top of page

Private Members’ Bill: A Vital but Underutilized Legislative Tool

Jan 12 min read

The 17th Lok Sabha recorded only 9.08 hours spent on deliberating Private Members’ Bills, highlighting the underutilization of this significant legislative mechanism. Despite its potential to bring diverse perspectives into lawmaking, the impact of Private Members’ Bills in India has remained limited over the decades.


What is a Private Members’ Bill?

A Private Members’ Bill is a legislative proposal introduced by any Member of Parliament (MP) who is not a Minister. These bills allow MPs to raise issues that may not be part of the government’s immediate legislative agenda.


Key Features

  • Time Allocation:

    • Lok Sabha: The last two and a half hours of a sitting on Fridays are reserved for Private Members’ Bills.

    • Rajya Sabha: These bills are taken up during the last two and a half hours of alternate Fridays.

  • Notice Period:

    • MPs must give a one-month notice before introducing a Private Members’ Bill.


Historical Significance

Since independence, only 14 Private Members’ Bills have been passed by Parliament and received Presidential assent. The last such bill to be enacted into law was in 1970.


Prominent Examples

  1. The Muslim Wakfs Bill, 1952: Proposed by Syed Mohammed Ahmed Kasmi, later adopted by the government.

  2. The Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Bill, 1968: Expanded the scope of criminal appellate jurisdiction.



Challenges Faced by Private Members’ Bills

  1. Time Constraints:

    • Dedicated time for these bills is limited, often resulting in inadequate debate.

  2. Low Success Rate:

    • With only 14 bills passed, the likelihood of success is slim.

  3. Lack of Political Will:

    • Governments often prioritize their legislative agenda over proposals by private members.

  4. Absence of Robust Debate:

    • Limited time and lower participation from members reduce the quality of discussions on these bills.


Importance of Private Members’ Bills

  1. Inclusivity in Lawmaking:

    • Provides MPs an opportunity to bring regional, social, or ideological issues into national discourse.

  2. Checks and Balances:

    • Offers a platform for MPs to critique and improve upon government policies.

  3. Policy Innovation:

    • Encourages innovative legislative ideas, even if not passed, as they can shape future laws.

  4. Public Engagement:

    • Raises public awareness on lesser-known issues, driving civic participation.


Way Forward

  1. Enhancing Time Allocation:

    • Increasing the number of sessions dedicated to Private Members’ Bills can foster more comprehensive debate.

  2. Strengthening Parliamentary Procedure:

    • Encourage participation and ensure that deserving bills are given adequate consideration.

  3. Institutional Support:

    • Providing research assistance and logistical support to MPs can improve the quality of these proposals.


Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding Private Members’ Bills:

  1. Only a Member of Parliament who is not a Minister can introduce a Private Members’ Bill.

  2. The period of notice for introducing a Private Members’ Bill is two weeks.

  3. No Private Members’ Bill has been passed since 1970.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3


 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page