Phase 2: System of Government & The Union

Parliament in Action

The law-making process, budgetary procedures, and parliamentary committees.

Legislative Procedure

The primary function of Parliament is to make laws for the governance of the country. A bill is the draft of a legislative proposal. It becomes an act only when passed by both Houses and assented to by the President.

Types of Bills

  • Ordinary Bills: Concerned with any matter other than financial subjects. Can be introduced in either House by a minister or a private member. If a deadlock occurs, the President can summon a joint sitting of both Houses (Article 108).
  • Money Bills (Article 110): Concerned exclusively with taxation, borrowing of money, or expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India. Can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha with prior recommendation of the President. The Rajya Sabha has restricted powers and can only delay it for 14 days. No joint sitting is permitted.
  • Financial Bills: Also deal with fiscal matters but are not strictly Money Bills under Art 110.
  • Constitution Amendment Bills (Article 368): Can be introduced in either House. Must be passed by a special majority in both Houses separately. No provision for joint sittings.

Budget in Parliament (Article 112)

The Constitution refers to the budget as the 'Annual Financial Statement'. Parliament controls the finances of the Executive. The government cannot levy a tax or spend a single rupee without parliamentary approval.

The process goes through six stages: Presentation -> General discussion -> Scrutiny by departmental committees -> Voting on demands for grants -> Passing of Appropriation Bill -> Passing of Finance Bill.

Devices of Parliamentary Proceedings

Parliamentary rules provide various mechanisms for members to raise issues and keep the executive accountable:

  • Question Hour: The first hour of a sitting. Members ask questions and ministers usually give answers (Starred, Unstarred, and Short Notice questions).
  • Zero Hour: An informal device available to MPs to raise matters without prior notice. It starts immediately after the Question Hour. It is an Indian innovation in parliamentary procedure.
  • Motions: Discussions on matters of general public importance (e.g., Privilege Motion, Adjournment Motion, No-Confidence Motion). Note that a No-Confidence Motion can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha.