SALES SERVICE IN PARLIAMENT HOUSE
The Sales Counter of the Lok Sabha Secretariat is located in Reception Office, Parliament House, in front of the main building of Parliament House.
It caters to the needs of Members, Government Departments/Ministries and the general public in respect of Parliamentary publications. The term Parliamentary publications means publications brought out by the Lok Sabha Secretariat and include Lok Sabha Debates (cyclostyled and printed), List of Business, Lists of Questions for Oral and Written Answers, Bulletins Part I & II, Synopsis of Lok Sabha Debates ( i.e. Lok Sabha proceedings other than questions and answers), Reports of Parliamentary Committees, Bills as introduced in Lok Sabha and as well as passed by both the Houses, Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, Directions by the Speaker under the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha, Handbook for Members, Lok Sabha Members—
13th Lok Sabha, Constituent Assembly Debates (Five bound books, in English version, Fourth Edition-Reprint 2003) and (Ten bound books in Hindi version, Fourth Edition-Reprint 1994), Who’s Who, Glossary of Idioms, Unparliamentary Expressions, Demarcation of Responsibilities in Government of India and various other publications on Parliamentary procedures etc. Sale is ordinarily conducted across the Sales Counter between 10 A.M. and 3 P.M. The procedure for obtaining publications from the Sales Counter is outlined in the succeeding paragraphs.
Sale across the Sales Counter
Sale across the Sales Counter to customers (Government or private individuals) is strictly conducted on cash payment and cash receipts are issued.
Sale of Publications through M.O./Postal Orders and advance payment
Requests from customers, other than Government Departments/Ministries received from outstations for the supply of Parliamentary publications are complied with on receipt of their cost and postage in advance. The actual amount required to be remitted to this Secretariat towards the cost and postage is communicated to the customers on receipt of their requests. The amount is to be remitted to the Assistant Director (Sales), Lok Sabha Secretariat, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi, by money order/ bank draft. In all cases the postal charges are to be borne by the indentor.
Transactions with customers in Foreign Countries
The requests for the supply of Parliamentary publications and papers from customers in foreign countries are also complied with on receipt of a bank draft drawn on the Reserve Bank of India, New Delhi in favour of Assistant Director (Sales), Lok Sabha Secretariat, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi, for the amount covering the price of the publications as well as the postal charges likely to be incurred for the despatch. Payment is also accepted by foreign money order.
Sale against Deposit Accounts
Customers (Government or private individuals) who desire to be on the regular mailing list for any Parliamentary publications, viz., Bills as introduced in Lok Sabha and as passed by both Houses of Parliament for which President’s assent is obtained by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Joint and Select Committee Reports on Bills, Reports of Estimates Committee, Public Accounts Committee and Committee on Public Undertakings, Reports of other Parliamentary Committees, Synopsis of Lok Sabha Debates (Proceedings other than Questions and Answers) are required to deposit a certain sum (Rs. 2000/- only) of money in advance as per their requirement. With this amount, a Deposit Account is opened in the name of the party and publications are sent by Registered Post, as and when received for sale, the cost of the publications and postage incurred thereon are debited against their Deposit Account. Publications are also supplied by ordinary book-post, at their risk, if the customers so desire. The Deposit Account is required to be replenished when it is near exhaustion.
Supply of Periodicals
There are presently 5 periodicals on various Parliamentary subjects, which are issued yearly/quarterly in 17 issues during a calendar year. The annual subscription for Parliamentary periodicals covering a calendar year is accepted upto 31st March. Periodicals are sent to subscribers by ordinary book-post and Postal charges are borne by the buyer. After 31st March, annual subscription is not accepted and copies of the periodicals are sold on ad hoc basis, provided they are available in stock.
Sale of Souvenirs brought out by Lok Sabha Secretariat
There are 30 items of Souvenir, available at the Sales Counter, Parliament House Reception Office, and may be obtained on cash payment. The Souvenirs are not sent by post as these tend to get damaged in transit.
Members’ D.O. Stationery
Sale of Members’ demi-official stationery is ordinarily conducted against cash payments at the Publication Counter. Members can have their D.O. Stationery on credit basis and the amount is deducted from their salaries.
Sale of Budget Papers
The Budget sets are sold at the Sales Counter, Parliament House Reception Office, after its presentation in the Lok Sabha. The advance booking for the sale of Budget sets is undertaken a week in advance.
Sale by Authorised Agents
For the convenience of customers, booksellers of repute have been appointed agents in various States for the sale of Parliamentary publications.
Handout of Parliamentary Publications
A handout of Parliamentary publications and Souvenirs can be had from the Sales Section, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi, on specific request free of cost.