No Confidence Motion in Lok Sabha

In the Lok Sabha, a motion of no confidence is a parliamentary procedure. Within the Rajya Sabha, it is not relevant. Members of the Lok Sabha can formally voice their disapproval of the Council of Ministers through this motion.

Constitutional status of No-confidence Motion in India

Article 75 of the Indian Constitution contains the fundamentals of a non-confidence resolution.

The Article 75 states that:

The President will appoint the Prime Minister and the other Ministers on the Prime Minister’s recommendation.

    • The Minister will serve for as long as the President pleases.
    • The Council of Ministers will be held accountable to the House of People as a whole.
    • The President shall administer the oaths of office and secrecy to each Minister prior to their taking office, using the forms provided in the Third Schedule.
    • A Minister will no longer be a Minister at the end of the six-month term in which they are not a member of either House of Parliament.
    • The Attorney General for India’s Second Schedule specifies the salaries and allowances of Ministers, unless Parliament decides otherwise. Minister salaries and allowances are subject to change at any moment by law.

The Non-Confidence Motion’s Significant Clause (3) in the Above Article

    • According to the idea of collective responsibility, every member of the Council of Ministers is responsible for their choices and actions as a whole to the Lok Sabha (House of the People).
    • It suggests that they function as a single unit and take joint accountability for the acts and policies of the government.
    • All members of the Council of Ministers are held jointly accountable in the event that a minister or the administration is attacked or comes under a vote of no confidence.
    • Should a motion of no confidence be approved, all members of the Council of Ministers will be required to step down.

Procedure of No Confidence Motion

Proposal:

    • An objection to the Council of Ministers’ no confidence may be made by any member of the Lok Sabha.
    • They must do this by providing the Speaker of the Lok Sabha with a written notification outlining their lack of trust.
    • The Lok Sabha’s rules 198(1) and 198(5) state that it can only be introduced upon a call by the Speaker.
    • A Member of Parliament (MP) must have the support of at least 50 other MPs in order to introduce a resolution of no confidence against the Council of Ministers in the Lok Sabha.
    • This implies that a motion of this kind may be introduced at any moment by any member of the Lok Sabha who can secure the backing of fifty of their peers.

Discussion:

    • After a predetermined amount of time, the motion is typically brought up for discussion, giving
    • members ample opportunity to prepare and discuss it.

Debate:

    • Members have the chance to argue for or against the motion at any point throughout the debate.
    • There is also an opportunity for the Prime Minister or a Council of Ministers representative to reply and explain the government’s stance.

Voting:

    • Following the discussion, members are invited to cast their votes in support of the motion (indicating no confidence in the government) or against it (showing confidence in the government).

Outcome:

    • The Lok Sabha will have lost faith in the government if the No Confidence motion is approved by the majority of members present and voting.
    • The government might fall in such a situation, and the resignation of the Council of Ministers is anticipated. In the event that the motion is not approved, the government’s authority is upheld.

How Many Times No Confidence Motion Passed in India?

    • In 1963, the first-ever no confidence motion was launched.
    • There have been 26 total days without a motion being moved thus far.
    • The most no-confidence motions were filed against the Indira Gandhi administration.

Which are the last No Confidence Motions Moved in the Parliament?

    • 1993: Narsimha Rao Government (the government was elected)
    • 1999: Atal Bihari Vajpayee (one vote separated the government from winning the vote of no confidence).
    • 2003: The government won the vote of no confidence under Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
    • (2008) ManMohan Singh Government :The Government prevailed in the poll

Features of No Confidence Motion

  • It is not required to give the reason behind the Lok Sabha’s acceptance.
  • It can only be moved in opposition to the Council of Ministers.
  • The purpose of the move is to find out whether the Lok Sabha believes in the Council of Ministers.
  • Should the Lok Sabha approve it, the Council of Ministers will have to step down from their position.

Significance of No Confidence Motion
Fix the accountability of the Government in power:

  • Make the government talk about crucial topics that it is attempting to ignore. It is an effective political instrument that the opposition uses to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the government, draw attention to problems, and air their complaints.
  • Promote political awareness by fostering dialogue.
  • If the motion passes, there is a chance that the government will alter. If the opposition can effectively articulate the concerns of the people, it could indicate a shift in the people’s will.

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