Question

Which of the following is the difference between Bill and Act of the Parliament?
A. A bill becomes an act after the assent of the President
B. A bill becomes an act after discussing in Lok Sabha
C. A bill becomes an act after it is passed in both houses
D. A bill becomes an act after it is passed in the Lok Sabha

Answer 1

Hint: The Constitution divides Bills into two categories - Money Bills And Non-Money Bills. The bills which are introduced in the Parliament by the ministers are called government bills. Government bills are further divided into two types, money bills and ordinary bills.

Complete Step by Step answer:
An ordinary bill can be introduced in any House and by any member of the House. It has to pass through the following stages before it becomes an Act - First Reading, Second Reading, Committee Stage, Report Stage and at last again a date is fixed for the Third Reading.

After the bill is passed by one House, it is sent to the Second House. It is to pass through all the stages in this House. After the ordinary bill is passed by both the Houses, it is sent to the President for his assent. If the two houses differ over a particular bill, the President calls for a joint meeting of the two Houses and the bill is placed before it. The President can make use of his veto power, that means he can refuse to give his assent to the ordinary bills. However, the President may return a Bill to the Parliament. If the Parliament passes such a bill again, the President cannot withhold his assent to such a bill. The bill becomes an Act when the President gives his assent to it.

Now let us examine the options:
Option A - A bill can only become an Act when the President gives his assent. He has the power to refuse to give assent to the ordinary bills, unlike the money bills.
Option B - An ordinary bill cannot become an Act until the President gives his assent. The President has the power to refuse to give his assent when he may feel necessary. Even after the bill is debated and discussed in the Lok Sabha, the assent of the President is required for the bill to become an Act.
Option C - A bill cannot become an Act after it is passed by both the houses of the Parliament and such a provision is not backed by the Constitution. The assent of the President is must for the bill to become an Act.
Option D - After the bill is passed in the Lok Sabha it is then sent to the Rajya Sabha, and passes through all the stages in this House. After the bill is passed by both the Houses, it is then sent to the President for his assent.

Thus, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: A money bill can be introduced only in Lok Sabha by a minister. It goes to Rajya sabha after it is passed in the Lok Sabha. A money-bill is a bill which is concerned with money matters like imposing, enhancing, loans, interest, reducing taxes etc. The President cannot refuse assent to the money bill as it is tabled with his prior permission.