- DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ORDINARY BILL AND A MONEY BILL
UNIT 9 – THE PARLIAMENT – PART 6
VETO POWERS OF PRESIDENT:
The President can exercise his veto powers when a bill passed by both the houses of the Parliament is presented to him. He can exercise the following three kinds of veto powers.
- ABSOLUTE VETO: The President withholds his assent to the bill. The bill will not become an act. The absolute veto is exercised in the following two cases
- When the bill presented to him is a private member’s bill
- When the cabinet resigns after the passage of the bill in both the houses of Parliament and the new cabinet advises the President to withhold his assent to the bill.
- SUSPENSIVE VETO: The President can return the bill to the Parliament for reconsideration. If the bill is again passed with or without amendments with the same majority as in the first instance and presented to the President, he has to give his assent to the bill.
However, the President cannot exercise suspensive veto on money bills.
- POCKET VETO: The President does not take any action on the bill. He just keeps the bill for an indefinite period.
Note: 1. Qualified Veto: When the President returns a bill to the Parliament for reconsideration, the bill has to be passed with a higher majority than in the first instance. This veto power is not available for the Indian President. 2. The 24th constitutional amendment act of 1971 made it mandatory for the President to give his assent to the constitutional amendment bills. |
Differences Between an Ordinary Bill and a Money Bill
S. No | Ordinary Bill | Money Bill |
1 | It can be introduced either in the Lok Sabha or in the Rajya Sabha. | It can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. |
2 | President’s prior recommendation is not required for its introduction. | President’s prior recommendation is required for its introduction in the Lok Sabha. |
3 | The President can exercise his suspensive veto power on it. | The President cannot exercise his suspensive veto power on it. |
4 | The Rajya Sabha can vote on it. | The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on it. It can only suggest changes which can be either accepted or rejected by the Lok Sabha. |
5 | It can be either amended or rejected by the Rajya Sabha. | It can neither be amended nor be rejected by the Rajya Sabha. |
6 | In case of a deadlock, the President can summon a joint sitting of two houses for resolving the issue. | The Rajya Sabha has to return the bill with or without recommendations to the Lok Sabha within 14 days. If it does not return the bill, it is deemed to be passed by both the houses. |
7 | The Speaker does not certify the bill as an ordinary bill. | The Speaker certifies the bill as a money bill. |
8 | It can be introduced either by a minister or by a private member. | It can be introduced only by a minister. |