LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES IN PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES IN PARLIAMENT

1.     Ordinary Bills: Ordinary Bills can originate in either House of Parliament and have to pass through the following stages before being sent for assent by the President

1.     First Reading: a brief description of the Bill is read, and its aims and objectives announced. Opponents can also make a brief speech. After a vote, the Bill is published in the Gazette

2.     Second Reading: the general principles of the Bill are discussed, and the Bill is sent to the appropriate committee for its reference. No amendments are possible at this stage

3.     Committee Stage: the appropriate committee reviews the Bill and suggests amendments

4.     Report Stage: the committee submits its report to the House, where it is thoroughly discussed. Amendments may be proposed. Voting is held on a clause-by-clause basis

5.     Third Reading: general discussion of the Bill followed by formal voting for its acceptance or rejection. No amendments possible at this stage. After the Bill has been accepted, it is sent to the other House for a repeat procedure, and thereupon to the President for assent.

2.     Money Bills: Money Bills can originate only in the Lok Sabha on the recommendation of the President.

Since they deal with public finances, their passage is crucial to the functioning of government

1.     After a Money Bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha for deliberations

2.     The Rajya Sabha is given 14 days to make recommendations

3.     If the Rajya Sabha fails to make recommendations within this period, the Bill is considered to have passed both Houses and is sent to the President for assent

4.     If the Rajya Sabha does make its recommendations, the Lok Sabha may or may not decide to accept those recommendations

5.     Regardless, the Bill is considered to have passed both Houses and is sent to the President