With reference to Censure Motion, consider the following statements:

Question

With reference to Censure Motion, consider the following statements:

i. It can be moved against an individual minister only

ii. If it is passed in the Lok Sabha, the council of ministers must resign from the office.

iii. It should state the reasons for its adoption in the Lok Sabha.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A. i only
2. B. ii only
3. C. Both i and ii
4. D. iii only (Correct answer)

Correct Answer

Option D — iii only

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is iii only.

Key Points

• Statement i is incorrect. A Censure Motion may be moved against an individual minister, a group of ministers, or the entire Council of Ministers — not against an individual minister only.
• Statement ii is incorrect. If a Censure Motion is passed in the Lok Sabha, the Council of Ministers need not resign. It is an expression of disapproval, not a withdrawal of confidence. Only a No-Confidence Motion, once passed, obliges the Council of Ministers to resign.
• Statement iii is correct. A Censure Motion must state the reasons for its adoption in the Lok Sabha.

Additional Information

• Censure Motion versus No-Confidence Motion — the distinction most often tested:

• A No-Confidence Motion requires the support of at least 50 members to be admitted, and can be moved only in the Lok Sabha, since the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to that House alone.
• Other motions worth distinguishing:
  • Adjournment Motion — introduced to draw attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance; needs the support of 50 members; involves an element of censure, so the Rajya Sabha is not permitted to use it.
  • Call Attention Motion — a member calls a minister's attention to a matter of urgent public importance and asks for a statement. An Indian innovation, not mentioned in the Rules until 1954.
  • Cut Motions — reduce the amount of a demand for grant; the three kinds are the Disapproval of Policy Cut ("reduced to ₹1"), the Economy Cut (a specified amount), and the Token Cut ("reduced by ₹100").
  • Confidence Motion — moved by the government itself to prove its majority.
• The first successful No-Confidence Motion brought down the Morarji Desai government in 1979, though he resigned before the vote concluded. The motion device was first used against Nehru's government in 1963 by Acharya J.B. Kripalani.