The Finance Bill 2023, which gives effect to the tax proposals for the fiscal year beginning April 1, was passed in the Lok Sabha with 45 amendments as opposition members were protesting.
About Guillotine
The term guillotine originally referred to an apparatus designed for executions by beheading.
It was introduced in France during the French Revolution to make capital punishment more reliable and less painful.
In legislative parlance, guillotine means to bunch together and fast-track the passage of financial business. It is a fairly common procedural exercise in Lok Sabha during the Budget Session.
Once the guillotine is applied, any remaining demands for grants are put to vote without further discussion.
This ensures that the budget is passed within the allocated time, and the government can continue its work without any delay.
Procedure
Once the Speaker of the House applies the guillotine, all the outstanding demands for grants, whether discussed or not, are put to vote at once.
The Appropriations Bill is formally introduced by the government, which gives them permission to seek funds out of the Consolidated Fund of India.
After being enacted, this Bill becomes the Appropriation Act.
The Finance Bill is then brought up for discussion following the vote on the Appropriations Bill.
The sections and changes of the Finance Bill are only discussed in relation to the tax measures.
The Finance Act becomes part of the law after this bill is passed, and the final budget is approved.
