Motion of Thanks

The Motion of Thanks is a formal parliamentary procedure in India that follows the President’s Address to both Houses of Parliament at the beginning of the first session each year and after each general election. It represents a collective expression of gratitude by the Parliament to the President for outlining the government’s policies and programmes. The motion also provides an important platform for members to discuss the government’s overall performance and policy direction, making it one of the most significant events in the Indian parliamentary calendar.

Constitutional Basis

The Motion of Thanks originates from Article 87 of the Constitution of India, which mandates that the President shall address both Houses of Parliament assembled together at the commencement of:

1. The first session after each general election to the Lok Sabha, and
2. The first session of each subsequent year.

The President’s Address sets forth the legislative and policy agenda of the government. Following the address, each House of Parliament—Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha—discusses a Motion of Thanks, moved by a member and seconded by another.

Procedure of the Motion of Thanks

The discussion and passage of the Motion of Thanks follow a well-established procedure:

1. Presentation of the Address:
   • The President delivers the Address to a joint sitting of both Houses in the Central Hall of Parliament.
   • The speech is prepared by the government and reflects its achievements, challenges, and legislative agenda for the upcoming year.
2. Moving the Motion:
   • After the Address, each House (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) moves its own Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.
   • The motion is usually moved by a member from the ruling party or coalition and seconded by another member.
3. Discussion:
   • A general discussion follows, during which members from both the ruling and opposition parties express their views on the policies outlined in the President’s Address.
   • This debate is wide-ranging and can cover any aspect of governance, including domestic, economic, foreign, and defence policies.
4. Amendments:
   • Members of the opposition may move amendments to the Motion of Thanks to highlight omissions or shortcomings in the government’s policies.
   • These amendments can be either critical of the government or aimed at drawing attention to specific issues.
5. Reply by the Prime Minister:
   • The debate concludes with the Prime Minister’s reply, in which he or she addresses the issues raised during the discussion and defends the government’s record and future plans.
   • This reply holds political and symbolic importance as it reflects the government’s accountability to Parliament.
6. Adoption of the Motion:
   • After the debate, the Motion of Thanks, as amended or unamended, is put to vote.
   • Once adopted, it is conveyed to the President, formally expressing Parliament’s appreciation for the Address.

Significance of the Motion of Thanks

The Motion of Thanks holds both constitutional and political significance:

• Expression of Confidence: Its passage indicates that the government enjoys the confidence of the majority in the Lok Sabha. If the motion is defeated, it effectively amounts to a no-confidence motion, compelling the government to resign.
• Comprehensive Policy Debate: It provides an opportunity for Parliament to hold a broad debate on national and international policies, serving as a platform for both appreciation and criticism of government actions.
• Opposition’s Role: Opposition parties use the debate to raise pressing national issues, hold the government accountable, and move amendments reflecting alternative perspectives.
• Public Accountability: The government’s response to the debate offers transparency and allows citizens to gauge its priorities, achievements, and challenges.

Nature of Amendments

Amendments to the Motion of Thanks are typically critical observations about the President’s Address or government performance. Common examples include:

• Omission of reference to certain issues (such as inflation, unemployment, or security).
• Criticism of the government’s policies or perceived failures.
• Calls for specific corrective actions.

While the President’s Address is formally non-debatable, the Motion of Thanks allows members to debate its content indirectly.

Historical Context and Notable Instances

Over the years, the Motion of Thanks has witnessed several notable instances of political significance:

• In 1980, during the Janata Party government, several amendments critical of government performance were adopted in the Rajya Sabha.
• In 1989, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s government faced intense criticism on the Bofors issue during the debate.
• In 2015, the Opposition used the debate to highlight issues like black money and agrarian distress.
• In 2020, the Motion of Thanks discussion was dominated by debates on the economy and citizenship issues.

Though the Motion of Thanks is usually passed, the debate often reveals the government’s political standing and sets the tone for parliamentary proceedings in that session.

Difference between Motion of Thanks and No-Confidence Motion

While both relate to the government’s accountability to Parliament, there are distinct differences:

Constitutional and Democratic Value

The Motion of Thanks embodies the parliamentary principle of accountability—the government must justify its actions and policies before elected representatives. It serves as an annual evaluation of governance, blending legislative scrutiny with democratic dialogue.
It also upholds the constitutional convention of coordination between the executive and legislature, as the President’s Address reflects the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers, and the Motion of Thanks provides Parliament an opportunity to affirm or critique it.