Devices of parliamentary proceedings

Question 1

Question Hour

Answer 1

First hour of a parliamentary sitting where Members of Parliament (MPs) ask questions to ministers about government policies and administration.

Question 2

Types of Questions in Question Hour

Answer 2

1. Starred Question – Requires an oral answer; supplementary questions allowed.\n2. Unstarred Question – Requires a written answer; no supplementary questions allowed.\n3. Short Notice Question – Asked with notice of less than 10 days, requires an oral answer.

Question 3

Zero Hour

Answer 3

Starts immediately after Question Hour; MPs raise urgent public issues without prior notice.
indian inovation
not mentioned in the rules of procedure

Question 4

Calling Attention Motion

Answer 4

MPs draw the attention of a minister to urgent public matters requiring immediate government action.
Indian innovation
Mentioned in ROP

Question 5

Half-an-Hour Discussion

Answer 5

Allows MPs to seek clarification on matters already answered in Question Hour, requiring at least three days’ notice.
3 days a week

Question 6

Adjournment Motion

Answer 6

A motion to discuss urgent public matters that disrupt normal parliamentary business, requiring Speaker’s approval.Needs support of 50 members to be admitted
Rajya Sabha is not permitted to make use of this device
Discussion on this should not last more than 2 1/2 hour

Question 7

“Restrictions on Adjournment Motion”,

Answer 7

“1. Must relate to a recent and definite urgent public matter
.\n2. **Should be directly related to Union Government’s responsibility.
**\n3. **Cannot discuss state government matters.
**\n4. **Cannot raise issues already discussed in the same session.
**\n5. **Cannot discuss matters under judicial consideration.
**\n6. **Cannot be used for personal grievances or allegations.
**\n7. **Must be confined to a single, specific subject.
**\n8. **Cannot raise questions of parliamentary privilege.
**\n10. Final discretion lies with the Speaker.”

Question 8

No-Confidence Motion

Answer 8

If passed, the government must resign; requires support from at least 50 MPs to be admitted in Lok Sabha.

Question 9

Confidence Motion

Answer 9

Moved by the Prime Minister to prove the majority of the government in Lok Sabha.

Question 10

Censure Motion

Answer 10

A motion to criticize a specific minister or policy; does not lead to resignation but expresses disapproval.

Question 11

Privilege Motion

Answer 11

Moved against a minister for breach of parliamentary privileges or misleading the House.

Question 12

Motion of Thanks

Answer 12

Debate on the President’s Address to Parliament; the government can fall if it is defeated.

Question 13

Budget Discussion Stages

Answer 13

1. General Discussion – No voting, only policy discussion.\n2. Detailed Discussion (Demand for Grants) – Discusses allocations for ministries.\n3. Cut Motions – MPs can suggest reductions in budget allocations.\n4. Passing of the Appropriation Bill – Authorizes government spending.\n5. Passing of the Finance Bill – Implements taxation proposals.

Question 14

Cut Motions

Answer 14

1. Policy Cut Motion – Seeks to reduce budget allocation to ₹1 as a mark of disapproval.\n2. Economy Cut Motion – Seeks reduction to a specific amount.\n3. Token Cut Motion – Seeks a nominal ₹100 reduction to highlight grievances.

Question 15

Point of Order

Answer 15

Raised when a rule or procedure is violated during a parliamentary discussion; requires immediate ruling by the presiding officer.

Question 16

Special Mention

Answer 16

Allows MPs to raise issues not qualifying under other motions; used mainly in Rajya Sabha.

Question 17

Short Duration Discussion (Rule 193)

Answer 17

A debate on an important issue without a formal motion or voting, lasting two hours.
2 days a week

Question 18

Resolutions in Parliament

Answer 18

1. Private Member’s Resolution – Moved by an MP who is not a minister.
   \n2. Government Resolution – Moved by a minister.
   \n3. Statutory Resolution – Moved to discuss laws or constitutional amendments. Can be moved either by a private member or a minister
   All resolution comes under the category of substantive motion

Question 19

Quorum

Answer 19

Minimum number of members required for a session: 10% of total strength (Lok Sabha: 55, Rajya Sabha: 25).

Question 20

Vote on Account

Answer 20

Allows the government to withdraw funds for expenditure until the full budget is passed.

Question 21

Vote of Credit

Answer 21

A special grant for unforeseen expenditure beyond the regular budget.

Question 22

Token Grant

Answer 22

A small allocation for a new government policy or unforeseen expenditure.

Question 23

Supplementary Grant

Answer 23

Additional funds granted for expenses not covered in the original budget.

Question 24

Exceptional Grant

Answer 24

A grant for one-time, special government expenditure.

Question 25

Substantive Motion

Answer 25

A self-contained motion that is **independent**, requiring full debate and voting. Example: No-Confidence Motion.

Question 26

Substitute Motion

Answer 26

A motion **proposed in place of an original motion**, aiming to modify or replace it.

Question 27

Supplementary Motion

Answer 27

A motion that **seeks to modify, amend, or clarify** an already admitted motion.

Question 28

Closure Motion

Answer 28

A motion moved to **end a debate** and proceed to immediate voting.

Question 29

Types of Closure Motions

Answer 29

1. **Simple Closure** – When the debate is stopped and a vote is taken.\n2. **Guillotine Closure** – Used in budget discussions to pass all pending grants without debate.\n3. **Kangaroo Closure** – Only selected important amendments are discussed.\n4. **Compartment Closure** – Different parts of a bill are grouped and voted on together.

Question 30

Dilatory Motion

Answer 30

A motion moved to **delay or obstruct the proceedings** of the House by adjourning a discussion or postponing a decision. It is subject to the **Speaker’s discretion** to prevent misuse.