Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha, Shri Desh Deepak Verma gave a briefing to media persons in his room in Parliament House today (7 May 2018) informing them about the decision of Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Hon’ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha to address the perennial problem of frequent adjournments and disruptions in the House which is adversely affecting the smooth functioning of the House. He referred to the announcement made by the Hon’ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha in the House regarding the need to have a review of rules of Rajya Sabha during bidding farewell to the Rajya Sabha Members on 28th March 2018.
After giving historical background regarding the rules of procedures since inception of Rajya Sabha, Secretary-General mentioned that during the recently concluded 245th Session of Rajya Sabha, out of a total of 165 available working hours, more than 120 hours were lost due to disruptions in the House. He said that a need has been felt for the past sometime for further amendments in Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Rajya Sabha to enlarge the scope of some Rules and make them more effective and robust in certain aspects for the smooth conduct of the proceedings of the House. He added that in the Rajya Sabha Rules, there is no specific provision for automatic suspension of Members who persistently and willfully obstruct the Proceedings of the House by shouting slogans or otherwise by coming into the Well of the House unlike the Rule 374 (A) of the Lok Sabha Rules which provides for automatic suspension of such Members. As a result, many a times the Chair is left with no other option but to adjourn the House in the eventuality of grave disorder. Moreover, when there is disruption in the House, passage of a Bill becomes difficult. Current Rules of Procedure relating to voting procedure on the Bill become inadequate in such a situation. Therefore, there is a need to amend such rules to make them effective and robust in future.
Besides, there is a difference in the provisions of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha Rules in certain matters. In some cases, the provisions in the Rajya Sabha Rules are more precise than the corresponding Rules in the Lok Sabha Rules and in some cases, provisions in the Rajya Sabha seem to be inadequate and not very specific. Some of these Rules relate to:- Points of Order; Suspension of Rules; Discussion on a Matters of Public Interest, Notice of Privilege, etc.
A need is, therefore, being felt to make a comprehensive review of the Rajya Sabha Rules. Accordingly, Hon’ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha has constituted a two-member Committee headed by Dr. V.K.Agnihotri, former Secretary General, Rajya Sabha. The other member of the Committee is Shri S.R. Dhaleta, Retired Joint Secretary & Legislative Counsel, Ministry of Law and Justice.
The Committee shall review the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), particularly those provisions which seem to be inadequate and not very specific as compared to the Rules in the Lok Sabha and suggest suitable amendments. While doing so, the Committee will examine:- (a) The existing Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha); (b) The existing Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha; (c) Practices and Procedures in Rajya Sabha; (d) Practices and Procedures in Lok Sabha; (e) Directions and Rulings by the Hon’ble Chairman; (f) Directions and Rulings by the Speaker; (g) The suggestions and views made by Hon’ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha and Hon’ble Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha; and (h) Suggestions and views made by Members and others, if any.
The Committee will give its recommendations/report which will be placed before the Rules Committee of the Rajya Sabha which will examine them by taking views of Members of the Committee, Members of Parliament, leaders of parties etc. Thereafter, the report of the Rules Committee will be presented to the House and consensus would be evolved to amend the rules so that the issue of frequent adjournments and disruptions could be addressed effectively.
Secretary-General said that such a mammoth exercise to review the Rules of Procedure of the Rajya Sabha comprehensively has been undertaken for the first time.