October Activity – Pass The Bill

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

Skills –Leadership, Team Spirit, Communication skills, Problem solving skills 

Period 1 

Step1: Discussion on making and passing bills by government in India (7 min)

Step2: Explain and conduct the activity (30 min)

Step3: Debrief (8 min)

Step1:

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. 

Step2: 

Explain the activity to be conducted in the class: 

“Today we will conduct an activity called ‘Mock Parliament’ and we will pass/reject a bill created by students.” 

1. 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 3-5 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. 

2. 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 prepare for questions and answers on the bill so that they are prepared for voting as well. 

Sample Draft Bill: 

a. Topic– Waste Management system for school.

b. Rules to be included in the bill-

c. Waste segregation at the source. (Classrooms, canteen, playground, etc.)

d. Dustbins to be put up on each floor – 2 in each classroom.

e. Orientation programme should be part of the curriculum.

f. Fines and punishment for using polythene bags.

g. 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.

1. 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.

Main Activity – Mock Parliament 

1. The teachers are requested to tell 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Invite the Drafting Committee members in front to present the bill. 
6. Divide the class into two groups and ask them to sit as Lok Sabha members and Rajya Sabha members.
7. Start the session and follow the steps to accept/reject the bill.

Step3:

Debrief + Homework:

 The teacher can debrief the session with questions like?

• If you could do the activity again, what would you change?
• If you could instantly learn any skill from this activity, what would it be?
• Do you think drafting bills and making laws is important for a country? Any new laws that you would like to make?

Research work 

In 2014, the Central Government created a policy known as the Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy. This policy enables citizens like you and me to help draft the laws that impact us and our communities – before these laws are finalized.

Government Ministries typically publish consultations on their website, some consultations are also published on the Government portal MyGov. 

Study any 1 such bill published for citizens to support in draft bill. What is this? How are citizens sharing their thoughts and how Government is taking these suggestions?

But if you’re looking for a fun way to show off your policy skills and understand these policies in simple language, take a look at www.civis.vote

Reference links:

MyGov - Citizen Participation towards Good Governance| National Portal of India

Do you know the Law Making Powers you have, as a Citizen? An introduction to the Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy (ipleaders.in)

The process of making laws

Source - http://easylawinterestingarticles.blogspot.com/2012/11/how-are-laws-made-in-india.html