Role and Functions of Upper House
COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF UPPER HOUSE By Dr. Anant Kalse, Principal Secretary, Maharashtra Legislature Secretariat. Maharashtra Legislature Secretariat Vidhan Bhavan, Nagpur ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF UPPER HOUSE By Dr. Anant Kalse, Principal Secretary, Maharashtra Legislature Secretariat. Hb 851–1 FOREWORD An attempt is made by this publication to present the position of the second chambers of Legislature in the Indian Parliamentary System and the world. It throws light on the role and necessity of bicameral system in our Parliamentary form of Government. The House of Elders, as is popularly known, takes a lead in reaffirming the core values of the republic and set up the highest standards of healthy debates and meaningful discussions in Parliamentary Democracy. The debate and discussion can be more free, more objective and more useful in the second chamber. Bicameralism is a fit instrument of federalism and it acts as a check to hasty, rash and ill-considered legislation by bringing sobriety of thought on measures passed by the Lower House. Due to over increasing volume of legislations in a modern State, it is extremely difficult for a single chamber to devote sufficient time and attention to every measure that comes before it. A second chamber naturally gives relief to the Lower House. I am extremely grateful to Hon. Shri Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar, Chairman, Maharashtra Legislative Council, and Hon. Shri Haribhau Bagade, Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for their continuous support and motivation in accomplishing this task. I am also grateful to Shri N. G. Kale, Deputy Secretary (Law), Shri B.B. Waghmare, Librarian, Information and Research Officer, Shri Nilesh Wadnerkar, Technical Assistant, Maharashtra Legislature Secretariat for rendering valuable assistance in compiling this publication.
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