State Legislative Council -The Vidhan Parishad!
Only Six Indian States (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, J&K, Karnataka, Maharashtra and UP) have bicameral legislatures. As such at the state level only Six Vidhan Parishads (Legislative Councils) are at work in India. The existence of the Legislative Council in a state depends upon the will of the State Legislative Assembly.
A State Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) can pass a resolution for the establishment or elimination of the State Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad). Thereafter the Union Parliament passes a laws for establishing or elimination of the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) for that state.
(A) Composition of the Legislative Council:
Regarding the composition of the State Legislative Council, the Constitution declares that it shall have members not more than 1/3rd of the total membership of the State Legislative Assembly, but the minimum must not be less than forty.
The members of the State Legislative Council come from the following five categories:
(a) Almost 1/3rd members of the Council are elected by the members of the State Legislative Assembly from amongst the persons who are not MLAs.
(b) Almost 1/3rd members are elected by the local bodies like municipal committees, Zilla Parishads and other such local authorities in the State, as specified by the law of the Parliament.
(c) Almost 1/12th members are elected by the persons having at least three years standing as teachers in the educational institutions not lower than secondary schools working in the State.
(d) Almost 1/12th members are elected by the University graduates having at least three years’ standing.
(e) Almost 1/6th members are nominated by the Governor from amongst persons having distinguished themselves in art, science, literature social service or cooperative movement.
(B) Qualifications for Membership:
For becoming a member of the State Legislative Council, a person should be a citizen of India, not less than 30 years of age and must have all other qualifications as are laid down by law of the Parliament.
The Legislature Council is a quasi-permanent house. It is never dissolved as a whole. 1/3rd of its members retire after every two years. Each member has a tenure of six years.
(D) Presiding Officers:
The Legislative Council has two elected officials: the Chairman and Deputy Chairman. They are elected by the members of Legislative Council from amongst themselves. The Chairman, and in his absence the Deputy Chairman, presides over the meetings of the Legislative Council.