The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, also known as the Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha, is the unicameral legislature of the state of Rajasthan. It's a vital part of the state government, responsible for making and implementing laws.

The assembly meets at Vidhan Bhavan situated in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Members of the Legislative assembly are directly elected by the people for a term of 5 years. Presently, the legislative assembly consists of 200 members.

Origin

The formation of the House of People's Representatives in Rajasthan is significant in Indian Constitutional history since it was the result of the merging of 22 princely states of the former Rajputana with the Union of India.

As per the provision of Article 168 of India's newly framed constitution, each state was required to form a legislature consisting of one or two Houses. Rajasthan chose unicameralism for its legislature, which is known as the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.

History

The First Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (1952–57) was inaugurated on 31 March 1952. It had a strength of 160 members. The strength was increased to 190 after the merger of the erstwhile Ajmer State with Rajasthan in 1956. The Second (1957–62) and Third (1962–67) Legislative Assemblies had a strength of 176. The Fourth (1967–72) and Fifth (1972–77) Legislative Assembly comprised 184 members each. The strength became 200 from the Sixth (1977–80) Legislative Assembly onwards.

Privileges

Article 194 of the Indian Constitution specifies the powers, privileges, and immunities of the House of Legislature, as well as its members and committees.

Some of the important privileges are:

Freedom of speech in the legislature

Immunity for members from any proceedings in any court relating to anything said or any vote given by them in the legislature or any committee thereof

Prohibition on courts inquiring into legislative processes

Freedom from arrest in civil proceedings for the members during the continuance of the session of the House

16th Rajasthan Assembly