What is Vidhan Parishad?

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Grade Level:

Class 12

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Definition

What is it?

The Vidhan Parishad is the Upper House of the State Legislature in some states of India. It is like the Rajya Sabha at the central level, but for a state. Its main role is to review and provide suggestions on laws passed by the Vidhan Sabha (Lower House).

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine your school has two student councils. One council (Vidhan Sabha) proposes new rules for lunch breaks, like 'everyone must eat dal-chawal on Tuesdays'. The other council (Vidhan Parishad) then checks these rules, discusses them, and might suggest changes, like 'dal-chawal is good, but let's also have a fruit option'. This ensures better, more thoughtful rules for everyone.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's understand how a law might pass through a Vidhan Parishad:

1. A new law, say about improving public transport in a state, is first introduced and passed by the Vidhan Sabha (the directly elected members).
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2. This 'Public Transport Bill' is then sent to the Vidhan Parishad for their review.
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3. Members of the Vidhan Parishad, who are often experienced people from various fields like education, local bodies, etc., discuss the bill in detail.
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4. They might suggest amendments (changes) to the bill, for example, adding a clause for special transport for senior citizens, or changing the budget allocation for electric buses.
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5. These suggestions are sent back to the Vidhan Sabha.
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6. The Vidhan Sabha can either accept or reject these suggestions. However, the Vidhan Parishad cannot block a money bill (related to state finances) for more than 14 days, and other bills for more than 4 months.
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7. Once both houses agree, or if the Vidhan Sabha overrides the Parishad's non-money bill suggestions after a certain period, the bill is sent to the Governor for approval, and then it becomes a law.

ANSWER: The Vidhan Parishad acts as a check, ensuring laws are well-thought-out before becoming official.

Why It Matters

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Thinking all Indian states have a Vidhan Parishad. | CORRECTION: Only a few states in India have a Vidhan Parishad (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana). Most states have only a Vidhan Sabha.

MISTAKE: Believing the Vidhan Parishad has equal power to the Vidhan Sabha. | CORRECTION: The Vidhan Parishad has less power than the Vidhan Sabha, especially concerning money bills. The Vidhan Sabha is more powerful because its members are directly elected by the people.

MISTAKE: Confusing Vidhan Parishad with Rajya Sabha. | CORRECTION: Vidhan Parishad is the Upper House at the STATE level, while Rajya Sabha is the Upper House at the CENTRAL (national) level. Both are upper houses, but for different levels of government.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Name two states in India that currently have a Vidhan Parishad. | ANSWER: Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra (other correct answers include Karnataka, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana).

QUESTION: What is the maximum duration for which a Vidhan Parishad can delay an ordinary bill passed by the Vidhan Sabha? | ANSWER: 4 months.

QUESTION: If a Money Bill is passed by the Vidhan Sabha and sent to the Vidhan Parishad, what is the maximum time the Vidhan Parishad can hold it? What happens if they don't return it within that time? | ANSWER: The Vidhan Parishad can hold a Money Bill for a maximum of 14 days. If they don't return it within 14 days, the bill is deemed to have been passed by both houses.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of the following statements about Vidhan Parishad is correct?

All states in India must have a Vidhan Parishad.

Members of Vidhan Parishad are directly elected by the public.

Vidhan Parishad is the Upper House of the State Legislature.

Vidhan Parishad has more power than Vidhan Sabha on Money Bills.

The Correct Answer Is:

Vidhan Parishad is indeed the Upper House of the State Legislature, similar to the Rajya Sabha at the Centre. Not all states have it, its members are not directly elected by the public, and it has less power than Vidhan Sabha, especially for Money Bills.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When a state government decides to build a new metro line in a city like Lucknow or Pune, the initial proposal (bill) is debated and passed in the Vidhan Sabha. Before it becomes a full law and funds are released, the Vidhan Parishad in states like Uttar Pradesh or Maharashtra would review this plan, ensuring all aspects, like environmental impact or public convenience, are considered. This two-step process helps create better public infrastructure for citizens.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

BICAMERAL: A legislature with two houses (like Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad) | LEGISLATURE: The body of a state that makes laws | VIDHAN SABHA: The Lower House of the State Legislature, whose members are directly elected | UPPER HOUSE: The second, usually less powerful, house of a bicameral legislature, often with a reviewing role | MONEY BILL: A bill primarily concerned with taxation or public expenditure

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Great job understanding Vidhan Parishad! Next, you should learn about the 'Vidhan Sabha'. Understanding the Vidhan Sabha will help you see the full picture of how state laws are made and how the two houses work together in India's state governments.