Private Member’s Bill (PMB)

Private Member’s Bill (PMB) Latest News

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar recently emphasised that PMBs are “forward-looking” and a “gold mine” for legislative progress.

About Private Member’s Bill (PMB)

• A Private Member’s Bill (PMB) is a legislative proposal introduced by any Member of Parliament (MP) who is not a Minister, whether elected or nominated.
• The drafting responsibility of a PMB lies entirely with the MP concerned, not with any Ministry.
• For introducing a PMB in Parliament, a notice period of one month is required under parliamentary rules.
• PMBs often reflect the ideological stance, personal convictions, or public interest concerns of the MP, especially those in the Opposition.

Time Allocation for PMBs in Parliament

• In the Lok Sabha, the last two-and-a-half hours of business on every Friday are earmarked for the introduction and discussion of PMBs.
• In the Rajya Sabha, PMBs are taken up every alternate Friday for two-and-a-half hours.

Historical Record and Trends

• Since Independence, only 14 PMBs have ever been passed and received Presidential assent, with the last one becoming law in 1970.
• In the 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024), 729 PMBs were introduced in the Lok Sabha and 705 in the Rajya Sabha. Yet, only 2 PMBs were discussed in Lok Sabha, and 14 in the Rajya Sabha.
• In the 18th Lok Sabha, as of the 2024 Budget Session, only 20 MPs introduced PMBs, and not a single one was discussed due to disruptions and prioritisation of other business.

Source: TH

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