Latest news with #RulesofProcedureandConductofBusiness
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi assembly to table 100-day report; rules of procedure set for overhaul
Delhi assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Monday said he will present a 100-day report on Friday, outlining the legislative and administrative work undertaken since the 8th Assembly was constituted on February 24, 2025. The report aims to highlight the Assembly's functioning and key developments during this period. Gupta also announced the initiation of the process to amend the assembly's Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business (1997), which govern the House's functioning. The amendments aim to align the rules with practices followed in Parliament, particularly the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. 'The existing rules have gaps that have been exploited by vested interests to disrupt proceedings,' said Gupta. Gupta further cited Rule 280 — which allows MLAs to raise urgent public matters — as one such provision needing revision. 'During the last session, 10 opposition members raised the same issue under Rule 280 despite rules permitting only one such matter per MLA. We had to fall back on Rajya Sabha procedures to resolve the disruption,' he added. 'The best practices from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will be studied and incorporated to ensure effectiveness and alignment with national standards,' said Gupta. In response to the criticism of Rule 280, Aam Aadmi Party released a statement labelling Gupta's comment as 'strange.' 'It is strange that a person who used every opportunity during last 10 years to disrupt Delhi Legislative Assembly is pointing fingers at others. Mr Vijender Gupta is the same person who embarrassed his whole party, who stood on the desk of Legislative Assembly during its session. Mr Gupta should use his office to fulfill his promise to Bus Marshals about permanent jobs,' the statement read. The rules committee, chaired by the speaker, will hold its first meeting on June 5 to review draft amendments. The reforms will also introduce gender-neutral language, replacing masculine terms like 'he' in official documentation. 'The last amendment to the rules was in 2017. This review will simplify language and bring gender inclusivity,' Gupta noted. To be sure, Section 33 of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 grants the power to the Delhi assembly to frame its own Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business. The approval of the House is required for the amendments to be incorporated in the rules. Two new committees — the committee on welfare of senior citizens and the committee on welfare of transgenders — have been constituted, and rules for their functioning will also be framed. Rules for other panels, such as the committee on peace and harmony and the Committee on MCD, will be drafted during this exercise, Gupta said. The upcoming 100-day report will highlight key initiatives: tabling six CAG reports, initiating an audit paras monitoring system, beginning the heritage site project with IGNCA, and setting up a 500-kW solar plant for self-reliant energy use. Gupta said the Assembly conducted two full sessions — a break from the earlier trend of just one session annually — and held 12 sittings totalling 46 hours and 16 minutes, the highest in 25 years.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Congress MLCs complain to Chairman against Ravikumar and Chalavadi Narayanswamy
Congress MLCs on Monday met Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti and demanded his immediate intervention, seeking constitutional and legal action against BJP MLC N. Ravikumar and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanswamy for their alleged derogatory remarks against Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum and Minister Priyank Kharge, respectively. Mr. Ravikumar had, during a recent protest in Kalaburagi, alleged that the Deputy Commissioner's office had 'lost independence' as she 'took orders from RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge', and wondered if she was an IAS officer or 'someone who came from Pakistan', leading to widespread condemnation. Mr. Narayanswamy had likened Cabinet Minister Priyank Kharge to a dog, stated the petition submitted to Mr Horatti. Urging the Chairman to take suo motu cognisance of the derogatory remarks made by the two BJP MLCs, Congress members, including Minister N.S. Boseraju, and MLCs Salim Ahmed, K. Govindraj, and Dinesh Guli Gowda, also demanded that Mr Horatti should issue a formal condemnation of the statements. 'Your immediate intervention will uphold constitutional values of secularism, administrative neutrality, and respect for public servants,' the petition stated. They urged the Chairman to recommend disciplinary or ethical proceedings against the two under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Council.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Congress MLCs meet Governor, seek action against Ravikumar, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy of BJP
: Congress MLCs on Thursday called on Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and demanded his immediate intervention, seeking constitutional and legal action against BJP MLC N. Ravikumar for his alleged derogatory remark against IAS officer and Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum. They also demanded the Governor's action against Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, for his alleged derogatory remarks against Minister Priyank Kharge. Mr. Ravikumar on Tuesday expressed regret over his 'intemperate but inadvertent' remarks against Ms. Taranum. Mr. Ravikumar had, during a recent protest in Kalaburagi, alleged that the Deputy Commissioner's office had 'lost independence' as she 'took orders from RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge', wondering if she was an IAS officer or 'someone who came from Pakistan', leading to widespread condemnation. In a petition to the Governor, the Congress MLCs urged him to take suo motu cognisance of the derogatory remarks made by Mr. Ravikumar and issue a formal condemnation of his statement, upholding constitutional values of secularism, administrative neutrality, and respect for public servants. They urged the Governor 'to recommend disciplinary or ethical proceedings against the MLC under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Council, including censure or suspension, as warranted. Against Council LoP Congress MLCs, including Minister N.S. Boseraju, and members Salim Ahmed and Dinesh Guli Gowda, demanded Mr. Gehlot's intervention against Mr. Narayanaswamy for his derogatory remarks against Mr. Kharge. 'The MLC likened the Cabinet Minister, Priyank Kharge, to a dog,' the petition said. The petition said the Governor should immediately advise Mr. Narayanaswamy to step down from his post and take moral responsibility for the unparliamentary remark. This will ensure dignity is maintained in the public discourse and democratic institutions are preserved. 'Moreover, downtrodden members will also understand that the Governor would not let highly powerful individuals trample upon their rights,' the petition said.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The importance of the Deputy Speaker
The position of the Deputy Speaker has been lying vacant for the last six years raising questions on constitutional adherence and democratic resilience. The position goes beyond ceremonial significance and is indispensable to parliamentary democracy. The present scenario of the vacant position could be understood through some very important questions. The framers of the Constitution adopted a parliamentary form of governance to ensure effective representation of the people of India in the political system. This idea would lose its significance if the system does not function properly, effectively and smoothly. It is also extremely important that debates and discussions between the ruling establishment and the Opposition remain proper to make the government accountable, and that checks and balances are ensured. It has been alleged that the current ruling government has vehemently denied to hand over the position of the Deputy Speaker to an Opposition member. This is against the principle of sharing of powers which is one of the mandates of a successful parliamentary democracy. It may also be noted that constitutional conventions do have statutory effect in cases of absence. A Deputy Speaker's role The Deputy Speaker is not a mere substitute of the Speaker; he plays an indispensable role in maintaining the continuity of legislative work. He also presides over committees such as the private member's bill and the House Budget Committee of Parliament; oversees crucial debates; and serves as a neutral arbiter during sensitive discussions. Provisions for a Deputy Speaker is listed under Article 93 of the Constitution. The language of the Article which includes the phrase 'as soon as' for electing both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker implies urgency and necessity, and not discretion. Article 94 reinforces the continuity of the Deputy Speaker's office until resignation, removal, or disqualification. Conventionally the position of the Speaker goes to the ruling party. There has been an informal practice of offering the Deputy Speaker's post to a member of the Opposition. The essence of this practice is to develop harmony between the ruling party and the Opposition for the smooth functioning of Parliament. Prolonged vacancy The Government of India did not appoint a Deputy Speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha (2019-24), and it appears now that it does not have the intention to appoint one in the 18th Lok Sabha as well. It is really unfortunate that the government and the Opposition could not come to terms on the issue of appointing a Deputy Speaker, which could be primarily because the government does not want to give this position to the Opposition. According to Rule 8 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha 1952, election to the post of the Deputy Speaker 'shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix'. The Deputy Speaker is elected once a motion proposing his or her name is moved. He enjoys the same powers as the Speaker when he presides over a sitting House. According to Article 180 of the Constitution, the Deputy Speaker has the power to conduct the duties of the Speaker when his chair is vacant. Thus, this vacancy violates not only Articles 93, 94 and 180 of the Constitution, it is also inconsistent with the Rules of Procedure. Constitutional implications While Article 93 provides for the election of the Deputy Speaker 'as soon as may be', it does not set a timeline. The misinterpretation of this phrase may lead to a long delay which could distort constitutional intent and create a constitutional vacuum. Conventionally, the position is handed over to the Opposition, but now that the position is vacant, authority is centralised in the Speaker and thereby in the ruling party which will be inconsistent with the democratic intent of the Constitution. In fact, constitutional conventions intend to strike a delicate balance between the ruling party and the Opposition to ensure that democratic resilience is maintained and sustained in the parliamentary system, based on the Westminster model, which mandates effective discussions and deliberations. Moreover, in a situation caused due to the resignation of the Speaker or even in case of incapacitation, a severe constitutional crisis may surface which will be detrimental to the system of governance. Above all, the failure to uphold the tradition of offering the office to the Opposition undermines the spirit of consensus-driven politics. C. B. P. Srivastava is President, Centre for Applied Research in Governance, Delhi
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Assembly Speaker announces new legislative panels
Jaipur: State Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani Wednesday announced formation of various legislative committees for the 2025–26 session of the 16th Rajasthan Assembly . Under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, Devnani appointed chairpersons and members to both standing and subject-specific committees to ensure effective legislative functioning. Speaker Devnani himself will chair the Rules Committee, which includes former CMs Vasundhara Raje and Ashok Gehlot, as well as Rajendra Pareek, Sachin Pilot, and Harish Choudhary. LoP Tikaram Jully will be chairperson of Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which will have as members Rajendra Pareek, Anita Bhadel, Jaswant Singh Yadav, Ramesh Khinchi, Ajay Singh, Rafeek Khan, and others. Estimates Committees ('A' and 'B') and Committee on Public Undertakings feature Shanti Dhariwal, Govind Singh Dotasra, Amin Kagzi, Yunus Khan, Shravan Kumar, and Rita Choudhary. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo The newly formed committees represent a mix of ruling and opposition members, ensuring balanced oversight. Other notable members across various committees include Gopichand Meena, Mukesh Bhakar, Siddhi Kumari, Shobha Rani Kushwaha, Jabbar Singh Sankhla, Bahadur Singh, Nana Lal Ninama, Kanwar Lal, Jagat Singh, Rajendra Gurjar, Pratap Lal Bheel, and Hakam Ali Khan. These appointments aim to strengthen legislative accountability and encourage inclusive governance. tnn
