The Lok Sabha has invoked the guillotine to expedite the passage of the Union Budget 2025 without further discussion, a measure taken due to continued disruptions by the opposition. Speaker Om Birla ordered the guillotine to clear pending demands for grants across various ministries before the constitutional deadline. The last time this procedure was applied was in March 2023 to pass the Budget 2023-24.

What is a Guillotine in Parliamentary Procedure?

The guillotine in the Indian Parliament is a parliamentary mechanism used to conclude discussions on the demands for grants and put them to vote in one go. This procedure ensures that the financial business of the House is completed on time, particularly when disruptions or tight schedules prevent thorough debates.

Here’s how the process works:

• Once the Union Budget is presented on February 1, Parliament takes a three-week recess during which the Departmental Standing Committees scrutinize the demands for grants made by different ministries and prepare detailed reports.
• When Parliament resumes, the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) sets the timetable for discussing demands for grants.
• Given the limited time and the large number of ministries involved, only a few key ministries (like Defence, Home Affairs, External Affairs, Agriculture, and Rural Development) are taken up for detailed discussion.

After these selected debates, the guillotine is applied to put all remaining demands for grants — whether debated or not — to vote at once. This helps to prevent any delays in passing the Finance Bill and ensures that the government can begin implementing its financial plan for the upcoming year.

Why Was the Guillotine Applied for Budget 2025?

The guillotine was applied due to continued disruptions and lack of consensus in the House, which would have otherwise delayed the approval of the budget. The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, is scheduled to present a statement regarding a "correction in Receipt Budget 2025-26" on March 21, 2025, and will seek leave to introduce a Bill that authorizes payment and appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial year 2025-26.

Additionally, Union Ministers such as Arun Ram Meghwal, Prataprao Jadhav, Anupriya Patel, Shobha Karandlaje, Shantanu Thakur, Suresh Gopi, Ajay Tamta, Sanjay Seth, Tokhan Sahu, and Murlidhar Mohol will lay relevant papers on the table of the House during the session.

Importance of Guillotine in Parliamentary Functioning

The guillotine procedure is critical in ensuring that the budgetary process remains on schedule, especially when:

• Opposition disrupts proceedings, preventing timely discussions.
• The government needs to meet constitutional deadlines for passing the Finance Bill.
• It becomes impossible to discuss the budget of all ministries due to time constraints.

Without the guillotine, the government would be unable to proceed with its financial agenda, delaying developmental projects and impacting governance.

Union Budget 2025: Key Highlights

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2025-26 on February 1, 2025, introducing a series of reforms aimed at benefiting taxpayers and accelerating infrastructure development.

Key Announcements:

1. Income Tax Exemption Increased: The income tax exemption limit was raised to ₹12 lakh, providing relief to middle-class taxpayers.
2. Restructured Tax Brackets: Broader benefits for middle-income earners through restructured tax slabs.
3. Focus on Infrastructure: Increased capital expenditure aimed at modernizing transportation networks, improving urban infrastructure, and boosting connectivity.

Guillotine in Previous Budgets

The guillotine was previously used in March 2023 to pass the Budget 2023-24 and ensure timely approval of budgetary grants. The application of this procedure remains a necessary tool in maintaining parliamentary efficiency, ensuring that essential financial matters are concluded on time despite political hurdles.

Challenges and Criticisms of the Guillotine Process

While the guillotine ensures timely passage of budgets, it has faced criticism from opposition parties and experts for limiting parliamentary scrutiny of government spending. Critics argue that:

• Lack of Debate: Important financial decisions are passed without adequate discussion.
• Reduced Oversight: Ministries whose grants are not discussed in detail may escape proper scrutiny.
• Weakens Accountability: Parliament’s role in holding the government accountable is diminished.

Conclusion

By invoking the guillotine to pass the Union Budget 2025, the Lok Sabha has once again demonstrated the utility of this parliamentary tool in maintaining the country’s financial timeline. While critics argue that it limits scrutiny, the guillotine remains an essential measure to ensure that critical financial appropriations are approved on time, allowing the government to proceed with its fiscal and developmental agenda.

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