January 9--NRI DayJanuary 10--World LaughJanuary 12--National Youth dayJanuary 15--Army DayJanuary 25--national voters DayJanuary 26--Indias republic DayJanuary 30--Martyrs Day;2nd Sunday of February--World marriage DayFebruary 14--Valentine Day February 24--Central Excise DayFebruary 28--National Science DaySecond Monday March--Commonwealth DayMarch 8--International Womens Day;March 15--World disabled Day;March 18--ordnance Factories DayMarch 21--World Forestry Day;March 22--World Day for Water;March 23 Worlds Meteorological Day;March 24World TB Day;April 5--International Day for Mine awareness;April 7--world Health Day;April 17world Hemophilia Day;April 18World Heritage Day;April 21Secretaries Day;April 22Earth Day;April 23World Book and Copyright Day;May 1Workers Day (International Labor Day);May 3Press Freedom Day and World Asthma Day;May 2nd SundayMothers Day;May 4Coal Miners DayMay 8World Red Cross Day;May 9World thalassemia Day;May 11National Technology Day;March 12World Hypertension Day; International Nurses Day;May 15International Day of the Family;May 17World Telecommunication Day;May 24Commonwealth Day;May 31Anti-tobacco day;June 4International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression;June 5World Environment day;June 3rd SundayFathers Day;June 14World Blood Donor Day;June 26International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking;July 1Doctors Day;July 6World Zoo noses Day;July 11World Population Day;August 1st SundayInternational Friendship Day;August 6Hiroshima Day;August 8World Senior Citizens Day;August 9Quit India Day and Nagasaki Day;August 15Indian Independence Day;August 18International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples;August 19Photography Day;August 29National Sports Day;September 2Coconut Day;September 5Teachers Day and Sanskrit Day;September 8World Literacy Day (UNESCO);September 15Engineers Day;September 16World Ozone Day;September 21Day for peace and Non-violence (UN);September 22-rose Day (welfare of cancer patients);September 25Day of the Deaf;September 27World Tourism Day;October 1International Day for the Elderly;October 3World Habitat Day;October 4World Animal Welfare Day;October 8Indian Air Force Day;October 9World Post Office Day;October 10National Post Day;October 2nd ThursdayWorld sight Day;October 13UN International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction;October 14World Standards Day;October 15World White cane Day (Guiding the blind);October 16World Food Day;October 24UN Day and World Development Information day;October 30World Thrift Day;November 9Legal Services Day;November 14-Childrens Day and Diabetes Day;November 17National Epilepsy Day;November 20Africa industrialization Day;November 29International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People;December 1World AIDS Day;December 3World Day of the Handicapped;December 4Indian Navy Day;December 7Indian Armed Forces Flag Day;December 10Human rights Day and International Childrens day of Broadcasting;December 18Minorities Rights Day;December 23Kisan Divas;- See more at: http://ssc.xaam.in/2014/02/important-days-to-remember.html#sthash.C46sxQZu.dpuf
Mind Blowing Short Tricks to remember GK Easily MPORTANT GK TRICK (By this trick you can easily keep GK facts in yourmind) Must read and shares with your friends. Enjoy the trick
1. ARUNA MAMI( ARUNANCHAL NAGALAND MANIPUR MIZORAM ) Indian states touching the boundary of Myanmar
2. GUD KHA TASLE ME (gulam ,khilji,tuglak,syaad , lodi,muglAL)
3. B.D.M.S meansBODO,DOGRI,MAITHILI,SANTHALI are languages added to 8th scheduleunder 92nd amendment..
4. GPRS may b used in place of harappa civilisation..means its important places r situated in Gujrat,Punjab,Rajasthan,Sind
5. Paani piker khana khakar Chanderi chali Ghaghra pahankarBabar dwara jite gaye char yudh kramanusar==> Panipat (1526), Khanwa(1527) Chanderi (1528) Ghaghra (1529)
6. Permanent member of UNO FRECA(France, Russia, England, China, America)
7. B.S.N.L as BELGIUM,SWITZERLAND,NETHERLANDand LUXEMBOURG r europeancountries where' mercy killing 'is legalized
8. Bipin chandra Pal (BCP) vitamin B, C .P are soluble in water. And othersmeans A, D, E , K (KEDA) are soluble in fat..
9. 4 Buddhist councils serial is RAVA PAKA .........1-RAjigriha2-VAsali3-PAtiputra4-KAshmir
10. BPARTY----1. Brahmo Samaj, 2.Prarthana Samaj, 3.Arya Samaj,4.Ramkrishan Mission, 5.Theosiphical Society ,6. Young Bengal Movementall r in chronological order.........
11. Roj AP CM se Mile (capital lettr show name of diseases caused byVirus ? RAP CMMAns: Chickenpox Mumps Measles(Khasra)PoliomyelitisRabies AIDS
12. BHAJSA.........B-Babur H-humayun A-akbar J-jehangir S-shahjahan A-aurangjebit goes lyk this babur ka beta humayun, humayun ka akbar, akbar kajahangir, jahangir ka shahjahan aur shahjahan ka beta aurangjeb
13. States touching Bhutan "SAAB"SIKKIM, ARUNACHAL PRADESH, ASSAM, BENGAL
14. JAMMU ka SIpahi ARUN HIMAlaya par UTARA..........States touches to China. JAMMU&KASHMIR, SIKKIM, ARUNACHAL PRADESH,HIMACHAL PRADESH and UTTARAKHAND
15. pen=rtc.proton, electron, neutron=rutherford, thomson, chadwick.- See more at: http://ssc.xaam.in/2014/02/mind-blowing-short-tricks-to-remember.html#sthash.zvL69ytf.dpuf
1. What is the total area of India ?Answer: 3.28 million square kilometer (3,287,782)
2. What is the percentage of India's area with respect to world's ?Answer: 2.42 %
3. What is the Northern most Tip of India ?Answer: Indira Col (Army point)
4. What is the Southern most point of India ?Answer: Indira Point (Pigmalion point)
5. What is the Southern most point of Indian main land ?Answer: Cape Camorin
6. What is the Eastern most point of India ?Answer: Tri junction (meeting point of India, China and Myanmar)
7. What is the Western most point of India ?Answer: Cori Point
* 8. What is the distance from north to south (India)?Answer: 3,214
* 9. What is the distance from east to west (India)?Answer: 2,933
* 10. What is the length of land frontier of India ?Answer: 15,200
* 11. What is the length of coastline of India ?Answer: 7516.6
12. Which is the second highest peak in the world ?Answer: Mount K2 (Godwin Austin)
Elements, Compounds & Mixtures Elements, Compounds & MixturesElements
Microscopic view of the atoms of the element argon (gas phase).Microscopic view of the molecules of the element nitrogen (gas phase).
Note that an element: consists of only one kind of atom, cannot be broken down into a simpler type of matter by either physical or chemical means, and can exist as either atoms (e.g. argon) or molecules (e.g., nitrogen).A molecule consists of two or more atoms of the same element, or different elements, that are chemically bound together. Note that the two nitrogen atoms which comprise a nitrogen molecule move as a unit.Compounds
Microscopic view of the molecules of the compound water (gas phase). Oxygen atoms are red and hydrogen atoms are white.
Note that a compound: consists of atoms of two or more different elements bound together, can be broken down into a simpler type of matter (elements) by chemical means (but not by physical means), has properties that are different from its component elements, and always contains the same ratio of its component atoms.Mixtures
Microscopic view of a gaseous mixture containing two elements (argon and nitrogen) and a compound (water).
Note that a mixture: consists of two or more different elements and/or compounds physically intermingled, can be separated into its components by physical means, and often retains many of the properties of its components.- See more at: http://ssc.xaam.in/2014/02/elements-compounds-mixtures.html#sthash.9bhNNOWA.dpuf
India ki 5 biggest ''mharatna'' companies
#SONI-C
sail- {steal authority of Indian limited }
ongc- {oil and natural gascorporation }
nipc- {national thermal power corporation }
ioc- {Indian oil corporation}
cil- {coal India limited }
CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT BILLS Bills seeking to amend the Constitution are of threetypes:(1)Bills that are passed by Parliament by simplemajority;(2)Bills that have to be passed by Parliament by the special majority prescribed in article 368(2)ofthe Constitution; and(3)Bills that have to be passed by Parliament bythe special majority as aforesaid and also tobe ratified by not less than one-half of the State Legislatures.Bills that are not deemed as ConstitutionAmendment Bills2. Bills for amendment of the following provisionsof the Constitution are passed by both Houses ofParliament by a simple majority of members presentand voting :(a)admission or establishment of new States,formation of new States, and alteration ofareas, boundaries or names of existing States(articles 2, 3 and 4);(b)creation or abolition of Legislative Councils inthe States (article 169);(c)administration and control of Scheduled Areasand Scheduled Tribes (para 7 of the FifthSchedule); and(d)administration of Tribal Areas in the States ofAssam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram(para 21 of the Sixth Schedule).3.These Bills are not deemed as ConstitutionAmendment Bills under article 368 of the Constitutionand, therefore, these are not called by the titleConstitution Amendment Bills.4.Though normal legislative procedure holds goodin respect of these Bills, Bills providing for matters insub paras (a) and (b) above, in addition, requirerespectively the recommendation of the President forintroduction and the prior adoption of necessaryresolution by the State Legislative Assembly concerned.5.Such Bills are presented to the President for hisassent under article 111 of the Constitution.Constitution Amendment Bills6.Bills seeking to amend all other provisions of theConstitution including those enumerated in the provisoto article 368(2) are called by the title ConstitutionAmendment Bills. These Bills can be introduced ineither House of Parliament. If sponsored by a PrivateMember, the Bill has to be examined in the first instanceand recommended for introduction by the Committeeon Private Members Bills and Resolutions before it isincluded for introduction in the List of Business. Motionsfor introduction of the Bills are decided by simplemajority.7.Constitution Amendment Bills are not treated asMoney Bills or Financial Bills. Accordingly, Presidentsrecommendation under articles 117 and 274 of theConstitution in regard to these Bills is not asked for. However, if the recommendation is communicated by the Minister, it is published in the Bill or in the Bulletin,as the case may be, for information of members.Special Majority8.Constitution Amendment Bills have to be passedin each House of Parliament by a special majorityie.by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the membersof the House present and voting. The expression totalmembership means the total number of memberscomprising the House irrespective of whether there arevacancies or absentees on any account. Theexpression present and voting, means members who vote for ayes or for noes. Members who are present in the House and vote abstention either through theelectronic vote recorder or on a voting slip or in anyother manner, are not treated as present and voting.9.Taking a strict interpretation of the Constitutionalprovision, the special majority prescribed may berequired only for voting at the third reading stage, butby way of caution, the requirement of special majorityhas been provided for in the Rules of Procedure andConduct of Business in Lok Sabha in respect of all theeffective stages of the Billie.motion that the Bill betaken into consideration, motion that the Bill, asreported by the Select or Joint Committee, be taken intoconsideration, motion that the Bill, as passed byRajya Sabha, be taken into consideration, motion for adoption of clauses and schedules to the Bill and finallyfor the adoption of the motion that the Bill be passed.Motions that the Bill be circulated for eliciting opinionthereon or that the Bill be referred to a Select or JointCommittee are passed by simple majority.10.Whenever a motion has to be carried by a special majority, voting is always by a division. TheSpeaker, while announcing the result of the voting,makes a special mention of the fact that motion hasbeen carried by the special majority.11.Each clause or schedule is put to the vote ofthe House separately and carried by the specialmajority. The Speaker may, however, with theconcurrence of the House, put any group of clausesor schedules together to the vote of the House in whichcase the result of the voting shall be taken as applicableto each clause or schedule separately and so indicatedin the proceedings. However, if any member requeststhat any of the clauses or schedules be put separately,the Speaker complies with such a request. The ShortTitle (clause 1), the Enacting Formula and the LongTitle of the Bill are adopted by simple majority. WhereShort Title (clause 1) contains provision regardingcommencement of the Act, it is also adopted by thespecial majority.12.Amendments to clauses or schedules aredecided by simple majority as in the case of any other Bill.Ratification by the State Legislatures13.A Constitution Amendment Bill which seeks tomake any change in articles relating to:the election of the President, orthe extent of the executive power of the Union andthe States, orthe Supreme Court and the High Courts, ordistribution of legislative powers between theUnion and States, or representation of States inParliament, orthe very procedure for amendment as laid downin article 368 of the Constitution,after it is passed by the Houses of Parliament bythe special majority, has also to be ratified byLegislatures of not less than one-half of the States byresolutions to that effect passed by them before the Billmaking provision for such an amendment is presentedto the President for assent.Joint Sitting14.In case of any disagreement between the twoHouses of Parliament on a Constitution Amendment Bill, there cannot be a joint sitting of the Houses ofParliament on the Bill as article 368 of the Constitution requires each House to pass the Bill by the prescribedspecial majority.Assent to Constitution Amendment Bills15.Constitution Amendment Bills passed byParliament by the prescribed special majority and,where necessary, ratified by the requisite number ofState Legislatures are presented to the President underarticle 368 of the Constitution under which the Presidentis bound to give his assent to such Bills.[Constitution Amendment Bills are governed byarticle 368 of the Constitution and Rules 155159of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Businessin Lok Sabha.]http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/abstract/constitution_amendment_bills.htm- See more at: http://ssc.xaam.in/2014/02/constitution-amendment-bills.html#sthash.GtjU9mOZ.dpuf
Question 1.No. of MPs in Fifteenth Lok SabhaAnswer.544 (as on 21.12.2009)Question 2.No. of MPs in each partyAnswer.http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/Members/partywiselist.aspxQuestion 3.No. of male MPsAnswer.485Question 4.No. of woman MPsAnswer.59Question 5.Oldest MPAnswer.Das, Shri Ram Sundar 88 (9.1.1921)Question 6.Youngest MPAnswer.Sayeed, Shri Hamdullah 27 (11.4.1982)ABOUT LOK SABHA AND ITS HISTORYQuestion 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 February1952.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 representatives of the people chosen by direct election on the basis of adult suffrage.That is why it is called the popular chamber.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 Sabhahave 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 February1962;the fourth from 17 to 21 February 1967; the fifth from 1 to 10 March 1971; the sixth from 16 to 20March 1977; the seventh from 3 to 6January 1980; the eighth from 24 to 28 December 1984; the ninth from 22 to 26 November 1989; the tenth from 20Mayto 15 June 1991; the eleventh from 27 April to 30 May 1996; the twelfth from 16 to 23 February 1998; the thirteenthfrom 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 SABHAQuestion 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 [Article 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.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 partyhaving the largest number of members in the Fifteenth Lok Sabha?Answer.The Indian National Congress is thepartyhaving 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 SABHAQuestion 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 election tillthe first sitting 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 ofthe 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.TheRules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabhaprovide 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 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 thepresent Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha?AnswerShri Kariya Munda.Question 24. Who is the Leader of the House in the Fifteenth Lok Sabha?Answer.ShriSushil Kumar Sambhajirao Shinde.Question 25. Who is the Leader ofthe 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 SABHAQuestion 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 ofuniversal 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 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 ofthe Lok Sabha has become the Speaker of the House inhis veryfirst term?Answer.The members of the Lok Sabha who became the Speaker of the House in their first term itself are:Sl.NoName of the SpeakerPeriodLok Sabha1.Shri Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar15.5.1952 to 27.2.1956First2.Shri M.Ananthasayanam Ayyangar8.3.1956 to 10.5.1957First *3.Dr. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy17.3.1967 to 19.7.1969Fourth4.Dr. Gurdial Singh Dhillon8.8.1969 to 19.3.1971Fourth **5.Shri Kawdoor Sadananda Hegde21.7.1977 to 21.1.1980Sixth6.Dr. Bal Ram Jakhar22.1.1980 to 15.1.1985Seventh7.Shri Manohar Joshi10.5.2002 to2.6.2004Thirteenth*Shri M.A. Ayyangar became the Speaker in the first Lok Sabha due to the sudden demise of the then Speaker, Shri G.V. Mavalankar**Following the resignation of the then Speaker Dr. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy to contest the Presidential elections, Dr.G.S. Dhillon was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha on 8 August 1969.
QUESTIONS ON ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF LOK SABHAQuestion 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 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 Unionor 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 ofthe Rajya Sabha with regard to a Money Bill.If the Lok Sabha accepts any of the recommendations of theRajya 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 theLok Sabha without any of the amendments recommended by theRajya Sabha.If a Money Billpassed bythe Lok Sabha and transmitted to the Rajya Sabhais 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 theLok Sabha and theRajya Sabha?Answer.In legislative matters, both the Houses enjoy almost equal powers except in the case of Money Bills.The main function 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 receiptof 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 Housesis convened by the President for this purpose. [Article 108]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 placeon 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 thePrevention 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. [Article 118(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 thestatus 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 - MayAutumn or Monsoon Session- July - AugustWinter Session-November - DecemberQuestion 40.What is meant by Adjournment, Prorogation and Dissolution of the Lok Sabha?Answer."Adjournment" is a postponement of the sitting 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 adjournedsine 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 thePresident 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 Housesine die."Dissolution" of the House means the end of the life of the Lok Sabha either by an order made by thePresident under article 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 adjournmentsine 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 article 100(1) of the Constitution and Rules 367, 367A, 367AA and 367B of theRules 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 bya member.Under this method, the question before the House is determined by the `Ayes' 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 `Ayes' 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 rightLobby 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 shown by the three characters 'A', 'N' and 'O' on the Individual Result Display Panel. Secretvoting, 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 `Aye' 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 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 particularsof voting of the members are not recorded.(vi)Casting Vote:If in a Division the number of `Ayes' and `Noes' is equal, the question 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.Rule32 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 be available 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 Session of the new Lok Sabha and also on the day when the President addresses both Houses assembled together or on the day when General Budget is presented in Lok Sabha and on 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 by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha and the Directions by the Speaker. 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 to whom 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 to distinguish it by an asterix. Maximum 20 Questions are included in the list of Starred Questions for a particular day. This is printed on green paper. Minimum of 15 clear days notice is required for tabling Starred Questions. The Questions not orally answered in the Starred list of questions are treated as a Unstarred Questions and their replies are laid on the Table of the House.Unstarred: These do not carry the asterix mark and are meant for obtaining written reply. Not more than 230 Questions can be placed on the Unstarred list for a particular sitting. This list is printed on white paper. Minimum of 15 clear days notice is required for tabling Unstarred Questions. Written answers given by the Ministers are deemed to have been 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 public importance at a notice of less than the period specified for ordinary Question. The list of admitted SNQ is printed on a pink paper. The procedure of SNQ is regulated by Rule 54 and the basic test for its admissibility is the urgency of matter. SNQ is asked and answered soon after the Question Hour.Question to Private Members: A Question may also be addressed to a Private Member under Rule 40 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, 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 that member is responsible. For instance, the Questions which relates to matters under the purview of Parliamentary Committees can be addressed to respective Chairman. Similarly, Members piloting Private Members Bills and Resolutions can be addressed questions, which are within cognizance of them under this provision. The procedure in regard to such questions is the same as that followed in the case of questions addressed 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 to be placed on the list of Unstarred Question is 230. However, the number of Unstarred Questions may exceed by a maximum of 25 Questions pertaining to State/States under Presidents 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, both Starred and Unstarred combined, by one member are placed on the list of questions for any one day. Out of these 5 questions, not more than one Question distinguished by the member 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 the member which may have been admitted for answer on that day. However, a member can have more than one Starred question in the list in the event of transfer or postponement of Questions in the printed list from one day to another.Question 47.Who decides the admissibility of Questions?AnswerAdmissibility 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, Lok Sabha, decides whether a question or a part thereof, is or is not admissible under the Rules, He/she may disallow any question, or a part thereof, when in his/her 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 the Rules. The right to ask a question is governed by certain conditions like it should be pointed, specific and confined to one issue only. It should not contain arguments, inferences, ironical expressions, 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 discussion on a matter of sufficient public importance 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.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 stating the reasons for raising the discussion and should also be signed. Normally, only one notice of Half-an-Hour Discussion is put down for a sitting 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 sittings in a week namely, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Normally, Half-an-Hour Discussion is not held on the first sitting of the session. Further, normally the Half-an-Hour Discussion is not held till the passage of the Finance Bill by the House. As the name suggests, normally the discussion is for half 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 Conservation 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 theex 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 theex officioVice-Presidents.Each Forum has 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 members from the Rajya Sabha.
QUESTIONS RELATING TO LEGISLATIONQuestion 54. What is aBill?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 MoneyBill?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?AnswerA 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. Thefirst stageconsists of the introduction of the Bill which is done on a motion moved by either a Minister or a member.During thesecond 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.Thethird 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 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, theBudget comes before the Parliament for its deliberation, voting 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 INTERESTQuestion 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 urgentpublic importance and the Minister 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 Attentionprocedure 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 proposalmadeto the House by a member for the purpose ofeliciting 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 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 election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and Motion of Thanks on the Address by the President, etc. are examples of substantivemotions. A substitute motion, as its name suggests, is moved in substitution of the original motion for taking into considerationa 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 decided 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 theRules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabhalays down the procedure for moving a Motion of No-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?AnswerIf the Speaker admits notice of a motion and no date is fixed for its discussion, it is called 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.Question69. 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 theRules of Procedure and conduct of Business in Lok Sabhaunder Rule 193 as Short Duration Discussion.Under this Rule, members can raise discussion for short durations without a formal motion or vote thereon.Question 7. What is meant by matters under Rule 377?Matters, which are not points of order can be raised by way of Special Mentions underRule 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 Hourand 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 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 be raised 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?AnswerA 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 theRules 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 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.TheConstitution provides for an Address by the President to either House orbothHousesassembled together [Article 86(1)].The Constitutionalso makes incumbent upon the President to address both Houses of Parliament assembled together at the commencement of the first Session aftereach 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 theAddress by the President to the Houses are discussed on aMotion 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 limitationsinter aliaare 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 during the debate since the Government, and not the President, is responsible for the contents of the Address.
PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES/IMMUNITIES, SALARIES AND EMOLUMENTSQuestion 78. What are parliamentary privileges?AnswerThe term `parliamentary privilege' refers to certain rights and immunities enjoyed by each House of Parliament and Committees of each House collectively, and by membersof 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 abreach ofany of its privileges.Question79. 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 8. 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 which obstructs 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 contemptsof 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 theRules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabhaprovides that in the event of grave disorder occasioned by amembercoming into the well of the House or abusing the rules of the House persistently and wilfully obstructingits business by shouting slogans or otherwise, such member shall, on being named by the Speaker, standautomatically suspended from theservice 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 introducedin December 1993.Under this Scheme, a member of Lok Sabha has the choice to suggest to 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 Expenseswhich include Rs. 4,000/- for stationary, Rs. 2000/- for franking letters andRs. 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 ForumsQuestion 86. What are Parliamentary Forums and what are their objectives?Answer.The 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 a platform to members to have interaction with the Ministers concerned, experts and key officials from the nodal Ministries with a view to have a focused discussion on critical issues facing the country so as to enable them to effectively raise these issues on the floor of the House and in the meetings of the Departmentally Related Standing Committees.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 following four Parliamentary Forums were constituted on the dates shown below:- (i)Parliamentary Forum on Youth20 February, 2006(ii)Parliamentary Forum on Children2 March, 2006(iii)Parliamentary Forum on Population26 July, 2006and Public Health(iv)Parliamentary Forum on Global14 July, 2008Warming and Climate ChangeDuring the 15thLok Sabha, the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha has re-constituted all the above 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 Ministers and Chairmen of Departmentally Related Standing Committees are theex-officioVice-Presidents of the respective Forums.Each Forum consists of 31 Members (excluding the President and theex-officioVice-Presidents) out of whom not more than 21 are from Lok Sabha and not more than 10 are from Rajya Sabha. Members, other than the President and Vice-Presidents, are nominated 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 nominees who 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 the Hon'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 meetings of the Forums are held from time to time, as may be necessary, during Parliament Sessions.Contacting Lok SabhaQuestion 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 itsmembers.Question 93. How can I get in touch with a member of Lok Sabha?Answer.Members can be contacted through E-mail. Permanent andLocal 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.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. - See more at: http://ssc.xaam.in/2014/02/frequently-asked-questions-about-lok.html#sthash.Xg8BT840.dpuf
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 States 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 12.5.1962). The current Chairman, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari is also continuing as the Vice-President of India for a second 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:Twohundred and fifty (250), of which 238 are to be elected and 12 are to benominated by the President of India. What is the actual strength of Rajya Sabha?
Ans:Two hundred and forty five (245), of which233 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 Schedule to the Constitution, which is as follows:
States No. of seats Andhra Pradesh 18 Arunachal Pradesh 1 Assam 7 Bihar 16 Chhattisgarh 5 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 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). However, currently one seat from Delhi and one from Puducherry is vacant. Other Union territories are not represented in Rajya 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 second 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 Congress.Officers ofRajya Sabha Who acts asthe Chairman, Rajya Sabha?
Ans:The Vice-President is the ex officio Chairman 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 Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. 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:ShriMohammad Hamid Ansari How is the Deputy Chairman elected?
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 discharging 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 Chairman, Rajya Sabha nominates six members on the panel of Vice-Chairmen, one of whom presides over the House in the absence of both the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman. When neither the Chairman nor the Deputy Chairman and none of the Vice Chairmen is present to preside, the House may decide about any other member present to preside. 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, but if 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 Arun 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 Cabinet 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 expert opinion. He does not participate in the debate except for reporting messages from the Lok Sabha about Bills or any 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?
Ans:Members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Assemblies of States and Union territories in 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 India, 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 Aiyar,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 G.K. Vasan, Shri Gulam Nabi Azad, Shri Jairam Ramesh, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan, Shri S.M. Krishna, Shri Vayalar Ravi, Shri 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 proceedings 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?
Ans:If any question arises as to whether a member of the House has become subject to disqualification under article 102 (1), the question is referred for the decision of the President and his decision is final. Before giving any decision on any such question, the President obtains the opinion of the Election Commission of India and acts according to such 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 Sabha 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:1. to empower Parliament to make laws in respect of any matter enumerated in the State List in the national interest by adopting a resolution to this effect (article 249),2. creation of All India Services (article 312) and3. approvingProclamations (issued under article 352 or article 356or article 360) if the Lok Sabha stand dissolved or the dissolution of the Lok Sabha takes place within the period allowed for the approval of the Proclamation by 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 Money Bills where the latter has overriding powers. Such Bills cannot be introduced in Rajya Sabha and are deemed to have been 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 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 lapse from the date of the reception of the Bill by the other House without the Bill being passed 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 of a deadlock as the Rajya Sabha has a limited say in such matters. There is no provision for a joint sitting in case of a 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 a joint sitting to resolve deadlock on Bills between them, i.e., 1. 6 and 9 May 1961 on the Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1959;2. 17 May 1978 on the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1977; and3. 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 Sabha for its concurrence or recommendation. Rajya Sabha has to return the Money Bill to Lok Sabha within a period of fourteen days from its receipt. Rajya Sabha cannot amend the Money Bill directly; it can only recommend amendments to the Bill. Lok Sabha may either accept or reject all or any of the recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha. If Lok Sabha accepts any of the recommendations made by Rajya Sabha, the Bill is deemed to have been passed by both the 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 in the 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 hoc Committees and Standing Committees. What are ad hoc Committees?
Ans:Ad hoc Committees are those Committees which may be constituted by the House or by the Chairman or by the Presiding Officers of both Houses jointly to consider and report on specific matters. Such Committees become functus officio as soon as they complete their work. These Committees may be divided into two categories:1. Select/Joint Committees on Bills constituted by the House(s) on specific motion to consider and report on Bills; and2. 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 nominated 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, Committee 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 of 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 twenty-one members are nominated by the Speaker, Lok Sabha and ten members are nominated by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha. What are the main functions of the DRSCs?
Ans:These Committees are entrusted with the following functions 1. to consider the Demands for Grants of the related Ministries/ Departments and report thereon;2. to examine Bills, pertaining to the related Ministries/Departments, referred to the Committee and report thereon;3. to consider the annual reports of the Ministries/ Departments and report thereon; and4. 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 1. Home Affairs2. Development of North-Eastern Region3 Committee on Human Resource Development 3. Human Resource Development 4. Youth Affairs and Sports5. Women and Child Development4 Committee on Industry 6. Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises7. Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME)5 Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests 8. Science and Technology9. Space10. Ocean Development11. Atomic Energy12. Environment and Forests13. Earth Sciences 6 Committee on Transport, Tourism & Culture 14. Civil Aviation15. Shipping, Road Transport and Highways16. Tourism and Culture7 Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law & Justice 17. Law and Justice 18. Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions8 Committee on Health and Family Welfare Health and Family Welfare 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 Committee and Committee on Rules. The Deputy Chairman is the Chairman of the Committee of Privileges. In the case of otherStanding Committees, namely, Committee on Petitions, Committee on Government Assurances, Committee on Subordinate Legislation, Committee on Papers Laid on the Table and the House Committee, the Chairmanship is shared between the ruling and the opposition parties in proportion to their numerical strength in the House.The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha appoints Chairman of Committees in consultation with the leaders of parties/groups concerned. The 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 on 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 suggestamendments or additions to the Code from time to time in the form ofreports to the Council;(iii) to examine cases concerning the alleged breach of the Code of Conduct by members as also cases concerning 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 a member?
Ans:The Committee may recommend imposition of one or more of the following sanctions, viz. 1. censure;2. reprimand;3. suspension from the Council for a specific period; and4. 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 Rajya 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 and should work diligently to discharge their mandate for common good of the people. They must hold in high esteem the Constitution, the Law, Parliamentary Institutions and above all the general public. They should constantly strive to translate the ideals laid down in the Preamble to the Constitution into a reality. The following are the principles which they should abide by in their dealings:1. Members must not do anything that brings disrepute to the Parliament and affects their credibility.2. Members must utilise their position as Members of Parliament to advance general well-being of the people.3. In their dealing if Members find that there is a conflict between their personal interests and the public trust which they hold, they should resolve such a conflict in a manner that their private interests are subordinated to the duty of their public office.4. Members should always see that their private financial interests and those of the members of their immediate family do not come in conflict with the public interest and if any such conflict ever arises, they should try to resolve such a conflict in a manner that the public interest is not jeopardised.5. Members should never expect or accept any fee, remuneration or benefit for a vote given by them on the floor of the House, for introducing a Bill, for moving a resolution or desisting from moving a resolution, putting a question or abstaining from asking a question or participating in the deliberations of the House or a Parliamentary Committee.6. Members should not take a gift which may interfere with honest and impartial discharge of their official duties. They may, however, accept incidental gifts or inexpensive mementoes and customary hospitality.7. Member holding public offices should use public resources in such a manner as may lead to public good.8. If Members are in possession of a confidential information owing to their being Members of Parliament or Members of Parliamentary Committees, they should not disclose such information for advancing their personal interests.9. Members should desist from giving certificates to individuals and institutions of which they have no personal knowledge and are not based on facts.10. Members should not lend ready support to any cause of which they have no or little knowledge.11. Members should not misuse the facilities and amenities made available to them.12. Members should not be disrespectful to any religion and work for the promotion of secular values.13. Members should keep uppermost in their mind the Fundamental Duties listed in Part IVA of the Constitution. 14. 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 information is 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 elected member of Rajya Sabha is required to furnish the following information to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha within 90 days from the date of his taking oath/affirmation 1. the movable and immovable property of which he, his spouse and his dependent children are jointly or severally owners or beneficiaries;2. his liabilities to any public financial institution; and3. 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, in 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:-
IRemunerative DirectorshipName and address of the companyNature of company businessSalary/fees/allowance/benefits orany other receipts which are taxable (per annum) IIRegular Remunerated ActivityName and address of the EstablishmentNature of businessPosition heldAmount of remuneration received (per annum) IIIShareholding of Controlling Nature Name and address of the company Nature of business of the company Percentage of shares held IVPaid ConsultancyName of consultancyBusiness activity of the organisationWhere engaged as ConsultantTotal value of benefits derived from the Consultancy VProfessional EngagementDescriptionFee/Remuneration earned therefrom (per annum) 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?
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 asPrivate Members Bills.Depending on their contents, Bills may further be classified broadly into 1. original Bills which embody new proposals,2. amending Bills which seek toamend existing Acts,3. consolidating Bills which seek to consolidate existing law on a particular subject,4. Expiring Laws (Continuance) Bills which, otherwise, would expire on a specified date,5. repealing Bills,6. Bills to replace Ordinances,7. Money and financial Bills and8. Co
