The first instance of member of parliament equivalent in India dates back to 9 December 1946, the day Constituent Assembly of India was formed with the purpose of drafting a constitution for India. As opposed to be elected on the basis of adult suffrage, the Constituent Assembly of India consisted of indirectly elected representatives and were not categorized between Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Muslims and Sikhs were given special representation as minorities. The Constituent Assembly of India took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to draft the constitution for independent India and was dissolved in 1949. On 26 January 1950, the Indian constitutioncame into force and the first general elections were held in 1951-1952. The 1st Lok Sabha was constituted on 17 April 1952 and had 489 constituencies, thereby first set of elected members of parliament of Lok Sabha in India.
Eligibility criteria
A person must satisfy all following conditions to be qualified to become a member of parliament of the Lok Sabha;
Has been punished for preaching and practising social crimes such as untouchability, dowry, or sati.
Has been convicted for an offence and sentenced to imprisonment.
Has been dismissed for corruption or for disloyalty to the state.
Term
The term of a member of parliament of Lok Sabha is five years from the date appointment for its first meeting. During a state of emergency, the term however can be extended by the Parliament of India by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time. After the state of emergency ends, the extension cannot exceed beyond a period of six months.
Responsibilities of members of parliament
Broad responsibilities of the members of parliament of Lok Sabha are;
India paid to its 543 Lok Sabha members in salaries and expenses over 2015, or just over per month per member of parliament in lncluding pensions to dependents of ex MPs. The Salary, allowances and pension of Member of the Lok Sabha is governed by the Members of Parliament Act, 1954. The act is in pursuance to the constitutional provisions where article 106 of the Constitution of India provides that the members of either House of Parliament shall be entitled to receive such salaries and allowances as may from time to time be determined by Parliament by law. The rules governing salaries, allowances and facilities such as medical, housing, telephone facilities, daily allowance etc... is looked after by a joint committee of both the houses. The committee is constituted from time to time after consultation with the Government of India.
Strength
Article 81 of the Constitution of India 1949 has specified maximum strength of members of parliament in the Lok Sabha to be 552. Total strength during the 16th Lok Sabha is 545 against approved strength of 552. The number of members of parliament is distributed among the States in such a way that the ratio between the number of seats allotted to each State and the population of the State is, so far as practicable, the same for all States. Out of the maximum permitted strength,
Not more than 530 members to be chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the Indian states.
Not more than 20 members to represent the union territories, chosen in such manner as Parliament of India may by law provide.
Not more than 2 members from the Anglo-Indian community to be nominated by the President of India.
The following is a list of the number of constituencies in the Lok Sabha in each election year, beginning in 1951. The numbers do not include 2 seats from the Anglo-Indian community, to which individuals are nominated by the President of India.
