Contents
Preface ix
Abbreviations xiii
1 HISTORY OF PARLIAMENT 1
Origin and Growth of Representative Institutions and the Parliamentary System
2 THE POLITICAL SYSTEM 23
Structure of Parliament and its Position in Indian Polity
3 FUNCTIONS OF PARLIAMENT 52
Role as a Multifunctional Institution
4 THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM 73
Elections to Parliament
5 PARLIAMENT IN SESSION 84
Sittings of the Houses
6 THE SPEAKER and Other Officers of the Houses of Parliament 99
7 THE QUESTION HOUR and the So-called 'Zero Hour' 118
8 RAISING MATTERS IN PARLIAMENT 131
Various Kinds of Motions and Other Procedural Devices
9 BUDGET IN PARLIAMENT 153
Procedures for Financial Business
10. THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS 164
How Laws are Made
11. PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES 186
Structure, Functions and Impact
12. SERVICING OF PARLIAMENT 214
Secretaries of the Houses of Parliament
13. PARLIAMENTARY ETIQUETTE 229
Code of Conduct for Members
14. PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES 240
Members' Salaries and Perks
15. POLITICAL PARTIES AND GROUPS 266
Anti-Defection Law
16. INTER-PARLIAMENTARY LINKS 276
Cooperation Between Parliaments
17. PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS 282
Tours for Visitors
18. HALF-A-CENTURY AND MORE OF OUR PARLIAMENT 289
It's Changing Face and Need for Reforms
Select Bibliography 313
Index 323