Censure Motion

• Censure motion is moved against the Council of Ministers, a group of ministers, or as individual ministers for the failure to perform duties.
• The censure motion is usually moved by the opposition party against the ruling party or any of its ministers for failing to act in a certain matter.
• Censure motion must be specific and self-explanatory, stating the reasons for its adoption.
• It can be moved only in the Lok Sabha and not in the Rajya Sabha.
• No leave of the House is required for moving a censure motion but it must specify the charges against the government for which it is moved.
• If the censure motion is passed, the Council of ministers is bound to seek the confidence of the Lok Sabha as early as possible.
• The council of ministers need not resign from the office if a censure motion is passed in the Lok Sabha while in case of motion of no confidence, the council of minister must resign from office if the motion is passed.

Money Bill

• Article 110 of the constitution deals with Money Bill in India.
• A Money Bill may only be introduced in Lok Sabha, on the recommendation of the President.
• It must be passed in Lok Sabha by a simple majority
• A money bill cannot be introduced in Rajya Sabha, Rajya Sabha can neither reject a Money Bill nor amend it
• The Speaker of the Lok Sabha decides whether the Bill is a Money Bill or not.
• Also, the Speaker’s decision shall be deemed to be final.
• It may be sent to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations, which Lok Sabha may reject if it chooses to.
• If such recommendations are not given within 14 days, it will be deemed to be passed by Parliament.

Joint sitting of the Parliament

• According to Article 108 of the Constitution, the joint sitting of parliament is called by the President.
• It is presided by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• The joint sitting of both the houses is also held to resolve the deadlock over the passing of key legislation.
• The following bills can't be referred to a joint sitting of Parliament.

1. Money bill under Article 110.
2. Constitution amendment bill under Article 368.

• In the absence of the speaker the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha or in his absence, the Deputy-Chairman of the Rajya Sabha presides over the joint session.
• The Chairman of the upper house (vice president) doesn't preside over the joint session at any means/cost.

No Confidence Motion

• A motion of “No Confidence Motion” against the Government can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha under rule 198.
• The Constitution of India does not mention about either a Confidence or a No Confidence Motion.
• Although, Article 75 does specify that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
• A motion of No Confidence can be admitted when a minimum of 50 members, support the motion in the house.
• The Speaker then, once satisfied that the motion is in order, will ask the House if the motion can be adopted.
• If the motion is passed in the house, the Government is bound to vacate the office.
• A no-confidence motion needs a majority vote to pass the House.

Public Account Committee

• The Public Accounts Committee scrutinizes the appropriation and finance accounts of the Government of India and reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India,
• Public Accounts Committee consists of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha).
• The chairman of the Public Accounts Committee is appointed by the Lok Sabha speaker.
• The chairman of the Public Accounts Committee is invariably from Lok Sabha and from the opposition party.
• Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is the current chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.
• The Public Accounts Committee examines the audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is called the friend, philosopher, and guide of the Public Accounts Committee.