Lok Sabha, India’s lower house of Parliament, follows specific rules to carry out its business. These rules, known as the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, along with the Speaker’s directions, guide the proceedings. The items of business proposed by Ministers or Private Members and approved by the Speaker are included in the daily List of Business circulated to members beforehand.
Sessions – When Lok Sabha Comes Alive
The times when Lok Sabha gathers to conduct its business are called sessions. The Constitution ensures that there should not be more than a six-month gap between sessions, making sure that Parliament meets at least twice a year. In reality, Lok Sabha usually holds three sessions each year: the Budget session (February to May), Monsoon session (July to September), and Winter session (November to mid-December). Sittings generally happen from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., with no sessions on weekends or closed holidays.
Understanding Question Hour
The first hour of each sitting day is known as Question Hour. During this time, Members have the right to ask questions of Ministers about various aspects of administration and government policy. Questions come in three types: Starred, Unstarred, and Short Notice. Starred questions demand oral answers, unstarred ones receive written responses, and short-notice questions, related to urgent matters, are addressed immediately after Question Hour, known as Zero Hour.
Discovering the Power of Zero Hour
Zero Hour kicks off around noon, allowing Members to raise important issues with prior notice to the Speaker. Discussions on significant Bills, the Budget, and other national matters typically take place from 2 p.m. onwards.
What Happens After Question Hour?
After Question Hour, Lok Sabha attends to miscellaneous tasks before moving on to the main agenda. These tasks may include Adjournment Motions, Privilege Breach Questions, Papers Presentation, and more.
Unveiling the Main Business
The central focus of the day may involve considering a bill, financial matters, resolutions, or motions.
- Breaking Down Legislative Business
Bills, which are proposals for laws, can be government bills or private members’ bills. Every bill goes through three readings before becoming law, requiring approval from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, followed by the President’s assent.
- Navigating Financial Business
The presentation, discussion, and voting on annual budgets consume a significant part of Lok Sabha’s time during the budget session. This process involves passing the Appropriations Bill and the Finance Bill.
- Shedding Light on Motions and Resolutions
Motions and resolutions, introduced by the government or individual members, address matters of policy or specific problems. Fridays often reserve time for private members’ business, featuring discussions on resolutions.
Understanding Parliamentary Committees
Drafting bills and amendments is primarily discussed in parliamentary committees. Two main types are Permanent Standing Committees, reconstituted after each election, and Ad Hoc Committees, created for specific purposes.
Demystifying Half-an-Hour Discussions
In Lok Sabha, a half-an-hour discussion can be initiated on a topic of public importance recently addressed in a question, regardless of whether it was orally answered or placed on the House’s table. Typically scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, these discussions last for about 30 minutes. In one session, a member can raise up to two half-hour discussions.
During this time, the member provides a brief statement, and four previously notified members can ask one question each for clarification. The minister then responds. Importantly, there is no formal motion or voting during these discussions.
Discussions on Urgent Matters
Members can initiate discussions on urgent matters of public importance, permitted by the Speaker, during specific sessions twice a week. No formal motion or voting is involved in these discussions.
Delving into House Debates
After the initiating member speaks on a business item, other members follow in an orderly fashion. Each member addresses the chair, and decisions are made through questions proposed by members.
Division Process- A division is a method to determine the House’s decision. Members verbally express their opinions, and if challenged, the chair orders a division. Members physically move into designated lobbies, and votes are recorded through an automatic vote recording system.
Automatic Vote Recording System in Action
When the Speaker announces the voting, the Lok Sabha Secretary-General presses a button on a keyboard. A gong sounds, signaling members to cast their votes. Each member flips a switch and presses one of three buttons on their seat, keeping it pressed until the gong sounds again after 10 seconds. Votes are displayed on indicator boards.
Results are tallied automatically and shown on result boards. Divisions use automatic vote recording equipment, as directed by the Speaker. Members can also vote by ‘Aye’/’No’ slips or going to lobbies. A machine room’s indicator board shows member names. A photo is taken, enlarged, and used to identify ‘Ayes’ and ‘Noes’ in Lok Sabha debates.
Publication of Debates Demystified
Lok Sabha debates are documented in three versions: Hindi, English, and the original. While only Hindi and English versions are printed, the original, in cyclostyled form, is stored in the Parliament Library. The Hindi version includes proceedings in Hindi, along with verbatim translations of English or regional languages. The English version documents proceedings in English, with translations in Hindi or regional languages. The original version captures proceedings in Hindi or English as they happened in the House, along with translations of speeches in regional languages.
In case of conflicting legislation between the two Houses, a joint sitting is conducted to reconcile differences. Typically, Lok Sabha members hold a numerical advantage in such sessions, as Lok Sabha has more than twice the number of members compared to Rajya Sabha.
Resolving Differences in a Joint Sitting
Conflicting legislation enacted by both Houses may lead to a joint sitting to reconcile differences. In such cases, Lok Sabha members generally prevail due to their numerical advantage.
In essence, Lok Sabha’s intricate procedures, from sessions and debates to divisions and publications, form the backbone of India’s parliamentary system, shaping the nation’s legislative landscape in a straightforward manner.
