The Parliament

Which one of the following statements with regard to Censure Motion is NOT correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”A leave of the House is required to move it” option2=”The Government is free to fix time and date for its discussion” option3=”It can also be moved against the entirety of the Council of Ministers” option4=”The Speaker decides whether the motion is in order” correct=”option2″]

The correct option is B. The government is NOT free to fix the time and date for the discussion of a Censure Motion; it takes precedence over government business once admitted.

– Option A is correct: To move a Censure Motion in Lok Sabha, the member needs to seek leave of the House. The Speaker determines if it is in order, and then if at least 50 members support it, leave is granted.
– Option B is incorrect: Once a Censure Motion is admitted and leave is granted, it is treated as a matter of urgent public importance and is given priority over normal government business. The Speaker, in consultation with the Leader of the House, fixes a date for its discussion, but the government cannot indefinitely delay or freely choose a convenient time; the discussion must take place promptly.
– Option C is correct: A Censure Motion can be moved against an individual minister, a group of ministers, or the entire Council of Ministers to express disapproval of their policy or action.
– Option D is correct: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has the authority to decide whether a motion, including a Censure Motion, is in order and admissible according to the rules of procedure.

A Censure Motion is a tool used by the Opposition in the Indian Parliament to express strong disapproval of the government’s policies or actions. Unlike a No-Confidence Motion, it does not require the government to resign even if passed, but its passage signifies a serious loss of confidence of the House and puts pressure on the government to rectify the criticized policy or action.

Which one of the following does NOT fall under the definition of the Money Bill ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Amendment of law with respect to any financial obligations under-taken by the Government of India” option2=”The payment of money into the Consolidated Fund of India” option3=”Any financial bill as per require-ments of Article 117″ option4=”Appropriation of money out of the Consolidated Fund of India” correct=”option3″]

Option C, “Any financial bill as per requirements of Article 117,” does not fall under the definition of a Money Bill. Money Bills are specifically defined by Article 110 of the Constitution. Financial Bills under Article 117 are a broader category, some of which may contain provisions of Money Bills but also other matters, or deal with expenditure from the Consolidated Fund without necessarily covering the matters exclusively listed in Article 110.

Article 110 of the Constitution lists the specific matters that constitute a Money Bill, including imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax; regulation of the borrowing of money or the giving of any guarantee by the Government; custody of the Consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund; the payment of moneys into or the withdrawal of moneys from any such Fund; the appropriation of moneys out of the Consolidated Fund; the declaring of any expenditure to be expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund; the receipt of money on account of the Consolidated Fund or the public account or the custody or issue of such money or the audit of the accounts of the Union or of a State; or any matter incidental to any of these matters. Article 117 deals with Financial Bills generally, dividing them into two types (Article 117(1) and Article 117(3)), which are distinct from Money Bills defined solely by Article 110.

Options A, B, and D are all matters explicitly covered under the definition of a Money Bill according to Article 110. Amendment of law regarding financial obligations (A) falls under regulating borrowing or matters incidental thereto. Payment of money into (B) and appropriation of money out of (D) the Consolidated Fund are also directly mentioned in Article 110. Therefore, a financial bill that includes matters *not* exclusively listed in Article 110, or a bill dealing with expenditure under Article 117(3) without covering any Article 110 matters, would be a Financial Bill but not a Money Bill by definition.

Consider the following statements relating to short notice questions asked in the Legislature :

• 1. These relate to matters of urgent public importance and can be asked for oral answer at a notice less than 10 days
• 2. Short notice questions can be admissible if the Minister concerned agrees to answer to it
• 3. Short notice questions are asked during question hour

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1 and 3 only” correct=”option2″]

Statements 1 and 2 regarding short notice questions are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because short notice questions are not asked during the regular Question Hour but typically afterwards.

– Short notice questions deal with matters of urgent public importance.
– They can be asked with a notice period of less than ten days.
– Admissibility requires the consent of the Minister concerned.
– Short notice questions are listed separately and taken up after the Question Hour.

Question Hour is the first hour of a sitting in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, dedicated to asking and answering questions. Questions asked during this hour usually require a minimum notice period (e.g., 10 days for starred/unstarred questions). Short notice questions are a separate category meant for urgent matters, dealt with outside the standard Question Hour slot, subject to the Minister’s agreement.

Over which of the following, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha held joint sittings to resolve their differences?

• 1. The Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1959
• 2. The Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1978
• 3. The Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002
• 4. The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ option2=”3 and 4 only” option3=”1, 2 and 3 only” option4=”2 and 4 only” correct=”option3″]

Article 108 of the Indian Constitution provides for a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament to resolve disagreements on ordinary bills. Joint sittings have been convened only three times since Independence for the following Bills:
1. The Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1959 (Joint Sitting in 1961).
2. The Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1978 (Joint Sitting in 1978).
3. The Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002 (POTA) (Joint Sitting in 2002).
Statement 1 refers to the Dowry Prohibition Bill, which did result in a joint sitting. Statement 2 refers to the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, which also had a joint sitting. Statement 3 refers to the Prevention of Terrorism Bill, for which a joint sitting was held.
Statement 4, The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, was passed by both Houses individually and did not require a joint sitting to resolve disagreements.
Thus, joint sittings were held for the Bills mentioned in statements 1, 2, and 3.

Joint sittings of the Indian Parliament under Article 108 are rare occurrences, held only three times in history to pass specific ordinary bills where deadlocks between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha existed.

Joint sittings are not permitted for Constitutional Amendment Bills or Money Bills. The Lok Sabha Speaker presides over a joint sitting. The presence of a majority of the total number of members of both Houses constitutes the quorum for a joint sitting.

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of different stages a budget has to go through in the Parliament ?

• 1. Presentation of the Budget
• 2. Scrutiny by Departmental Commit- tees
• 3. Passing of Finance Bill
• 4. Passing of Appropriation Bill

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 – 2 – 4 – 3″ option2=”1 – 3 – 2 – 4″ option3=”2 – 1 – 3 – 4″ option4=”4 – 3 – 2 – 1″ correct=”option1″]

The correct sequence of different stages a budget has to go through in the Parliament is Presentation of the Budget, Scrutiny by Departmental Committees, Passing of Appropriation Bill, and Passing of Finance Bill.

The typical stages of the budget in Parliament are:
1. **Presentation of the Budget:** The budget is presented by the Finance Minister, followed by a general discussion on its overall proposals.
2. **Scrutiny by Departmental Committees:** After the general discussion, the Houses adjourn, and standing committees scrutinise the demands for grants of respective ministries and prepare reports.
3. **Voting on Demands for Grants:** Based on the committee reports, the Lok Sabha discusses and votes on the demands for grants of various ministries.
4. **Passing of Appropriation Bill:** This Bill is introduced after the grants are voted. It authorizes the government to withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet the expenditure sanctioned in the voted grants and charged expenditures.
5. **Passing of Finance Bill:** This Bill gives effect to the financial proposals of the government for the next financial year (primarily concerning taxes). It is usually passed after the Appropriation Bill, but both must be passed before the new financial year begins (April 1st).
Based on the options provided, the sequence 1-2-4-3 corresponds to Presentation – Scrutiny – Appropriation Bill – Finance Bill, which is the correct procedural order where the Appropriation Bill is passed before the Finance Bill.

The Constitution requires that no money can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India except under appropriation made by law (Article 114). The Finance Bill is considered a Money Bill and must be passed by the Lok Sabha.

Which of the following pair(s) is/are correctly matched?
1. Rule of lapse : Part of grant that can be carried over to next year
2. Supplementary grant: An advance grant to meet expenditures
3. Vote on account: Additional funds granted in the course of financial year

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2″ option3=”2 and 3″ option4=”None of the above” correct=”option4″]

None of the given pairs are correctly matched with their definitions in the context of the Indian budget process.

1. **Rule of Lapse:** This rule implies that any unspent appropriation from the budget for a particular financial year lapses at the end of that year and cannot be carried forward to the next year. Statement 1 is incorrect.
2. **Supplementary Grant:** This is an additional grant required during the current financial year when the amount authorized by the Parliament through the Appropriation Act for a particular service is found to be insufficient, or when a need arises for expenditure on a new service not contemplated in the annual budget. Statement 2 describes something closer to a Vote on Account or an advance, not a supplementary grant.
3. **Vote on Account:** This is a grant by Parliament by which the government is authorized to draw money from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet expenditure for a *part* of the new financial year, pending the completion of the budgetary process (passing of Appropriation Bill and Finance Bill). It is an advance grant for a few months, not additional funds for the current year like a supplementary grant. Statement 3 is incorrect.

Other types of grants include Additional Grant (needed when expenditure on a service exceeds the amount granted), Excess Grant (demanded after the financial year when expenditure exceeds the sanctioned amount), Exceptional Grant (for an unexpected service), and Token Grant (when funds are available but expenditure on a new service needs parliamentary approval).

‘Cut Motion’ can be introduced after the presentation of :

[amp_mcq option1=”any Bill introduced in the Parliament.” option2=”the Railway and General Budgets.” option3=”any Private Member’s Bill.” option4=”a Constitution Amendment Bill.” correct=”option2″]

‘Cut Motions’ are parliamentary devices used in the Lok Sabha during the discussion of Demands for Grants, which are part of the budgetary process. They are moved to reduce the amount of a demand for grant submitted by the government. Therefore, they can be introduced after the presentation of the Budgets (Railway and General Budgets, as the demands for grants follow).

– Cut Motions are specific to the process of scrutinizing budgetary demands for grants.
– They are discussed and moved after the Union Budget (which includes Railway and General expenditure) has been presented and the demands for grants are being debated.

– There are different types of cut motions: Policy Cut (reducing the demand to Re. 1 signifying disapproval of the policy), Economy Cut (proposing a specific reduction to effect economy), and Token Cut (reducing the demand by Rs. 100 to ventilate a specific grievance).
– Cut motions are not typically associated with the introduction of any general bill, private member’s bill, or constitution amendment bill.

The Rajya Sabha can withhold its consent to a Money Bill for :

[amp_mcq option1=”14 days” option2=”15 days” option3=”30 days” option4=”18 days” correct=”option1″]

The correct answer is A, stating that the Rajya Sabha can withhold its consent to a Money Bill for 14 days.

– According to Article 110 of the Indian Constitution, a Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha.
– After a Money Bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations.
– The Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a Money Bill. It can only make recommendations.
– The Rajya Sabha must return the Money Bill to the Lok Sabha within a period of 14 days from the date of its receipt.
– If the Rajya Sabha does not return the bill within 14 days, it is deemed to have been passed by both Houses in the form it was passed by the Lok Sabha.

The Lok Sabha is free to accept or reject any or all of the recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha. If the Lok Sabha accepts any recommendation, the bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses in the modified form. If the Lok Sabha rejects all recommendations, the bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses again in the form it was originally passed by the Lok Sabha. The limited power of the Rajya Sabha with respect to Money Bills highlights the Lok Sabha’s primacy in financial matters.

Which of the following statements related to Money Bills is not correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”It cannot be introduced in the Council of States” option2=”If any question arises whether the Bill is Money Bill or not, the decision of the Speaker is final” option3=”In case of deadlock over a Money Bill, the President can summon a joint sitting of the Parliament” option4=”A Money Bill cannot be introduced except on the recommendation of the President” correct=”option3″]

Statement A is correct: A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha (Article 109(1)).
Statement B is correct: If any question arises whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not, the decision of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is final (Article 110(3)).
Statement D is correct: A Money Bill cannot be introduced except on the recommendation of the President (Article 117(1)).
Statement C is incorrect: There is no provision for a joint sitting of Parliament in case of a deadlock over a Money Bill. The Rajya Sabha has limited powers regarding Money Bills; it can only suggest amendments and must return the bill within 14 days. If it does not return the bill within 14 days or if its recommended amendments are not accepted by the Lok Sabha, the Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses in the form it was passed by the Lok Sabha (Article 109). Therefore, a deadlock as understood for ordinary bills cannot occur with a Money Bill.

– Introduction: Only in Lok Sabha, on President’s recommendation.
– Speaker’s decision: Final on whether a bill is a Money Bill.
– Rajya Sabha powers: Restricted, can only suggest amendments, must return within 14 days.
– Joint Sitting: Not possible for Money Bills.

Article 110 of the Constitution defines a Money Bill. It contains only provisions dealing with matters listed in Article 110(1), such as the imposition or abolition of taxes, regulation of the borrowing of money by the government, the Consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund of India, etc. The Rajya Sabha’s limited role in passing Money Bills is a reflection of the principle that the House directly elected by the people (Lok Sabha) has final authority over financial matters.

Consider the following statements:

• Statement I: The Rajya Sabha is not subject to dissolution and the members enjoy a tenure of six years
• Statement II: According to Article 83 of the Constitution of India, one third of members of Rajya Sabha retire every two years

[amp_mcq option1=”Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I” option2=”Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I” option3=”Statement I is true but Statement II is false” option4=”Statement I is false but Statement II is true” correct=”option1″]

Both statements are individually true, and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.

– Statement I is true. The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Indian Parliament and is a permanent body, not subject to dissolution. Its members are elected for a six-year term.
– Statement II is true. Article 83(1) of the Constitution states that the Rajya Sabha shall not be subject to dissolution and that “as nearly as may be, one-third of the members thereof shall retire as soon as may be on the expiration of every second year”.
– Statement II explains how the Rajya Sabha maintains its permanent character despite having members with fixed tenures. The system of one-third of members retiring every two years ensures a continuous body with staggered terms, preventing the dissolution of the entire house at once, as is the case with the Lok Sabha. Thus, the rotational retirement mechanism is the basis for the Rajya Sabha’s permanence mentioned in Statement I.

– The system of biennial elections for one-third of the seats helps in maintaining continuity and bringing in new perspectives regularly while retaining experienced members.
– The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.