News- BJP MP Nishikant Dubey gave notice for a substantive motion against Rahul Gandhi, seeking cancellation of his Lok Sabha membership.
About Motions of Parliament
Meaning
- A motion in Parliament is a formal proposal made by a member of the House to initiate discussion or influence the legislative process. It requests the House to take a specific action, express an opinion, or implement an order.
- A motion is moved only with the consent of the Speaker or Chairman. Once a motion is moved, debate begins, and the House considers the issue.
Different Types of Motions
Motions in Parliament are classified into three main categories, with further subdivisions. Each category has a specific role in guiding parliamentary discussion and decision-making.
- Substantive Motions:
- A substantive motion is a self-contained and independent proposal submitted for the approval of the House.
- The conduct of persons in high authority can only be discussed on a substantive motion drawn in proper terms.
- Motions for the impeachment of President, or a no-confidence motion are examples of substantive motions.
- Substitute Motions: Substitute motions are moved in place of the original motion for considering a policy, situation, statement, or any other matter. These motions are drafted so that they can express an opinion by themselves. However, they are not strictly substantive motions because they depend on the original motion and are introduced as an alternative to it.
- Subsidiary Motions: Subsidiary motions depend on or relate to other motions, or they follow from some proceedings of the House. They do not have independent meaning and cannot express a decision of the House without reference to the original motion or proceedings. Subsidiary motions are further divided into three types:
Other Important Motions in Parliament
- Closure Motion: A closure motion is moved to end discussion on a matter that has already been debated. If the House accepts it, further debate stops and the issue is put to a vote. It has different forms, including simple closure, closure by compartments, kangaroo closure, and guillotine closure, which vary in the way debate is limited or concluded.
- Calling Attention Motion: This motion is used by a member to draw the attention of a minister to a matter of urgent public importance. The member also seeks an official and authoritative statement from the minister regarding the issue.
- Privilege Motion: This motion is raised when a member believes that parliamentary privileges have been violated, especially if a minister has withheld important information or provided false or misleading facts.
- Adjournment Motion: This motion is introduced to discuss a definite and urgent public matter. It interrupts the normal business of the House and requires specific support for admission and a minimum duration of debate.
- No Confidence Motion: This motion is used in the Lok Sabha to test whether the government still enjoys the support of the majority of members.
- Confidence Motion: This motion is moved to prove that the government has majority support in the House, especially in uncertain political situations.
- Censure Motion: This motion expresses the House’s disapproval or criticism of the policies or actions of ministers.
- Motion of Thanks: This motion follows the President’s address and is debated in both Houses. Its passage reflects approval of the government’s policies.
- Cut Motion: This motion allows members to oppose proposed government expenditure by suggesting reductions through disapproval of policy, economic reduction, or token reduction.
