Page 5 - Parliament of India

PREFACE

India became an independent nation on August 15, 1947.
The new Constitution, framed by the Constituent Assembly of
India, came into force on January 26, 1950. With it came into
being the Provisional Parliament which continued to act as such
until the first General Elections on the basis of adult franchise
were held in 1952 and the First Parliament was constituted under
the provisions of the new Constitution.

Republican in character, the Constitution of India broadly
provides for a parliamentary form of government based on univer­
sal adult franchise and the accountability of the Executive to the
elected representatives of the people.

The Parliament of India, representing as it does all constitu­
tionally organised shades of public opinion at the national level,
occupies a pre-erninent and pivotal position in the country's
constitutional set-up. It has also, over the years, carved out for
itself a unique place in the esteem and affections of the people as
the forum through which they articulate and realize their aspira­
tions and ventilate their grievances and seek solutions to their
problems.

This illustrated brochure is designed to give a broad synoptic
view of the structure and functioning of the Parliament of India.

NEW DELHI, S. L. SHAKDHER
April, 1976. Secretary-General
Lok Sabha

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