Question: Which state government has approved the formation of the Legislative Council in May 2021?
(a) West Bengal
(b) Odisha
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Punjab
Answer: (a)
Related facts:
- The West Bengal cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has approved the formation of the Legislative Council(Vidhan Parisad).
- The Legislative Council in the State was abolished in 1969.
- For setting up the Council, a Bill has to be introduced in the Assembly and then a nod from the Governor is required.
- At present, only Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh have Legislative Council.
About the State Legislative Council:
- The State Legislative Council is the Upper house of the state legislature.
- It is established under Article 169 of the Indian Constitution.
- The size of the State Legislative Council cannot be more than one-third of the members of the State Legislative Assembly.
- Parliament of India can create or abolish the State Legislative Council of a state if that state’s legislature passes a resolution for that with a special majority.