State legislative assemblies of India

As per the Constitution of India, where there is a unicameral legislature, the legislative body is termed as the legislative assembly. In bicameral jurisdictions, there exists a State Legislative Council. The legislative assembly has the power to create or abolish the legislative council of the respective state or union territory by passing a resolution to that effect by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. In a bicameral legislature, a legislative assembly holds equal legislative power with the upper house of the state legislature, the State Legislative Council, in terms of passing of bills except in case of money bills. A normal bill can originate in any of the house, and is deemed to be passed only if it is cleared by both houses. == Members ==

The Constitution of India states that a legislative assembly must have no less than 60 members and a maximum of 500 members. A Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is directly elected from single-member constituencies, which are divided roughly equally based on the population of the region. The number of seats may be revised following a census by an act of the parliament. A few assemblies have nominated members such as the case of Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry. To become a Member of Legislative Assembly, a person must be of minimum 25 years of age and be a citizen of India. He/she might not hold any other government office, and should declare the information required by the election commission including any criminal procedures against him or her. After the election of a member, he/she is expected to take an oath of affirmation. The members are paid salaries and allowances as fixed by the respective assemblies. A member of the assembly may resign on his/her own accord. A member can also be disqualified if found to hold another office of profit in the government, is of no sound mind, has been declared insolvent, or ineligible by a court of law. Members of the assembly are exempt from any legal cases arising out of what has been said in the assembly. == Legislative assemblies ==

In 28 states and three union territories, there is a unicameral legislature which is the sole legislative body. Five union territories are governed directly by the union government and have no legislative body. Defunct assemblies == See also ==