What is a Cut Motion?

New Delhi: A Cut Motion is a veto used by members of a legislature against a specific allocation in Budget proposals, in today's case proposals to hike prices of fuel and fertilisers. This motion tests the strength of the government in the House. If the motion is adopted, it amounts to a no-confidence vote and the government falls.

A Cut Motion can be of the following types:

• Disapproval of Policy Cut: Seeks that the amount of the demand be reduced to Re 1/-, representing disapproval of the policy underlying the demand. A member giving notice of such a motion shall indicate in precise terms the particulars of the policy which he proposes to discuss. The discussion shall be confined to the specific point or points mentioned in the notice and it shall be open to members to advocate an alternative policy.
• Economic Cut: Seeks that the amount of the demand be reduced by a specified amount representing the economy that can be affected. Such specified amount may be either a lumpsum reduction in the demand or omission or reduction of an item in the demand. Here, the notice must indicate briefly the particular matter on which discussion is sought to be raised and speeches shall be confined to the discussion as to how economy can be effected.
• Token Cut: Seeks that the amount of the demand be reduced by Rs.100/- in order to ventilate a specific grievance which is within the sphere of the responsibility of the Government of India. This discussion is confined to the particular grievance specified in the motion.
  

If notice of a motion to reduce any demand for grant has not been given one day previous to the day on which the demand is under consideration, any member may object to the moving of the motion, and such objection shall prevail, unless the Speaker allows the motion to be made.
Members of the House move a cut motion and the Speaker decides whether it is admissible or not. The Speaker can disallow any Cut Motion which she or he believes is an abuse of the right of moving such motions. Or is calculated to obstruct or prejudicially affect the procedure of the House.

A Cut Motion must satisfy the following conditions to be admissible:

(I) it shall relate to one demand only;
(ii) it shall be clearly expressed and shall not contain arguments, inferences, ironical expressions, imputations, epithets or defamatory statements;
(iii) it shall be confined to one specific matter which shall be stated in precise terms;
(iv) it shall not reflect on the character or conduct of any person whose conduct can only be challenged on a substantive motion;
(v) it shall not make suggestions for the amendment or repeal of existing laws;
(vi) it shall not refer to a matter which is not primarily the concern of the Government of India;
(vii) it shall not relate to expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India;
(viii) it shall not relate to a matter which is under adjudication by a court of law having jurisdiction in any part of India;
(ix) it shall not raise a question of privilege;
(x) it shall not revive discussion on a matter which has been discussed in the same session and on which a decision has been taken;
(xi) it shall not anticipate a matter which has been previously appointed for consideration in the same session;
(xii) it shall not ordinarily seek to raise a discussion on a matter pending before any statutory tribunal or statutory authority performing any judicial or quasi-judicial functions or any commission or court of enquiry appointed to enquire into, or investigate any matter:
Provided that the Speaker may in his discretion allow such matter being raised in the House as is concerned with the procedure or stage of enquiry, if the Speaker is satisfied that it is not likely to prejudice the consideration of such matter by the statutory tribunal, statutory authority, commission or court of enquiry; and
(xiii) it shall not relate to a trivial matter.

(Information courtesy: ParliamentofIndia.nic.in)