The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha has passed the bill to cancel the three contentious farm laws without discussion in the Parliament's Winter session that began today. The bill now awaits President Ram Nath Kovind's assent.

The bill was passed by both the houses in record time, which begs the question, how does a bill become an act?

A bill is a draft proposal, which needs to be passed in the Lower and Upper House, and only after the President gives his assent, it becomes an act. The bill goes through two houses and three readings in both houses to become an Act.

Here's a look at the entire process.

First House

First reading

A Bill is introduced in either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, by a minister or a private member. Whoever introduces the Bill, moves a motion for leave to introduce it. Once the leave is granted by the House, the Bill is introduced.

At this stage, the bill is not discussed.

After the introduction of the bill, it is published in The Gazette of India. However, it can be published before introduction as well by seeking permission from the Speaker. In this case, the Bill is introduced right away.

Second reading

The second reading has two stages.

First stage: In the first stage, the House discusses the Bill and it can opt to refer it to a select or joint committee of both Houses to elicit an opinion.

Second stage: In this stage, the Bill is referred to the joint committee or a select committee. The committee examines the Bill thoroughly and reports to the house. The house then discusses the Bill, clause by clause. Each clause is voted separately. At this stage, the Bill can be sent back for amendments; however, they are put to vote in the House before relevant clauses are disposed of.

If the amendments are accepted by a majority of the people, they become a part of the Bill.

Third reading

A Bill is put to vote by members of the House after a debate on support or rejection of the Bill. The parliament allows only formal, verbal, or consequential amendments at this stage.

If the bill is rejected by the majority of the members, it is deemed rejected. However, if a majority of the members accept the Bill, it is deemed as accepted by the House.

The Bill is then sent to the second House.

Second House

In the second House, the Bill goes through three readings and the outcome it can either be rejected, kept pending, sent back for amendments or is passed.

Once it is passed, a Bill is presented in front of the President of India.

President's approval

The President has three choices:

Withhold assent: The President can withhold his assent, in which case the bill is dropped and it is called an absolute veto.

Gives the assent: The Bill becomes an Act.

Return for reconsideration: If the President feels the bill is violating the Constitution, he can return it with recommendations under Article 368. However, the President cannot withhold a Constitutional Amendment Bill passed by Parliament. At this stage, the Bill goes back to Parliament and is revised. However, the houses might or might not decide to make the amendments. The bill again goes to President, and now the President must give his consent.

These cases do not apply to money Bills, because the President himself suggests them. The Bill becomes an act on the date of his consent and is published in The Gazette of India.

First Published:Sept 29, 2020 9:00 AM IST