Opposition sees amendment through in Rajya Sabha, again

Opposition sees amendment through in Rajya Sabha, again

The opposition has successfully moved amendment to the “Motion of Thanks” to the President for his address.

• The opposition’s amendment was against the minimum educational qualification fixed for aspirants in local and panchayat elections in Haryana and Rajasthan polls, which was also a part of the President’s address.
• It should be noted here that such amendment has been moved for the 5^th time in Parliamentary history and 2^nd time in the tenure of this government.

What next?

Now, the motion of thanks on the President’s address will be sent back to the President with a mention of the amendment passed.

Criticisms:

However, the government has argued that the amendment was not right since it referred to an issue which was a state subject

What is “Motion of Thanks” and what it contains?

The President makes an address to a joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the Budget session, which is prepared by the government and lists its achievements. The President’s speech is a statement of the legislative and policy achievements of the government during the preceding year and gives a broad indication of the agenda for the year ahead. The address is followed by a motion of thanks moved in each House by ruling party MPs. During the session, political parties discuss the motion of thanks also suggesting amendments.

Amendments to the “Motion of Thanks”:

Notices of amendments to Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address can be tabled after the President has delivered his Address. Amendments may refer to matters contained in the Address as well as to matters, in the opinion of the member, the Address has failed to mention. Amendments can be moved to the Motion of Thanks in such form as may be considered appropriate by the Speaker.

Limitation:

The only limitations are that members cannot refer to matters which are not the direct responsibility of the Central Government and that the name of the President cannot be brought in during the debatesince the Government and not the President is responsible for the contents of the Address.

Provisions governing them:

President’s Address and Motion of Thanks are governed by Articles 86 (1) and 87 (1) of the Constitution and Rules 16 to 24 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.