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1. First Reading
An ordinary bill can be introduced in either House of Parliament. Such a bill can be introduced either by a minister or by any other member. The member who wants to introduce the bill has to ask for the leave of the House. When the House grants leave to introduce the bill, the mover of the bill introduces it by reading its
title and objectives. No discussion on the bill takes place at this stage. Later, the bill is published in the Gazette of India. If a bill is published in the Gazette before its introduction, leave of the House to introduce the bill is not necessary.18 The introduction of the bill and its publication in the Gazette constitute the first reading of the bill.
Table 22.3 Public Bill vs Private Bill
Public Bill | Private Bill |
1. It is introduced in the Parliament by a minister. | 1. It is introduced by any member of Parliament other than a minister. |
2. It reflects of the policies of the government (ruling party). | 2. It reflects the stand of opposition party on public matter. |
3. It has greater chance to be approved by the Parliament. | 3. It has lesser chance to be approved by the Parliament. |
4. Its rejection by the House | 4. Its rejection by the House |
amounts to the expression | has no implication on the |
of want of parliamentary | parliamentary confidence in |
confidence in the | the government or its |
government and may lead | resignation. |
to its resignation. | |
5. Its introduction in the House requires seven days’ notice. | 5. Its introduction in the House requires one month’s notice. |
6. It is drafted by the | 6. Its drafting is the |
concerned department in | responsibility of the member |
consultation with the law | concerned. |
department. |