Question

Explain the steps involved in the lawmaking process. 

Answer 1

Indian democracy has a federal structure of government. Here laws at made and interpreted at different levels by the union and state governments. The legislative process in India is as below –

1. Introduction of a bill by the members of the Parliament for consideration in either of the two houses of the Parliament.
2. Publication of the bill in the Gazette of India
3. Referring the bill to a standing committee by the Speaker of Lok Sabha for examination.
4. Second reading of the bill in consideration
5. Passing of the bill in the respective house of the Parliament. Money bills are always to be introduced in the Lok Sabha only.
6. After the bill is passed by one house of the Parliament, it is sent to the other house for approval. In the case of a money bill, the other house can keep the bill for a maximum of 14 days and in the case of an ordinary bill for 6 months without passing or rejecting it.
7. In the case of an ordinary bill, the same process is repeated in the other house.
8. After both the houses have passed the bill, it is sent to the President for approval after whose approval, the bill becomes an Act.