Article 3: PM absent, Lok Sabha passes Motion of Thanks
Why in news: The Motion of Thanks gained attention due to heated debates and amendments in the recent parliamentary session, reflecting opposition scrutiny of government policies and reaffirming its role as a test of majority support in the Lok Sabha.
Key Details
- Based on Article 87 of the Constitution of India
- Moved after the President’s Address to Parliament
- Amendments allowed but cannot criticise the President
- Defeat equals loss of confidence in the government
- Passed by simple majority
- Decisive voting occurs only in Lok Sabha, not Rajya Sabha
Meaning and Nature
- A formal resolution thanking the President for the Address
- Converts a ceremonial speech into a substantive parliamentary debate
- Political in nature but constitutionally significant
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 87: Mandates President’s Address
- Article 75(3): Collective responsibility to Lok Sabha
- No explicit mention of the motion, but well-established convention
Procedure
- Moved by a senior ruling party member
- Seconded by another ruling party MP
- Multi-day debate involving all parties
- Amendments voted upon before final motion
- Adopted or rejected through voice or division vote
Amendments
- May express regret, criticism, or censure
- Must not:
- Refer to matters outside the Address
- Use defamatory or unparliamentary language
- Question the constitutional position of the President
Significance
- Acts as a confidence motion in disguise
- First opportunity to evaluate government performance
- Strengthens legislative oversight
- Allows opposition to place its alternative vision on record
Limitations
- Often becomes politically polarised
- Lengthy debates may reduce policy depth
- Passage is usually assured for majority governments
Conclusion
The Motion of Thanks occupies a central place in India’s parliamentary democracy by transforming the President’s Address from a ceremonial formality into a platform for substantive legislative scrutiny. It enables Parliament to critically examine the policies, priorities, and performance of the executive while simultaneously serving as an implicit test of majority support. By reinforcing the principle of collective responsibility and ensuring executive accountability to the Lok Sabha, the Motion of Thanks strengthens constitutional governance and upholds the spirit of responsible government envisioned under the Constitution of India
EXPECTED QUESTION FOR PRELIMS:
The constitutional basis for the Motion of Thanks is derived from which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India?
-
- Article 74
- Article 75
- Article 87
- Article 123
Answer: c