In July 2021, which state government passed a resolution supporting an ad hoc committee report that favoured the creation of a legislative council?

Key Points

• In July 2021, the West Bengal state government passed a resolution supporting an ad hoc committee report that favoured the creation of a legislative council.
• Legislative councils are a form of bicameral legislature in Indian states, similar to the Rajya Sabha at the national level.
• These councils function as the upper house in states that choose to have a bicameral legislature, providing a forum for more detailed scrutiny of legislation.
• The creation of a legislative council requires a resolution passed by the state legislature and subsequent approval by the Parliament of India.

Additional Information

• West Bengal previously had a legislative council, which was abolished in 1969.
• As per Article 169 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament can create or abolish a legislative council in a state if the legislative assembly of that state passes a resolution to that effect by a majority of the total membership of the assembly and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the assembly present and voting.
• Currently, a few Indian states such as Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh have legislative councils.
• The re-establishment of the legislative council in West Bengal is seen as a measure to provide more in-depth legislative review and representation.