Motions in Parliament

• 26 Jul 2023

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, a Member of Parliament moved adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha citing the need for urgent discussions on ethnic violence in Manipur.

• A motion is a formal proposal made by a member in a House of Parliament to initiate a debate or a decision on a matter.

What are the Different Types of Motions Used in Parliament?

• Adjournment Motion:
  • A motion for adjournment is moved to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance and must be of immediate concern, with the Speaker's consent.
  • It needs the support of 50 members to be admitted. As it interrupts the normal business of the House, it is regarded as an extraordinary device.
  • This motion is available in the Lok Sabha but not in the Rajya Sabha.
  • It is important to note that the passage of an adjournment motion does not require the government to resign, but it is considered a strong censure of the government.
• Closure Motion:
  • It is a motion moved by a member to cut short the debate on a matter before the House. If the motion is approved by the House, debate is stopped forthwith, and the matter is put to vote.
• Motion with a Vote:
  • This type of motion is brought under Rule 184 in the Lok Sabha. It allows for a debate with a vote on a specific question, and the outcome of the vote determines Parliament's position on the issue.
  • If such a motion is passed, it obliges the government to follow Parliament's decision on the matter.
  • However, motions with a vote are relatively rare and are usually reserved for matters of significant national importance.
• Short Duration Discussion:
  • Under Rule 193 of the Lok Sabha rules and Rule 176 of the Rajya Sabha rules, short duration discussions can take place.
  • A short duration discussion allows MPs to discuss a specific issue of public importance without voting on it. The debate usually takes place for a fixed duration, not exceeding two hours.
  • The purpose of such discussions is to bring attention to important issues and allow diverse perspectives to be heard without taking any formal decisions.
• No-Confidence Motion:
  • This is a motion moved in the Lok Sabha (and not in the Rajya Sabha) to test the confidence of the government.
  • The motion needs the support of 50 members to be admitted.
  • If a no-confidence motion is passed, the government must resign.
  • No-confidence motions are significant political events that usually occur when there is a perception of the government losing majority support.
• Confidence Motion:
  • It is passed when the governments formed with wafer-thin majority have been called upon by the President to prove their majority on the floor of the House
  • Passage indicates the government's continued mandate to govern.
• Privilege Motion:
  • A member can initiate this motion when they believe a minister has violated the privileges of the House or its members by withholding crucial information about a case or providing inaccurate and manipulated facts.
  • The primary aim of this motion is to express disapproval and criticize the respective minister's actions.
• Motion of Thanks:
  • It is a parliamentary procedure to express gratitude for the President's Address at the commencement of Lok Sabha.
  • At the end of the discussion, the motion is put to vote. This motion must be passed in the House. Otherwise, it amounts to the defeat of the government.
• Cut Motion:
  • Proposed to reduce the amount of a demand in the budget.
  • Their passage by the Lok Sabha amounts to the expressions of want of parliamentary confidence in the government and may lead to its resignation.