Parliament is the place where laws are made. All parties bring the proposals in front of the Parliament in the form of bills. It is just the draft and cannot be made law unless it has been approved by both the Houses of Parliament and then the President of India. The system of making the law starts with the proposal of a Bill in any House of Parliament. if the bill is brought by the Minister of State then it is called Government Bill otherwise it is called Private Bill. A Bill is read three times in both the Houses of the Parliament, i.e., the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, then is to be presented in front of the President.
1st Reading
It refers to:
- Either accept the bill or discuss the bill or
- If a Bill is already in passing phase or lying on the table to be passed on.
2nd Reading
This part has two portions:
- It consists of the discussion on the Bill and shows whether the Bill is under consideration; the Bill is to be reviewed by the Selection Committee of the House.
- It considered different clauses in the Bill, which were to be stated in the House or to be reported by a Selection Committee or not. If the Bill is passed by Rajya Sabha then it is transferred to Lok Sabha and is looked at by the Secretary-General.
3rd Reading
This Reading refers to the discussion on whether the Bill is passed or needs to change. Even the Rajya Sabha also follow the same steps regarding the bill to be passed in the House. When a Bill is passed by both the Houses of Parliament, It is brought to the President for approval, after that it will become a Law.
Bills Related to Standing Committees
- Earlier there was 17 Standing Committee but now there are 24. The Chairman, of Rajya Sabha, has control of 8 committees, and the other 16 Committees work under the leadership of the Speaker, of Lok Sabha.
- The important role of these committees is to observe the bills in both houses deeply and report them further.
- The reports given by the Standing Committees have convincing value. If the Government agrees on the changes, it is again forwarded to the Standing Committee.
- Certain Bills whether a Money Bill or Financial Bill, cannot be presented to a Committee of the Houses. However, within the period of 14 days, the money bill is to be passed by both the houses
Consent about bill
When a Bill is passed by both the Houses of Parliament, it is presented to the President for his consent. The President may either consent or return the bill for reconsideration.
A Money Bill can not be moved back to the House by the President for reconsideration. But somehow, the President has to give consent to the bill if it is of the Constitution Amendment with the majority.
President’s approval
- The President can give consent or withhold the bill. to the houses. The President shall not withhold constitutional amendment bills duly passed. If the President gives his consent, the bill is to be published in The Gazette of India and becomes law.
- If he withdraws his consent, the bill is to be dropped and is called an absolute veto. The President can also withhold his consent which is called as a pocket veto. If the President returns it, for reconsideration, the Parliament must discuss it once again, but if it is passed again and returned to the President, he must have to give his consent to it.
- If Parliament is not happy with the President’s consent or about a bill passed, the bill can be modified as a constitutional amendment bill and passed under its powers for compelling the president to give consent.
- If the bill has been passed by the state then the consent of the State Governor is mandatory.
Acted as a law
Now after this most acts will come into force and be acted as law. Either it would be effected from the date assigned or certain is fixed from when it is to be implemented.
Sample Questions
Question 1: Who can veto a Bill?
Answer:
The president has the power to veto the bill. President has the power to refuse to approve a bill or joint resolution and so preventing enactment into law is a power of veto. The President has 10 days to sign a bill (Excluding Sunday).
Question 2: What is the difference between private and public bills?
Answer:
Public bills pertain to the general public or citizens, while private bills provide specified benefits to few individuals.