PARLIAMENTARY MOTIONS
Polity
Introduction
A ‘motion’ is a formal proposal placed before the House to obtain its decision. When a motion is adopted, it becomes a resolution or order of the House. A motion helps in discussion; a resolution expresses the final opinion of the House.
TYPES OF MOTIONS
1. SUBSTANTIVE MOTION
• A self-contained, independent motion.
• Deals with major matters such as impeachment of the President or removal of the Chief Election Commissioner.
2. SUBSIDIARY MOTION
• Has no meaning by itself.
• Depends on and relates to the main motion or proceedings of the House.
3. SUBSTITUTE MOTION
• Moved in place of an original motion.
• Offers an alternative proposal.
• If passed, it replaces the original motion entirely.
4. CLOSURE MOTION
Purpose: To cut short a debate and put the matter to vote immediately.
Types:
• Simple Closure:
- A member moves that ‘the matter has been sufficiently discussed and be put to vote’.
• Closure by Compartments:
- Clauses of a bill/resolution grouped into parts; each part is voted together.
• Kangaroo Closure:
- Only important clauses debated; others are skipped and deemed passed.
• Guillotine Closure:
- All remaining clauses (discussed or not) are put to vote due to lack of time.
- Used especially during passage of Budget demands.
5. PRIVILEGE MOTION
• Moved when a member believes a minister has breached the privilege of the House or its members.
• Often used when a minister gives misleading or incorrect facts.
• Purpose: To censure the concerned minister.
6. CALLING ATTENTION MOTION
• Introduced to draw attention of a minister to a matter of urgent public importance.
• Minister must make an authoritative statement.
• Indian innovation since 1954.
• Mentioned in Rules of Procedure (unlike Zero Hour).
7. ADJOURNMENT MOTION
• Purpose: To draw attention to a definite, urgent matter of public importance.
• Interrupts the normal business of the House – hence extraordinary.
• Carries an element of censure against the government.
• Only Lok Sabha can use it; Rajya Sabha cannot.
• Requires support of at least 50 members.
Criteria:
• Must be urgent.
• Must involve government responsibility.
• Must be specific.
• Cannot raise privilege issues.
• Cannot be related to sub judice matters.
8. NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION
• Based on Article 75: Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha.
• If Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, government must resign.
• Mentioned in Rule 198 of Lok Sabha.
• No reason required for moving the motion.
• Needs support of 50 members.
• Can be raised once per session.
9. CONFIDENCE MOTION
• Used when:
- President asks government to prove majority, or
- Government voluntarily seeks confidence of the House.
• Failure leads to fall of government.
• Common in coalition governments and hung Parliaments.
10. MOTION OF THANKS
• Moved after President’s Address at the start of the first session each year and after elections.
• Discussed and voted in both Houses.
• Must be passed; otherwise it implies defeat of the government.
• Provides opportunity for MPs to discuss and criticise government performance.
11. NO-DAY-YET-NAMED MOTION
• Admitted by the Speaker but no date fixed for discussion.
• Speaker later allots date after consulting the Leader of the House or Business Advisory Committee.
12. DILATORY MOTION
• Aims to delay or obstruct the progress of debate on a bill/motion/resolution.
• Debate limited only to points in the motion.
13. POINT OF ORDER
• Raised when House proceedings violate rules or constitutional provisions.
• Must relate to interpretation/enforcement of rules.
• No debate allowed.
• Usually raised by opposition to regulate government functioning.
14. HALF-AN-HOUR DISCUSSION
• Used when a matter has been debated earlier but needs clarification.
• Speaker may allow three such discussions per week.
• No formal motion or voting.
15. SHORT DURATION DISCUSSION (Two-Hour Discussion)
• For matters of urgent public importance.
• No formal motion; no voting.
• Speaker may allow two per week.
• In practice since 1953.
16. SPECIAL MENTION
• Used in Rajya Sabha to raise matters not covered under other procedures.
• Equivalent in Lok Sabha: Notice Under Rule 377.
RESOLUTIONS
Difference Between Motion and Resolution
• Motions initiate discussion.
• Resolutions express the final views of the House.
• All resolutions are formally voted upon.
Conditions of Admissibility of Resolutions
A resolution must:
• Be clear and precise.
• Raise one specific issue.
• Avoid arguments, imputations, sarcasm or defamatory statements.
• Not discuss conduct/character of individuals except in official/public capacity.
• Not relate to matters pending adjudication in courts.
Lapsing of Resolutions
• Government Resolutions:
- If not completed on the allotted day, carried to next allotted day.
• Private Members’ Resolutions:
- If discussion not concluded and no further day allotted, it lapses at session end.
Types of Resolutions
1. Private Member’s Resolution
• Moved by a private member.
• Discussed on alternate Fridays.
2. Government Resolution
• Moved by a minister.
• Can be taken up any day Monday–Thursday.
3. Statutory Resolution
• Can be moved by any member.
• Must cite a provision in Constitution or Parliamentary Act.
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Subject: Polity
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