Motion of Thanks to President’s Address

Source: ANI

Subject: Polity

Context: Both Houses of Parliament took up discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address delivered by Droupadi Murmu at the start of the Budget Session.

About Motion of Thanks to President’s Address:

What is it?

• The Motion of Thanks is a formal resolution moved in both Houses of Parliament to express gratitude to the President for the Special Address delivered to a joint sitting of Parliament at the beginning of each year and after a general election.

• It provides Parliament an opportunity to debate, critique, and assess the policies and programmes of the Government outlined in the Address.

Origin and background:

• The practice flows from the Westminster parliamentary tradition, adapted to India’s constitutional framework.

• The President’s Address itself is the statement of the Government’s policy, drafted by the Council of Ministers and approved by the Cabinet.

• Discussion on the Address takes place only through the Motion of Thanks, not directly on the Address.

Constitutional provisions:

• Article 86(1): Empowers the President to address either House or both Houses of Parliament assembled together.

• Article 87(1): Mandates a Special Address by the President At the commencement of the first session after a general election, and At the commencement of the first session of every year.

• At the commencement of the first session after a general election, and

• At the commencement of the first session of every year.

• Article 87(2): Requires Parliament to make rules for discussion on matters referred to in the President’s Address, which is done through the Motion of Thanks.

Key features of the Motion of Thanks:

• Moved and seconded by members selected by the Government (through the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs).

• Wide scope of discussion: Members can raise any national or international issue, including matters not mentioned in the Address.

• Amendments allowed: Opposition members may move amendments expressing regret that the Address omitted or inadequately covered certain issues.

• Opposition members may move amendments expressing regret that the Address omitted or inadequately covered certain issues.

• Prime Minister’s reply: The debate concludes with a reply by the Prime Minister, after which amendments are voted upon.

• The debate concludes with a reply by the Prime Minister, after which amendments are voted upon.

• Voting: The Motion is put to vote; if amendments are adopted, the Motion is passed in amended form.

• The Motion is put to vote; if amendments are adopted, the Motion is passed in amended form.

• The Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address has been adopted with amendments by the Rajya Sabha only five times in India’s parliamentary history — 1980, 1989, 2001, 2015 and 2016. In contrast, no amendment to the Motion of Thanks has ever been carried in the Lok Sabha.

• In contrast, no amendment to the Motion of Thanks has ever been carried in the Lok Sabha.

Significance:

• Parliamentary accountability: Enables Parliament to hold the Executive accountable for its policies and priorities.

• Policy debate: Acts as the first major debate of the year, setting the tone for the Budget Session.

• Opposition’s platform: Provides space to formally criticise government policies through constitutional means.