Question

Discuss about non-money bills.

Answer 1

Hint: Three kinds of bills come before the Parliament—ordinary bill, money bill and Constitutional Amendment bill. A money bill generally deals with issues of receipt and spending of money, such as tax laws, laws governing borrowing and expenditure of the government, prevention of black money and others. The final decision on whether a bill is a money bill or not can only be taken by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. All other bills are classified under non-money bills and have a different parliamentary procedure from the passage of money bills.

Complete answer: In case of ordinary bills and Constitutional Amendment bills, they can be introduced in either of the two Houses. They go through two readings after which it is discussed in detail in that House. It might be referred to a Select Committee or a Parliamentary joint committee for amendments. After the members have moved the amendments and a final reading has taken place with the amendments, the Bill is passed by a simple majority. Then the Bill goes to the other House for consideration, where it goes through the three readings. If the other House makes recommendations, it is sent back to the House where it originated for consideration of these recommendations. After the Bill has been passed by both the Houses with a simple majority, it goes to the president for their assent. Article 368 for Constitutional Amendments states that a Constitutional Amendment Bill is required to be passed by a special majority of 2/3rd members present and voting in both Houses and ratified by at least half of state legislative assemblies.

Note: A money bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha with the prior recommendation of the President. After the bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha for consideration and the Rajya Sabha has to send it back within 14 days with its recommendations which the Lok Sabha is free to accept or reject. If the Rajya Sabha fails to do so within the expiration deadline, the bill is directly sent to the President for their assent.