Money Bill Procedure: Rajya Sabha's Role

The question asks about the specific power held by the Rajya Sabha concerning the passage of a Money Bill, particularly the time frame within which it must act.

Understanding Money Bills

A Money Bill deals exclusively with financial matters like taxation, government expenditure, and borrowing. According to the Constitution of India (Article 110), a bill is classified as a Money Bill if it contains only provisions dealing with the mentioned financial aspects.

Powers of Rajya Sabha on Money Bills

When a Money Bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha for its concurrence. However, the Rajya Sabha has limited powers in this regard compared to its powers over ordinary bills. Its role is primarily recommendatory. The Rajya Sabha can take the following actions:

• Return the bill to the Lok Sabha with specific recommendations for amendments.
• Return the bill without any recommendations.
• Keep the bill with itself, failing to return it.

Crucially, the Rajya Sabha cannot amend the bill directly. Any recommendations it makes must be considered by the Lok Sabha, which has the final say.

Stipulated Time for Rajya Sabha

The Constitution mandates a specific timeframe for the Rajya Sabha to act upon a Money Bill. As per Article 109 of the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha must make its recommendations, if any, and return the bill to the Lok Sabha within a stipulated time. This time limit is 14 days from the date of receipt of the bill.

If the Rajya Sabha fails to return the bill within these 14 days, the bill is considered to have been passed by both Houses in the form in which it was originally passed by the Lok Sabha. This highlights the limited power and urgency associated with the passage of Money Bills.

Conclusion on Time Limit

Therefore, the stipulated time within which the Rajya Sabha shall return a Money Bill, with or without recommendations, is 14 days.