WHAT IS CUT MOTION

A cut motion is a special power vested in members of the Lok Sabha to oppose a demand being discussed for specific allocation by the government in the Finance Bill as part of the Demand for Grants. If the motion is adopted, it amounts to a no-confidence vote, and if the government fails to jot up numbers in the lower House, it is obliged to resign according to the norms of the House.

 

The decision to accept a cut motion relies solely on the Speaker of the House. He decides whether a cut motion is admissible under the rules or not. If a notice of a motion to reduce any demand for a grant has not been given a day prior to the day on which the demand is under consideration, any member may object to the moving of the motion, and such objection prevails, unless the Speaker allows the motion to be made.

 

Types of cut motion

 

Disapproval of policy cut: A disapproval of policy cut demand seeks the amount of the demand be reduced to Re 1, representing the disapproval of the policy undermining the demand. However, if a member moves the cut, they have to indicate in precise terms the details of the policy which they want to discuss and should be confined to the specific points mentioned in the cut notice.

 

Economic cut: The economic cut motion calls for a reduction in the allocation of the demand to a specific amount. It represents the economy that can be affected. Such a specified amount may either be a lump-sum reduction in the demand or omission or reduction of an item in the demand. The notice has to indicate briefly and precisely the particular matter on which a discussion is sought to be raised.

 

Token cut: A token cut motion is moved so that the amount of the demand is reduced by Rs 100. This is to ventilate a specific grievance that is within the sphere of the responsibility of the Government of India.