Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha
Source : Indian Express
GS II : Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. What is Rule 267?
3. What is Short duration discussion under the Rule 176?

Why in News ?

The Rajya Sabha witnessed noisy scenes after the Opposition demanded that all other business be suspended for the day to take up the Manipur issue while the government had agreed for a Short Duration Discussion.

• The Rajya Sabha Chairman rejected eight of these notices during the winter session in a matter of two days.

News in Brief

• The Opposition’s demand had come under Rule 267 to discuss Manipur issue.

  

• Video went viral on social media showing two women from the Kuki community being forcibly paraded naked by a mob.
• Manipur issue is between Kuki and Meitei community.
• The clashes have renewed and strengthened a long standing demand by the Kukis for their own separate state.
• Kuki groups now say they will not stop fighting until this is granted.
• The Meitei community and the state government fiercely oppose the creation of a separate Kuki state.
• The Rajya Sabha was eventually adjourned for the day amid protests.

What is Rule 267?

• It allows for the suspension of a day’s business to debate the issue suggested by a Member.
• Rule gives special power to a Rajya Sabha member to suspend the pre-decided agenda of the House, with the approval of the Chairman.
• According to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), under Rule 267,

Any member, may, with the consent of the Chairman, move that any rule may be suspended in its application to a motion related to the business listed before the Council of that day and if the motion is carried, the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being.

• Rajya Sabha MPs can give a written notice to suspend all listed business and discuss an issue of importance the country is facing.
• Chairman alone has the power to give consent for moving of a motion for suspension.
• House to decide whether a particular rule should be suspended or not.
• Last Invoked in: In November 2016, the Upper House utilised Rule 267 to consider demonetisation, which was the last time it was used.

What is Short duration discussion under the Rule 176?

• An MP may bring up a discussion on an issue of urgent public significance under this rule.
• The Business Advisory Committee allots the discussion’s allotted time.
• The MP must provide notice outlining the subject to be brought up as well as their justifications.
• Chairman makes a decision about the notice’s admissibility.
• After the MP brings up the subject, other MPs continue to discuss it.
• At the conclusion of the conversation, the responsible Minister answers.

Daily Current Affairs : Click Here

Leave a Feedback