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FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONSABOUTRAJYASABHA

Committees
Procedures
Secretariat

HistoryofRajyaSabha

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WhenwastheCouncilofStates(RajyaSabha)firstconstituted?

PressRelease
Ans:On3April1952.

Events
RecruitmentCell

WhendidtheCouncilofStates(RajyaSabha)meetforthefirsttime?

RighttoInformation

Ans:On13May1952.

IndianParliament
AudioVisual
Calendar

WhenwastheCouncilofStatesnamedasRajyaSabhainHindi?

OfficialSites
MediaAdvisoryCommittee

Ans:On23August1954.TheChairman,RajyaSabhamadeanannouncementintheHousethattheCouncilofStates

RajyaSabhaPublications

wouldnowbecalledRajyaSabhainHindi.

BillswiththeCommittee
PublicationsofMinistries
Resolutions

WhowasthefirstChairmanofRajyaSabha?

ParliamentLibrary
Souveniritems

Ans:Dr.S.Radhakrishnan.

Tenders

WhoaretheChairmanofRajyaSabhawhohaveheldofficeconsecutivelyfortwoterms?

TodayinLokSabha
Usefullinks

Ans:Dr.S.RadhakrishnanwasthefirstChairmanofRajyaSabhafortwoconsecutiveterms(13.5.1952to12.5.1962).
ThecurrentChairman,ShriMohammadHamidAnsariisalsocontinuingastheVicePresidentofIndiaforasecond
term(11.08.2007to10.08.2012andagainfrom11.08.2012tilldate).
WhowasthefirstDeputyChairmanofRajyaSabha?
Ans:ShriS.V.KrishnamoorthyRao(31.5.19522.4.1956&25.4.19561.3.1962).

CompositionofRajyaSabha
WhatisthemaximumstrengthofRajyaSabha?
Ans:Twohundredandfifty(250),ofwhich238aretobeelectedand12aretobe
nominatedbythePresidentofIndia.
WhatistheactualstrengthofRajyaSabha?
Ans:Twohundredandfortyfive(245),ofwhich233areelectedand12arenominated.
HowmanymembersdoeseachstatehaveinRajyaSabha?
Ans:TheallocationofseatsinRajyaSabhatotheStatesisbasedonpopulation.ItisgivenintheFourthScheduleto
theConstitution,whichisasfollows:

States

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No.ofseats

AndhraPradesh

18

ArunachalPradesh

Assam

Bihar

16

Chhattisgarh

Goa

Gujarat

11

Haryana

HimachalPradesh

JammuandKashmir

Jharkhand

Karnataka

12

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Kerala

MadhyaPradesh

11

Maharashtra

19

Manipur

Meghalaya

Mizoram

Nagaland

NationalCapitalTerritoryofDelhi

Odisha

10

Puducherry

Punjab

Rajasthan

10

Sikkim

TamilNadu

18

Tripura

Uttarakhand

UttarPradesh

31

WestBengal

16

CurrentlyhowmanymembersareelectedfromUnionterritories?
Ans:IntotalfourmembersareelectedfromtheUnionterritories(3fromDelhiand1fromPuducherry).However,
currentlyoneseatfromDelhiandonefromPuducherryisvacant.OtherUnionterritoriesarenotrepresentedinRajya
Sabha.
WhyisRajyaSabhacalledapermanentbody?
Ans:RajyaSabhaisnotsubjecttodissolutionasnearlyaspossible,onethirdofitsmembersretireeverysecond
year.
WhatisthetermofamemberofRajyaSabha?
Ans:Itissixyearsbutamemberelectedinabyeelectionservesfortheremainderofthetermofthevacancy
caused.
WhatisthequorumtoconstituteameetingofRajyaSabha?
Ans:ItisonetenthofthetotalmembersoftheHouse,i.e.,25members.
WhichisthepartywillmaximummembersintheHouse?
Ans:IndianNationalCongress.

OfficersofRajyaSabha
WhoactsastheChairman,RajyaSabha?
Ans:TheVicePresidentistheexofficioChairmanofRajyaSabha.
HowistheVicePresidentofIndiaelected?
Ans:TheVicePresidentiselectedbythemembersofanelectoralcollegeconsistingofthemembersofbothHouses
ofParliamentinaccordancewiththesystemofproportionalrepresentationbymeansofthesingletransferablevote.
WhatisthetermofofficeofVicePresidentofIndia?
Ans:TheVicePresidentholdsofficeforatermoffiveyearsfromthedateonwhichheentersuponhisoffice.
CurrentlywhoistheChairmanofRajyaSabha?
Ans:ShriMohammadHamidAnsari
HowistheDeputyChairmanelected?
Ans:TheDeputyChairmaniselectedbythemembersofRajyaSabhafromamongstitsmembers.
WhataretheresponsibilitiesoftheDeputyChairman?
Ans:WhiletheofficeofChairmanisvacant,orduringanyperiodwhentheVicePresidentisactingas,ordischarging

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thefunctionsofthePresident,thedutiesoftheofficeoftheChairmanareperformedbytheDeputyChairman.
CurrentlywhoistheDeputyChairmanofRajyaSabha?
Ans:Prof.P.J.Kurien
whopresidesovertheproceedingsoftheRajyaSabhaintheabsenceofboththeChairmanandtheDeputy
Chairman?
Ans:UnderRule8oftheofProcedureandConductofBusinessintheCouncilofStates(RajyaSabha),theChairman,
RajyaSabhanominatessixmembersonthepanelofViceChairmen,oneofwhompresidesovertheHouseinthe
absenceofboththeChairmanandtheDeputyChairman.WhenneithertheChairmannortheDeputyChairmanand
noneoftheViceChairmenispresenttopreside,theHousemaydecideaboutanyothermemberpresenttopreside.
CurrentlywhoistheLeaderoftheHouse?
Ans:Dr.ManmohanSingh
WhataretheresponsibilitiesoftheLeaderoftheHouse?
Ans:LeaderoftheHouseplaysanimportantroleindrawinguptheprogrammeofofficialbusinessintheHouse.
Normally,thePrimeMinisternominatesaMinisterwhoisamemberoftheRajyaSabhaasLeaderoftheHouse,butif
thePrimeMinisterhimselfisamemberofRajyaSabha,hewillactastheLeaderoftheHouse.
CurrentlywhoistheLeaderoftheOpposition?
Ans:ShriArunJaitley.
CurrentlywhoistheSecretaryGeneralofRajyaSabha?
Ans:ShriShumsherK.Sheriff
HowistheSecretaryGeneralappointed?
Ans:TheSecretaryGeneralisappointedbytheChairman,RajyaSabhaandholdsarankequivalenttotheCabinet
Secretary,thehighestcivilservantoftheUnionGovernment.
WhatistheroleoftheSecretaryGeneral?
Ans:HeassiststhePresidingOfficersinconductingtheproceedingsoftheHousebygivingthemadviceandexpert
opinion.HedoesnotparticipateinthedebateexceptforreportingmessagesfromtheLokSabhaaboutBillsorany
othermatter.Allnoticesundertherulesareaddressedtohim.HeisthecustodianoftherecordsoftheHouse.He
preparesfullreportoftheproceedingsoftheHouseandalsoissuestheListofBusinessfortheday.Heisthe
administrativeheadoftheRajyaSabhaSecretariat.

MembersofRajyaSabha
HowaremembersofRajyaSabhaelected?
Ans:MembersofRajyaSabhaareelectedbytheelectedmembersoftheAssembliesofStatesandUnionterritoriesin
accordancewiththesystemofproportionalrepresentationbymeansofthesingletransferablevote.
WhataretherequirementstobecomeamemberofRajyaSabha?
Ans:HeshouldbeacitizenofIndiaabove30yearsofageandpossessingsuchotherqualificationsasmaybe
prescribedbylawofParliament.
ShouldaMemberbeadomicileoftheStatefromwhichheiselectedtoRajyaSabha?
Ans:No.Itisnolongeressential.HehastobeanelectorinaparliamentaryconstituencyanywhereinIndia.
AretherenominatedmembersinRajyaSabha?
Ans:Yes,therearetwelvemembersnominatedbythePresidentofIndiafromamongstpersonshavingspecial
knowledgeorpracticalexperienceinliterature,science,artandsocialservice.
DothenominatedmembersvoteintheelectionoftheVicePresidentandthePresident?
Ans:WhilethenominatedmembersofRajyaSabhahavearighttovoteintheelectionoftheVicePresidentofIndia,
theyarenotentitledtovoteintheelectionofthePresidentofIndia.
WhowasthefirstwomannominatedmemberoftheRajyaSabha?

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Ans:Smt.RukminiDeviArundale(195256and195662).
WhoarethecurrentnominatedmembersinRajyaSabha?
Ans:Seven(7).Prof.M.SSwaminathan,ShriH.K.Dua,Dr.AshokS.Ganguly,ShriManiShankarAiyar,ShriJaved
Akhtar,Smt.B.JayashreeandDr.BhalchandraMungekar.
CurrentlyhowmanymembersofRajyaSabhaarethereintheCouncilofMinisters?
Ans:Twelve(12).TheyareDr.ManmohanSingh,ShriAnandSharma,ShriA.K.Antony,Smt.AmbikaSoni,ShriG.K.
Vasan,ShriGulamNabiAzad,ShriJairamRamesh,Smt.JayanthiNatarajan,ShriS.M.Krishna,ShriVayalarRavi,Shri
AshwaniKumarandShriRajeevShukla.
CanaMinisterwhoisaMemberofLokSabhaparticipateintheproceedingsofRajyaSabha?
Ans:AMinisterwhoisaMemberofLokSabhahastherighttospeakinandotherwisetotakepartintheproceedings
ofRajyaSabhabuthasnorighttovoteinRajyaSabhaandviceversa.
CurrentlyhowmanywomenmembersarethereinRajyaSabhaandwhatistheirpercentage?
Ans:TwentySix(26),10.6%
WhoiscurrentlytheyoungestmemberinRajyaSabha?
Ans:ShriDilipKumarTirkey
WhoiscurrentlytheoldestmemberinRajyaSabha?
Ans:ShriRishangKeishing.
WhoiscurrentlythelongestservingmemberinRajyaSabha?
Ans:Dr.NajmaA.Heptulla
AmongthecurrentmembersofRajyaSabha,whohasthelongestlegislativeexperience?
Ans:ShriRishangKeishing.
WhodecidesifthememberisdisqualifiedfrombeingamemberofRajyaSabha?
Ans:IfanyquestionarisesastowhetheramemberoftheHousehasbecomesubjecttodisqualificationunderarticle
102(1),thequestionisreferredforthedecisionofthePresidentandhisdecisionisfinal.Beforegivinganydecisionon
anysuchquestion,thePresidentobtainstheopinionoftheElectionCommissionofIndiaandactsaccordingtosuch
opinion.Ifunderarticle102(2)anyquestionarisesastowhetheramemberoftheHousehasbecomesubjectto
disqualificationundertheTenthScheduletotheConstitution,thequestionisreferredtotheChairman,RajyaSabha
andhisdecisionisfinal.

Roleandfunctions
WhatarethespecialpowersofRajyaSabha?
Ans:RajyaSabhabeingafederalchamberrepresentingStates/Unionterritories,enjoyscertainspecialpowers:
I. to empower Parliament to make laws in respect of any matter enumerated in the State List in the national
interestbyadoptingaresolutiontothiseffect(article249),
II. creationofAllIndiaServices(article312)and
III. approvingProclamations(issuedunderarticle352orarticle356orarticle360)iftheLokSabhastanddissolved
orthedissolutionoftheLokSabhatakesplacewithintheperiodallowedfortheapprovaloftheProclamationby
Parliament.
WhatisthelegislativerelationshipbetweenLokSabhaandRajyaSabha?
Ans:Inlegislativematters,RajyaSabhaenjoysalmostequalpowerswithLokSabha,exceptinthecaseofMoneyBills
wherethelatterhasoverridingpowers.SuchBillscannotbeintroducedinRajyaSabhaandaredeemedtohavebeen
passedifthesearenotreturnedtoLokSabhawithinfourteendays.
IsanydeadlockbetweenthetwoHousespossible?
Ans:Yes.InthecaseofBills,adisagreementbetweenthetwoHousesmayarisewhenaBillpassedbyoneHouseis
rejectedbytheotherHouseortheHouseshavefinallydisagreedastotheamendmentstobemadeintheBillor
morethansixmonthslapsefromthedateofthereceptionoftheBillbytheotherHousewithouttheBillbeingpassed
byit.

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WhatisthemechanismforresolvingthedeadlockbetweenthetwoHouses?
Ans:AjointsittingoftheHousesisconvenedforthispurpose.InthecaseofMoneyBills,thereisnoquestionofa
deadlockastheRajyaSabhahasalimitedsayinsuchmatters.Thereisnoprovisionforajointsittingincaseofa
deadlockoveraConstitutionAmendmentBill.
HowmanyjointsittingsoftheLokSabhaandtheRajyaSabhahavebeenconvenedsofar?
Ans:InthehistoryofParliamentofIndia,therehavebeenthreeoccasionswhenbothHousesofParliamenthelda
jointsittingtoresolvedeadlockonBillsbetweenthem,i.e.,
I. 6and9May1961ontheDowryProhibitionBill,1959
II. 17May1978ontheBankingServiceCommission(Repeal)Bill,1977and
III. 26March2002onthePreventionofTerrorismBill,2002.
WhatarethepowersoftheRajyaSabhawithrespecttotheMoneyBill?
Ans:AMoneyBillisintroducedonlyinLokSabhaandafteritispassedbythatHouse,itistransmittedtoRajyaSabha
foritsconcurrenceorrecommendation.RajyaSabhahastoreturntheMoneyBilltoLokSabhawithinaperiodof
fourteendaysfromitsreceipt.RajyaSabhacannotamendtheMoneyBilldirectlyitcanonlyrecommendamendments
totheBill.LokSabhamayeitheracceptorrejectalloranyoftherecommendationsmadebytheRajyaSabha.IfLok
SabhaacceptsanyoftherecommendationsmadebyRajyaSabha,theBillisdeemedtohavebeenpassedbyboththe
Houseswiththeamendmentssorecommendedandaccepted.If,however,LokSabhadoesnotacceptanyofthe
recommendationsofRajyaSabha,theMoneyBillisdeemedtohavebeenpassedbybothHousesofParliamentinthe
forminwhichitwaspassedbyLokSabhawithoutanyoftheamendmentsrecommendedbyRajyaSabha.

Committees
WhatarethedifferentcategoriesofParliamentaryCommitteesofRajyaSabha?
Ans:ParliamentaryCommitteesoftheRajyaSabhamaybecategorizedasadhocCommitteesandStanding
Committees.
WhatareadhocCommittees?
Ans:AdhocCommitteesarethoseCommitteeswhichmaybeconstitutedbytheHouseorbytheChairmanorbythe
PresidingOfficersofbothHousesjointlytoconsiderandreportonspecificmatters.SuchCommitteesbecomefunctus
officioassoonastheycompletetheirwork.TheseCommitteesmaybedividedintotwocategories:
I. Select/JointCommitteesonBillsconstitutedbytheHouse(s)onspecificmotiontoconsiderandreportonBills
and
II. Committeeswhichareconstitutedfromtimetotimetoenquireintoandreportonspecificsubjects.
WhatareStandingCommittees?
Ans:StandingCommitteesarepermanentCommitteeswhosemembersareeitherelectedbytheHouseornominated
bytheChairmaneveryyearorfromtimetotime.Theseare:BusinessAdvisoryCommittee,GeneralPurposes
Committee,CommitteeonGovernmentassurances,HouseCommittee,CommitteeonPetitions,Committeeon
SubordinateLegislation,CommitteeonPapersLaidontheTable,CommitteeofPrivileges,CommitteeonRules,
CommitteeonEthics,CommitteeonProvisionofComputerstoMembersofRajyaSabha,CommitteeonMemberof
ParliamentLocalAreaDevelopmentSchemeandtheDepartmentrelatedStandingCommittees.
WhatareDepartmentrelatedStandingCommittees?
Ans:DRSCsweresetupin1993toscrutinizethefunctioningofthevariousMinistries/DepartmentsoftheUnion
GovernmentassignedtotheminordertofurtherstrengthentheaccountabilityoftheGovernmenttoParliament.
HowmanyDRSCshavebeenConstituted?
Ans:TwentyfourDRSCshavebeenconstitutedconsistingofnotmorethanthirtyonemembers,outofwhichtwenty
onemembersarenominatedbytheSpeaker,LokSabhaandtenmembersarenominatedbytheChairman,Rajya
Sabha.
WhatarethemainfunctionsoftheDRSCs?
Ans:TheseCommitteesareentrustedwiththefollowingfunctions
I. toconsidertheDemandsforGrantsoftherelatedMinistries/Departmentsandreportthereon
II. to examine Bills, pertaining to the related Ministries/Departments, referred to the Committee and report
thereon
III. toconsidertheannualreportsoftheMinistries/Departmentsandreportthereonand
IV. toconsidernationalbasiclongtermpolicydocumentsandreportthereon.
HowmanyDRSCsarethereunderthejurisdictionofRajyaSabhaandLokSabha?
Ans:EightDRSCsfunctionunderthecontrolanddirectionoftheChairman,RajyaSabha,whilesixteensuch

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CommitteesfunctionunderthecontrolanddirectionoftheSpeaker,LokSabha.
WhicharetheDRSCsunderRajyaSabhaandtheMinistries/Departmentsundertheirpurview?
Ans:DetailsoftheCommitteesandtheMinistries/Departmentsunderthemaregivenasunder:

Sl.No.

NameoftheCommittee

CommitteeonCommerce

CommitteeonHomeAffairs

Ministries/Departments
CommerceandIndustry
I. HomeAffairs
II. DevelopmentofNorthEasternRegion

CommitteeonHumanResourceDevelopment

I. HumanResourceDevelopment
II. YouthAffairsandSports
III. WomenandChildDevelopment

CommitteeonIndustry

I. HeavyIndustriesandPublicEnterprises
II. Micro,Small&MediumEnterprises(MSME)

Committee

on

Science

&

Technology,

I. ScienceandTechnology

Environment&Forests

II. Space
III. OceanDevelopment
IV. AtomicEnergy
V. EnvironmentandForests
VI. EarthSciences

CommitteeonTransport,Tourism&Culture

I. CivilAviation
II. Shipping,RoadTransportandHighways
III. TourismandCulture

Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances,

I. LawandJustice

Law&Justice
8

CommitteeonHealthandFamilyWelfare

II. Personnel,PublicGrievancesandPensions
HealthandFamilyWelfare

WhatarethedetailsregardingChairmanshipoftheCommitteesofRajyaSabha?
Ans:TheChairman,RajyaSabhaistheChairmanoftheBusinessAdvisoryCommittee,GeneralPurposesCommittee
andCommitteeonRules.TheDeputyChairmanistheChairmanoftheCommitteeofPrivileges.Inthecaseof
otherStandingCommittees,namely,CommitteeonPetitions,CommitteeonGovernmentAssurances,Committeeon
SubordinateLegislation,CommitteeonPapersLaidontheTableandtheHouseCommittee,theChairmanshipisshared
betweentherulingandtheoppositionpartiesinproportiontotheirnumericalstrengthintheHouse.TheChairmanof
theRajyaSabhaappointsChairmanofCommitteesinconsultationwiththeleadersofparties/groupsconcerned.The
ChairmanshipofCommitteesallottedtotheoppositionpartiesmayrotateamongstthemselves.
WhatarethefunctionsoftheCommitteeonEthics?
Ans:UnderRule290oftheRuleofProcedureandConductofBusinessintheCouncilofStates,theCommitteeon
Ethicshasthefollowingfunctions:
(i)tooverseethemoralandethicalconductofmembers:
(ii)toprepareaCodeofConductformembersandtosuggestamendmentsoradditionstotheCodefromtimetotime
intheformofreportstotheCouncil
(iii)toexaminecasesconcerningtheallegedbreachoftheCodeofConductbymembersasalsocasesconcerning
allegationsofanyotherethicalmisconductofmembersand
(iv)totenderadvicetomembersfromtimetotimeonquestionsinvolvingethicalstandardseithersuomotuoron
receivingspecificrequests.
WhatsanctionstheCommitteeonEthicscanimposeonprovedunethicalbehaviorormisconductofa
member?
Ans:TheCommitteemayrecommendimpositionofoneormoreofthefollowingsanctions,viz.
I. censure
II. reprimand
III. suspensionfromtheCouncilforaspecificperiodand
IV. anyothersanctiondeterminedbytheCommitteetobeappropriate.
WhatistheCodeofConductforMembersenumeratedbytheCommitteeonEthicsadoptedbytheRajya
Sabha?
Ans:Yes.TheCodeofConductisasfollows:
TheMembersofRajyaSabhashouldacknowledgetheirresponsibilitytomaintainthepublictrustreposedinthemand
shouldworkdiligentlytodischargetheirmandateforcommongoodofthepeople.Theymustholdinhighesteemthe
Constitution,theLaw,ParliamentaryInstitutionsandaboveallthegeneralpublic.Theyshouldconstantlystriveto
translatetheidealslaiddowninthePreambletotheConstitutionintoareality.Thefollowingaretheprincipleswhich
theyshouldabidebyintheirdealings:
I. MembersmustnotdoanythingthatbringsdisreputetotheParliamentandaffectstheircredibility.

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II. MembersmustutilisetheirpositionasMembersofParliamenttoadvancegeneralwellbeingofthepeople.
III. IntheirdealingifMembersfindthatthereisaconflictbetweentheirpersonalinterestsandthepublictrustwhich
they hold, they should resolve such a conflict in a manner that their private interests are subordinated to the
dutyoftheirpublicoffice.
IV. Members should always see that their private financial interests and those of the members of their immediate
family do not come in conflict with the public interest and if any such conflict ever arises, they should try to
resolvesuchaconflictinamannerthatthepublicinterestisnotjeopardised.
V. Membersshouldneverexpectoracceptanyfee,remunerationorbenefitforavotegivenbythemonthefloor
of the House, for introducing a Bill, for moving a resolution or desisting from moving a resolution, putting a
question or abstaining from asking a question or participating in the deliberations of the House or a
ParliamentaryCommittee.
VI. Membersshouldnottakeagiftwhichmayinterferewithhonestandimpartialdischargeoftheirofficialduties.
Theymay,however,acceptincidentalgiftsorinexpensivemementoesandcustomaryhospitality.
VII. Memberholdingpublicofficesshouldusepublicresourcesinsuchamannerasmayleadtopublicgood.
VIII. If Members are in possession of a confidential information owing to their being Members of Parliament or
MembersofParliamentaryCommittees,theyshouldnotdisclosesuchinformationforadvancingtheirpersonal
interests.
IX. Members should desist from giving certificates to individuals and institutions of which they have no personal
knowledgeandarenotbasedonfacts.
X. Membersshouldnotlendreadysupporttoanycauseofwhichtheyhavenoorlittleknowledge.
XI. Membersshouldnotmisusethefacilitiesandamenitiesmadeavailabletothem.
XII. Membersshouldnotbedisrespectfultoanyreligionandworkforthepromotionofsecularvalues.
XIII. MembersshouldkeepuppermostintheirmindtheFundamentalDutieslistedinPartIVAoftheConstitution.
XIV. Membersareexpectedtomaintainhighstandardsofmorality,dignity,decencyandvaluesinpubliclife.
InpursuanceoftheRajyaSabha(DeclarationofAssetsandLiabilities)Rules,2004whatinformationis
requiredtobefurnishedbyMemberstotheChairman,RajyaSabha?
Ans:UnderRule3oftheMembersoftheRajyaSabha(DeclarationofAssetsandLiabilities)Rules,2004,everyelected
memberofRajyaSabhaisrequiredtofurnishthefollowinginformationtotheChairman,RajyaSabhawithin90days
fromthedateofhistakingoath/affirmation
I. themovableandimmovablepropertyofwhichhe,hisspouseandhisdependentchildrenarejointlyorseverally
ownersorbeneficiaries
II. hisliabilitiestoanypublicfinancialinstitutionand
III. hisliabilitiestotheCentralGovernmentortotheStateGovernments

Whatarethepecuniaryinterestsandtheingredientsthereof,identifiedbytheCommitteeonEthics,in
respectofwhichinformationistobefurnishedbyMembers?
Ans:TheCommitteeonEthicshasidentifiedthefollowingfivepecuniaryinterestsandtheingredientsthereof,in
respectofwhichinformationistobefurnishedbyMembersforregistrationintheRegisterofMembersInterests
undersubrule(1)ofRule293oftheRulesofProcedureandConductofBusinessintheCouncilofStates:

I
RemunerativeDirectorship
Nameandaddressofthecompany
Natureofcompanybusiness
Salary/fees/allowance/benefitsor
anyotherreceiptswhicharetaxable(perannum)
II
RegularRemuneratedActivity
NameandaddressoftheEstablishment
Natureofbusiness
Positionheld
Amountofremunerationreceived(perannum)
III
ShareholdingofControllingNature
Nameandaddressofthecompany
Natureofbusinessofthecompany
Percentageofsharesheld
IV
PaidConsultancy
Nameofconsultancy
Businessactivityoftheorganisation
WhereengagedasConsultant
TotalvalueofbenefitsderivedfromtheConsultancy
V
ProfessionalEngagement
Description
Fee/Remunerationearnedtherefrom(perannum)

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WhetherpecuniaryinterestsofMembersoutsidethecountrycomeunderitspurview?
Ans:Yes.UnderthesaidRule,informationthatMembersfurnishhastobeinrespectoftheirpecuniaryinterests,
whetherheldwithinthecountryoroutside.

Legislation
WhatisaBill?
Ans:ABillisalegislativeproposalbroughtbeforetheHouseforitsapproval.
WhatarethetypesofBills?
Ans:TheBillsinitiatedbyMinistersarecalledGovernmentBillsandthoseintroducedbyMemberswhoarenot
Ministers,areknownasPrivateMembersBills.Dependingontheircontents,Billsmayfurtherbeclassifiedbroadlyinto
I. originalBillswhichembodynewproposals,
II. amendingBillswhichseektoamendexistingActs,
III. consolidatingBillswhichseektoconsolidateexistinglawonaparticularsubject,
IV. ExpiringLaws(Continuance)Billswhich,otherwise,wouldexpireonaspecifieddate,
V. repealingBills,
VI. BillstoreplaceOrdinances,
VII. MoneyandfinancialBillsand
VIII. ConstitutionAmendmentBills.

WhatisthedifferencebetweenaBillandanAct?
Ans:ABillpassedbybothHousesofParliamentbecomesanActonlyafterithasbeenassentedtobythePresident.
WhatarethestepsinvolvedinthepassageofaBill?
Ans:ABillwhilebeingconsideredhastoundergothreestagesineachHouseofParliament.Thefirststageisthe
Introduction,whichisdoneonamotionmovedbyeitheraMinisteroraMember.
Duringthesecondstageanyofthefollowingmotionscanbemoved:thattheBillbetakenintoconsiderationorthatit
bereferredtoaSelectCommitteeofRajyaSabhaorthatitbereferredtoaJointCommitteeofthetwoHousesor
thatitbecirculatedforthepurposeofelicitingopinionthereon.Thereafter,theBillistakenupfortheclausebyclause
considerationasintroducedorasreportedbytheSelect/JointCommittee.
ThethirdstageisconfinedtothediscussiononthemotionthattheBillbepassedandtheBillispassed/rejectedeither
byvotingorvoicevote(orreturnedtoLokSabha,inthecaseofaMoneyBill).
DoestheChairmanhavearighttocastavote?
Ans:TheChairmanhasacastingvoteinthecaseofanequalityofvotes.
WhatarethemethodsofvotinginRajyaSabha?
Ans:InRajyaSabha,generallyfourmethodsofvotingareadopted:Voicevote,Counting,Divisionbyautomaticvote
recorderandDivisionbygoingintotheLobbies
WhataretheeffectsofdissolutionofLokSabhaontheBusinessofRajyaSabha?
Ans:
I. Bills originating in Rajya Sabha which are still pending in that House do not lapse on the dissolution of Lok
Sabha.
II. Bills originating in Rajya Sabha which having been passed by the House and transmitted to Lok Sabha and
pendingtherelapseonthedissolutionofLokSabha.
III. BillsoriginatinginLokSabhawhichhavingbeenpassedbythatHouseandtransmittedtoRajyaSabhaandstill
pendingthereonthedateofdissolutionofLokSabha,lapse.
IV. Bills originating in Rajya Sabha and returned to that House by Lok Sabha with amendments and still pending
thereonthedateofitsdissolution,lapse.
V. A Bill upon which the Houses have disagreed and the President has notified his intention to summon a Joint
SittingoftheHousestoconsidertheBillpriortodissolutiondoesnotlapseondissolutionofLokSabha.
VI. A Bill passed by the two Houses of Parliament and sent to the President for assent does not lapse on the
dissolutionofLokSabha.
VII. A Bill returned by the President to Rajya Sabha for reconsideration of the Houses does not lapse if the
dissolutionofLokSabhatakesplacewithouttheHouseshavingconsideredtheBill

ProcedureforraisingMattersofPublicInterest
WhatisCallingAttention?

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RajyaSabha
Ans:Rule180oftheRulesofProcedureandConductofBusinessinRajyaSabhaprovidesthataMembermaywiththe
previouspermissionoftheChairmancalltheattentionofaMinistertoanymatterofurgentpublicimportanceandthe
Ministermaymakeabriefstatementoraskfortimetomakeastatementatalaterhourordate.TheCallingAttention
isanIndianinnovationintheparliamentaryprocedure.
WhatisSpecialMention?
Ans:UnderRules180A180E,aMembermaymentionamatterofpublicimportanceintheHousehehastogivea
noticeinwritingalongwiththetextofthemattertoberaisednotexceeding250words.Nomemberispermittedto
makemorethanoneSpecialMentionduringaweek.
WhatisaMotion?
Ans:Rules167174oftheRulesofProcedureandConductofBusinessinRajyaSabhaprovidethatnodiscussionona
matterofgeneralpublicinterestshalltakeplaceexceptonamotionmadewiththeconsentoftheChairman.
Thetermmotioninparliamentaryparlancemeansanyproposalmadeforthepurposeofelicitingadecisionofthe
House.Itisphrasedinsuchawaythat,ifpassed,itwillpurporttoexpressthewilloftheHouse.
WhatarethetypesofMotion?
Ans:MotionsmaybeclassifiedasSubstantiveorSubsidiary.Asubstantivemotionisaselfcontainedproposalmadein
referencetoasubjectwhichthemoverwishestobringforward.Asubsidiarymotionasitsnamesuggests,relatestoa
substantivemotion.
WhatisNoDayYetNamedMotion?
Ans:IftheChairmanadmitsnoticeofamotionandnodateisfixedforthediscussiononsuchamotion,itis
immediatelynotifiedintheBulletinPt.IIundertheheadingNoDayYetNamedMotionDateandtimeisallottedfor
discussiononsuchmotionsbytheChairman,inconsultationwiththeLeaderoftheHouseaftertakinginto
considerationthestateofbusinessbeforetheHouse.
WhatisaResolution?
Ans:TheHousedeclaresitsownopinionsandpurposesbyitsresolutions.Everyquestion,whenagreedto,bythe
House,assumestheformofeitheraresolutionoranorder.
Resolutionsmaybecategorizedas:PrivateMembersResolutions(whicharemovedbyamembernotaMinister)
GovernmentResolutions(whicharemovedbyMinisters)andStatutoryResolutions(whicharemovedinpursuanceof
aprovisioncontainedintheConstitutionoranActofParliament).
WhatisthePresident'sAddress?
Ans:ThePresidentofIndiaaddressesbothHousesofParliamentassembledtogetheratthecommencementofthefirst
sessionafteranewLokSabhahasbeenconstitutedandalsoatthecommencementoffirstsessioneachyear.The
mattersreferredtointhePresidentsAddresstotheHousesarediscussedonaMotionofThanksmovedbyaMember
andsecondedbyanotherMember.
Whatispointoforder?
Ans:APointofOrderisapointrelatingtotheinterpretationorenforcementoftheRulesofProcedureorsucharticles
oftheConstitutionasregulatethebusinessoftheHouseandsubmittedtothedecisionoftheChair.Rule258ofthe
RulesofProcedureandConductofBusinessinRajyaSabhamakesaprovisiontoenableamembertoraiseapointof
order.AnymembermayatanytimesubmitapointoforderforthedecisionoftheChairman,butindoingso,shall
confinehimselftostatingthepoint.TheChairmanshalldecideallpointsoforderwhichmayarise,andhisdecision
shallbefinal.
WhatisDilatoryMotion?
Ans:Rule230oftheRulesofProcedureandConductofBusinessinRajyaSabhaexplainsDilatorymotion.Atanytime
afteramotionhasbeenmade,amembermaymovethatthedebateonthemotionbeadjourned.IftheChairmanisof
opinionthatamotionfortheadjournmentofadebateisanabuseoftherulesoftheCouncil,hemayeitherforthwith
putthequestionthereonfromtheChairordeclinetoproposethequestion.
WhatisaShortDurationDiscussion?
Ans:Rules176179oftheRulesofProcedureandConductofBusinessinRajyaSabhaexplainsabouttheshort
durationdiscussion.IftheChairmanissatisfied,aftercallingforsuchinformationfromthememberwhohasgiven
noticeandfromtheMinisterashemayconsidernecessary,thatthematterisurgentandisofsufficientpublic
importancetoberaisedintheCouncilatanearlydate,hemayadmitthenoticeandinconsultationwiththeLeaderof
theCouncilfixthedateonwhichsuchmattermaybetakenupfordiscussionandallowsuchtimefordiscussion,not
exceedingtwoandahalfhours,ashemayconsiderappropriateinthecircumstances.

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RajyaSabha
HowdoesamemberaskaquestioninRajyaSabha?
Ans:Hehastogiveanoticeaboutitonaprescribedformatleast15daysbeforehewantstoaskquestion.
Whatarestarredandunstarredquestions?
Ans:Aquestionforwhichanoralanswerisdesiredbyamemberisdistinguishedbyanasteriskandiscalledastarred
question.Aquestionwithoutanasteriskiscalledunstarredandisadmittedforwrittenanswers.
Whodecidestheadmissibilityofquestions?
Ans:TheChairman,RajyaSabhadecideswhetheraquestionorapartthereofisorisnotadmissible.Hemaydisallow
anyquestionorapartthereofwhen,inhisopinion,itisanabuseoftherightofquestioningorcalculatedtoobstructor
prejudiciallyaffecttheprocedureoftheHouseorisincontraventionoftherulesundertheRulesofProcedureand
ConductofBusinessoftheCouncilofStates(RajyaSabha).TheChairmanmaydirectthataquestionbeplacedonthe
listofquestionsforanswers,onadatelaterthanthatspecifiedbyamemberinhisnotice,ifheisoftheopinionthata
longerperiodisnecessarytodecidewhetherthequestionisorisnotadmissible.
Whatisthetotallimitofquestionsadmittedforaparticularday?
Ans:Thetotalnumberofquestionstobeadmittedforanyonedayshallbelimitedto175,ofwhich20wouldbefor
oralanswersand155forwrittenanswers.

ParliamentaryPrivileges
Whatareparliamentaryprivileges?
Ans:EachHouseofParliamentcollectivelyandtheMembersindividually,enjoycertainpowersandprivilegeswithout
whichtheymaynotbeabletodischargetheirfunctions,efficientlyandeffectively.Article105oftheConstitutiondeals
withsuchpowers,privilegesandimmunitiesofMembersofParliament.
AretheparliamentaryprivilegescodifiedinIndia?
Ans:NolawsofarhasbeenenactedbyParliament(andStateLegislatures)todefinethepowers,privilegesand
immunitiesavailabletoeachHouse,itsMembersandCommitteesthereof.
WhatisthedifferencebetweentheBreachofPrivilegeandContemptoftheHouse?
Ans:WhenanyoftheprivilegeseitheroftheMembersindividuallyoroftheHouseinitscollectivecapacityare
disregardedorattackedbyanyindividualorauthority,theoffenceiscalledabreachofprivilege.
AnyobstructionorimpedimentputbeforeHousesoritsMembersinduedischargeoftheirduties,orwhichhavea
tendencyofproducingsuchresult,mayamounttocontemptoftheHouse.
Whatistheprocedureregardingaquestionofprivilege?
Ans:TheprocedurefordealingwithaquestionofprivilegeislaiddowninRule187203oftheRulesofProcedureand
ConductofBusinessinRajyaSabha.AquestionofprivilegemayeitherbeconsideredanddecidedbytheHouseitself
oritmaybereferredtotheCommitteeofPrivilegesbytheChairmanforexamination,investigationandreport.

MediaandRajyaSabha
AretheproceedingsoftheRajyaSabhatelevised?
Ans:Yes.AnexclusivesatellitechannelofDoordarshan,namely,DDRajyaSabhaonNationalNetworkofDoordarshan
waslaunchedon14December2004whichtelecaststheliveproceedingsoftheHouse.

RighttoInformationandRajyaSabhaSecretariat
WhetherthefunctioningofRajyaSabhaSecretariatcomesunderthepurviewoftheRighttoInformation
Act,2005?
Ans:Yes,functioningoftheRajyaSabhaSecretariatcomesunderthepurviewoftheRighttoInformationAct,2005.
Tofacilitatethesupplyofinformationtoanyonedesirousofgettingit,theChairman,RajyaSabhahasmaderulesfor
theSecretariatasperSection28oftheAct.
Whoarethepersonstobecontactedandwhataretheirdetails?
Ans:ContactPersonsinthisregardareasfollows:
ShriDeepakGoyal
Director(CentralPublicInformationOfficeroftheRajyaSabhaSecretariat)
201,ParliamentHouseAnnexe,NewDelhi110001
Tel.No.01123034201

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RajyaSabha
ShriMaheshChandraTiwari
JointDirector(CentralAssistantPublicInformationOfficer)
528A,ParliamentHouseAnnexe,NewDelhi110001
Tel.No.01123034353

ShriN.C.Joshi
Secretary(AppellateAuthorityintheRajyaSabhaSecretariat)
34,ParliamentHouse,NewDelhi110001
Tel.No.01123034604
23011328(telefax)

ParliamentaryForums
WhatisaParliamentaryForum?Atpresent,howmanysuchforumsarethere?
Ans:AParliamentaryForumisagroupofMembersofParliamentwhoarenominatedbytheSpeaker,LokSabhaand
theChairman,RajyaSabha,asthecasemaybe,fromamongsttheLeadersofvariousPoliticalParties/Groupsortheir
nomineeswhohavespecialknowledge/keeninterestinthesubject.EachForumconsistsofnotmorethan31Members
(excludingthePresidentandexofficioVicePresidents)outofwhomnotmorethan21arefromLokSabhaandnot
morethan10arefromRajyaSabha
ThereareatpresentfiveParliamentaryFora,viz.
I. ParliamentaryForumonWaterConservationandManagement
II. ParliamentaryForumonChildren
III. ParliamentaryForumonYouth
IV. ParliamentaryForumonPopulationandPublicHealthand
V. ParliamentaryForumonGlobalWarmingandClimateChange.
HowaretheforumsdistinctfromtheParliamentaryCommittees?
Ans:UnliketheDepartmentrelatedCommitteeswhicharegovernedbytheRulesofProcedure,theseforumsare
governedbyaseparatesetofguidelinesissuedbytheSpeaker,LokSabhainconsultationwiththeChairman,Rajya
Sabha.

ContactingRajyaSabha
WheredoIgetmoreinformationonmembersofRajyaSabha?
Ans:TheRajyaSabhaWebsite:http://rajyasabha.nic.inhasasectiononmemberswhichhasasearchformfor
gettinginformationonmembers.
HowcanIgetintouchwithamemberofRajyaSabha?
Ans:TheRajyaSabhaWebsite:http://rajyasabha.nic.ingivesalistofAddressesandEmailofmembersofRajya
Sabha.
WheredoIgetinformationregardingthesessionsofRajyaSabha?
Ans:TheRajyaSabhaWebsite:http://rajyasabha.nic.inhasasectiononLegislationwhichcontainstheSessional
Information.
WhethertheRajyaSabhawebsiteisavailableinHindi?
Ans:Yes.Itsaddressishttp://rajyasabhahindi.nic.in/rshindi/hindipage.asp
WhomaintainstheRajyaSabhaWebsiteandhowdoIsendafeedback?
Ans:TheRajyaSabhaWebsiteisdesignedandmaintainedbytheNationalInformaticsCentre(NIC),Parliament
InformaticsDivisionfortheRajyaSabhaSecretariat.TheWebsitehasafacilityforsendingfeedbackregardingthe
Website.

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