Types of Motions Used in Parliament

Context:

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

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Adjournment Motion
2. Other Types of Motion

Adjournment Motion

• Definition: An adjournment motion is a parliamentary procedure used to discuss a specific matter of urgent public importance with the Speaker’s consent.
• Requirement: To be admitted, the motion must have the support of 50 members and address an issue of immediate concern.
• Extraordinary Device: As it interrupts the normal business of the House, it is considered an extraordinary parliamentary device.
• Applicability: This motion is available in the Lok Sabha, but not in the Rajya Sabha.
• Effect: The passage of an adjournment motion does not require the government to resign, but it serves as a strong censure of the government’s actions or policies.

Other Types of Motion

Closure Motion:

• A motion to cut short the debate on a matter in the House.
• If approved, the debate is stopped, and the matter is put to vote immediately.

Motion with a Vote:

• Brought under Rule 184 in the Lok Sabha.
• Allows for a debate with a vote on a specific question, indicating Parliament’s position on the issue.
• Government is obliged to follow Parliament’s decision if the motion is passed.
• Reserved for matters of significant national importance.

Short Duration Discussion:

• Under Rule 193 in Lok Sabha and Rule 176 in Rajya Sabha.
• Allows MPs to discuss a specific issue of public importance without voting.
• Debate lasts for a fixed duration, not exceeding two hours.
• Aim is to bring attention to important issues and allow diverse perspectives to be heard.

No-Confidence Motion:

• Moved in Lok Sabha to test the confidence of the government.
• Requires support of 50 members to be admitted.
• If passed, the government must resign.
• Occurs when the government is perceived to be losing majority support.

Confidence Motion:

• Passed when governments with wafer-thin majority are called upon to prove their majority.
• Indicates continued mandate to govern.

Privilege Motion:

• Initiated when a member believes a minister has violated the privileges of the House or its members.
• Expresses disapproval and criticizes the minister’s actions.

Motion of Thanks:

• Expresses gratitude for the President’s Address at the commencement of Lok Sabha.
• Must be passed in the House; failure amounts to government defeat.

Cut Motion:

• Proposed to reduce the amount of a budget demand.
• Passage indicates want of parliamentary confidence in the government and may lead to its resignation.

-Source: Indian Express