New Delhi [India], August 5 : Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh on Tuesday raised serious concerns over the rampant and "casual" use of Rule 267, revealing that 34 such notices were received just today.
From the Chair, Harivansh noted a growing trend of members submitting daily notices without adhering to procedural requirements, including the failure to mention the specific rule to be suspended or to draft motions in the correct format.
"34 (thirty-four) notices have been received today under Rule 267. It is observed that several notices under Rule 267 are being given on a daily basis. Most of these notices do not mention the Rule they seek to suspend, a mandatory requirement under Rule 267. Other notices do not contain any Motion drawn in the proper format. The detailed directives imparted by the Chair on 8th December and 19th December, 2022, are also not complied with," Deputy Chairman Harivansh announced from the Chair.
He noted that some Members have been consistently raising varied issues, including those that are sub-judice or pertain to matters within the jurisdiction of State Governments that cannot be raised in the House.
"Some other Members are giving notices on different subjects daily, which are in the nature of issues to be raised during Zero Hour or Special Mention. It, prima facie, appears that Members are themselves not sure on which subject they want to seek suspension of the listed business of the day," the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman said.
Citing past data, Harivansh underscored that despite thousands of notices filed under Rule 267 over the years, only a handful were ever admitted for substantive discussion, urging members to uphold the dignity and discipline of parliamentary procedure.
"Members would appreciate that between the year 2000 to 2004, no 267 notices were allowed. Between the year 2004 to 2009, only 4 (four) substantive discussions under Rule 267 took place. Further out of 491 Notices received under Rule 267 between the year June 2009 to May 2014, only 1 (one) substantive discussion took place (on Lokpal) by suspending the business of the House. From the year 2014 till the last Session of Rajya Sabha, out of 3152 notices received under Rule 267, only 6 (six) notices were admitted for substantive discussion," he said.