Cut motions are parliamentary tools used by Members of Parliament to oppose or reduce government expenditure demands during the budget approval process in the Lok Sabha.

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• Cut motions are proposals moved in the Lok Sabha to reduce the amount demanded by the government in the budget for a particular ministry or department.
• A Policy Cut Motion reduces the demand amount to Re.1 and represents disapproval of the government’s policy related to that specific demand or expenditure proposal.
• In a Policy Cut Motion, members can discuss alternative policies and criticise the existing policy framework connected with the ministry’s budget allocation.
• An Economy Cut Motion seeks reduction of expenditure by a specified amount, aiming to promote financial economy by reducing or removing unnecessary government spending items.
• The Economy Cut Motion may suggest either a lump-sum reduction or elimination of a particular expenditure item to improve fiscal efficiency and resource utilisation.
• A Token Cut Motion reduces the demand by ₹100 and is used to highlight a specific grievance or issue related to the functioning of the government.
• The admissibility of cut motions is decided by the Speaker of Lok Sabha, who ensures motions follow parliamentary rules and procedures.
• Cut motions are important parliamentary mechanisms for financial accountability, allowing opposition members to examine, criticise, and debate government expenditure proposals during budget discussions.