Private Members’ Bills get short shrift in both Houses of Parliament

Context: According to PRS Legislative Research, During the five-year term of the 17th Lok Sabha that ended in 2024, only 9.08 hours were spent on Private Members’ Bills, while the Rajya Sabha spent 27.01 hours on them during the period.

About Private Member Bill

• It is a legislative proposal introduced in Parliament by a member who is not part of the government, differentiating it from government bills presented by ministers.
• A Private Member’s Bill requires one month’s advance notice to be introduced in the House.
  • In the case of a Public Bill, an advance notice of only 7 days needs to be given before introduction.
• Time for discussion on the Private member bill is fixed on alternate Fridays and in afternoon sittings.
• A private member can bring bills related to Constitutional Amendments but he cannot initiate a Money Bill.
• Private members can introduce a maximum of 3 notices for Private Members Bills during a Session.
• Rejection of a private member bill by the House has no implication on the parliamentary confidence in the government or its resignation.
• Also, drafting the bill is the responsibility of the concerned member.

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