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                        Explain the procedure for ordinary or non-money bills.   

Answer:

An ordinary or non-money bill passes through the following stages:

(i) First Reading: At this stage, the mover introduces the bill stating its main features. This is called the first reading.

(ii) Second Reading: On a fixed date, a general discussion is conducted on the bill. The bill is then referred to a selected committee.

(iii) Committee Stage: The committee examines the bill thoroughly, clause by clause. After that, it drafts its report.

(iv) Report Stage: After the committee stage, i.e., clause by clause consideration of the bill, each clause and amendment is put to vote.

(v) Third Reading: At this stage, a restricted debate takes place on the bill after which the bill is sent to the other House.

(vi) Passage by other House: After being passed by one House, the bill goes to the other House where it goes through all the above mentioned stages once again.

(vii) President?s Assent: After both the Houses pass the bill, it goes to the President for his consideration.

The President can sent the bill back once for re-consideration. If the bill is passed again, the      President has to give his assent after which the bill becomes a law.

(viii) Special Stages: It includes joint sitting of both Houses in case of a deadlock on a particular bill. The President summons a joint sitting of both the Houses presided over by the Speaker. If at a joint sitting, the bill is passed by a two-third majority of members present and voting, it is deemed as passed by both the Houses. (Whole answer to be assessed as 5 marks)