Notice of raising discussion

Any member desirous of raising discussion on a matter of urgent public importance may give to the Secretary, not less than two days before the date on which he intends to raise the discussion, notice in writing supported by the signatures of at least five other members and specifying clearly and precisely the matter to be raised: Provided that the notice shall be accompanied by an explanatory note stating reasons for raising discussion on the matter in question.

Speaker to decide admissibility

1.      If the Speaker is satisfied, after calling for such information from the member and the Minister concerned as he may consider necessary, that the matter is urgent and is of sufficient public importance to be raised in the House at an early date and that no early opportunity is otherwise available for the discussion of the matter, he may admit the notice.

2.      The Speaker may, in consultation with the Leader of the House, allot two sittings in a week on which such matters may be taken up for dissuasion and allow such time for discussion not exceeding one hour at or before the end of the sitting as he may consider appropriate in the circumstances.

No formal motion, the time limit for speeches

1.      There shall be no formal motion before the House for voting. The member who has given the notice may make a short statement and the Minister concerned shall reply in short. Any member who has previously intimated to the Speaker may be permitted to participate in the discussion: Provided that if the member who has given the notice is absent, any other member who has signed the notice may with the permission of the Speaker, initiate the discussion.

2.      The Speaker may, if he thinks fit, prescribe a time limit for the speeches.

Calling attention to matters of urgent public importance

1.      Subject to the provisions of these rules, any member may, with the previous permission of the Speaker, call the attention of a Minister to any matter of urgent public importance and the Minister may make a brief statement or ask for time to make a statement at a later hour or date: Provided that no member shall give more than one such notice for anyone sitting: Provided further that after a statement made by the Minister, considering the importance of the matter, it may be referred to the Standing Committee of the Ministry concerned by the Speaker for submission of a report on it within 15 days.

2.      There shall be no debate on such a statement at the time it is made but the member in whose name the item stands in the Orders of the Day may, with the permission of the Speaker, ask a question.

3.      A concise written statement by the Minister concerned in response to notices the members spoke on under sub-rule (1), shall be laid on the Table within the first three sitting days of the next session.

4.      In the event of more than three matters being presented for the same day, priority shall be given to such three matters which, in the opinion of the Speaker, are more urgent and important.

5.      All the notices which have not been taken up at the sitting for which they have been given shall lapse at the end of the sitting unless the Speaker has admitted any three of them for a subsequent sitting.

6.      The proposed matter shall be raised immediately after the questions and before the Orders of the Day are entered upon and at no other time during the sitting of the House.

Explanation-

1.      Notices for a sitting received up to two hours before the commencement of the sitting shall be deemed to have been received for that day and notices received thereafter shall be deemed to have been given for the next sitting.

2.      In case notices are received from more members than one on the same subject and for the same sitting, they shall be dealt with in the order in which they have been received.

Statement of a Member on matters or urgent public importance

Notwithstanding the provisions in rule 71(5), a member may speak for two minutes on each of the notices which is acceptable under rule 71(1) but could not be so accepted in view of rule 71(3). But the total time will not exceed thirty minutes and only as many members may speak as may be possible within that time limit.

1.      The Speaker may allot time for a statement on the above subjects after the business under rule 71(6) has been completed.

2.      A concise written statement by the Minister concerned in response to notices the members spoke on under sub-rule (1), shall be laid on the Table within the first three sitting days of the next session.