Aditi Tandon
New Delhi, July 31
In the times of intense debate about the relevance of the Rajya Sabha, newly sworn House members were in for an enriching lowdown on Saturday on the significance of the Council of States.
Congress veteran Jairam Ramesh explained to the MPs how the Constitution-makers envisaged the Rajya Sabha as a House that would reduce the heat and passion of Lok Sabha, bringing calmness to law-making.
“In the sub-committee of the Constituent Assembly tasked with framing the structure of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, there were heated discussions on why we need two Houses. The Rajya Sabha was ultimately seen as a necessary saucer that would cool the heat of Lok Sabha law-making,” former minister Ramesh told MPs, including PT Usha, Vikramjit Sahney, Sant Balbir Seechewal and Sanjeev Arora, during an orientation.
Ramesh cited an example George Washington gave to Thomas Jefferson when advocating the relevance of the US Senate vis-à-vis the House of Representatives.
“The framers had created the Senate to cool House legislation just as a saucer was used to cool hot tea,” Washington is said to have told Jefferson, who was opposed to the Senate idea.
“There were extreme opinions on the need for the Rajya Sabha — one led by Odisha’s Lokenath Mishra that said the Rajya Sabha was a waste of time and money. And the other led by MA Ayyangar, who said the Rajya Sabha was vital for three reasons — it will be a permanent House, will represent India’s diversity and will reduce the passions that would typically mark law-making in the Lok Sabha,” said Ramesh.
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Be the first to comment