Money bill can only be introduced in the
Lok Sabha
Under Article 110 (1) of the Constitution, a Bill is deemed to be a Money Bill if it contains provisions dealing with six specific matters [Article 110 (1)(a) to (1)(f)] broadly related to imposing, abolishing or regulating a tax; regulating government borrowings; the Consolidated and Contingency Funds of India; and “any matter incidental to any of the matters specified in (the previous six) sub-clauses… [Article 110(1)(g)]”. The expression “incidental to” makes the definition of a Money Bill comprehensive.
“If any question arises whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not,” Article 110(3) says, “the decision of the Speaker of the House of the People thereon shall be final”.
Under Article 109(1), a Money Bill cannot be introduced in Rajya Sabha. Once passed by Lok Sabha, it is sent to Rajya Sabha — along with the Speaker’s certificate that it is a Money Bill — for its recommendations. Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend the Bill, and must return it within 14 days, after which Lok Sabha may accept or reject its recommendations. In either case, the Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses. Under Article 109(5), if Rajya Sabha fails to return the Bill to Lok Sabha within 14 days, it is deemed to have been passed anyway. Non-Money Bills cannot become law unless agreed to by both Houses.
In case of a deadlock (if, for example, Rajya Sabha, where the government does not currently have a majority, continues to block legislation indefinitely), Article 108 provides for a joint sitting of both Houses. The Lok Sabha Speaker presides, and the Bill is passed if it is backed by a majority of the total number of members of both Houses present and voting. This question does not arise in the case of a Money Bill, since it does not go to a joint sitting, and Lok Sabha can override the wish of Rajya Sabha.
Ans:30)(b) The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 has come into force and repeals the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.
The JJ Act, 2015 provides for strengthened provisions for both children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law.
Some of the key provisions include:
Change in nomenclature from ‘juvenile’ to ‘child’ or ‘child in conflict with law’, across the Act to remove the negative connotation associated with the word “juvenile”; inclusion of several new definitions such as orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children; and petty, serious and heinous offences committed by children;
Clarity in powers, function and responsibilities of Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and Child Welfare Committee (CWC); clear timelines for inquiry by Juvenile Justice Board (JJB);
Special provisions for heinous offences committed by children above the age of sixteen year; Separate new chapter on Adoption to streamline adoption of orphan, abandoned and surrendered children;
Inclusion of new offences committed against children; and mandatory registration of Child Care Institutions.
Under Section 15, special provisions have been made to tackle child offenders committing heinous offences in the age group of 16-18 years. The Juvenile Justice Board is given the option to transfer cases of heinous offences by such children to a Children’s Court (Court of Session) after conducting preliminary assessment.
The provisions provide for placing children in a ‘place of safety’ both during and after the trial till they attain the age of 21 years after which an evaluation of the child shall be conducted by the Children’s Court.
After the evaluation, the child is either released on probation and if the child is not reformed then the child will be sent to a jail for remaining term. The law will act as a deterrent for child offenders committing heinous offences such as rape and murder and will protect the rights of victim.
Several rehabilitation and social reintegration measures have been provided for children in conflict with law and those in need of care and protection.
All child care institutions, whether run by State Government or by voluntary or non-governmental organizations, which are meant, either wholly or partially for housing children, regardless of whether they receive grants from the Government, are to be mandatorily registered under the Act within 6 months from the date of commencement of the Act. Stringent penalty is provided in the law in case of non-compliance.