Introduction 

• The legislative procedure in the Indian Parliament is meticulously detailed in Article 107 to Article 111 of the Constitution of India (COI). 
• These articles establish the framework for how bills are introduced, debated, and enacted into laws, forming the cornerstone of India's legislative process.  
• Each article addresses specific aspects of the procedure, ensuring a systematic and democratic approach to law-making. 
• Part V, Chapter II of the COI states the Articles for Legislative Procedure for passing of Bills. 

 Types of Bills 

Legal Provisions under the COI 

Article 107: Provisions as to Introduction and Passing of Bills 

• Clause (1): Introduction of Bills 
  • Bills can be introduced in either House of Parliament. 
  • Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. 
  • Prior recommendation of President required for certain bills. 
• Clause (2): Passing of Bills 
  • Bill must be passed by both Houses. 
  • Can be passed either in original form or with amendments. 
  • Both Houses must agree to the final version. 
• Clause (3): Resolution of Disagreements 
  • Provision for joint sitting under Article 108. 
  • Applies when houses fail to agree on bill's final form. 
  • Does not apply to Money Bills. 
• Clause (4): Lapsing of Bills 
  • Bills pending in Lok Sabha lapse on dissolution. 
  • Bills in Rajya Sabha do not lapse on Lok Sabha dissolution. 
  • Exception for bills originating in Rajya Sabha but pending in Lok Sabha shall lapse on dissolution of Rajya Sabha as per clause (5). 

Article 108: Joint Sitting of Both Houses 

• Clause (1): 
  • Conditions for Joint Sitting- 
    • Bill rejected by one House after passing in other House. 
    • Houses disagree on amendments to be made. 
    • More than six months elapse without second House considering bill. 
  • Procedure for Joint Sitting- 
    • President notifies members of both Houses. 
    • Lok Sabha Speaker presides over joint sitting. 
    • Decision by majority of members present and voting. 
    • If passed, deemed to have been passed by both Houses. 
  • Exceptions to Joint Sitting- 
    • Constitutional Amendment Bills. 
    • Money Bills. 
    • Bills seeking to amend State Lists. 
• Clause (2):  
  • Exclusion Periods- 
    • Prorogation time of the House. 
    • Adjournment periods exceeding four consecutive days. 
  • Significance- 
    • Ensures accurate calculation of the six-month period. 
    • Prevents artificial extension of time through procedural delays. 
    • Only counts active parliamentary working periods. 
• Clause (3):  
  • Immediate Effects- 
    • Suspension of Proceedings  
      • Both Houses must cease further discussion on the Bill. 
      • All related parliamentary activities on the Bill are paused. 
  • Presidential Powers- 
    • Notification Authority  
    • Power to issue notifications for joint sitting. 
    • Can summon Houses at any time after notification. 
  • Scheduling Authority- 
    • Discretion in determining the date of joint sitting. 
    • Authority to specify purpose in notification. 
  • Mandatory Compliance- 
    • Houses must meet as per the Presidential notification. 
    • Meeting must align with specified purpose. 
• Clause (4):  
  • Passage Requirements- 
    • Voting Majority  
      • Must be passed by majority of total members present. 
      • Includes members from both Houses. 
      • Voting must be conducted in joint sitting. 
    • Constitutional Recognition  
      • Bill passed in joint sitting deemed passed by both Houses. 
      • Carries same legal weight as regular passage. 
  • Amendment Restrictions- 
    • For Bills Passed by One House Only 
      • Limited Amendments  
      • Only amendments necessitated by passage delay permitted. 
      • No new substantive amendments allowed. 
    • For Bills Passed and Returned- 
      • Permissible Amendments  
      • Amendments necessary due to delay. 
      • Amendments relevant to points of disagreement between Houses. 
  • Procedural Authority- 
    • Presiding Officer's Powers  
      • Final authority on admissibility of amendments. 
      • Decisions on amendment relevance cannot be challenged. 
      • Power to determine the necessity of amendments. 
• Clause (5): 
  • Validity of Joint Sitting- 
    • Continuation Despite Dissolution  
    • Joint sitting remains valid even after Lok Sabha dissolution. 
    • Presidential notification maintains effectiveness. 
  • Bill Passage Authority- 
    • Legislative Continuity  
    • Authority to pass Bill remains intact. 
    • Dissolution doesn't invalidate joint sitting proceedings. 
    • Procedural Validity  
      • All actions taken in joint sitting remain valid. 
      • Dissolution doesn't affect legitimacy of passed legislation. 

Article 109: Special Procedure for Money Bills 

• Clause (1): Introduction 
  • Money Bills can only originate in Lok Sabha. 
  • Must have President's recommendation. 
  • Speaker's certificate required. 
• Clause (2): Rajya Sabha's Role 
  • Can only make recommendations. 
  • Must return bill within 14 days. 
  • Lok Sabha may accept or reject recommendations. 
• Clause (3): Lok Sabha's Powers 
  • Can reject all or any recommendations. 
  • Bill deemed passed if Rajya Sabha doesn't return within 14 days (clause 5). 
• Clause (4): Speaker's Certificate 
  • The speaker's decision on the Money Bill is final. 
  • Certificate must be endorsed when the bill is transmitted to Rajya Sabha. 

Article 110: Definition of Money Bills 

• Clause (1): Matters Constituting Money Bills 
  • Imposition, abolition, remission, alteration of taxes. 
  • Regulation of government borrowing. 
  • Custody of Consolidated Fund or Contingency Fund. 
  • Appropriation of money from Consolidated Fund. 
  • Declaration of expenditure as charged on Consolidated Fund. 
  • Receipt of money on account of Consolidated Fund. 
  • Any matter incidental to above points. 
• Clause (2): Exclusions 
  • Not deemed Money Bill if only provides for: 
    • Imposition of fines or penalties. 
    • Demand/payment of fees for licenses. 
    • Demand/payment for services rendered. 
• Clause (3): Certification 
  • Speaker's endorsement required. 
  • The decision is final on the question of Money Bill. 

Article 111: Assent to Bills 

• Presidential Powers 
  • Declare assent to bill. 
  • Withhold assent. 
  • Return bill for reconsideration (except Money Bills). 
• Reconsideration Process 
  • President can suggest amendments. 
  • Parliament must reconsider the bill. 
  • Can pass bill again with or without amendments. 
  • President must give assent on second presentation. 
• Timeline 
  • No specific timeframe for President's decision. 
  • Convention suggests reasonable time for consideration. 
  • Assent makes bill an Act of Parliament. 

Conclusion 

These constitutional provisions ensure that the legislative process remains systematic, transparent, and effective while maintaining necessary checks and balances. The detailed procedures reflect the framers' vision of a robust parliamentary democracy where laws are made through careful consideration and consensus-building, while also providing mechanisms to resolve disagreements and ensure efficient functioning of the legislature.