As per Articles 107 and 108 of the Indian Constitution, an ordinary bill is concerned with any matter other than financial subjects. An ordinary bill is introduced in either House of the Parliament. This bill is introduced by Minister or a Private member. There is no recommendation of President in case of ordinary bill. Ordinary bill can be amended/rejected by Rajya Sabha and it can be detained by Rajya Sabha for a period of six months. After being passed by both the houses of Parliament, it is presented to the President for his approval or assent under Article 111 of the Indian Constitution. There is a provision of joint sitting in case of ordinary bill.
Money bills are those bills which are concerned with financial matters like taxation, public expenditure, etc. These are those bills that contain provisions that deal with all or any of the matters specified in Article 110 of the Indian Constitution. This bill is presented only in Lok Sabha. It is introduced only by the Minister. Money bill is introduced only after President’s recommendation. This bill cannot be amended or rejected by Rajya Sabha. It can be detained by Rajya Sabha for the maximum period of 14 days. Money bill is then sent to the President for his approval only after being passed Lok Sabha. There is no provision of joint sitting in case of money bill.
Passing of Ordinay bill
The Bill starts making its rounds in the parliament by being circulated at least 2 days before it is to be introduced but the Speaker has the power to waive this condition off. Then the MP in charge of the Bill asks for leave to introduce the Bill. If granted, it is introduced. This is considered to be the First reading of the Bill after which, the Bill is referred to the Standing Committee for examination and the committee may or may no choose to take public opinion on the Bill. The Committee then submits a report on the Bill to the House. The concerned ministry, then, examines the report and if required, amends the Bill or may even withdraw it. It may even be replaced by an entirely new legislation in some cases. In any case, the Bill is not to be taken up discussion again until after the Committee has submitted its report. It is then taken up for discussion and different amounts of time for debate over the Bill are allocated for various political parties, based on each one’s strength in the House. Each party’s leadership decides which of its MPs should speak in the given time and this is the Second Reading of the Bill. Then there is a discussion on the motion that the Bill be passed, followed by a simple voting process in each House. After both Houses pass the Bill, it is sent to the President of India for their assent. Only after this does a Bill turn into an Act. The President has the power to withhold assent and return the Bill to the House for reconsideration but if both the Houses pass the Bill again with or without amendment, the President is bound to assent. This is followed by notification in the Gazette.