AP Bifurcation Bill is a Financial Bill: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman 

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien on Friday said that the controversial Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2015 is a Financial Bill which can be introduced only in Lok Sabha.

After going through the provisions of the Bill carefully and the considered advice given by the Ministry of Law and Justice on the issue, I hold that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2015 is a Financial Bill within the meaning of clause (1) of Article 117 of the Constitution, which can be introduced only in Lok Sabha. Accordingly... I terminate further discussion on the Bill forthwith and direct that the Bill be removed from the register of Bills pending in the Council

On August 5, on an objection being raised whether the bill introduced by KVP Ramachandra Rao is a money bill, further proceedings on it was deferred and the matter was referred to the Lok Sabha for a decision. Speaker has since decided that this Bill is not a Money Bill within the meaning of Article 110 of the Constitution, Kurien said in the House. However, while conveying the decision of the Speaker, the Secretary-General, Lok Sabha, expressed the opinion that in view of the provision in the Bill for establishment of a separate High Court for the State of Andhra Pradesh, the Bill is a Financial Bill of Category 'A', can be introduced in Lok Sabha only. Kurien said that Ministry of Law and Justice has also concurred with the view that the said Bill is a Financial Bill of Category 'A' and can be introduced only in Lok Sabha.

"After going through the provisions of the Bill carefully and the considered advice given by the Ministry of Law and Justice on the issue, I hold that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2015 is a Financial Bill within the meaning of clause (1) of Article 117 of the Constitution, which can be introduced only in Lok Sabha. Accordingly... I terminate further discussion on the Bill forthwith and direct that the Bill be removed from the register of Bills pending in the Council," Kurien said.