Part V - Parliament • Article

Article 113 Simplified: Procedure in Parliament with respect to estimates

Article 113 explains how the Budget is voted on. Some expenses (like the President's salary) are 'Charged' and cannot be voted on—they are guaranteed. Other expenses (like for roads or schools) must be voted on and approved by the Lok Sabha as 'Demands for Grants'.

Official Text

(1) So much of the estimates as relates to expenditure charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India shall not be submitted to the vote of Parliament, but nothing in this clause shall be construed as preventing the discussion in either House of Parliament of any of those estimates. (2) So much of the said estimates as relates to other expenditure shall be submitted in the form of demands for grants to the House of the People, and the House of the People shall have power to assent, or to refuse to assent, to any demand, or to assent to any demand subject to a reduction of the amount specified therein. (3) No demand for a grant shall be made except on the recommendation of the President.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

When the government asks for money to build schools or roads, they must present their requests to the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha can say yes, no, or ask to reduce the amount. But they cannot vote on things like judges' salaries, which are guaranteed.

Student Mode

Article 113 governs the parliamentary procedure for the budget estimates: (1) Charged expenditure (under Article 112(3)) is not submitted to a vote, but either House can discuss it. (2) Non-charged expenditure is submitted to the Lok Sabha in the form of 'Demands for Grants'. The Rajya Sabha has no voting power on these demands. (3) The Lok Sabha can assent, refuse, or reduce any demand, but it cannot increase a demand. (4) Demands for grants can only be made on the recommendation of the President (Article 113(3)).

Example

When the government presents the Budget, the Lok Sabha votes on funding requests for ministries (like the Defence or Education budget) under Article 113. However, they cannot vote on 'Charged' items, such as the salaries of Supreme Court Judges.

Key Takeaway

The Lok Sabha has the power to approve or reject the government's spending requests.

FAQs

Can the Rajya Sabha vote on Demands for Grants?

No. Under Article 113(2), Demands for Grants are submitted exclusively to the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The Rajya Sabha can only discuss the estimates but cannot vote on them.

Can Parliament increase the amount of a Demand for Grant?

No. The Lok Sabha can assent to a demand, refuse it, or reduce it (via Cut Motions), but it cannot increase the amount of the demand.

Why is the President's recommendation needed for a Demand for Grant?

To ensure executive responsibility over public finance, preventing individual MPs from proposing arbitrary spending demands.