Lecture 23 Vocabulary: Union Legislature, Bills, and Ordinances

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on Union Legislature, bills, money/financial bills, privileges, and ordinances.

Indian Parliament

The union legislature of India, bicameral, consisting of the President, Rajya Sabha (Council of States), and Lok Sabha (House of the People).

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature with two chambers; in India, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

Rajya Sabha

The upper house of Parliament; considered the permanent chamber and not subject to dissolution in a single snap; members are elected for six-year terms with one-third retiring every two years.

Lok Sabha

The lower house of Parliament; directly elected and can be dissolved; has decisive influence over money bills.

Speaker of Lok Sabha

Presiding officer of the Lok Sabha who controls proceedings, rules on process, and certifies money bills.

Deputy Speaker

Officer who presides in the absence of the Speaker; ensures continuity of proceedings.

Leader of the House (Lok Sabha)

The chief government representative in the Lok Sabha, responsible for arranging government business.

Leader of the Opposition

The leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha.

Whip

Party official who ensures party discipline and attendance for voting.

Pro tem Speaker

Temporary presiding officer appointed to administer oaths to new members and handle initial business.

Privileges (Parliamentary)

Special rights and immunities enjoyed by Parliament as an institution and by its members.

Collective Privileges

Privileges accruing to the House as a whole (e.g., secret sittings, contempt powers, inviolability, and proceedings jurisdiction).

Individual Privileges

Privileges enjoyed by individual MPs (e.g., freedom of speech in Parliament, protection from arrest during sessions in civil matters).

Freedom of Speech in Parliament

MPs have freedom to speak in Parliament, protected by Article 105, but subject to house rules and unparliamentary language restrictions.

Article 105

Constitutional provision on privileges of MPs and Parliament, including freedom of speech in the house.

Article 19(2) Restrictions

Eight reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech for citizens; MPs’ speech inside the house is not bound by these outside general limits.

Immunity (Parliament)

Legal immunity enjoyed by Parliament as an institution and by its members for official duties.

Secret sittings

Parliamentary sessions that may be held away from public broadcasting or attendance.

Contempt of Parliament

Acts challenging the dignity or functioning of Parliament; Parliament can punish for contempt.

Inviolability of the House

Parliamentary premises and proceedings are protected; police entry/arrest require presiding officer’s approval.

Dissolution (Lok Sabha)

Ending of the Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha is permanent and not dissolved in the same way.

Adjournment

Temporary suspension of a sitting; not a dissolution of the House.

Prorogation

Ending of a parliamentary session; all business for that session ends.

Forty-fourth Constitutional Amendment Act

Amendment that removed reference to British privileges; preserves Indian privileges but no longer ties them to a colonial framework.

Office of Profit

An office whose holder cannot sit in Parliament; ministers or other offices of profit can trigger disqualification in certain contexts.

Money Bill

A bill that deals only with money matters as defined by Article 110; introduced in Lok Sabha with prior President’s approval; Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend.

Article 110

Constitutional definition of a money bill and the list of money matters it may include.

Article 109

Procedure for money bills; money bills are introduced in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend; fourteen-day consideration window.

Financial Bill

A bill that includes money matters plus non-money matters; introduced in Lok Sabha with prior President’s approval; Rajya Sabha may amend or reject; may involve joint sitting.

Article 117

Definition of financial bills: money bills plus non-money matters; allows cross-house consideration. Often cited as the basis for financial bills.

Ordinary Bill

A bill that is not a money bill, financial bill, or constitutional amendment bill; can be introduced by a minister or private member and passes by simple majority.

Select Committee

A small committee from one house to scrutinize a bill, propose changes, and report back.

Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)

A committee comprising members from both houses to examine a bill or issue; aims for cross-house consensus.

Pre-legislative Consultation Policy

Policy mandating stakeholder consultation before a major bill is introduced in Parliament.

Aadhaar

Biometric unique identification system; linked to Jam Trinity to ensure targeted delivery of benefits; subject of privacy litigation and parliamentary authorization.

Jam Trinity

Aadhaar + Jan DhanYojana (bank accounts) + Mobile connectivity, designed to deliver benefits securely and reduce leakage.

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

Direct transfer of government benefits to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, bypassing intermediaries.

Contingency Fund of India

Statutory fund for urgent government expenditure, maintained by the executive; withdrawals not requiring parliamentary approval.

Consolidated Fund of India

Fund containing government revenue and borrowings; money withdrawals require money bills.

Public Account of India

Fund maintained for receipts not belonging to the Consolidated Fund; withdrawals controlled by the executive.

Charged Expenditure

Expenditure that is charged on the Consolidated Fund and does not require parliamentary appropriation (e.g., salaries of constitutional offices).

Appropriation Bill

Bill to authorize government expenditure from the Consolidated Fund for a specific purpose; part of the budget process.

Finance Bill

A bill that accompanies the budget, including tax proposals and other financial provisions; can be a money bill or a financial bill depending on content.

Deficit Budget

Budget in which expenditures exceed revenue; often used to fund growth and development through borrowing.

Surplus Budget

Budget in which revenue exceeds expenditure; indicates a balanced or conservative fiscal approach.

Ordinance (Article 123/Article 213)

Temporary executive order issued when Parliament/State Legislature is not in session; can be promulgated by President (center) or Governor (state) and must be replaced by a law within a specified period.