Shah denies Adhir’s view that UPA-era Bill is still alive

Shah denies Adhir’s view that UPA-era Bill is still alive

Subject :Polity

Section: Parliament

Context:

• The Lok Sabha saw a dispute between Congress Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the Women’s Reservation Bill. 
• Chowdhury asserted that the Bill introduced by the United Progressive Alliance government in 2010 and cleared by the Rajya Sabha is still relevant.

Lapsing of bills in parliament:

• Articles 107 and 108 of the constitution deal with certain situations under which bills lapse in the Parliament.

When does a Bill lapse?

1. With the dissolution of the House, a bill that originated in the Lok Sabha and is still pending in the Lok Sabha is termed lapsed.
2. With the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, a Bill that originated in the Rajya Sabha and was passed there, but is still pending in the Lok Sabha,lapses.
3. Bills that begin in the Lok Sabha and are passed there but are still pending in the Rajya Sabha are deemed lapsed.
4. A bill that originates and is passed in the Rajya Sabha but is returned to the Upper House with revisions by the Lok Sabha and subsequently does not receive the Rajya Sabha’s approval is regarded to have lapsed on the date of the Lok Sabha’s dissolution.

When does a bill not lapse?

1. A Bill that is pending in the Rajya Sabha but is not passed by the Lok Sabha.
2. Bills that have cleared both the Houses but are pending assent from the President.
3. If the president has notified the holding of a joint sitting before the dissolution of Lok Sabha.
4. A bill was passed by both Houses but returned by the president for reconsideration by the Rajya Sabha.
5. Pending bills and all pending assurances that are to be examined by the Committee on Government Assurances.

The fourth statement mentions a bill that was passed by both Houses but was returned by the President for reconsideration by the Rajya Sabha. In this case, the bill does not lapse.