1952 to 14% present day.

·         On 13.05.2012 (Sunday) the Indian Parliament completed 60 years since its first sitting. To commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of its creation a special sitting of both Houses was organised on that day. 

·         In the present Rajya Sabha nonagenarian Rishant Keising (representing Manipur) and Resham Lal Jangde, 87 (representing Chhattisgarh) were honoured in the special sitting of the Parliament  as being the only live members of the first Lok Sabha!!

·         The special sitting recalled the “60 years journey of the Indian Parliament”.  

·         It is to Keising’s credit that he mentioned in his address to MPs on the occasion, that he was pained at the deteriorating standards in the Parliament from his tenure in the first Lok Sabha to present day. He recalled with fond memories of what the great and special Parliament was like when it was born with doyens like Rajendra Prasad and JL Nehru. He concluded that it was mostly the “people” who made up the Parliament then. (Did he mean the “aam aadmi”?). Now, there is much public scrutiny of the work of MPs and the functioning of the Parliament.

Ø  Women constitute 11% of the present Lok Sabha as compared to 5% in the first Lok Sabha. This is still lower as compared to some other countries viz. UK (22%), USA (17%), Sweden (45%) etc.

Ø  The first Lok Sabha passed an average of 72 bills every year. This number has dropped to about 40 or lesser number of bills every year, present day, with the lowest number of bills being passed in 2004. The highest number of Bills was passed in 1976 (118 Bills) and lowest number of Bills in 2004 (18 Bills). Since 1993, Parliament refers many Bills/issues to Departmentally Related Standing Committees for in-depth study/analysis. These Committees meet and deliberate these issues outside the scheduled sittings of Parliament. In addition, Ad-hoc Committees, Parliamentary Committees focus on special areas, studies etc. assigned to them for briefing Parliament  , No Private Members bill has been passed by Parliament since 1970.

Ø  The Lok Sabha met for an average of 127 days in the 1950s and Rajya Sabha for 93 days. The number of sittings has decreased to 73 for both houses. This is against a recommendation of Senior MPs of all parties who had met in 2001 that Parliament should meet for a minimum of 110 days every year and that constitutional amendment should be brought about in this regard. Presently, the accepted practice is that three sessions are held as follows:

Budget Session: 20-35 days during February-March

Monsoon Session: 20-35 days during July-August

Winter Session: 20-35 days during November-December

Ø  Each Member of Parliament (MP) represents over 2 million constituents.

Ø  The percentage of Graduates has increased from 58% in 1952 to 79% in 2009, including MPs with post-graduate and doctorate degrees.

Ø  The percentage of MPs without secondary education has decreased from 23% in 1952 to 3% in 2009.

Ø  More MPs (29%) have post-graduate degrees than in 1952 (18%).

Ø  PRS Legislative Research:

·         The Ford Foundation and Google have sponsored a group comprising about a dozen members called the PRS Legislative Research set up in 2005 with is a not-for-profit and non-partisan research focus group,  which is aware that the Members of Parliament do not have a dedicated Research staff or Institutional support for each MP.  As such, when Bills are placed in the Parliament for discussion/ratification, it is important for the MPs to be better informed so as to make knowledge-based decisions. This makes it easier for MPs to participate in debates.

·         The PRS as part of this initiative summarises the voluminous Bills into bullet-points which highlight key points and provide context after careful Research and interviewing stake-holders, outside experts and Government officials who helped the proposed Bills, with a view to better understanding of the issues involved.

·         These briefs are presented to all Members of the Parliament, several journalists and non-governmental organisations around the country and the briefs are also placed on the PRS website for anyone to access them for information.

·         In addition, the PRS also, informs citizens of the deliberations during Parliamentary debates.

Ø  A salient feature of the Indian Parliament is that a labourer or even an ex-dacoit  have equal opportunity to legislate at the highest levels of the country just like their more privileged counterparts, provided they get elected from their constituencies.

Ø  It is equally true that money power has also become a major player in Indian Democracy and several elections have been countermanded by the Election Commission in this regard. Today’s Parliament is run on coalitions and drumming up support from several parties on issue based politics rather that ideologies is the norm on several issues.

Ø  Nevertheless, the Indian Parliament despite several trials and tribulations has withstood the tests of time thus far, but there is an urgent need to constantly strive for standards beyond reproach.

Commemorative coins issued by RBI/India Government Mints:

1) 5 (Five) Rupee coin issued for general circulation:

The reverse of this coin shows the image of the Parliament House encircled in the centre by a round border like a picture or a portrait. The inscription around this image on the upper periphery reads “Bharat ki Sansad ke 60 Varsh” (in Hindi) and “60 years of the Parliament of India” in English on the lower periphery. The Diamond Jubilee years 1952-2012 are inscribed above the image of the Parliament House. This coin has been issued by the Mumbai Mint. Notice the “Diamond Mint Mark” of the Mumbai Mint at the bottom of the coin below the letter "A" of Parliament.

The obverse of the five rupee coin issued on the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Parliament of India shows the Lion Capitol of the Ashoka Pillar in the middle with the inscription “Satyamev Jayate” (Truth Always Prevails) in Hindi  below it, with “Bharat” mentioned in Hindi on the left hand side and “India” in English on the right hand side. Below the Lion Capitol is the numeral “5” indicating the denominational value of this coin. The denominational value of this coin is not mentioned in words either in Hindi or English.

The specifications of this coin are:

Shape: Circular;

 Diameter: 23mm;

Number of serrations: 100

Weight: 6 gms;

Composition of Alloy:Nickel–Brass (Copper :75%; Zinc: 20% and Nickel: 5%).

2) 10 (Ten) Rupee coin issued for general circulation:

The reverse of this coin shows the image of the Parliament House encircled  in the centre. The inscription around this image on the upper periphery reads “ Bharat ki Sansad ke 60 Varsh” (in Hindi) and “ 60 years of the parliament of India” in English on the lower periphery. The Diamond Jubilee years 1952-2012 are inscribed above the image of the Parliament House. This coin has been issued by the Mumbai  Mint. Notice the “Diamond Mint Mark” of the Mumbai Mint at the bottom of the coin below the letter "A" of Parliament.

The obverse of the ten rupee coin issued on the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Parliament of India shows the Lion Capitol of the Ashoka Pillar in the middle with the inscription “Satyamev Jayate” (Truth Always Prevails) in Hindi  below it, with “Bharat” mentioned in Hindi on the left hand side and “India” in English on the right hand side. Below the Lion Capitol is the numeral “10” indicating the denominational value of this coin.

The specifications of this coin are:

Shape: Circular;

 Diameter: 27mm (Bi-metallic);

Number of serrations: 100

Composition of Alloy: Outer Ring :( Aluminium Bronze): Copper: 92%; Aluminium: 6%; Nickel: 2%.

                               

                                 Centre-piece: (Cupro-Nickel):  Copper: 75%; Nickel: 25%.
 Posted on 19.09.2015:
 I have a couple of days ago, received a Rs. Ten and a Rs. Five Commemorative Coins commemorating “60 Years of the Parliament of India” in 2012, details of which are as under:
Details of the Rs.5/- Coin album: 

The Cover of the Commemorative coin album received from the Hyderabad Mint celebrating 60 Years of the Indian Parliament (1952-2012). The cover shows the Indian Parliament flying the Indian Flag.

 Shown on this inner page is the Obverse of the Coin.

The partial specifications of this coin are mentioned as under:

Denomination: Rs.5/-

Alloy: Nickel-Brass (Copper: 75%, Zinc : 20%, Nickel: 5%).

The Obverse of the Coin shows the Lion Capitol of Emperor Ashok, presently the Emblem of the Government of India in the centre with the words “Satyameva Jayate” (below the Lion Capitol), meaning “Truth Always Prevails”. Below the Lion Capitol is the denomination of the coin “Rs.5/-”. The name of the issuing country “Bharat” (in Hindi/Devnagri) is on the left periphery of this coin face and “India” (in English) is on the right periphery of this coin face.

The Reverse of the Coin is shown on the left upper side. More specifications of the coin are shown on this page:

Diameter: 23 mm; Weight: 6.00 gms; No. of serrations: 100.

Also shown on this page is a Rs.4.00 stamp commemorating the “Golden Jubilee” (50 Years) of the Indian Parliament . There is also a stylised impression of the “Bhartiya Sansad” or the “Indian Parliament”.

The Reverse of the Coin shows an image of the Parliament . On the upper periphery is mentioned “Bharat Ki Sansad Ke 60 Varsh” (in Hindi/Devnagri) and “60 YEARS OF THE PARLIAMENT OF INDIA” (in English) on the lower periphery. Below this inscription is the “Star” mint mark of the Hyderabad Mint.

Details of the Rs.10/- Coin album: 

 

The Cover of the Commemorative coin album received from the Hyderabad Mint celebrating 60 Years of the Indian Parliament (1952-2012). The cover shows the Indian Parliament flying the Indian Flag.

 Shown on this inner page is the Obverse of the Coin.

The partial specifications of this coin are mentioned as under:

Denomination: Rs.10/-

Outer Ring: (Aluminium Bronze): Copper: 92%, Aluminium: 6%, Nickel: 2%;

Inner Centre: (Cupro-Nickel : Copper : 75%, Nickel: 25%.

The Obverse of the Coin shows the Lion Capitol of Emperor Ashok, presently the Emblem of the Government of India in the centre with the words “Satyameva Jayate” (below the Lion Capitol), meaning “Truth Always Prevails”. Below the Lion Capitol is the denomination of the coin “Rs.10/-”. The name of the issuing country “Bharat” (in Hindi/Devnagri) is on the left periphery of this coin face and “India” (in English) is on the right periphery of this coin face.

The Reverse of the Coin is shown on the left upper side. More specifications of the coin are shown on this page:

Diameter: 27 mm; Weight: 7.71 gms; No. of serrations: 100.

Also shown on this page is a Rs.4.00 stamp commemorating the “Golden Jubilee” of the Indian Parliament . There is also a stylised impression of the “Bhartiya Sansad” or the “Indian Parliament”.

The Reverse of the Coin shows an image of the Parliament. On the upper periphery is mentioned “Bharat Ki Sansad Ke 60 Varsh” (in Hindi/Devnagri) and “60 YEARS OF THE PARLIAMENT OF INDIA” (in English) on the lower periphery. Below this inscription is the “Star” mint mark of the Hyderabad Mint.

The  following are the names of some of the important Parliaments of the World :

Country                               Name of Parliament

Afghanistan   Hal-o-Aqad (National Assembly) Shura

Argentina      National Congress

Australia        Federal Parliament (House of    
                     Representatives and Senate)

Bangla Desh    Jatiya Sansad (Parliament)

Bhutan          Tshogdu/Tasongadu (National    
                    Assembly

 Brazil           National Congress

Canada         Parliament (House of Commons and
                    Senate)  

China (Mainland) National People's Congress

China (National) Yuan (National Assembly)

Denmark           Folketing

Egypt                People's Assembly

France               National Assembly (Parlement)

Germany            Bundestag (Lower House) and 
                         Bundesrat (Upper House)
 
 Great Britain      Parliament (House of Lords-Upper
                         House - and House of Commons - 
                         Lower House

Hungary             Orszaggyules (National Assembly)

Iceland               Althing

India                  Parliament or "Sansad" (Lok Sabha 
                         - Lower  House and Rajya Sabha -
                          Upper House

Indonesia           People's Consultative Assembly

Iran                   Majlis

Ireland               Oireachtas

Israel                 The Knesset 

Italy                   Parlamento Italiano

Japan                 Diet

Jordan                National Assembly 

Kenya                 National Assembly

Kuwait                Majlis-al-Umma(National
                          Assembly

Laos                   People's Supreme Assembly

Latvia                 Saeima 

Liberia                National Assembly

Libya                  General People's Congress

Madagascar         National People's Assembly

Malaysia              Parliament (Dewan Rakyat and
                          Dewan Negara)

Maldives              Majlis

Mongolia             Great People's Khural

Mozambique        People's Assembly

Myanmar (Burma) Pyithu Hluttaw(People's Assembly)

Nepal                   Rashtriya Panchayat

The Netherlands    States General (Staten Generaal)

Norway                 Storting

New Zealand          Parliament (House of Represent-
                             atives)

Oman                    Majlis

Pakistan                Majlis-i-Shoora 

Poland                   Sejm

Romania                 Grand National Assembly

Russia                   Duma or Supreme Soviet

Seychelles             People's Assembly

Somalia                 People's Assembly

South Africa           Parliament or House of Assembly
 
Spain                     Cortes

Sudan                     National Assembly

Sweden                   Riksdag

Switzerland              Federal Assembly (Nationairat 
                               and Standerat)

Syria                       People's Council

Taiwan                    Yuan

Tunisia                     National Assembly

Turkey                     Grand National Assembly

United States of        Congress (House of 
America                   Representatives and Senate)

Uzbekistan                Oli Majlis

 Venezuela                National Congress

Vietnam                   National Assembly

Zaire (Democratic     National Legislative Council
Republic of Congo)  

Zambia                    National Assembly