Substantive Motion in Parliament

Context

A Substantive Motion was recently moved in Parliament bringing attention to how Members of Parliament raise urgent public issues and hold the government accountable through formal procedures.

What is a Motion?

A motion is a formal proposal moved by a Member of Parliament (MP) or Minister to initiate discussion or seek a decision of the House, subject to approval of the presiding officer (Speaker/Chairman). They form the foundation of parliamentary business and democratic debate.

Why are Motions Important?

Motions enable Parliament to:

1. Raise matters of urgent public importance
2. Examine government policies
3. Express approval or criticism
4. Ensure ministerial accountability
5. Reflect collective opinion of elected representatives

They act as instruments of transparency, participation, and legislative control.

What are the 3 main types of motions in Parliament?

1. Substantive Motion: Independent and complete in itself. Used for major issues like impeachment, removal of constitutional authorities, vacancy of seats, etc. It requires house discussion and ends with a vote with a decision made by simple majority.
2. Substitute Motion: Proposed as an alternative to an original motion.
3. Subsidiary Motion: Cannot stand alone; depends on the main motion. 3 types:
   1. Ancillary Motion – used to run the general proceedings of the house.
   2. Superseding Motion – seeks to replace ongoing discussion
   3. Amendment – aim to modify or replace a part of the original motion.

What other types of motions exist in Parliament?

1. Adjournment Motion: Raises a definite and urgent public matter by suspending normal House business. It needs the support of 50 MPs and the debate lasts a minimum of 2.5 hours. It is not permitted in Rajya Sabha.
2. No Confidence Motion: Can be moved only in Lok Sabha and requires backing of at least 50 MPs. If passed, government must resign
3. Confidence Motion: Government seeks House support, usually during coalition or minority situations. Failure leads to fall of government.
4. Censure Motion: Moved by Opposition (Lok Sabha only) against ministers for specific failures. Passing it does not automatically remove government, but confidence must be re-established.
5. Calling Attention Motion: Allows MPs to seek an official statement from a minister on urgent public issues. (Indian procedural innovation introduced in 1954)
6. Privilege Motion: Moved when a minister allegedly violates parliamentary privileges by misleading or withholding information.
7. Sense of the House Motion:
8. Motion of Thanks: Moved after the President’s address at the start of every session/year. Its rejection equals defeat of the government.
9. Motion for a Select Committee: Motion moved in Parliament to refer a bill or matter to a Select Committee

• No-Day-Yet-Named Motions: Admitted motion whose discussion date is fixed later by Speaker based on House schedule.
• Dilatory Motion: Used to delay or adjourn discussion of bills or motions.
• Closure Motion: Used to end debate and proceed to voting. Types
  1. Simple Closure: A member moves that the matter has been sufficiently discussed and should now be put to vote.
  2. Closure by Compartments: A bill is divided into parts, each debated and voted upon separately as a whole.
  3. Kangaroo Closure: Only selected important clauses are discussed and voted on, while the rest are skipped.
  4. Guillotine Closure: Undiscussed clauses are automatically put to vote when the allotted discussion time expires.
• Cut Motions: (Lok Sabha only – during Budget) Tool to oppose Demands for Grants:
  1. Policy Cut – reduces amount to Re 1 (policy disagreement)
  2. Economic Cut – reduces a specific sum
  3. Token Cut – symbolic Rs 100 cut to highlight grievances

What are the Resolutions in Parliament?

1. A Resolution is a special form of substantive motion seeking formal approval of the House.
2. Objectives:
   1. Express opinion
   2. Approve/disapprove government actions
   3. Make recommendations
   4. Highlight public issues
3. Types:
   1. Private Member Resolution – discussed alternate Fridays
   2. Government Resolution – moved by ministers (Mon–Thu)
   3. Statutory Resolution – mandated by Constitution or law
4. All resolutions require voting, unlike many motions.