Several members of Rajya Sabha introduce their Private Members’ Bills in House

Several Members of the Rajya Sabha introduced their Private Members’ Bills in the House on 13 March. When the Upper House assembled at 2 PM, it took up private members’ legislative business for discussion.

Among the bills introduced, Dhananjay Bhimrao Mahadik, a Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party, introduced the Kolhapuri Leather Craft (Preservation and Livelihood Security) Bill, 2026, aimed at protecting the traditional craft and supporting artisans’ livelihoods.

Meanwhile, Renuka Chowdhury of the Indian National Congress introduced the Climate Resilient Agriculture and Farmers Protection Bill, 2025, which seeks to address the challenges posed by climate change to agriculture and farmer welfare.

The House also took up discussion on another private member’s proposal — the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill, 2024, focusing on strengthening safeguards for children against sexual crimes.

What is a Private Member’s Bill?

The law-making process in Parliament begins with the introduction of a Bill in either House of Parliament. A Bill can be introduced by:

1. A Minister — known as a Government Bill, or
2. A Member of Parliament who is not a Minister — known as a Private Member’s Bill.

Thus, a Private Member’s Bill is a legislative proposal initiated by an individual MP who does not hold a ministerial position.

Time Allocated for Private Members’ Business

In both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, a specific time is reserved for private members’ legislative business. Generally, every alternate Friday from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM (two and a half hours) during a parliamentary session is allotted for this purpose.

Procedure for Introducing a Private Member’s Bill

• A Member who wishes to introduce such a bill must give one month’s notice of their intention.
• However, the presiding officer may allow introduction at shorter notice in special cases.
• In the Rajya Sabha, the admissibility of a Private Member’s Bill is decided by the Chairman.
• In the Lok Sabha, the Speaker decides its admissibility.
• Typically, the Member who gives notice introduces the bill themselves and does not authorise another member to do so.

Limited but Significant Success

Historically, only 14 Private Members’ Bills have been enacted into law in India, with five of them originating in the Rajya Sabha. Although their passage rate is low, these bills remain an important instrument for raising policy issues, influencing legislative debate, and highlighting public concerns in Parliament.

Source: AIR & Sansad