1.There are two types of bills money bills and non-money bills. Money bills are introduced in and passed first by the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can only delay their passage by 14 days. Non-money bills can be introduced in any House and both Houses must pass them in identical shape. In case of conflict, a joint sitting of two Houses decides the fate of a bill.
2. There are three readings on every bill in both Houses. As regards the first reading the bill is introduced in Parliament and published in the Gazette.
3. An ordinary bill can be introduced by any member after giving a notice of one month. The member who wants to indtroduce a bill has to ask the leave of the House. He has to read out title of the bill. If the introduction of the bill is opposed, the speaker can allow the mover of the bill and member opposing it to make explanatory statements a vote is taken and if the majority is in favour of the bill, the same is considered to have been moved.
4. As regards the second reading, it is divided into two parts:
(a) General discussion on the bill as a whole.
(b) Clause by clause discussion.
5. After the general discussion, the bill may be taken into consideration or it may be referred to a select committee of the House, it may be referred to a joint committee of both the Houses or it may be circulated for the purpose of eliciting public opinion. At the commencement of second reading, the bill is put to House for discussion of main principles of the bill. After the discussion it is put to vote. The House may note in favour of any option and bill is sent for the same.
6. If the fundamental of the bill are approved, the second stage is over and the bill enters the third stage known as the committee stage. During the committee stage, the bill is thoroughly discussed clause by clause. All kinds of information are collected. The pros and cons of the legislation are critically examined. The select committee can make any changes it pleases.
7. After the committee stage comes to report stage. The members of the committee have full freedom to express their views. Each member can write a separate report if he so chooses, usually there is a majority report. When the report has been represented to the House the member incharge of the bill can move that the bill as reported by the select committee be considered or the bill is reported be sent back to the select committee with or without instructions or the bill as reported or circulated or recirculated for eliciting public opinion.
8. If the House agrees to consider the bill as reported by the select committee the discussion of the bill is taken clause by clause. Votes may be taken after every clause or many clauses may be discussed together and one vote may be taken on all of them at one time.
9. After this the bill enters the fifth stage known as third reading. Arguments in favour or against the bill as a whole are discussed. Only verbal amendments may be moved. If accepted by majority members present and voting the amendment is carried. Then the whole bill is put to vote. If majority of members present and voting accept the bill, it is passed.
10. When the bill has thus been passed by the one House, it is sent to the other House. The procedure in the first House has to be repeated in the Second House. After the bill has been passed by both Houses, it is sent to the President for his assent. The President may give his assent to a bill or he may send it back for reconsideration. But if the bill is passed again by both the Houses, the President will have to give his assent. A bill thus becomes an Act or law.
