Ordinary bill
Topic: Parliament: Composition, Powers and Law-making · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 5 "Legislature"
Meaning
An ordinary bill is any bill that is not a money bill, a financial bill or a constitution amendment bill. Most laws are passed this way. It can start in either House and does not need the President's recommendation. The Rajya Sabha has full power over it: it can pass it, change it or reject it. The bill becomes law only when both Houses pass it and the President gives assent (formal approval).
Example
If the Houses get stuck, the President can call a joint sitting (Art. 108), where both Houses meet together. This can happen if one House rejects the bill, the Houses disagree on amendments, or six months pass without the other House passing it. The Speaker presides and a simple majority of members present and voting decides. The Dowry Prohibition Bill was passed at a joint sitting in 1961.
Don't confuse with
- Money bill (Art. 110): starts only in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations within 14 days, and there is no joint sitting.
- Constitution amendment bill (Art. 368): needs a special majority in each House, and a deadlock cannot be settled at a joint sitting.