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Private Member’s Bills: Decline, Examples and Reform Ideas

2 May 20252 min read
NATIONAL AFFAIRSPrivate Member’sBills: Decline,Examples andReform Ideas2 May 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

Private Member’s Bills (PMBs) were discussed because their role in Parliament has shrunk badly, even though they let ordinary MPs legislate on personal convictions or local needs.

Key facts

  • A PMB is moved by an MP who is not a minister in the government; most laws in India are government bills.
  • Parliament usually keeps Fridays in a session for PMB business.
  • 17th Lok Sabha (2019-24): 729 PMBs introduced in Lok Sabha and 705 in Rajya Sabha, yet very few were taken up.
  • 18th Lok Sabha (2024): only 20 MPs introduced PMBs, and none were discussed in the inaugural or Budget sessions.

Why they have lost ground

  • Constant disruptions and early adjournments eat up discussion time.
  • Government business takes priority, leaving PMBs as symbolic.
  • The Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule), meant for stability, restricts MPs, especially from the ruling party.
  • Party-driven agendas leave less room for independent bills.

Notable examples

MPBillOutcome / point
Supriya Sule (2019)Right to DisconnectDid not progress, but raised debate on work-life balance and mental health
Tiruchi Siva (2014)Rights of Transgender Persons BillFirst PMB in four decades to clear Rajya Sabha; base for the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019
Gopal Chinayya Shetty (BJP)Free healthcare for senior citizens in government and private hospitalsShowed MPs acting on constituency concerns

Way forward

  • Amend the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business so PMB time cannot be overridden, except in a national emergency.
  • Form a review committee to screen bills for quality, relevance and constitutionality, with priority lists and a fast track for high-impact bills.
  • Lengthen daily sitting hours slightly so government business is not hurt.
  • Adopt the UK’s Ten-Minute Rule so more bills get heard.

Significance

  • Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar called PMBs a “gold mine” of forward-looking ideas.
  • With support, they can spark policy reform and legislative momentum on social issues.

Exam angle

  • Related provision: Tenth Schedule (anti-defection).
  • Foreign practice cited: Ten-Minute Rule of the UK Parliament.
  • Landmark PMB outcome: transgender rights legislation of 2019.

Test yourself

1. Which day of a parliamentary session is typically reserved for Private Member's Bills?

The notes say Fridays are usually kept for PMB discussions.

2. Whose Private Member's Bill on transgender rights passed Rajya Sabha in 2014 and led to the 2019 Act?

Tiruchi Siva's bill was the first PMB in four decades to pass Rajya Sabha.

3. Which rule from the UK Parliament is suggested to help hear more Private Member's Bills in India?

The Ten-Minute Rule is proposed as a reform for PMBs.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 2 May 2025 (23 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizMay 2025

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