FAQ on LOk sabha and Rajya Sabha

8/12/2019 FAQ on LOk sabha and Rajya Sabha

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Frequently Asked Questions on Lok Sabha(As on 21.12.2009)

About Lok Sabha and its History

Questions on the Composition of Lok Sabha

Questions on the Officers of Lok Sabha

Questions on members of Lok Sabha

Questions on Role and Functions of Lok Sabha

Questions relating to Legislation

Procedural Devices for raising matters of public interest

Parliamentary Privileges/Immunities, Salaries and Emoluments

Cell on Parliamentary Forums

Contacting Lok Sabha

Question 1. No. of MPs in Fifteenth Lok Sabha

Answer. 544 (as on 21.12.2009)

Question 2. No. of MPs in each party

Answer. List enc losed (Annexure I)

Question 3. No. of male MPs

Answer. 485

Question 4. No. of woman MPs

Answer. 59

Question 5. Oldest MP

Answer. Das, Shri Ram Sundar 88 (9.1.1921)

Question 6. Youngest MP

Answer. Sayeed, Shri Hamdullah 27 (11.4.1982)

ABOUT LOK SABHA AND ITS HISTORY

Question 7. When was the Lok Sabha (the House of the People) first constituted?

Answer. The Lok Sabha (House of the People) was duly constituted for the first time on 17 April

1952 after the first General Elections held from 25 October 1951 to 21 February 1952.

Question 8. When was the first Session of the Lok Sabha held?

Answer. The first Session of the First Lok Sabha commenced on 13 May 1952.

Question 9. Why is the Lok Sabha called the popular chamber?

Answer. The Lok Sabha is composed of representat ives of the people chosen by direct elect ion

on the basis of adult suffrage. That is why it is called the popular chamber.
http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/Members/partywiselist.aspxhttp://loksabha.nic.in/http://164.100.47.132/committee/Committee_Home_Page.aspxhttp://164.100.47.132/LssNew/Members/partywiselist.aspxhttp://window.history.back%28%29/http://164.100.47.132/committee/Committee_Home_Page.aspxhttp://loksabha.nic.in/


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Question 10. How many General Elections to the Lok Sabha have been held till date?

Answer. As many as fifteen General Elections[1]

to the Lok Sabha have been held till date. The

first General Elections were held from 25 October 1951 to 21 February 1952; the second

from 24 February to 14 March 1957; the third from 19 to 25 February 1962; the fourth

from 17 to 21 February 1967; the fifth from 1 to 10 March 1971; the sixth from 16 to

20 March 1977; the seventh from 3 to 6 January 1980; the eighth from 24 to 28

December 1984; the ninth from 22 to 26 November 1989; the tenth from 20 May to 15

June 1991; the eleventh from 27 April to 30 May 1996; the twelfth from 16 to 23

February 1998; the thirteenth from 5 September to 6 October 1999; the fourteenthfrom 20 April to 10 May 2004; and the fifteenth General Elections from 16 April to 13

May 2009.

Question 11.Who was the first Speaker of Lok Sabha?

Answer. Shri G.V. Mavalankar was the first Speaker of Lok Sabha (15 May 1952- 27 February

1956).

Question 12.Who was the first Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha?

Answer. Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar was the first Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha (30 May

1952-7 March 1956).

QUESTIONS ON THE COMPOSITION OF LOK SABHA

Question 13.What is the strength of the Lok Sabha as prescribed in the Constitution?

Answer. The Lok Sabha, as per the Constitution, consists of not more than five hundred and

thirty members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the States,

not more than twenty members to represent the Union Territories [Article 81] and not

more than two members of the Anglo-Indian Community to be nominated by the

President, if he/she is of the opinion that the Anglo-Indian Community is not adequately

represented in the Lok Sabha [Artic le 331]. The limit on the maximum number of

members chosen directly from territorial constituencies in States may be exceeded if

such an increase is incidental to the reorganisation of States by an Act of Parliament.

Question 14.What is the life of the Lok Sabha?

Answer. Unless sooner dissolved by the President, the Lok Sabha continues for five years from

the date appointed for its first meeting and no longer, as the expiration of the period of

five years operates as a dissolution of the House. However, while a Proclamation of

Emergency is in operation, this period may be extended by Parliament by law for a period

not exceeding one year at a time and not exceeding in any case beyond a period of six

months after the Proclamation has ceased to operate.


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Question 15. What is the quorum to constitute a sitting of the Lok Sabha?

Answer. The quorum to constitute a sitting of the House is one-tenth of the total number of

members of the House under article 100(3) of the Constitution.

Question 16. Which is the party having the largest number of members in the Fifteenth Lok

Sabha?

Answer. The Indian National Congress is the party having the largest number of members (206)

in the Fifteenth Lok Sabha followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (116). (as on

21.12.2009)

QUESTIONS ON THE OFFICERS OF LOK SABHA

Question 17. Who is the Presiding Officer of the Lok Sabha?

Answer. The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are the Presiding Officers of the Lok Sabha.

Question 18. What is the term of Office of the Speaker?

Answer. The Speaker holds office from the date of his/her elect ion till the first sitt ing of the Lok

Sabha after the dissolution of the one to which he/she was elected.

Question 19. Who presides over the Lok Sabha when the Speaker is absent from the sitting of

the House?

Answer. The Deputy Speaker presides over the Lok Sabha when the Speaker is absent from the

sitting of the House.

Question 20. Who presides over the Lok Sabha when both the Speaker's and the Deputy

Speaker's offices fall vacant?

Answer. When the Offices of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker fall vacant, the duties of

the Office of the Speaker are performed by such member of the Lok Sabha as the

President may appoint for the purpose. The person so appointed is known as the

Speakerpro tem.

Question 21. Who presides over the House in the absence of both the Speaker and the Deputy

Speaker?

Answer. The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha provide that at the

commencement of the House or from time to time, as the case may be, the Speaker

shall nominate from amongst the members a Panel of not more than ten Chairmen, any

one of whom may preside over the House in the absence of the Speaker and the Deputy

Speaker when so requested by the Speaker or, in his/her absence, by the Deputy


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Speaker. A Chairman so nominated, holds office until a new Panel of Chairmen is

nominated, unless he/she resigns earlier from the Panel or is appointed a Minister or

elected as Deputy Speaker. Generally, a Chairman from the Panel holds Office for one

year but the same person may be renominated from time to time.

Question 22. Who is the present Speaker of the Lok Sabha?

Answer. Smt. Meira Kumar.

Question 23. Who is the present Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha?

Answer Shri Kariya Munda.

Question 24. Who is the Leader of the House in the Fifteenth Lok Sabha?

Answer. Shri Sushil Kumar Sambhajirao Shinde.

Question 25. Who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha?

Answer. Smt. Sushma Swaraj.

Question 26. Who is the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha?

Answer. Shri T. K. Viswanathan.

QUESTIONS ON MEMBERS OF LOK SABHA

Question 27. How are the members of the Lok Sabha elected?

Answer. The members of the Lok Sabha are elected through General Elections, held on the basis

of universal adult suffrage. Parliament, from time to time, by law makes provision with

respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, elections to the Lok Sabha,

including the preparation of electoral rolls, the delimitation of constituencies and all

other matters necessary for securing the due constitution of the Lok Sabha. When the

seat of a member elected to the House becomes vacant or is declared vacant, or

his/her election is declared void, the same is filled through bye-election.

Question 28.What are the qualifications to become a member of the Lok Sabha?

Answer. To become a member of the Lok Sabha, a person should be a citizen of India, not less

than 25 years of age and possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed by or

under any law made by Parliament [Art. 84]

Question 29. Who are the nominated members of the Fifteenth Lok Sabha?

Answer. In the Fifteenth Lok Sabha, two members, i.e. Smt. Ingrid Mcleod and Shri Charles Dias


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are the nominated members.

Question 30. Who is the longest serving member in the Fifteenth Lok Sabha?

Answer. Shri Basudeb Acharia and Shri Manikrao Hodlya Gavit are the longest serving members in

the Lok Sabha.

Question 31. Which member of the Lok Sabha has become the Speaker of the House in his

very first term?

Answer. The members of the Lok Sabha who became the Speaker of the House in their first term

itself are:

Sl.No Name of the Speaker Period Lok Sabha

1. Shri Ganesh Vasudev

Mavalankar

15.5.1952 to

27.2.1956

First

2. Shri M.Ananthasayanam

Ayyangar

8.3.1956 to

10.5.1957

First *

3. Dr. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy 17.3.1967 to

19.7.1969

Fourth

4. Dr. Gurdial Singh Dhillon 8.8.1969 to

19.3.1971

Fourth **

5. Shri Kawdoor Sadananda

Hegde

21.7.1977 to

21.1.1980

Sixth

6. Dr. Bal Ram Jakhar 22.1.1980 to

15.1.1985

Seventh

7. Shri Manohar Joshi 10.5.2002 to

2.6.2004

Thirteenth

* Shri M.A. Ayyangar became the Speaker in the first Lok Sabha due to the sudden demise of thethen Speaker, Shri G.V. Mavalankar

** Following the resignation of the then Speaker Dr. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy to contest thePresidential elections, Dr.G.S. Dhillon was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabhaon 8 August 1969.

QUESTIONS ON ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF LOK SABHA

Question 32. What are the powers of Lok Sabha relating to Money Bills?

Answer. A Bill is deemed to be a 'Money Bill' if it contains only provisions dealing with all or any of

the following matters: (a) the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of

any tax; (b) the regulation of the borrowing of money or giving of any guarantee by the

Government of India, or the amendment of the law with respect to any financial

obligations undertaken or to be undertaken by the Government of India; (c) the custody


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of the Consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund of India, the payment of moneys into

or the withdrawal of moneys from any such Fund; (d) the appropriation of moneys out of

the Consolidated Fund of India; (e) the declaring of any expenditure to be expenditure

charged on the Consolidated Fund of India or the increasing of the amount of any such

expenditure; (f) the receipt of money on account of the Consolidated Fund of India or

the public account of India or the custody or issue of such money or the audit of the

accounts of the Union or of a State; or (g) any matter incidental to any of the matters

specified in sub-clauses (a) to (f) [Art.110].

A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha cannot make

amendments in a Money Bill passed by the Lok Sabha and transmitted to it. It can,

however, recommend amendments in a Money Bill. It is open to the Lok Sabha to

accept or reject any or all of the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha with regard to a

Money Bill. If the Lok Sabha accepts any of the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha,

the Money Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses with amendments

recommended by the Rajya Sabha and accepted by the Lok Sabha and if the Lok Sabha

does not accept any of the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha, the Money Bill is

deemed to have been passed by both Houses in the form in which it was passed by the

Lok Sabha without any of the amendments recommended by the Rajya Sabha. If a

Money Bill passed by the Lok Sabha and transmitted to the Rajya Sabha is not

returned to the Lok Sabha within the said period of fourteen days, it is deemed to have

been passed by both Houses at the expiration of the said period in the form in which it

was passed by the Lok Sabha.

Question 33.What is the legislative relationship between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha?

Answer. In legislative matters, both the Houses enjoy almost equal powers except in the case of

Money Bills. The main funct ion of both the Houses is to pass laws. Every Bill has to be

passed by both the Houses and assented to by the President before it becomes law. In

case of Money Bills, the Lok Sabha has overriding powers.

Question 34. Is any deadlock between the two Houses possible?

Answer. Yes. In the case of Bills other than Money Bills and Constitution Amendment Bills, a

disagreement between the two Houses may arise when a Bill passed by one House is

rejected by the other House; or the Houses have finally disagreed as to the

amendments to be made in the Bill; or more than six months have elapsed from the date

of receipt of the Bill by the other House without the Bill being passed by it.

Question 35. What is the mechanism for resolving such a deadlock between the two Houses?

Answer. A joint sitting of both Houses is convened by the President for this purpose. [Article

108]


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Question 36. How many joint sittings of the Houses have been convened so far?

Answer. So far, joint sittings of the two Houses have taken place on three occasions. The first

joint sitting was held on 6 May 1961 following a disagreement between the two Houses

over certain amendments to the Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1959. This was followed by

another sitting on 9 May 1961 when the Bill, as amended, was finally passed. The

second joint sitting was held on 16 May 1978, following the rejection by the Rajya

Sabha of the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1977 and the Bill was passed.

The third joint sitting was held on 26 March 2002 when the motion to consider the

Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002, seeking to replace the Prevention of Terrorism

Ordinance (POTO) as passed by the Lok Sabha was rejected by the Rajya Sabha. At

this sitting held for the purpose of deliberating and voting on the Prevention of Terrorism

Bill, 2002, the Bill was passed.

Question 37. Who presides over the joint sitting of the two Houses?

Answer. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over the joint sitting of the two Houses. [Article118(4)]

Question 38. Does the Speaker have the right to vote?

Answer. The Speaker has a casting vote in the event of a tie. It is customary for the Presiding

Officer to exercise the casting vote in such a manner as to maintain the status quo.

Question 39. How many Sessions of the Lok Sabha are held in a year?

Answer. Normally three Sessions of the Lok Sabha are held in a year, viz.,

Budget Session - February - May

Autumn or Monsoon Session - July - August

Winter Session - November - December

Question 40.What is meant by Adjournment, Prorogation and Dissolution of the Lok Sabha?

Answer. "Adjournment" is a postponement of the sitt ing or proceedings of the House from one

time to another specified for the reassembling of the House. During the course of a

Session, the Lok Sabha may be adjourned from day to day or for more than a day. It

may also be adjourned sine diewhich means the termination of a sitting of the House

without any definite date being fixed for its next sitting.

"Prorogation" means the termination of a Session of the House by an order made by the

President under article 85(2)(a) of the Constitution. The Prorogation of the House may

take place any time, even while the House is sitting. However, usually, prorogation

follows the adjournment of the sitting of the House sine die.


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"Dissolution" of the House means the end of the life of the Lok Sabha either by an order

made by the President under artic le 85 (2) (b) of the Constitution or on the expiration

of the period of five years from the date appointed for its first meeting. Dissolution puts

an end to the representative character of the individuals who at the time compose the

Lok Sabha.

On adjournment of the Lok Sabha or its adjournment sine die, the pending business does

not lapse. Bills pending before either House or Select/Joint Committee, Motions,

Resolutions, and amendments which have already been moved and pending in the House,

and business pending before a Parliamentary Committee do not lapse on prorogation

whereas all business pending before the House or any of its Committee lapse on

dissolution. Prorogation terminates a Session and does not constitute an interruption in

the continuity of life of the Lok Sabha which is brought to an end only by dissolution.

Question 41. What are the methods of voting in the Lok Sabha?

Answer. The procedure regarding Voting and Divisions in the House is governed by artic le 100(1)of the Constitution and Rules 367, 367A, 367AA and 367B of the Rules of Procedure and

Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. The various methods adopted for voting in the Lok

Sabha are:

(i) Voice Vote: It is a simple method for deciding a question put by the Chair on a

motion made by a member. Under this method, the question before the House is

determined by the Àyes' or the `Noes', as the case may be.

(ii) Division: There are three methods of holding a Division, i.e. (a) by operating

the Automatic Vote Recording Equipment; (b) by distributing Àyes' and `Noes' slips in

the House; and (c) by members going into the Lobbies. The Speaker directs the

members for "Ayes" to go to the right Lobby and those for "Noes" to the left Lobby

where their votes are recorded. However, the method of recording of votes in the

Lobbies has become obsolete ever since the installation of the Automatic Vote Recording

Machine.

(iii) Secret Ballot: During an 'open' voting period, the individual results are shownby the three characters 'A', 'N' and 'O' on the Individual Result Display Panel. Secret

voting, if any, is on similar lines except that the Light Emitting Diode (LED) on the

Individual Result Display Panel shows P sign in amber light to show that the vote

has been recorded.

(iv) Recording of votes by distribution of slips: The method of recording of votes

by members on Àye' and `No' slips is generally resorted to in the eventuality of (i)

sudden failure of the working of the Automatic Vote Recording Equipment; and (ii) at the

commencement of the new Lok Sabha, before the seats/division numbers have been


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allotted to members.

(v) Physical count of Members in their places instead of a formal division: If in

the opinion of the Chair, a Division is unnecessarily claimed, he/she may ask the

members who are for `Aye' and those for `No', respectively, to rise in their places and

on a count being taken, he/she may declare the determination of the House. In such a

case, the particulars of voting of the members are not recorded.

(vi) Casting Vote: If in a Division the number of `Ayes' and `Noes' is equal, thequestion is decided by the casting vote of the Chair. Under the Constitution, the

Speaker or the person acting as such cannot vote in a Division; he/she has only a

casting vote which he/she must exercise in the case of equality of votes.

Question 42: What is Question Hour?

Answer. Rule 32 of the Rules of Procedure and conduct of Business in Lok Sabha provides that

unless the Speaker otherwise desires the first hour of every sitting of the House shall beavailable for the asking and answering of Questions. Thus, it is taken up from 1100 hrs

to 1200 hrs in every sitting. Normally, there is no Question Hour during the first Sessionof the new Lok Sabha and also on the day when the President addresses both Housesassembled together or on the day when General Budget is presented in Lok Sabha andon the sittings held during the extended period of session or on Saturdays/Sundays and

Holidays.

Question 43. What is a Parliamentary Question?

Answer. Question is one of the important Parliamentary device available to the Members to seek

information on a matter of urgent public importance subject to conditions imposed bythe Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha and the Directions by theSpeaker. A member may ask question for the purpose of obtaining information on a

subject matter of public importance within the special cognizance of the minister towhom it is addressed.

Question 44. What are the different types of Questions?

Answer. There are basically four types of Questions:-

Starred: A member who desires an oral answer to his question is required todistinguish it by an asterix. Maximum 20 Questions are included in the list of StarredQuestions for a particular day. This is printed on green paper. Minimum of 15 clear daysnotice is required for tabling Starred Questions. The Questions not orally answered inthe Starred list of questions are treated as a Unstarred Questions and their replies arelaid on the Table of the House.

Unstarred: These do not carry the asterix mark and are meant for obtaining writtenreply. Not more than 230 Questions can be placed on the Unstarred list for a particularsitting. This list is printed on white paper. Minimum of 15 clear days notice is required fortabling Unstarred Questions. Written answers given by the Ministers are deemed to havebeen laid on the Table of the House at end of Question Hour.

Short Notice Question: Question can also be asked on a matter of urgent publicimportance at a notice of less than the period specified for ordinary Question. The list ofadmitted SNQ is printed on a pink paper. The procedure of SNQ is regulated by Rule 54and the basic test for its admissibility is the urgency of matter. SNQ is asked andanswered soon after the Question Hour.

Question to Private Members: A Question may also be addressed to a PrivateMember under Rule 40 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha,


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which provides that the subject matter of the question should be related to some Bill,Resolution or other matter connected with the Business of the House for which thatmember is responsible. For instance, the Questions which relates to matters under thepurview of Parliamentary Committees can be addressed to respective Chairman.Similarly, Members piloting Private Members Bills and Resolutions can be addressedquestions, which are within cognizance of them under this provision. The procedure inregard to such questions is the same as that followed in the case of questionsaddressed to a Minister with such variations as the Speaker may consider necessary.

Question 45. What is the maximum number of Questions admitted for a particular day?

Answer. The maximum number of Questions to be placed on the list of Questions for oral answers

(Starred Question) on a particular day is 20, while the maximum number of questions tobe placed on the list of Unstarred Question is 230. However, the number of UnstarredQuestions may exceed by a maximum of 25 Questions pertaining to State/States underPresidents Rule.

Question 46. Whether there is any restriction regarding the number of notices that each

member may give with regard to Questions?

Answer. A Member is permitted to give not more than 10 notices of Questions both Starred and

Unstarred combined for any day. But not more than five admitted questions, bothStarred and Unstarred combined, by one member are placed on the list of questions forany one day. Out of these 5 questions, not more than one Question distinguished by themember with asterisk* as Starred is placed on the list of Questions for oral answer. This

limit of one question for oral answer does not include any Short Notice Question of themember which may have been admitted for answer on that day. However, a member canhave more than one Starred question in the list in the event of transfer orpostponement of Questions in the printed list from one day to another.

Question 47. Who decides the admissibility of Questions?

Answer Admissibility of questions is governed by Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in

Lok Sabha, Directions by the Speaker as also the past precedents. The Speaker, LokSabha, decides whether a question or a part thereof, is or is not admissible under theRules, He/she may disallow any question, or a part thereof, when in his/her opinion, it isan abuse of the right of questioning or is calculated to obstruct or prejudicially affectthe procedure of the House or is in contravention of the Rules. The right to ask aquestion is governed by certain conditions like it should be pointed, specific andconfined to one issue only. It should not contain arguments, inferences, ironicalexpressions, imputations, epithets or defamatory statements.

Question 48. What is an Half-an-Hour Discussion?

Answer. Another instrument available to the members of Lok Sabha for raising issue of public

importance is the Half-an-Hour Discussion. Under this, a Member may raise discussionon a matter of sufficient public importance which has been the subject of a recentquestion, Starred, Unstarred or Short Notice Question and the answer to which needsfurther elucidation on a matter of fact.

Question 49. What is the procedure for Half-an-Hour Discussion?

Answer. The procedure regarding Half-an-Hour Discussion is regulated by Rule 55 of the Rules of

Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha and Direction 19 of the Directions by

the Speaker. Under this, a member may give notice to raise a discussion on a matter of

sufficient public importance and which has been the subject of a recent question,

Starred, Unstarred or Short Notice Question, and the answer to which needs further

elucidation on a matter of fact. A notice is also required to be accompanied by an

Explanatory Note stat ing the reasons for raising the discussion and should also besigned. Normally, only one notice of Half-an-Hour Discussion is put down for a sitting


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and no formal motion is moved in the House nor does voting take place. The member

who has given notice makes a short statement and the members who have previously

intimated the Speaker and have secured one of the four places in the ballot are

permitted to put a question each for the purpose of further elucidating any matter of

fact. Thereafter, the Minister concerned replies briefly.

Question 50. When a Half-an-Hour Discussion is taken up?

Answer. Half-an-Hour Discussions are normally held on three sitt ings in a week namely, Monday,Wednesday and Friday. Normally, Half-an-Hour Discussion is not held on the first sittingof the session. Further, normally the Half-an-Hour Discussion is not held till the passageof the Finance Bill by the House. As the name suggests, normally the discussion is forhalf an hour on the said days and is taken up during the last half an hour of the sitting.

Question 51. What are Parliamentary Forums and what are their objectives?

Answer. Parliamentary Forums have been constituted with the objective of equipping members with

information and knowledge on specific issues of national concern and in assisting them

to adopt a result-oriented approach towards related issues. These Forums provide an

opportunity to members to come together and discuss a particular issue and its wider

ramifications.

Question 52. How many Parliamentary Forums have been constituted so far?

Answer. The first Parliamentary Forum on Water Conservat ion and Management was

constituted by the Speaker, Lok Sabha, on 12 August 2005. Subsequently, four more

Parliamentary Forums were constituted, namely the Parliamentary Forum on Youth,

which has four sub-Forums, viz. on Sports and Youth Development, on Health, on

Education, and on Employment; Parliamentary Forum on Children; Parliamentary Forum

on Population and Public Health; and Parliamentary Forum on Global Warming and Climate

Change.

Question 53. What is the structure of the Parliamentary Forums?

Answer. Each Parliamentary Forum consists of not more than 31 members, excluding the Speaker

of Lok Sabha, who is the ex officioPresident, and the Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha, the

Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, the Ministers-in-charge of the Ministries concerned with

the subject and the Chairman of the Departmentally Related Standing Committee

concerned who are the ex officioVice-Presidents. Each Forum has 21 members from the

Lok Sabha and 10 members from the Rajya Sabha.

QUESTIONS RELATING TO LEGISLATION

Question 54. What is a Bill?


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Answer. A Bill is the draft of a legislative proposal brought before the House for its approval.

Question 55. What are the different types of Bills?

Answer. Bills initiated by Ministers are called Government Bills and those introduced by members

who are not Ministers are known as Private Members' Bills. Depending on their contents,

Bills may further be classified broadly into (a) Original Bills (Bills embodying new

proposals, ideas or policies); (b) Amending Bills (Bills which seek to modify, amend or

revise the existing Acts); (c) Consolidating Bills (Bills which seek to consolidate existing

laws on a particular subject; (d) Expiring Laws (Continuance) Bills (Bills to continue an

expiring Act); (e) Repealing Bills (Bills seeking to repeal existing Acts); (f) Bills to replace

Ordinances; (g) Constitution (Amendment) Bills; and (h) Money and Financial Bills.

Question 56. Who decides whether a Bill is an ordinary Bill or a Money Bill?

Answer. In case any question arises whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not, the decision of the

Speaker, Lok Sabha, thereon, is final. When a Bill is held by the Speaker to be a Money

Bill, he/she endorses a certificate thereon signed by him/her to that effect that it is a

Money Bill before the bill is sent to the Rajya Sabha or presented to the President for

assent.

Question 57. What is the difference between a Bill and an Act?

Answer A Bill is a draft legislative proposal before the House. It becomes an Act only when

passed by both the Houses of Parliament and assented to by the President.

Question 58. What are the various steps involved in the passage of a Bill?

Answer. A Bill while being considered has to undergo three stages in each House of Parliament.

The first stageconsists of the introduction of the Bill which is done on a motion moved

by either a Minister or a member.

During the second stage, any of the following motions can be moved: that the Bill be

taken into consideration; that it be referred to a Select Committee of the House; that it

be referred to a Joint Committee of the two Houses; or that it be circulated for the

purpose of eliciting opinion thereon. Thereafter, the Bill is taken up for clause-by-clause

consideration as introduced or as reported by the Select/Joint Committee.

The third stageis confined to the discussion on the motion that the Bill be passed and

the Bill is passed/rejected either by voting or voice vote (or returned to the Lok Sabha

by the Rajya Sabha in the case of a Money Bill).

Question 59. What is Budget?

Answer. Budget is the `Annual Financial Statement' or the Statement of the Estimated Receipts


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and Expenditure of the Government of India in respect of each financial year, presented

to the Lok Sabha on such day as the President may direct. A copy of the Budget is laid

in the Rajya Sabha soon after its presentation in the Lok Sabha. The preparation and

presentation of the Budget for the approval of the Legislature is a constitutional

obligation on the part of the Government, both at the Centre and in the States.

Question 60. When is the Budget Session of Parliament held?

Answer. The Budget Session of Parliament is normally held during February to May of the year.

During this period, the Budget comes before the Parliament for its deliberation, vot ing

and approval; the Departmentally related Standing Committees consider the Demands for

Grants of Ministries/Departments and report on the same to the Houses of Parliament.

Question 61. Who presents the Budget in the House?

Answer. Two types of Budgets are usually presented in the House namely, the General Budget

and the Railway Budget. The General Budget is presented by the Minister of Finance and

the Railway Budget by the Minister of Railways.

PROCEDURAL DEVICES FOR RAISING MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST

Question 62. What is a Calling Attention ?

Answer. Under this procedural device, a member may, with the prior permission of the Speaker,

call the attention of a Minister to any matter of urgent public importance and theMinister may make a brief statement or ask for time to make a statement later. There

can be no debate on such a statement at the time it is made. But, brief clarifications

can be sought from the Minister by the member who has initiated the Calling Attention

and other members who are called by the Speaker. Only those matters which are

primarily the concern of the Union Government can be raised through a Calling Attention

notice. The Calling Attention procedure is an Indian innovation which combines asking

a question with supplementaries and making brief comments; the Government also gets

adequate opportunity to state its case. The Calling Attention matter is not subject to

the vote of the House.

Question 63. What is a Motion?

Answer. The term `motion' in parliamentary parlance means any formal proposal made to the

House by a member for the purpose of elicit ing a decision of the House. It is phrased in

such a way that, if adopted, it will purport to express the judgement or will of the

House. Any matter of importance can be the subject matter of a motion. The mover of

a motion frames it in a form in which he/she wishes it ultimately to be passed by the


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House and on which a vote of the House can conveniently be taken.

Question 64. What are the different types of Motion?

Answer. Motions may be classified into three broad categories, namely, substantive motions,

substitute motions and subsidiary motions.

A substantive motion is a self-contained, independent proposal made in reference to a

subject which the mover wishes to bring forward. All Resolutions, Motions for elect ion

of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and Motion of Thanks on the Address by the

President, etc. are examples of substantive motions.

A substitute motion, as its name suggests, is moved in substitution of the original

motion for taking into consideration a policy or situation or statement or any other

matter. Amendments to substitute motions are not permissible.

Subsidiary motions depend upon or relate to other motions or follow up on some

proceedings in the House. By itself, it has no meaning and is not capable of stating the

decision of the House without reference to the original motion or the proceedings of the

House.

Question 65. What is an Adjournment Motion?

Answer. Adjournment Motionis the procedure for adjournment of the business of the House for

the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, which can be

moved with the consent of the Speaker. The Adjournment Motion, if admitted, leads to

setting aside of the normal business of the House for discussing the matter mentioned in

the motion. To be in order, an adjournment motion must raise a matter of sufficient

public importance to warrant interruption of normal business of the House and the

question of public importance is dec ided on merit in each individual case. The purpose

of an Adjournment Motion is to take the Government to task for a recent act of omission

or commission having serious consequences. Its adoption is regarded as a sort of

censure of the Government.

Question 66. What is a Motion of No-confidence?

Answer. The Government must always enjoy majority support in the popular House to remain in

power. If need be, it has to demonstrate its strength on the floor of the House by

moving a Motion of Confidence and winning the confidence of the House. In view of the

express constitutional provision regarding collective responsibility of the Council of

Ministers to the Lok Sabha, a motion expressing want of confidence in an individual

Minister is out of order; under the Rules, only a motion expressing want of confidence in

the Council of Ministers as a body is admissible. Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and

Conduct of Business in Lok Sabhalays down the procedure for moving a Motion of No-


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Confidence in the Council of Ministers. The usual format of such a motion is that "this

House expresses its want of confidence in the Council of Ministers". A Motion of No-

confidence need not set out any grounds on which it is based. Even when grounds are

mentioned in the notice and read out in the House, they do not form part of the No-

confidence Motion.

Question 67. What is a No-Day-Yet-Named Motion?

Answer If the Speaker admits notice of a motion and no date is fixed for its discussion, it iscalled a "No-Day-yet-Named Motion" and a copy of the admitted motion is forwarded to

the Minister concerned with the subject matter of the motion.

Admitted notices of such motions may be placed before the Business Advisory

Committee for selecting the motions for discussion in the House according to the

urgency and importance of the subject-matter thereof, and allotting time for the same.

Question 68. What is meant by Discussion under Rule 193 ?

Answer. Discussion under Rule 193 does not involve a formal motion before the House. Hence no

voting can take place after discussion on matters under this rule. The member who

gives notice may make a short statement and such of the members as have previously

intimated to the Speaker, may be permitted to take part in the discussion. The member

who raises the discussion has no right of reply. At the end of the discussion, the

Minister concerned gives a brief reply.

Question 69. What is a Short Duration Discussion?

Answer. In order to provide opportunities to members to discuss matters of urgent public

importance, a convention was established in March 1953 which was incorporated later

into the Rules of Procedure and conduct of Business in Lok Sabha under Rule 193 as

Short Duration Discussion. Under this Rule, members can raise discussion for short

durations without a formal motion or vote thereon.

Question 70. What is meant by matters under Rule 377?

Matters, which are not points of order can be raised by way of Special Mentions under

Rule 377. This procedural device, framed in 1954, provides opportunity to the members

to raise matters of general public interest. At present, the number of matters that can

be raised by members under Rule 377 on a single day is 20.

Question 71. What is "Zero Hour" ?

Answer. The time immediately following the Question Hour and laying of papers and before any

listed business is taken up in the House has come to be popularly known as the `Zero

Hour'. As it starts around 12 noon, this period is euphemistically termed as `Zero


16/34

Hour'. For raising matters during the so-called "Zero Hour" in Lok Sabha, members give

notice before 10 a.m. everyday to the Speaker stating clearly the subject which they

consider to be important and wish to raise in the House. It is, of course, for the

Speaker to allow or not allow raising of such matters in the House. The term `Zero

Hour' is not formally recognised in our parliamentary procedure.

Question 72. How many matters are allowed to be raised under "Zero Hour" ?

Answer. At present, twenty matters per day as per their priority in the ballot are allowed to beraised during "Zero Hour". The order in which the matters will be raised is decided by

the Speaker at his/her discretion. In the first phase, 5 matters of urgent national and

international importance, as decided by the Chair, are taken up after Question Hour and

laying of papers, etc. In the second phase, the remaining admitted matters of urgent

public importance are taken up after 6.00 P.M. or at the end of the regular business of

the House.

Question 73. What is a Resolution?

Answer A Resolution is a formal expression of the sense, will or action of the Legislative Body.

Resolutions may be broadly divided into three categories:

Resolutions which are expression of opinion by the House since the purpose

of such a Resolution is merely to obtain an expression of opinion of the House, the

Government is not bound to give effect to the opinions expressed in these

Resolutions.

Resolutions which have statutory effect the notice of a Statutory Resolution is

given in pursuance of a provision in the Constitution or an Act of Parliament.

Such a Resolution, if adopted, is binding on the Government and has the force of

law.

Resolutions which the House passes in the matter of control over its own

proceedings. It has the force of law and its validity cannot be challenged in any

court of law. The House, by such a Resolution, evolves, sometimes, its own

procedure to meet a situation not specifically provided for in the Rules.

Question 74. What is a Point of Order?

Answer: A Point of Order relates to the interpretation or enforcement of the Rules of Procedure

and Conduct of Businessin the House or convention or such articles of the Constitution

as regulate the business of the House and raises a question which is within the

cognizance of the Speaker.

A Point of Order may be raised only in relation to the business before the House at the


17/34

moment, provided that the Speaker may permit a member to raise a Point of Order

during the interval between the termination of one item of business and the

commencement of another if it relates to maintenance of order in, or arrangement of

business before, the House. A member may formulate a Point of Order and the Speaker

shall decide whether the point raised is a Point of Order and if so give his/her decision

thereon, which is final.

Question 75. Does the Speaker have the power to adjourn the House or suspend the sitting?

Answer: Under Rule 375, in the case of a grave disorder arising in the House, the Speaker may, if

he/she thinks it necessary to do so, adjourn the House or suspend any sitting for a time

to be named by him/her.

Question 76. When does the President address the Parliament?

Answer. The Constitution provides for an Address by the President to either House or both

Houses assembled together [Artic le 86(1)]. The Constitution also makes incumbent

upon the President to address both Houses of Parliament assembled together at the

commencement of the first Session after each General Election to the Lok Sabha and at

the commencement of the first Session each year and inform Parliament of the causes

of its summons. [Article 87(1)]. The matters referred to in the Address by the President

to the Houses are discussed on a Motion of Thanks moved by a member and seconded

by another member.

Question 77. Can members raise questions on the Address by the President?

Answer. No member can raise questions on the Address by the President. Any action on the part

of a member which mars the occasion or creates disturbance is punishable by the

House to which that member belongs. Discussion on matters referred to in the

Address takes place on a Motion of Thanks moved by a member and seconded by

another member. The scope of discussion on the Address is very wide and the

functioning of the entire administration is open for discussion; the limitations inter alia

are that members should not refer to matters which are not the direct responsibility of

the Government of India, and the name of the President should not be brought in duringthe debate since the Government, and not the President, is responsible for the contents

of the Address.

PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES/IMMUNITIES, SALARIES AND EMOLUMENTS

Question 78. What are parliamentary privileges?

Answer The term `parliamentary privilege' refers to certain rights and immunities enjoyed by


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each House of Parliament and Committees of each House collectively, and by members

of each House individually, without which they cannot discharge their functions

efficiently and effectively. The object of parliamentary privileges is to safeguard the

freedom, the authority and the dignity of Parliament. The powers, privileges and

immunities of either House of Parliament and of its Committees and members have been

laid down in article 105 of the Constitution. The House has the power to punish any

person who commits a contempt of the House or a breach of any of its privileges.

Question 79. Are the parliamentary privileges codified in India?

Answer. No law has so far been enacted by Parliament in pursuance of article 105(3) of the

Constitution to define the powers, privileges and immunities available to each House and

its members and the Committees thereof. In the absence of any such law, the powers,

privileges and immunities of the Houses of Parliament, and of the members and the

Committees thereof, shall be those of that House and of its members and Committees

immediately before the coming into force of section 15 of the Constitution (Forty-fourth

Amendment) Act, 1978.

Question 80. What is the difference between breach of privilege and contempt of the House?

Answer. When any of the privileges, either of the members individually or of the House in its

collective capacity, is disregarded or attacked by any individual or authority, the

offence is called a `breach of privilege'.

Contempt of the House may be defined generally as any act or omission which obstructs

or impedes either House of Parliament in the performance of its functions, or whichobstructs or impedes any member or officers of such House in the discharge of his or her

duty, or which has a tendency, directly or indirectly, to produce such results even

though there is no precedent of the offence. Whereas all breaches of privilege are

contempts of the House whose privileges are violated, a person may be guilty of a

contempt of the House even though he does not violate any of the privilege of the

House, e.g. when he disobeys an order to attend a Committee or publishes reflections

on the character or conduct of a member in his capacity as a member.

Question 81. What is the procedure for addressing a question of privilege?

Answer. A question of privilege may either be considered and decided by the House itself or it

may be referred to the Committee of Privileges for examination, investigation and

report.

Question 82. What is the rule relating to 'Automatic Suspension' of a member?

Answer. Rule 374A of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha provides that

in the event of grave disorder occasioned by a member coming into the well of the


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House or abusing the rules of the House persistently and wilfully obstruct ing its

business by shouting slogans or otherwise, such member shall, on being named by the

Speaker, stand automatically suspended from the service of the House for five

consecutive sittings or the remainder of the Session, whichever is less.

Question 83. What is the MPLAD Scheme?

Answer. The Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) was introduced in

December 1993. Under this Scheme, a member of Lok Sabha has the choice to suggestto the Head of the District, developmental works to the tune of Rs. Five crore per year,

to be taken up in his/her constituency.

Question 84. What is the current salary of a member?

Answer. At present, a member of Parliament is entitled to Rs. 16,000/- per month as salary, Rs.

20,000/- per month as Constituency Allowance, Rs.20,000/- per month as Office

Expenses which include Rs. 4,000/- for stat ionary, Rs. 2000/- for franking letters and

Rs. 14,000/- for a Personal Assistant. A member also gets daily allowance of Rs. 1,000

for the period of residence on duty. Daily allowance will be paid only when he/she signs

the register maintained for the purpose.

Question 85. Are Members of Parliament entitled to any pension?

Answer. Every person who has served as a member of the Provisional Parliament or either House

of Parliament for any period is entitled to a pension of Rs.8000/- per month w.e.f. 15

September 2006. Where any person has served for a period exceeding five years,

he/she shall be paid an additional pension of Rs.800/- per month for every year in

excess of five years. For the purpose of calculation of years for determination of

additional pension, the period of nine months or more is treated as one complete year.

Cell on Parliamentary Forums

Question 86. What are Parliamentary Forums and what are their objectives?

Answer. The Parliamentary Forums have been constituted with the object ive of equipping members

with information and knowledge on specific issues of national concern and in assistingthem to adopt a result-oriented approach towards related issues. These Forums providea platform to members to have interaction with the Ministers concerned, experts andkey officials from the nodal Ministries with a view to have a focused discussion oncritical issues facing the country so as to enable them to effectively raise these issueson the floor of the House and in the meetings of the Departmentally Related StandingCommittees.

Question 87. When were the Parliamentary Forums constituted?

Answer. The first Parliamentary Forum on Water Conservation and Management was constituted

by the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, on 12 August, 2005. Subsequently, the followingfour Parliamentary Forums were constituted on the dates shown below:-

(i) Parliamentary Forum on Youth 20 February, 2006

(ii) Parliamentary Forum on Children 2 March, 2006


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(iii) Parliamentary Forum on Population 26 July, 2006

and Public Health

(iv) Parliamentary Forum on Global 14 July, 2008

Warming and Climate Change

During the 15thLok Sabha, the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha has re-constituted all theabove five Parliamentary Forums on 21 January, 2010.

Question 88. What is the composition of the Parliamentary Forums?

Answer. The Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha is the President of all the Forums except the

Parliamentary Forum on Population and Public Health wherein the Hon'ble Chairman,Rajya Sabha is the President and Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha is the Co-President.Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha; Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha; the concerned Ministersand Chairmen of Departmentally Related Standing Committees are the ex-officio Vice-Presidents of the respective Forums.

Each Forum consists of 31 Members (excluding the President and the ex-officioVice-Presidents) out of whom not more than 21 are from Lok Sabha and not more than 10 arefrom Rajya Sabha. Members, other than the President and Vice-Presidents, arenominated by the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha and the Hon'ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha,as the case may be, from amongst the Leaders of Parties and Groups, or their nomineeswho have special knowledge/keen interest in the subject.

Secretary-General, Lok Sabha is the Secretary to the Forums.

Question 89. What is the term of the members of the Parliamentary Forums?

Answer. The term of the office of members of the Forums is co-terminus with their membership in

the respective Houses.

A Member may resign from the Forum by writing under his/her hand, addressed to theHon'ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha or the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, as the case may be.

Question 90. Who conducts the meetings of the Forums?

Answer. The President of the Forum appoints a Member-Convener for each Forum to conduct

regular, approved Programmes/Meetings of the Forum in consultation with the President.Question 91. How often do the Forums meet?

Answer. The meet ings of the Forums are held from time to time, as may be necessary, during

Parliament Sessions.

Contacting Lok Sabha

Question 92. Where do I get more information on members of Lok Sabha?

Answer. The Lok Sabha Web Site (http://loksabha.nic.in) has a section on members which gives

information about its members.

Question 93. How can I get in touch with a member of Lok Sabha?

Answer. Members can be contacted through E-mail. Permanent and Local addresses of members

of Lok Sabha are also available at the Lok Sabha Web Site (http://loksabha.nic.in).

Question 94. Where do I get information on the Sessions of Lok Sabha?

Answer. The Lok Sabha Web Site (http://loksabha.nic.in) has a section on Legislation which

contains information on the Sessions of the Lok Sabha.
http://loksabha.nic.in/http://loksabha.nic.in/http://loksabha.nic.in/


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Question 95. Who maintains the Lok Sabha website and how do I send a feedback?

Answer. The Lok Sabha Web Site is maintained by the Computer (HW&SW) Management Branch

of the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The E-mail address for feed back is

[email protected]

Period of Election indicates the first and the last day of the poll of the election

Thi s Site is designed and hosted by Nationa l Informatics Centre. Contents are provided and updated by Lok Sabha Secretariat.

Best viewed with IE 7.0 and above 800x600 resolution
mailto:[email protected]


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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RAJYA SABHA

History of Rajya Sabha

When was the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) first constituted?

Ans: On 3 April 1952.

When did the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) meet for the first time?

Ans: On 13 May 1952.

When was the Council of States named as Rajya Sabha in Hindi?

Ans: On 23 August 1954. The Chairman, Rajya Sabha made an announcement in the House that the Council of St

would now be called Rajya Sabha in Hindi.

Who was the first Chairman of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.

Who are the Chairman of Rajya Sabha who have held office consecutively for two terms?

Ans: Dr. S. Radhakrishnan was the first Chairman of Rajya Sabha for two consecutive terms (13.5.1952 to 12.5.1

The current Chairman, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari is also continuing as the Vice-President of India for a secon

term (11.08.2007 to 10.08.2012 and again from 11.08.2012 till date).

Who was the first Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Shri S.V.Krishnamoorthy Rao (31.5.1952 - 2.4.1956 & 25.4.1956 - 1.3.1962).

Composition of Rajya Sabha

What is the maximum strength of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Two hundred and fifty (250), of which 238 are to be elected and 12 are to be

nominated by the President of India.

What is the actual strength of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Two hundred and forty five (245), of which 233 are elected and 12 are nominated.

How many members does each state have in Rajya Sabha?

Ans: The allocation of seats in Rajya Sabha to the States is based on population. It is given in the Fourth Schedul

the Constitution, which is as follows:

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Useful links

States No. of seats

Andhra Pradesh 18

Arunachal Pradesh 1

Assam 7

Bihar 16

Chhattisgarh 5
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Currently how many members are elected from Union territories?

Ans: In total four members are elected from the Union territories (3 from Delhi and 1 from Puducherry). Howeve

currently one seat from Delhi and one from Puducherry is vacant. Other Union territories are not represented in

Sabha.

Why is Rajya Sabha called a permanent body?

Ans: Rajya Sabha is not subject to dissolution; as nearly as possible, one-third of its members retire every secon

year.

What is the term of a member of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: It is six years; but a member elected in a bye-election serves for the remainder of the term of the vacancy

caused.

What is the quorum to constitute a meeting of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: It is one-tenth of the total members of the House, i.e.,25 members.

Which is the party will maximum members in the House?

Ans: Indian National C ongress.

Officers of Rajya Sabha

Who acts as the Chairman, Rajya Sabha?

Ans: The V ice-President is the ex officioChairman of Rajya Sabha.

How is the Vice-President of India elected?

Ans: The Vice-President is elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both Ho

Goa 1

Gujarat 11

Haryana 5

Himachal Pradesh 3

Jammu and Kashmir 4

Jharkhand 6

Karnataka 12

Kerala 9

Madhya Pradesh 11

Maharashtra 19

Manipur 1

Meghalaya 1

Mizoram 1

Nagaland 1

National Capital Territory of Delhi 3

Odisha 10

Puducherry 1

Punjab 7

Rajasthan 10

Sikkim 1

Tamil Nadu 18

Tripura 1

Uttarakhand 3

Uttar Pradesh 31

West Bengal 16


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of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vo

What is the term of office of Vice-President of India?

Ans: The Vice-President holds office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office.

Currently who is the Chairman of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari

How is the Deputy Chairman e lected?

Ans: The Deputy Chairman is elected by the members of Rajya Sabha from amongst its members.

What are the responsibilities of the Deputy Chairman?

Ans: While the office of Chairman is vacant, or during any period when the Vice-President is acting as, or discha

the functions of the President, the duties of the office of the Chairman are performed by the Deputy Chairman.

Currently who is the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Prof. P. J. Kurien

who presides over the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha in the absence of both the Chairman and the

Deputy Chairman?

Ans: Under Rule 8 of the of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha),the Chairm

Rajya Sabha nominates six members on the panel of Vice-Chairmen, one of whom presides over the House in th

absence of both the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman. When neither the Chairman nor the Deputy Chairman a

none of the Vice Chairmen is present to preside, the House may decide about any other member present to pres

Currently who is the Leader of the House?

Ans: Dr. Manmohan Singh

What are the responsibilities of the Leader of the House?

Ans: Leader of the House plays an important role in drawing up the programme of official business in the House.

Normally, the Prime Minister nominates a Minister who is a member of the Rajya Sabha as Leader of the House, b

the Prime Minister himself is a member of Rajya Sabha, he will act as the Leader of the House.

Currently who is the Leader of the Opposition?

Ans: Shri A run Jaitley.

Currently who is the Secretary-General of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Shri Shumsher K. Sheriff

How is the Secretary-General appointed?

Ans: The Secretary-General is appointed by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and holds a rank equivalent to the Cabin

Secretary, the highest civil servant of the Union Government.

What is the role of the Secretary-General?

Ans: He assists the Presiding Officers in conducting the proceedings of the House by giving them advice and expe

opinion. He does not participate in the debate except for reporting messages from the Lok Sabha about Bills or a

other matter. All notices under the rules are addressed to him. He is the custodian of the records of the House. He

prepares full report of the proceedings of the House and also issues the List of Business for the day. He is the

administrative head of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

Members of Rajya Sabha

How are members of Rajya Sabha elected?


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Ans: Members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Assemblies of States and Union territo

accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

What are the requirements to become a member of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: He should be a citizen of India above 30 years of age and possessing such other qualifications as may be

prescribed by law of Parliament.

Should a Member be a domicile of the State from which he is elected to Rajya Sabha?

Ans: No. It is no longer essential. He has to be an elector in a parliamentary constituency anywhere in India.

Are there nominated members in Rajya Sabha ?

Ans: Yes, there are twelve members nominated by the President of India from amongst persons having special

knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service.

Do the nominated members vote in the election of the Vice-President and the President?

Ans: While the nominated members of Rajya Sabha have a right to vote in the election of the Vice-President of In

they are not entitled to vote in the election of the President of India.

Who was the first woman nominated member of the Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale (1952-56 and 1956-62).

Who are the current nominated members in Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Seven(7). Prof. M.S Swaminathan,Shri H.K. Dua,Dr. Ashok S.Ganguly,Shri Mani Shankar A iyar,Shri Javed

Akhtar,Smt. B.Jayashree and Dr. Bhalchandra Mungekar.

Currently how many members of Rajya Sabha are there in the Council of Ministers?

Ans: Twelve (12). They are Dr. Manmohan Singh,Shri Anand Sharma, Shri A.K. Antony, Smt. Ambika Soni, Shri

Vasan, Shri Gulam Nabi Azad, Shri Jairam Ramesh, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan, Shri S.M. Krishna, Shri Vayalar Rav

Ashwani Kumar and Shri Rajeev Shukla.

Can a Minister who is a Member of Lok Sabha participate in the proceedings of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: A Minister who is a Member of Lok Sabha has the right to speak in and otherwise to take part in the procee

of Rajya Sabha but has no right to vote in Rajya Sabha and vice versa.

Currently how many women members are there in Rajya Sabha and what is their percentage?

Ans: Twenty Six (26), 10.6%

Who is currently the youngest member in Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Shri Dilip Kumar Tirkey

Who is currently the oldest member in Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Shri Rishang Keishing.

Who is currently the longest serving member in Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Dr. Najma A. Heptulla

Among the current members of Rajya Sabha, who has the longest legislative experience?

Ans: Shri Rishang Keishing.

Who decides if the member is disqualified from being a member of Rajya Sabha?


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Ans: If any question arises as to whether a member of the House has become subject to disqualification under ar

102 (1), the question is referred for the decision of the President and his decision is final. Before giving any decisi

any such question, the President obtains the opinion of the Election Commission of India and acts according to suc

opinion. If under article 102 (2) any question arises as to whether a member of the House has become subject to

disqualification under the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, the question is referred to the Chairman, Rajya Sab

and his decision is final.

Role and functions

What are the special powers of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Rajya Sabha being a federal chamber - representing States/Union territories, enjoys certain special powers

I. to empower Parliament to make laws in respect of any matter enumerated in the State List in the na

interest by adopting a resolution to this effect (article 249),

II. creation of All India Services (article 312) and

III. approving Proclamations (issued under article 352 or article 356 or article 360) if the Lok Sabha stand dis

or the dissolution of the Lok Sabha takes place within the period allowed for the approval of the Proclamat

Parliament.

What is the legislative relationship between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

Ans: In legislative matters, Rajya Sabha enjoys almost equal powers with Lok Sabha, except in the case of Mone

where the latter has overriding powers. Such Bills cannot be introduced in Rajya Sabha and are deemed to have

passed if these are not returned to Lok Sabha within fourteen days.

Is any deadlock between the two Houses possible?

Ans: Yes. In the case of Bills, a disagreement between the two Houses may arise when a Bill passed by one Hou

rejected by the other House; or the Houses have finally disagreed as to the amendments to be made in the Bill; o

more than six months lapse from the date of the reception of the Bill by the other House without the Bill being pa

by it.

What is the mechanism for resolving the deadlock between the two Houses?

Ans: A joint sitting of the Houses is convened for this purpose. In the case of Money Bills, there is no question o

deadlock as the Rajya Sabha has a limited say in such matters. There is no provision for a joint sitting in case of

deadlock over a Constitution Amendment Bill.

How many joint sittings of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have been convened so far?

Ans: In the history of Parliament of India, there have been three occasions when both Houses of Parliament held

joint sitting to resolve deadlock on Bills between them, i.e.,

I. 6 and 9 May 1961 on the Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1959;

II. 17 May 1978 on the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1977; and

III. 26 March 2002 on the Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002.

What are the powers of the Rajya Sabha with respect to the Money Bill?

Ans: A Money Bill is introduced only in Lok Sabha and after it is passed by that House, it is transmitted to Rajya S

for its concurrence or recommendation. Rajya Sabha has to return the Money Bill to Lok Sabha within a period o

fourteen days from its receipt. Rajya Sabha cannot amend the Money Bill directly; it can only recommend amend

to the Bill. Lok Sabha may e ither accept or reject all or any of the recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha. I

Sabha accepts any of the recommendations made by Rajya Sabha, the Bill is deemed to have been passed by bo

Houses with the amendments so recommended and accepted. If, however, Lok Sabha does not accept any of the

recommendations of Rajya Sabha, the Money Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses of Parliament i

form in which it was passed by Lok Sabha without any of the amendments recommended by Rajya Sabha.

Committees

What are the different categories of Parliamentary Committees of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Parliamentary Committees of the Rajya Sabha may be categorized as ad hocC ommittees and Standing

Committees.


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What are ad hoc Committees?

Ans:Ad hocCommittees are those Committees which may be constituted by the House or by the Chairman or by

Presiding Officers of both Houses jointly to consider and report on specific matters. Such Committees become fun

officioas soon as they complete their work. These Committees may be divided into two categories:

I. Select/Joint Committees on Bills constituted by the House(s) on specific motion to consider and report o

and

II. Committees which are constituted from time to time to enquire into and report on specific subjects.

What are Standing Committees?

Ans: Standing Committees are permanent Committees whose members are either elected by the House or nom

by the Chairman every year or from time to time. These are: Business Advisory Committee, General Purposes

Committee, Committee on Government assurances, House Committee, Committee on Petitions, Committee on

Subordinate Legislation, C ommittee on Papers Laid on the Table, Committee of Privileges, Committee on Rules,

Committee on Ethics, Committee on Provision of Computers to Members of Rajya Sabha, Committee on Member

Parliament Local Area Development Scheme and the Department-related Standing Committees.

What are Department-related Standing Committees?

Ans: DRSCs were set up in 1993 to scrutinize the functioning of the various Ministries/ Departments of the Union

Government assigned to them in order to further strengthen the accountability of the Government to Parliament.

How many DRSCs have been Constituted?

Ans: Twenty-four DRSCs have been constituted consisting of not more than thirty-one members, out of which twe

one members are nominated by the Speaker, Lok Sabha and ten members are nominated by the Chairman, Rajy

Sabha.

What are the main functions of the DRSCs?

Ans: These Committees are entrusted with the following functions

I. to consider the Demands for Grants of the related Ministries/ Departments and report thereon;

II. to examine Bills, pertaining to the related Ministries/Departments, referred to the Committee and

thereon;

III. to consider the annual reports of the Ministries/ Departments and report thereon; and

IV. to consider national basic long term policy documents and report thereon.

How many DRSCs are there under the jurisdiction of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha?

Ans: Eight DRSCs function under the control and direction of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, while sixteen such

Committees function under the control and direction of the Speaker, Lok Sabha.

Which are the DRSCs under Rajya Sabha and the Ministries/ Departments under their purview?

Ans: Details of the Committees and the Ministries/Departments under them are given as under:

Sl. No. Name of the Committee Ministries/ Departments

1 Committee on Commerce Commerce and Industry

2 Committee on Home Affairs I. Home Affairs

II. Development of North-Eastern Region

3 Committee on Human Resource Development I . Human Resource Deve lopment

II. Youth Affairs and Sports

III. Women and Child Development

4 Committee on Industry I. Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises

II. Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME)

5 Committee on Science & Technology,

Environment & Forests

I. Science and Technology

II. Space

III. Ocean Development

IV. Atomic Energy

V. Environment and Forests

VI. Earth Sciences

6 Committee on Transport, Tourism & Culture I. C ivil Aviation


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What are the details regarding Chairmanship of the Committees of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: The Chairman, Rajya Sabha is the Chairman of the Business Advisory Committee, General Purposes Comm

and Committee on Rules. The Deputy Chairman is the Chairman of the Committee of Privileges. In the case of

other Standing Committees, namely, Committee on Petitions, C ommittee on Government Assurances, Committee

Subordinate Legislation, Committee on Papers Laid on the Table and the House Committee, the Chairmanship is

between the ruling and the opposition parties in proportion to their numerical strength in the House. The Chairma

the Rajya Sabha appoints Chairman of Committees in consultation with the leaders of parties/groups concerned.

Chairmanship of Committees allotted to the opposition parties may rotate amongst themselves.

What are the functions of the Committee on Ethics?

Ans: Under Rule 290 of the Rule of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States, the Committee o

Ethics has the following functions:

(i) to oversee the moral and ethical conduct of members:

(ii) to prepare a Code of Conduct for members and to suggest amendments or additions to the Code from time to

in the form of reports to the Council;

(iii) to examine cases concerning the alleged breach of the Code of Conduct by members as also cases concernin

allegations of any other ethical misconduct of members; and

(iv) to tender advice to members from time to time on questions involving ethical standards either suo motu or on

receiving specific requests.

What sanctions the Committee on Ethics can impose on proved unethical behavior or misconduct of

member?

Ans: The Committee may recommend imposition of one or more of the following sanctions, viz.

I. censure;

II. reprimand;

III. suspension from the Council for a specific period; and

IV. any other sanction determined by the Committee to be appropriate.

What is the Code of Conduct for Members enumerated by the Committee on Ethics adopted by the R

Sabha?

Ans: Yes. The Code of Conduct is as follows:

The Members of Rajya Sabha should acknowledge their responsibility to maintain the public trust reposed in them

should work diligently to discharge their mandate for common good of the people. They must hold in high esteem

Constitution, the Law, Parliamentary Institutions and above all the general public. They should constantly strive t

translate the ideals laid down in the Preamble to the Constitution into a reality. The following are the principles wh

they should abide by in their dealings:

I. Members must not do anything that brings disrepute to the Parliament and affects their credibility.

II. Members must utilise their position as Members of Parliament to advance general well-being of the people

III. In their dealing if Members find that there is a conflict between their personal interests and the public trust

they hold, they should resolve such a conflict in a manner that their private interests are subordinated

duty of their public office.

IV. Members should always see that their private financial interests and those of the members of their imm

family do not come in conflict with the public interest and if any such conflict ever arises, they should

resolve such a conflict in a manner that the public interest is not jeopardised.

V. Members should never expect or accept any fee, remuneration or benefit for a vote given by them on th

of the House, for introducing a Bill, for moving a resolution or desisting from moving a resolution, put

question or abstaining from asking a question or participating in the deliberations of the House

Parliamentary Committee.

VI. Members should not take a gift which may interfere with honest and impartial discharge of their official d

They may, however, accept incidental gifts or inexpensive mementoes and customary hospitality.

VII. Member holding public offices should use public resources in such a manner as may lead to public good.VIII. If Members are in possession of a confidential information owing to their being Members of Parliame

Members of Parliamentary Committees, they should not disclose such information for advancing their pe

II. Shipping, Road Transport and Highways

III. Tourism and Culture

7 Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances,

Law & Justice

I. Law and Justice

II. Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

8 Committee on Health and Family Welfare Hea lth and Family Welfare


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interests.

IX. Members should desist from giving certificates to individuals and institutions of which they have no pe

knowledge and are not based on facts.

X. Members should not lend ready support to any cause of which they have no or little knowledge.

XI. Members should not misuse the facilities and amenities made available to them.

XII. Members should not be disrespectful to any religion and work for the promotion of secular values.

XIII. Members should keep uppermost in their mind the Fundamental Duties listed in Part IVA of the Constitutio

XIV. Members are expected to maintain high standards of morality, dignity, decency and values in public life.

In pursuance of the Rajya Sabha (Declaration of Assets and Liabilities) Rules, 2004 what informatio

required to be furnished by Members to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha?

Ans: Under Rule 3 of the Members of the Rajya Sabha (Declaration of Assets and Liabilities) Rules, 2004, every e

member of Rajya Sabha is required to furnish the following information to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha within 90 d

from the date of his taking oath/affirmation

I. the movable and immovable property of which he, his spouse and his dependent children are jointly or sev

owners or beneficiaries;

II. his liabilities to any public financial institution; and

III. his liabilities to the Central Government or to the State Governments

What are the pecuniary interests and the ingredients thereof, identified by the Committee on Ethics

respect of which information is to be furnished by Members?

Ans: The Committee on Ethics has identified the following five pecuniary interests and the ingredients thereof, in

respect of which information is to be furnished by Members for registration in the Register of Members Interests

under sub-rule (1) of Rule 293 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States:-

Whether pecuniary interests of Members outside the country come under its purview?

Ans: Yes. Under the said Rule, information that Members furnish has to be in respect of their pecuniary interests,

whether held within the country or outside.

Legislation

What is a Bill?

I

Remunerative Directorship

Name and address of the company

Nature of company business

Salary/fees/allowance/benefits or

any other receipts which are taxable (per annum)

II

Regular Remunerated Activity

Name and address of the Establishment

Nature of business

Position held

Amount of remuneration received (per annum)

III

Shareholding of Controlling Nature

Name and address of the company

Nature of business of the company

Percentage of shares held

IV

Paid C onsultancy

Name of consultancy

Business activity of the organisation

Where engaged as C onsultant

Total value of benefits derived from the Consultancy

V

Professional Engagement

Description

Fee/Remuneration earned therefrom (per annum)


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Ans: A Bill is a legislative proposal brought before the House for its approval.

What are the types of Bills?

Ans: The Bills initiated by Ministers are called Government Bills and those introduced by Members who are not

Ministers, are known as Private Members Bills. Depending on their contents, Bills may further be classified broad

I. original Bills which embody new proposals,

II. amending Bills which seek to amend existing Acts,

III. consolidating Bills which seek to consolidate existing law on a particular subject,

IV. Expiring Laws (Continuance) Bills which, otherwise, would expire on a specified date,

V. repealing Bills,

VI. Bills to replace Ordinances,

VII. Money and financial Bills and

VIII. Constitution Amendment Bills.

What is the difference between a Bill and an Act?

Ans: A Bill passed by both Houses of Parliament becomes an Act only after it has been assented to by the Preside

What are the steps involved in the passage of a Bill?

Ans: A Bill while being considered has to undergo three stages in each House of Parliament. The first stage is the

Introduction, which is done on a motion moved by either a Minister or a Member.

During the second stage any of the following motions can be moved: that the Bill be taken into consideration; or

be referred to a Select Committee of Rajya Sabha; or that it be referred to a Joint Committee of the two Houses

that it be circulated for the purpose of eliciting opinion thereon. Thereafter, the Bill is taken up for the clause-by-c

consideration as introduced or as reported by the Select/Joint Committee.

The third stage is confined to the discussion on the motion that the Bill be passed and the Bill is passed/rejected e

by voting or voice vote (or returned to Lok Sabha, in the case of a Money Bill).

Does the Chairman have a right to cast a vote?

Ans: The Chairman has a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes.

What are the methods of voting in Rajya Sabha?

Ans: In Rajya Sabha, generally four methods of voting are adopted: Voice vote, Counting, Division by automatic

recorder and Division by going into the Lobbies

What are the effects of dissolution of Lok Sabha on the Business of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:

I. Bills originating in Rajya Sabha which are still pending in that House do not lapse on the dissolution o

Sabha.

II. Bills originating in Rajya Sabha which having been passed by the House and transmitted to Lok Sabh

pending there lapse on the dissolution of Lok Sabha.

III. Bills originating in Lok Sabha which having been passed by that House and transmitted to Rajya Sabha a

pending there on the date of dissolution of Lok Sabha, lapse.

IV. Bills originating in Rajya Sabha and returned to that House by Lok Sabha with amendments and still p

there on the date of its dissolution, lapse.

V. A Bill upon which the Houses have disagreed and the President has notified his intention to summon a

Sitting of the Houses to consider the Bill prior to dissolution does not lapse on dissolution of Lok Sabha.

VI. A Bill passed by the two Houses of Parliament and sent to the President for assent does not lapse o

dissolution of Lok Sabha.

VII. A Bill returned by the President to Rajya Sabha for reconsideration of the Houses does not lapse

dissolution of Lok Sabha takes place without the Houses having considered the Bill

Procedure for raising Matters of Public Interest

What is Calling Attention?


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Ans: Rule 180 of the Rules of Procedure and C onduct of Business in Rajya Sabha provides that a Member may w

previous permission of the Chairman call the attention of a Minister to any matter of urgent public importance and

Minister may make a brief statement or ask for time to make a statement at a later hour or date. The Calling Atte

is an Indian innovation in the

FAQ on LOk sabha and Rajya Sabha

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