Motions In Parliament, Meaning, Categories

Motions in Parliament are formal proposals moved by members or ministers of the concerned House to initiate specific actions or express particular views on pressing issues. It serves as the foundation of Parliamentary proceedings and enables legislators to address topics of general public importance. These topics may include policy reforms, social issues, or proposed legislative changes, bringing them to the forefront for consideration.

By proposing a motion, Members of Parliament (MPs) can introduce subjects for discussion, prompting structured debate guided by the formal rules and procedures of the House. Thus, Motions in Parliament not only ensure democratic debate but also consider the opinions of elected representatives.

Motions in Parliament Meaning 

A motion is a formal proposal by a parliament member to initiate discussions or influence the legislative process, subject to the Speaker or Chairman's consent. Debates begin when a motion is moved and conclude with the Chair determining the House's decision.

• Decision-Making Process: The Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha resolves motions through a vote, with the terms of the motion reflecting the question put by the Chair.
• Proposing Amendments: Members can propose amendments to motions, provided they are relevant and seek clear decisions.
• Non-Voting Motions: Certain motions, like those suggesting a policy or situation be considered, are discussed without a vote unless replaced by a substantive motion approved by the presiding officer.

Motions in Parliament Categories and Types

Motions in Parliament uphold democracy by enabling representatives to raise issues, express viewpoints, and hold the government accountable, fostering transparency and participation. These motions can be grouped into three main categories.

• Substantive Motion: It is an independent, self-contained proposal that addresses significant issues, such as the impeachment of the President or the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner.
• Substitute Motion: This motion is introduced in Parliament as an alternative to the original motion, replacing it if adopted by the House.
• Subsidiary Motion: This motion in Parliament, on its own, lacks meaning and cannot determine the House's decision without reference to the original motion or ongoing proceedings. It is further classified into three types:
  • Ancillary Motion: It is used as the standard procedure for handling different types of business.
  • Superseding Motion: It is presented during a debate on another issue, aiming to override that issue.
  • Amendment: The amendment proposes to modify or replace only a specific part of the original motion.

Closure Motion

A Closure Motion in Parliament, proposed by a member of the concerned House, seeks to end debate on a matter. If accepted, the debate is halted, and the matter is put to a vote. Types of closure motions are as follows: 

• Simple Closure: Made when a member proposes that the ‘matter having been sufficiently discussed be now put to a vote’.
• Closure by Compartments: In this case, the clauses of a bill or a lengthy resolution are divided into sections before the debate begins. 
  • The debate addresses each section as a whole, and the entire section is then put to a vote.
• Kangaroo Closure: Only the key clauses of a bill or resolution are debated and voted on, while the other clauses are bypassed and considered as passed.
• Guillotine Closure: It occurs when, due to time constraints, the remaining undiscussed clauses of a bill or resolution are put to a vote along with the already discussed ones, after the allotted time for discussion has expired.

Calling Attention Motion

Calling Attention Motion can be introduced by a member of Parliament to bring a matter of urgent public importance to the attention of a minister and to request an authoritative statement on the issue. It is an Indian innovation in parliamentary procedure, introduced in 1954 similar to the Zero Hour. Unlike the Zero Hour, it is specified in the Rules of Procedure.

Privilege Motion

Privilege Motion in Parliament addresses the violation of parliamentary privileges by a minister. It is raised by a Member of Parliament when he/she believes a minister has infringed upon the privileges of the House or its members by withholding relevant information or presenting false or misleading facts. The Privilege motion aims to censure the minister involved.

Adjournment Motion

The Adjournment Motion in Parliament is introduced to highlight a specific matter of urgent public importance, requiring the support of 50 members for its acceptance. As it disrupts the normal business of the House, it is viewed as an exceptional procedure. 

• The debate on an adjournment motion must last at least two hours and thirty minutes.
• Typically, such a motion implies censure of the government, which is why it is not permitted in the Rajya Sabha.
• Conditions for Moving an Adjournment Motion
  • Must address a specific, recent, factual, urgent, and significant public issue.
  • Should focus on one matter and not revisit previously discussed topics.
  • Cannot involve privilege questions, court cases, or issues addressable through other motions.

No Confidence Motion

The No Confidence Motion in India can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. For the no-confidence motion to be allowed for discussion, it must receive the support of at least 50 members of the Lok Sabha.

• If such a motion proceeds, the lower house of Parliament debates and votes on it.
• Moreover, if the majority of members vote in favour, the no-confidence motion is passed, and the Government must resign.
• The first No Confidence Motion was introduced in 1963 by Acharya Kriplani against the Nehru Government.
  • The highest number filed against the Indira Gandhi Government.

Confidence Motion

The Confidence Motion in Parliament has emerged as a procedural tool to address situations of fractured mandates resulting in hung parliaments, minority governments, and coalition governments. Governments with a slim majority may be required by the President to prove their majority on the floor of the House. 

• Furthermore, in some cases, the government may voluntarily move a confidence motion to demonstrate its support.
• However, If such a motion is rejected, it leads to the government's downfall.

Censure Motion 

The Censure Motion can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Opposition. It may be moved against the Council of Ministers, an individual Minister, or a group of Ministers for their failure to act or due to certain policies and actions.

• Features: The censure motion in Parliament can express the House's regret, indignation, or surprise at the Ministers' failure to perform their duties.
  • Moreover, such a motion must be specific and self-explanatory (unlike the No-Confidence motion, which does not require detailed reasons).
  • If the Censure Motion is passed, the Council of Ministers is not required to resign, but it must seek the confidence of the Lok Sabha as soon as possible.

Motion of Thanks

The Motion of Thanks in Parliament follows the President’s address at the start of each general election session and every fiscal year. In this address, the President outlines the government’s policies and programs, both from the previous year and the upcoming one.

• The motion debated in both Houses of Parliament must be passed; failure to do so signifies the government's defeat.
• This speech provides an opportunity for members to discuss, debate, and criticize the government's performance.

No Day Yet Named Motion

A No Day Yet Named Motion in Parliament refers to a motion that is accepted by the Speaker, but no specific date has been set for its discussion. The Speaker, after reviewing the House's business and consulting with the leader of the House or following the recommendation of the Business Advisory Committee, schedules a day or part of a day for its debate.

Dilatory Motion

A Dilatory Motion in Parliament seeks to adjourn the debate on a bill, motion, or resolution, or to slow down the progress of business in the House. It can be moved by a member of the Parliament at any time after a motion has been made.

• The debate on this motion is limited to its content, and if the Speaker believes it misuses the House's rules, they may either immediately put the question or reject it.

Cut Motion

A Cut Motion is a tool used by members of Lok Sabha to oppose the government's proposed allocation of funds in the Finance Bill as part of the Demand for Grants. If such a motion is adopted, it serves as a no-confidence vote. The government is then required to resign if it cannot secure majority support in the Lok Sabha.

• The Speaker has the sole discretion to decide the admissibility of a cut motion.
• Disapproval of Policy Cut: A disapproval of policy cut demands reducing the budget allocation to Re 1, signaling disagreement with the policy.
  • The member must specify the policy aspects for debate, limiting the discussion to those points.
• Economic Cut: An economic cut motion aims to reduce a specific budget allocation. This reduction can either be a flat amount or the removal or decrease of a particular item.
  • The notice must clearly state the specific issue to be debated.
• Token Cut: A token cut motion reduces the budget allocation by a symbolic Rs 100 to bring attention to a specific grievance under the Indian government's purview.

Motions in Parliament Resolutions

A Resolution in Parliament is an independent proposal presented for the approval of the House, structured to express a clear decision. All resolutions are substantive motions that members may move to bring matters of public interest to the attention of the House or the government, with discussion confined to the scope of the resolution.

• Moreover, a member who has introduced a resolution or amendment can withdraw it only with the permission of the House.
• Objectives of Resolutions: Resolutions may aim to declare an opinion or recommendation, indicate approval or disapproval of government actions, convey messages or requests, or highlight issues for government consideration.

Resolutions Types

All resolutions in Parliament fall under substantive motions, meaning each resolution is a specific form of motion. However, not all motions in Parliament are substantive, and not every motion is put to a vote in the House. In contrast, all resolutions require a vote by the House.

• Private Member’s Resolution: A private member’s resolution is introduced by a private member, and is discussed only on alternate Fridays during the afternoon session.
• Government Resolution: A government resolution, proposed by a minister, can be addressed on any day from Monday to Thursday.
• Statutory Resolution: Statutory Resolution can be introduced by either a private member or a minister. It is termed "statutory" because it is always presented in line with the provision of the Constitution or Act of Parliament

Motions in Parliament UPSC PYQs

Question1. Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India: (UPSC Prelims 2014)

1. There is no mention of a No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution of India.
2. A Motion of No-Confidence can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans. (c)

Question2. The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of Ministers through: (UPSC Prelims 2017)

1. Adjournment motion 
2. Question hour
3. Supplementary questions

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans. (d)

Motions in Parliament FAQs

Q1. What is a motion in Parliament?

Ans. A motion in Parliament is a formal proposal made by a member to initiate action or express a view on a particular issue.

Q2. Who can propose motions in Parliament?

Ans. Motions in Parliament can be proposed by any member or minister of the concerned House.

Q3. How does a cut motion serve as a no-confidence vote?

Ans. A cut motion serves as a no-confidence vote by opposing the government's proposed allocation of funds, and if adopted, it forces the government to resign if it fails to secure majority support.

Q4. Name three types of cut motions.

Ans. Three types of cut motions are Disapproval of Policy Cut, Economic Cut Motion and Token Cut Motion.

Q5. What is the purpose of a Calling Attention Motion?

Ans. The purpose of a Calling Attention Motion is to bring a matter of urgent public importance to the attention of a minister and request an authoritative statement on the issue.