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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.