Discussions on matter of public interest
184. Save in so far as is otherwise provided in the Constitution or
in these rules, no discussion of a matter of general public interest shall
take place except on a motion made with the consent of the Speaker.
Notice of motion
185. Notice of a motion shall be given in writing addressed to the Secretary-General.
Admissibility of motions
186. In order that a motion may be admissible it shall satisfy the following
conditions, namely:-
(I) it shall raise substantially one definite issue;
(ii) it shall not contain arguments, inferences, ironical expressions,
imputations or defamatory statements;
(iii) it shall not refer to the conduct or character of persons except
in their public capacity;
(iv) it shall be restricted to a matter of recent occurrence;
(v) it shall not raise a question of privilege;
(vi)it shall not revive discussion of a matter which has been discussed
in the same session;
(vii) it shall not anticipate discussion of a matter which is likely
to be discussed in the same session; *1[x
x x]
(viii) it shall not relate to any matter which is under adjudication
by a court of law having jurisdiction in any part of India;
*2[(ix)
if it contains a statement the member shall make himself responsible for
the accuracy of the statement;
(x) it shall not seek discussion on a paper or document laid on the
Table by a private member;
(xi) it shall not ordinarily relate to matters which are under consideration
of a Parliamentary Committee;
(xii) it shall not ask for an expression of opinion or the solution
of an abstract legal question or of a hypothetical proposition;
(xiii) it shall not relate to a matter which is not primarily the concern
of the Government of India;
(xiv) it shall not raise matter under the control of bodies or persons
not primarily responsible to the Government of India;
(xv) it shall not relate to a matter with which a Minister is not officially
concerned;
(xvi)it shall not refer discourteously to a friendly foreign country;
(xvii) it shall not refer to or seek disclosure of information about
matters which are in their nature secret such as Cabinet discussions or
advice given to the President in relation to any matter in respect of which
there is a constitutional, statutory or conventional obligation not to
disclose information; and
(xviii) it shall not relate to a trivial matter.]
Speaker to decide admissibility
187. The Speaker shall decide whether a motion or a part thereof is
or is not admissible under these rules and disallow any motion or a part
thereof when in his opinion it is an abuse of the right of moving a motion
or is calculated to obstruct or prejudicially affect the procedure of the
House or is in contravention of these rules.
Matters before tribunals commissions etc
188. No motion which seeks to raise discussion on a matter pending before
any statutory tribunal or statutory authority performing any judicial or
quasijudicial functions or any commission or court of enquiry appointed
to enquire into or investigate, any matter shall ordinarily be permitted
to be moved:
Provided that the Speaker may, in his discretion, allow such matter
being raised in the House as is concerned with the procedure or subject
or stage of enquiry if the Speaker is satisfied that it is not likely to
prejudice the consideration of such matter by the statutory tribunal, statutory
authority, commission or court of enquiry.
Publication of admitted motions
189. If the Speaker admits notice of a motion and no date is fixed for
the discussion of such motion, it shall be *3[x
x x] notified in the Bulletin with the heading: 'No-Day-Yet-Named Motions'.
Allotment of time for discussion
190. The Speaker may, after considering the state of business in the
House and in consultation with the Leader of the House *4[or
on the recommendation of the Business Advisory Committee] allot a day or
days or part of a day for the discussion of any such motion.
Putting of question at appointed time
191. The Speaker shall, at the appointed hour on the allotted day or
the last of the allotted days, as the case may be, forthwith put every
question necessary to determine the decision of the House on the original
question.
Time limit for speeches
192. The Speaker may, if he thinks fit, prescribe a time limit for speeches.
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[*1]
Omitted by L.S. Bn. (II) dated 9-5-1989, para 2930
[*2]
Added by L.S. Bn. (II), dated 9-5-1989, para 2930
[*3]
Omitted by L.S. Bn. (II) dated 9-5-1989, para 2930
[*4] Added ibid.