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:
- Adjournment Motion
- 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