27 Jul 2023 No-Confidence Motion
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “No-Confidence Motion”. The topic “No-Confidence Motion” has relevance in the Polity section of the UPSC CSE exam.
For Prelims:
About No-Confidence Motion?
For Mains:
GS 2: Polity
Types of Motions in Parliament?
Why in the news?
A No Confidence Motion was moved against the PM Modi government marking the first such motion in 20 years.
No-Confidence Motion:
- A No-Confidence Motion is a parliamentary motion in which members express a lack of confidence in the ruling government.
- Under Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, a No-Confidence Motion can be introduced by any member.
- For the motion to be admitted, it must be supported by at least 50 members in writing.
- Once admitted, the motion is debated, and a vote is held.
- The motion is deemed passed if a majority of the members present and voting support it.
- If the motion is passed, the Council of Ministers must resign, including the Prime Minister, as per convention.
In the Indian Parliament, various types of motions are used to discuss and debate matters of public importance. Some of the key types of motions used in Parliament are:
Adjournment Motion:
- Raised to discuss a matter of urgent public importance with the Speaker’s consent.
- Requires the support of 50 members to be admitted.
- Available in the Lok Sabha but not in the Rajya Sabha.
- Passage does not require the government to resign, but it is a strong censure of the government.
Closure Motion:
- When a member proposes to curtail the debate on a particular matter in the House, the intention is to seek approval for its prompt conclusion and an immediate vote. Should this proposal be accepted, the ongoing discussion will be halted, and the House will proceed to vote on the matter in question.
- Motion with a Vote (Rule 184 in Lok Sabha):
- Allows for a debate with a vote on a specific question, and the outcome determines Parliament’s position on the issue.
- If passed, the government is obliged to follow Parliament’s decision on the matter.
Motion with a Vote:
- A Motion with a Vote is brought under Rule 184 in the Lok Sabha.
- It allows for a debate on a specific question followed by a voting process.
- The outcome of the vote determines Parliament’s position on the issue.
- If the motion is passed, the government is obligated to follow Parliament’s decision on the matter.
- Motions with a vote are relatively rare and are usually reserved for matters of significant national importance.
Short Duration Discussion (Rule 193 in Lok Sabha, Rule 176 in Rajya Sabha):
- Allows MPs to discuss a specific issue of public importance without voting.
- The typical format of a debate involves adhering to a predetermined timeframe, which generally spans a maximum of two hours.
Confidence Motion:
- Passed to prove the majority of the government when its majority is in doubt.
Privilege Motion:
- Initiated when a member believes a minister has violated the privileges of the House or its members.
- Aims to express disapproval and criticize the minister’s actions.
Motion of Thanks:
- A parliamentary protocol designed to convey appreciation for the President’s Address during the initiation of the Lok Sabha session.
- Its passage within the House holds significant importance, as its failure would be perceived as a defeat for the government.
Cut Motion:
- Cut motions are proposed by members of the Parliament to reduce the allocation of funds for a specific demand in the budget. These motions aim to express the discontent or disagreement with the proposed budgetary allocation and provide a way for MPs to voice their concerns about government spending on particular items.
- Passage by the Lok Sabha indicates a lack of parliamentary confidence in the government and may lead to its resignation.
- These motions provide mechanisms for discussions, debates, and expressions of confidence or no-confidence in the government, contributing to the functioning of a parliamentary democracy.
Image credit: Economic Times
Q.1 What is a “Cut Motion” in the context of parliamentary proceedings, and what is its purpose?
(a) A motion moved by the opposition to reduce the budgetary allocation for a specific government expenditure.
(b) A motion moved by the ruling party to expedite the passage of a crucial bill.
(c) A motion moved to censure a member of parliament for misconduct.
(d) A motion moved to adjourn the House for an immediate discussion on an urgent matter.
Answer: (a)
Q.2 Which of the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in a parliamentary setting is/are correct?
- It requires support from a minimum of 25% of the total members of the legislative body to be admitted.
- If the No-Confidence Motion is passed, the ruling government must resign, including the Prime Minister.
Choose the correct option(s) from the following:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b)
Q.3 Discuss the significance and implications of a No-Confidence Motion in a parliamentary democracy. How does this motion serve as a vital instrument of accountability and parliamentary oversight?
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