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LS ROP

The document outlines the rules of procedure for the Lok Sabha, detailing the seating arrangements, language usage, and the structure of various sessions including Opening Statements, Discussion Hour, Question Hour, and Zero Hour. It specifies the protocols for raising questions, including the distinction between starred and unstarred questions, and the conditions under which questions can be asked. Additionally, it addresses the process for a no-confidence motion and other parliamentary inquiries, emphasizing the importance of order and procedure during sessions.

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6 views

LS ROP

The document outlines the rules of procedure for the Lok Sabha, detailing the seating arrangements, language usage, and the structure of various sessions including Opening Statements, Discussion Hour, Question Hour, and Zero Hour. It specifies the protocols for raising questions, including the distinction between starred and unstarred questions, and the conditions under which questions can be asked. Additionally, it addresses the process for a no-confidence motion and other parliamentary inquiries, emphasizing the importance of order and procedure during sessions.

Uploaded by

thilakavathi g
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LOK

SAABHA
RULES OF PROCEDURE

SEATING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY MEMBERS:

The lay-out of the Chamber of the Committee should resemble


as far as possible the lay-out of the Chamber of Lok Sabha.
Ruling party to sit on the right side of the Speaker. Opposition
and other alliances to sit on the left side of the Speaker. Both
sides are more or less equal in number.
LANGUAGE:

Lok Sabha is a bilingual committee. Both Hindi and English are


allowed. Only one language should be used in one speech and
while debating.

OPENING STATEMENTS:

1. The session will begin with Roll call wherein you have to
mark your presence. Remember, there is no concept of
PRESENT AND VOTING in this forum.
2. Post the roll call, the committee will enter into the round of
Opening Statements. The default time for opening
statements shall be 90 seconds. Opening statements are
speeches which are used to clarify your stance on the
agenda at hand
3. Opening statements are recommended to be given by
everyone, though not obligatory. Opening statements will
be done at once, unlike the GSL which never exhausts.

4. Post every speech, we will be entertaining one question


which is known as Point of Information (POI). It is a question
based upon the speech made.

AFTER THE OPENING STATEMENTS ARE MADE THE HUSE MOVES


INTO ZERO HOUR OR QUESTION HOUR.

DISCUSSION HOUR:

A discussion hour is the time allotted (maximum half hours) for


the discussion on a sub-agenda which the members feel should
be discussed in front of the house. The total time of all the
discussion shall be an hour. All agendas for discussion hour are
supposed to be sent prior the commencement of discussion
hour. The speaker shall keep the agendas in chronological order
and first put the agenda to vote which is received first on the
Dias. The chairperson may withdraw any agenda he/she feels
has no relation to the agenda. However, he/she has to notify
the particular MP of the same on which the MP is allowed to
send a chit explaining why the agenda should not be
withdrawn. On receiving the agenda, the speaker will ask for
seconds. An agenda requires 1/5th support of the house to
enable it to be put to vote. • On receiving required seconds, the
chairperson will put the agenda to vote and the result is
decided by a simple majority of placard vote. An extension to a
discussion hour may be obtained if the total time does not
exceed 30 minutes. Note: All points except points of
information are allowed in the discussion hour.
QUESTION HOUR:

It is the one hour after the discussion hour where the members
of the house are free to ask questions to each other on matters
pertaining to agenda or on a national emergency provided
that such a question is sent in writing to the said member via
the speaker and with his due approval before the
commencement of question hour. The question has been
defined as an instrument by which a member can elicit
information on any matter of public importance.
Starred Questions: Meant for
oral answers. Unstarred
Questions: Meant for written
answers.
The sender MP is allowed to ask a supplementary question,
with the permission of the Chairperson, after the reply is
obtained from the Minister concerned for starred questions.
The chit on which the question is sent has to be properly
marked/written as Starred or Unstarred to be in proper format.
Any Starred question may be changed to unstarred on the
discretion of the chair. The chair shall notify the sender of the
same. Answers to Unstarred questions are mandatory and have
to be sent to the recipient MP via the chairperson before the
end of question hour. Not more than two starred questions are
allowed to be asked to a member. In case a particular MP has
already received his quota of two starred questions then the
chairperson shall change the further incoming starred
questions as unstarred and notify the sender MP of the same.
Similarly, not more than twenty (20) unstarred questions are
allowed to be asked to a member. Incase 20 unstarred
questions have already been sent to a particular MP the
chairperson shall return the question to its sender.The
maximum questions, starred or unstarred, a member is entitled
to send is 20 per day.
The right to ask a question is governed by the following
conditions: It shall be clearly and precisely expressed and shall
not be too general incapable of any specific answer or in the
nature of a leading question. If it contains a statement, the
member shall make himself responsible for the accuracy of the
statement. It shall not contain arguments, inferences, ironical
expressions, Imputations, epithets or defamatory statements. It
shall not ask for an expression of opinion or the solution of an
abstract legal question or of a hypothetical proposition. It shall
not ask as to the character or conduct of any person except in
his official or public capacity. It shall not ordinarily exceed 150
words. It shall not relate to a matter which is not primarily the
concern of the Government of India. It shall not reflect on the
character or conduct of any person whose conduct can only be
challenged on a substantive motion. It shall not make or imply a
charge of a personal character. It shall not raise questions of
policy too large to be dealt with within the limits of an answer
to a question. It shall not repeat in substance questions already
answered or to which an answer has been refused. It shall not
ask for information on trivial matters. It shall not ordinarily ask
for information on matters of past history. It shall not raise
matters under the control of bodies or persons not primarily
responsible to the Government of India. It shall not ask or
information on matter which is under adjudication by a court of
law having jurisdiction in any part of India The Speaker shall
decide whether a question, or a part thereof, is or is not
admissible under these rules and may disallow
any question, or a part thereof, when in his opinion it is an
abuse of the right of questioning or is calculated to obstruct or
prejudicially affect the procedure of the House or is in
contravention of these rules.
Note: All points except points of information are allowed in the
question hour

ZERO HOUR:

It starts immediately after the Question Hour. During the Zero


Hour any question pertaining to agenda or a national emergency
can be raised by a member without any prior written request.
The Zero Hour can extend to any period of time depending upon
the Speaker's direction. The Government is not obliged to
answer any of the questions raised in the Zero Hour. However,
in the context of the debate it is highly expected from them to
answer all the questions. The chairperson shall choose the MPs
on his discretion.
Note: All points except points of information are allowed in the
zero hour

NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION (OPTIONAL):

There is an express constitutional provision which lays down


that the Council of Ministers will be responsible to the Lok
Sabha. In a parliamentary democracy it means that the
Ministers hold their offices so long as they enjoy the confidence
of the Lok Sabha. The moment the Lok Sabha expresses its no-
confidence in the Ministry the Prime Minister and his/her
Ministers have to leave. Thus the Prime Minister and his/her
Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok
Sabha. For the benefit of debate this motion shall not be
allowed to be raised before the second day of committee. The
member who wishes to raise this particular motion shall take
proper permission before raising this motion. On receiving the
agenda, the speaker will ask for support. For this motion to
pass it shall require an affirmative vote of 40 members. The
Chairperson in this motion shall allow every question necessary
to determine the decision of the House on the motion. The
chairperson will allot specific time period for speeches and will
allow as many speakers as possible in this particular motion.
After the members have spoken on the motion, the Prime
Minister gives a reply to the charges leveled against his/her
government. The mover of the motion has the right to reply.
When the chairperson feels there has been sufficient debate on
the question he shall put forward the motion to vote.

Personal Privilege – A point of personal privilege is usually raised


if someone has any physical discomfort during the proceedings
of the committee.

Parliamentary Enquiry – A Representative may rise to a Point of


Parliamentary Enquiry requesting an explanation from the
Executive Board on the Rules of Procedure or the committee
proceedings. This point may not interrupt a Speaker.
Order – In Lok/Rajya Sabha the POO is on the Speaker regarding
the rules of procedure.

Point Of Information- It is a question which is asked to members


by the other members who have been recognized.

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