What is a Motion in Parliament And Its Categories?

A Motion is a device of parliamentary proceeding that is a formal proposal made by a member of the legislative body. It is done to initiate discussion and decision-making on a particular issue. Moreover, discussion on a matter of general public importance can only take place on a motion made with the consent of the presiding officer. Additionally, the House expresses its decisions or opinions on various issues by adopting or rejecting motions moved by either ministers or private members. 

The 3 Categories of the Motions 

The motions moved by the members to raise discussions on various matters fall into three principal categories which are:

• Substantive Motion: It is a self-contained independent proposal. It deals with a very important matter such as the impeachment of the President or the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner. 

• Substitute Motion: This is a motion that is moved in substitution of an original motion and proposes an alternative to it. Moreover, if adopted by the House, it supersedes the original motion. 

• Subsidiary Motion: It is a motion that by itself has no meaning and cannot state the decision of the House without reference to the original motion or proceedings of the House. It is thus divided into three categories which are:
  • Ancillary Motion: It is used as the regular way of proceeding with various kinds of business. 
  • Superseding Motion: It is moved in the course of debate on another issue and seeks to supersede it. 
  • Amendment: It seeks to modify or substitute only a part of the original motion. 

Also Read: What is Adjournment Motion?

Latest Motion passed in the Lok Sabha

On the 5th of February at about 6:53 p.m., a Motion of Thanks for the President’s address was passed in the Lok Sabha. Thereafter the House was adjourned for the day. 

• A Motion of Thanks is one of the 8 Motions in the Parliament and is the first session after each general election and the first session of every fiscal year by the President of India. 
• In the address, the President outlines the programmes and policies of the Government for the year that has gone by and the following year. 

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