Composition of the Lok Sabha:
1. Members: The Lok Sabha consists of 543 elected members and 2 nominated members, for a total of 545 members.
2. Territorial Constituencies: The elected members are chosen through direct elections from territorial constituencies. India is divided into 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, each of which elects one member to the Lok Sabha. The delimitation of constituencies is done by the Delimitation Commission based on population data from the most recent census.
3. Reservation of Seats: To ensure representation for marginalized and disadvantaged groups, certain seats in the Lok Sabha are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Currently, there are 84 seats reserved for SCs and 47 seats reserved for STs, totaling 131 reserved seats.
4. Nominated Members: The President of India nominates two members to the Lok Sabha from the Anglo-Indian community, who are not adequately represented in the elected members.
5. Election Process: The members of the Lok Sabha are elected through direct elections using the first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the highest number of votes wins the seat. The elections are conducted by the Election Commission of India.
6. Term of Office: The Lok Sabha's term is five years, but it can be dissolved earlier by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
7. Leadership: The Lok Sabha is headed by the Speaker, who is elected from among its members. The Speaker presides over the Lok Sabha's proceedings, ensures the smooth functioning of the house, and interprets and enforces the rules of procedure.
Functions of the Lok Sabha:
1. Legislation: The Lok Sabha has the primary responsibility for enacting laws. Bills, or proposed laws, can be introduced in either house of Parliament, but most bills originate in the Lok Sabha. Once passed by the Lok Sabha, a bill must also be passed by the Rajya Sabha and receive the President's assent to become law.
2. Financial Matters: The Lok Sabha has the exclusive power to initiate money bills, or bills that deal with the imposition, abolition, or regulation of taxes, as well as those that involve the expenditure of public funds. The Union Budget, the annual financial statement of the government, must be presented in the Lok Sabha before it can be approved.
3. Executive Oversight: The Lok Sabha exercises oversight over the government through various mechanisms such as Question Hour, Zero Hour, and debates. It can also pass motions of no confidence in the government, which, if successful, can lead to its dissolution.
4. Representation of People: The Lok Sabha is the primary platform for raising the concerns and issues of the people of India. Members of the Lok Sabha represent their respective constituencies and bring local matters and problems to the attention of the government.
5. Constitutional Amendments: Amendments to the Constitution of India require the approval of both houses of Parliament, including the Lok Sabha.
In summary, the Lok Sabha, as the lower house of the Indian Parliament, performs key functions in the legislative, financial, and oversight processes of the country. It represents the voice of the people and ensures democratic accountability of the government.