Write short note on Money Bill

 A money Bill is defined by Article 110 of the Constitution. It contains only provisions that deal with all or any of the matters listed therein. 

These comprise a set of seven features, broadly including items such as the imposition or regulation of a tax, the regulation of the borrowing of money by the Government of India, the withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Fund of India and so forth.

Article 110 further clarifies that in cases where a dispute arises over whether a Bill is a money Bill or not, the Lok Sabha Speaker’s decision on the issue shall be considered final.

Supreme Court in Mohd. Saeed Siddiqui v. State of UP, (2014) ruled, in the context of State legislatures, that a Speaker’s decision to classify a draft statute as a money Bill, was not judicially reviewable, even if the classification was incorrect. This is because the error in question, the court ruled, constituted nothing more than a mere procedural irregularity.

Some special features of money Bill are under:

i. A money Bill can be introduced / originated only in Lok Sabha.

ii. A money Bill can be introduced only on prior recommendations of the President.

iii. A money Bill can be a government Bill only. It cannot be a private Bill.

iv. A money Bill may be withheld by the President but he cannot return it for reconsideration of the Lok Sabha.