Omar Bennett
In the Indian Constitution, a cut motion is a special power given to the members of the Lok Sabha to oppose a demand in the Financial Bill discussed by the government. The Speaker of the House decides whether a cut motion is admissible and may disallow it if it is an abuse of the right to move cut motions or is calculated to obstruct or affect the procedure of the House. There are three types of cut motions: Disapproval of Policy Cut, Economy Cut, and Token Cut. If a cut motion is adopted by the House and the government fails to draw enough votes, it is obliged to resign or reform.
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What You'll Learn
Cut motion as a veto power
In India, the President has three types of veto powers: absolute, suspensive, and pocket. The President can use their absolute veto power to withhold assent to a bill passed by the legislature, preventing it from becoming an Act. The suspensive veto allows the President to return a bill to Parliament for reconsideration, and the pocket veto enables the President to take no action on a bill indefinitely.
Now, a cut motion is a veto power given to the members of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, to oppose a demand in a financial bill discussed by the government. It is a tool to test the government's strength. If a cut motion is adopted by the House and the government does not have the numbers, it must resign.
There are three types of cut motions:
- Disapproval of Policy Cut: This motion seeks to reduce the amount of a demand to Re. 1, indicating disapproval of the underlying policy. Members must specify the policy they propose to discuss, and the discussion is confined to the points mentioned in the notice. Members are free to advocate for an alternative policy.
- Economy Cut: This motion aims to reduce the amount of a demand by a specified amount, representing potential cost savings.
- Token Cut: This motion proposes reducing the amount of a demand by a token amount, such as Rs. 100, to voice a specific grievance within the responsibility of the Government of India. The discussion is limited to the particular grievance mentioned in the motion.
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha decides whether a cut motion is admissible and can disallow it if deemed an abuse of the right or obstructive to the House's procedures. Cut motions provide a mechanism for the Parliament to check and potentially reduce the government's expenditure, ensuring alignment with the broader interests of the nation.
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Conditions for admissibility
A cut motion is a power given to the members of the Lok Sabha to oppose a demand in the Financial Bill discussed by the government. It is a legislative tool used by members of parliament to express discontent with the budgetary proposals presented by the government.
The Speaker decides whether a cut motion is admissible and may disallow it if they consider it an abuse of the right to move cut motions, or if it is calculated to obstruct or affect the procedure of the House, or is in contravention of the rules.
- It must be related to one demand only.
- It must be distinctly explained without any other arguments.
- It must refer to one specific matter stated in a crisp and clear format.
- It must not deal with the character or conduct of any member or other person.
- It must not contain comments questioning the law or suggest changes to existing laws.
- It must not contain a subject that does not concern the government.
- It must not challenge or relate to India’s expenditure on the Consolidated Fund.
- It must not be related to a question of privilege.
- It must not bring up a past matter that has already been settled.
- It must not show anticipation of a case previously brought into consideration.
- It must not be related to a case already under trial in a court of law.
- It must be given one day before the day on which the demand is considered; otherwise, any member may object, and such an objection shall prevail unless the Speaker allows the motion.
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Types of cut motions
Cut motions are a type of parliamentary motion presented in the Lok Sabha, the Lower House of the Indian Parliament, after the Union Budget is discussed and presented. They are a key legislative tool used by members of parliament to express discontent with the budgetary proposals presented by the government. Cut motions are typically used during the discussion on the demands for grants, which is a crucial stage of the budgetary process.
There are three types of cut motions:
- Disapproval of Policy Cut: This type of motion seeks to reduce the amount of the demand to Re.1, representing disapproval of the policy underlying the demand. Members presenting this motion must indicate the specific terms of the policy they find objectionable, and the discussion is confined to the specific points mentioned in the notice. It is open to members to advocate an alternative policy.
- Economy Cut: This motion proposes a specific reduction in the amount of the demand, which could affect the economy. The notice against the motion must state the particular matter that requires attention, and the discussion should be confined to this matter.
- Token Cut: This motion seeks to reduce the amount of the demand by a token amount, such as Rs.100, to voice a specific grievance against the government that is within its sphere of responsibility. The discussion is confined to the particular grievance specified in the motion.
The Speaker of the House decides whether a cut motion is admissible and may disallow any motion that is deemed abusive or intended to obstruct or prejudicially affect the procedure of the House. Cut motions play a significant role in Indian politics, furthering the spirit of democracy and ensuring greater representation of the people and accountability of the Executive towards the Legislative bodies.
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The role of the Speaker
The Speaker plays a crucial and powerful role in the Indian Constitution's cut motion process. They are responsible for determining the admissibility of a cut motion, including the Token Cut Motion, a type of cut motion that carries significant weight and influence in parliamentary proceedings. The Speaker's decision-making is based on specific criteria and rules.
Firstly, the Speaker assesses the relevance of the motion, ensuring it addresses a specific issue and adheres to the prescribed format. This includes verifying that the motion complies with the rules and procedures of the legislative body. The Speaker also ensures that the motion is concise, free of defamatory assertions, and focused on a single subject conveyed precisely.
Secondly, the Speaker decides whether a cut motion is acceptable under the rules. They have the authority to disallow any cut motion if they believe it is an abuse of the right to move cut motions, hinders or prejudicially influences the House process, or violates the rules. This decision-making power allows the Speaker to maintain the integrity of the legislative process and prevent potential abuses of the cut motion mechanism.
Additionally, the Speaker plays a role in the timing of cut motions. A notice of motion must be submitted at least one day before the scheduled debate. If this requirement is not met, any member can object to the motion, and the Speaker's permission is required for the motion to proceed. This aspect of the Speaker's role ensures that cut motions are introduced in a timely and orderly manner, preventing last-minute disruptions to the parliamentary agenda.
The Speaker's role in the cut motion process is essential for maintaining the balance of power between the government and the members of the Lok Sabha. Their decisions can significantly impact the outcome of a cut motion and, consequently, the stability of the government. Therefore, the Speaker must exercise their responsibilities impartially and in the best interests of the legislative body.
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Implications for the government
The cut motion is a powerful tool that can be used to test the strength of the government and hold it accountable for its actions. It is a way for members of the Lok Sabha to voice their opposition to a financial bill or demand being discussed by the government. If a cut motion is adopted by the House and the government fails to secure enough votes in the lower house, the government is obliged to resign or reform, as per the norms of the Lok Sabha. This makes the cut motion similar to a no-confidence motion.
The decision to approve or disapprove a cut motion rests with the Speaker of the House, who decides on its admissibility. The Speaker may disallow any cut motion that is deemed to be an abuse of the right to move cut motions or is calculated to obstruct or prejudicially affect the procedure of the House. The Speaker's role is crucial in maintaining the balance of power between the government and the opposition.
There are three types of cut motions: Disapproval of Policy Cut, Economy Cut, and Token Cut. Each type has specific conditions and implications for the government. A Disapproval of Policy Cut motion is moved to reduce the amount of the demand to Re.1, representing a disapproval of the underlying policy. This type of motion allows members to advocate for an alternative policy, potentially leading to a change in government approach.
An Economy Cut motion seeks to reduce the amount of the demand by a specified amount, impacting the economy and government spending. This type of motion can affect the government's financial plans and force it to reconsider its budgetary allocations. A Token Cut motion, on the other hand, proposes a reduction of Rs.100 to address a specific grievance within the government's responsibility. While the monetary amount is symbolic, the discussion is confined to the particular grievance, allowing for focused attention on specific issues.
The admissibility of cut motions is governed by several conditions. These include the requirement that the motion must relate to only one demand, be distinctly explained without extraneous arguments, and refer to a specific matter in a concise format. Additionally, it must not deal with the character or conduct of any member, question existing laws, or raise subjects unrelated to the government. These conditions ensure that cut motions are used appropriately and do not disrupt the functioning of the government or the House.
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Frequently asked questions
A cut motion is a power given to the members of the Lok Sabha to oppose a demand in the Financial Bill discussed by the government.
There are three types of cut motions: Disapproval of Policy Cut, Economy Cut, and Token Cut.
A cut motion can be raised by any member of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker of the House decides whether a cut motion is admissible or not. If the motion is adopted and the government fails to draw enough votes, it is obliged to resign or reform.
