Motion of Thanks - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   Which of the following is/are true about "Motion of Thanks"?

1) Address of the president at the first session after each general election and the first session of every fiscal year is an Indian innovation.
2) If the motion of thanks is defeated, it amounts to defeat of the government.

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

  • The first session after each general election and the first session of every fiscal year is addressed by the president. In this address, the president outlines the policies and programmes of the government in the preceding year and ensuing year.
  • This address of the president, which corresponds to the ‘speech from the Throne in Britain’, is discussed in both the Houses of Parliament on a motion called the ‘Motion of Thanks’.
  • At the end of the discussion, the motion is put to vote. This motion must be passed in the House. Otherwise, it amounts to the defeat of the government.
  • This inaugural speech of the president is an occasion available to the members of Parliament to raise discussions and debates to examine and criticize the government and administration for its lapses and failures.
2)   Which of the following is/are true abput "Motion of Thanks"?

1) Motion of Thanks discusses the address of the President given at the first session of every fiscal year.
2) It discusses President’s speech owing to which it cannot be amended.

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:

  • Motion of Thanks can be amended.
  • In what is a major embarrassment to the government in the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition got an amendment passed to the President’s address, the second time in a row for the government and the fifth time in independent India’s parliamentary history.
  • The five times are – 1980, 1989, 2001, 2015 and 2016.
  • Every time it has been in the Rajya Sabha.
  • The Opposition’s amendment was against a minimum education qualification fixed for aspirants in local and Panchayat elections, that was part of President’ address.
  • Next Step – The motion of thanks on president’s address will be sent back to the President with the mention of the amendment passed.

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