19-11-2016
Parliament functioning overview:
Time: 11AM to 6 PM – Can go beyond this {If the legislators want} or less than this {If speaker agrees}.
Regulator : Business Advisory Committee - chaired by the Speaker and comprises of leaders of political parties in the House - decides the business that would be taken up in the week and allocates time for each debate.
Instruments for rising concerns:
- Questions can be asked, Although prior notice of 15 days is needed {"Giving notice"} - Flexibility is available but at the discretion of the Speaker.
- Questions asked in the hope for vote are called Motion. Simple oral vote or electronic vote {At the request of MP} called "Division".
11 – 12 AM:
Question Hour: Starred questions { Oral response – Supplementary questions can be asked 2 by the MP who submitted the question and by other MP's – 15 days notice – Parliament will know about these 3 days in advance} & UnStarred {Written response – No supplementary questions} & Short Notice questions { 10 Days in advance – Oral answer – Available for supplementary questions}.
12 AM – 1 PM
Zero Hour: Matters that cannot wait for the time of notice – Notice before 10AM – Speaker discretion.
Rule 377 : Matter notice before 10am that day – Very quick and effective and not all the MP's in the parliament can send this notice - Discretion of speaker again and questions selected will be based on party strength.
Rule 197{Calling Attention}: MP's submit notice before 10AM and call the attention of Minister – Oral response and supplementary questions – At most 2 such can be raised.
2PM – 6PM:
Half and Hour Discussions: When answer to Starred or unstarred questions are not fully satisfactory and further discussion is needed. 3 days notice to be given and Speaker discretion – Further 4 MPs can ask question during this time.
Short duration Discussions: Mps can ask for this and Bussiness Advisory Committee will allocate time.
Motions:
Adjournment Motion: 10AM notice – Speaker Concent - House adjourns after the motion is passed and the day is set aside for discussing policy aspects– Bringing to notice any policy of the government.
No Confidence Motion: 10 AM notice – Accepted if 50 more MP's second it – On whole Council of Ministers and if passed the government would have to resign.
Censure Motion: Against a single minister or the whole COM – Speaker decides the time and day – If passed government would have to show its power through no Confidence motion as soon as possible.
