September Activity – Mock Parliament-Bill - The ACTiZENS' Club Programme by Desh Apnayen

INTRODUCTION

Very frequently, we hear about a new bill getting passed by the Cabinet, or a certain law getting amended by Parliament. But have we ever taken a moment to try and understand how laws get made in India? Laws in India can be made by the Union Government (National Laws) or by the State Governments (State Laws). For a law to be recognised in India, it must first be introduced in the form of a ‘Bill’ in either House of the Parliament, then passed by both the Houses and finally, assented to by the President of India before it becomes an ‘Act of Parliament’.

Bill - A bill, also known as a draft act of Parliament, is a proposed law that has not been passed yet. Once passed by both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and approved by the President, it becomes a Law.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Students will be exposed to the process of making laws in their country.
Students will understand the value of making and following law and order in the country.
Students will learn through experience about the role of Cabinet and government in making law.
Students will gain knowledge about parliamentary processes, code of conduct, and the importance of laws.

SESSIONS’ OVERVIEW

S. No.

Session Details

Time Required

Pre-Activity

Discussion on making and passing bills by government in India
Make groups
Explain the activity

45 Minutes

Classroom activity

Passing the bill in Lok Sabha
Passing the bill in Rajya Sabha
Debrief

45 Minutes

STEPS OF THE ACTIVITY

Period 1

Pre Activity

Time required – 45 Minutes

Steps for the teacher:

Start the session by introducing the topic in the class. Ask them about their understanding of the parliament, bill, Act, etc.
Display the video in the class- How A Bill Becomes A Law
Explain the difference between bill and law to the students.
Explain the activity to be conducted in the next class: “In the next class we will conduct an activity called ‘Mock Parliament’ and we will pass/reject a bill created by students.”
Select any 6 students and make them the ‘Drafting Committee’ of the class. Ask them to draft a bill on ‘Energy conservation bill for school’.

Ask them to write the bill as below:

Problem statement – Why is energy conservation important for school?

Status- What are current practices in school? Why energy conservation should be a part of school policy?

Thumb rules– Draft 5-10 rules to be followed by all students in the next 7 days to conserve energy in school.

Punishment– Mention fines and punishment for not following the rules.

Select other 6 students and make a ‘Research Team’. Ask them to audit energy utilisation practices in school and collect facts. Share the facts with the Drafting Committee.
Divide other students in two groups and make them Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members Teacher will act as chairperson of both the houses. Ask them to come prepared for voting as well as questions and answers on the bill.

Sample Draft Bill:

a. Topic– Waste Management system for school.

b. Rules to be included in the bill-

Waste segregation at the source. (classrooms, canteen, playground, etc.)
Dustbins to be put up on each floor – 2 in each classroom.
Orientation programme should be part of the curriculum.
Fines and punishment for using polythene bags.

c. Reason for introducing the bill-

India is generating tonnes of waste every year. It goes into landfills and water bodies which creates harmful effects on the environment. To keep our environment safe and clean, we all should contribute. Waste segregation and management can be the first step towards this duty.

d. Punishment and fines-

Each class will be fined with Rs. 500 per month if waste segregation practice is not found to be followed during the inspection.

Polythene bag use is banned in school and every individual will be fined with Rs. 50 if found using polythene bags within the school campus.

Period 2

Classroom activity – Mock parliament

Time required – 45 Minutes

Steps for the teacher:

During the next class, explain the process of making laws through a chart streamlining the law-making process. (Refer to the Annexure 1)
Notify the students that today we will discuss the ‘Energy conservation bill’ to be presented by the Drafting Committee. After their presentation, Lok Sabha members will get a chance to ask questions about the bill and then they will vote for or against the bill.
After their turn, Rajya Sabha members will get a chance to ask questions about the same bill and then they will also vote for or against the bill.
If majority from both the Houses votes in favour of the bill, the bill gets passed and the teacher will sign the bill as President.
In case the bill is not passed by a majority in either of the House, the Drafting Committee will amend the bill as per consensus and the voting will take place again until the bill gets passed.
Invite the Drafting Committee members in front to present the bill.
Divide the class into two groups and ask them to sit as Lok Sabha members and Rajya Sabha members.
Start the session and follow the steps to accept/reject the bill.