The ongoing deadlock in the Indian Parliament has sparked discussions among MPs that the government may use the “guillotine” to pass the Finance Bill without any discussion in the Lok Sabha. In this article, we will discuss what guillotine is and its impact on parliamentary democracy.
What is Guillotine Procedure?
- The guillotine is a procedural exercise in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session.
- It involves bunching together and fast-tracking the passage of financial business.
- The process begins after the Budget is presented, during which Parliament goes into recess for about three weeks.
- House Standing Committees examine Demands for Grants for various Ministries and prepare reports during this time.
- Once Parliament reassembles, the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) schedules discussions on the Demands for Grants, given the limitation of time.
- The House cannot take up the expenditure demands of all Ministries; thus, the BAC identifies important Ministries for discussions, usually listing Demands for Grants of the Ministries of Home, Defence, External Affairs, Agriculture, Rural Development, and Human Resource Development.
- Members utilize the opportunity to discuss the policies and workings of these Ministries.
- Once debates during the Budget session are over, the Speaker applies the “guillotine,” and all outstanding demands for grants are put to vote simultaneously.
- This usually happens on the last day allocated for the Budget discussion, aiming to ensure the timely passage of the Finance Bill, marking the completion of the legislative exercise concerning the Budget.
What is the history of Guillotine?
The guillotine is famously associated with the French Revolution, where it became popular among revolutionaries who used it for capital punishment against supporters of the Ancien Regime, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. The device remained in use in France until the country abolished capital punishment in 1981.
Impact on Parliamentary Democracy
- The guillotine process ensures timely passage of important financial business during the Budget Session, which is crucial for the government to carry out its financial operations and schemes.
- However, it can be seen as a limitation on democratic deliberation and debate as it curtails the time available for members to discuss and debate the Demands for Grants, which are budgetary allocations for various ministries.
- The guillotine process can limit the opportunity for members to scrutinize the government’s policies and working and to raise important issues and concerns.
- Using the guillotine to pass the Finance Bill without any discussion or debate can be seen as a negation of the basic principles of parliamentary democracy.
- The Budget Session is an important opportunity for members to hold the government accountable and ensure that budgetary allocations are in line with the needs and priorities of the country.
- The government using the guillotine to fast-track the passage of financial business can undermine the role of the Parliament as a forum for democratic deliberation and debate.
Why In News
The deadlock in the Indian Parliament reflects a larger trend of political polarization in the country, which has been a challenge for the functioning of democratic institutions. The use of the guillotine in such a context would further deepen the trust deficit between the government and the opposition, and could lead to erosion of public faith in the Parliament as a forum for democratic deliberation and debate.
MCQs on The Guillotine Procedure
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What is the guillotine procedure in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session?
A. Fast-tracking the passage of financial business
B. The execution of supporters of the Ancien Regime
C. Examining Demands for Grants of various Ministries
D. Discussing policies and workings of various Ministries
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What is the history of the guillotine?
A. It was used for capital punishment in the French Revolution
B. It is a device for financial business in the Lok Sabha
C. It was abolished in France in 1981
D. It is a tool for democratic deliberation and debate
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What is the impact of the guillotine on parliamentary democracy?
A. It ensures timely passage of financial business
B. It curtails the time available for members to discuss and debate
C. It provides an opportunity for members to scrutinize the government’s policies
D. It promotes democratic deliberation and debate
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What is the impact of using the guillotine to pass the Finance Bill without any discussion or debate?
A. It undermines the role of the Parliament as a forum for democratic deliberation and debate
B. It promotes accountability and ensures budgetary allocations are in line with the country’s needs and priorities
C. It allows for a thorough examination of Demands for Grants of various Ministries
D. It provides an opportunity for members to raise important issues and concerns
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