Rule 176 vs. Rule 267 What the Government Accepts What the Opposition Demands
Present circumstances:
- Recent disagreements between the administration and the opposition on how to talk about the Manipur problem marred the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
- The Opposition agreed to a brief discussion in exchange for the Prime Minister making a suo motu statement and holding a discussion after suspending all proceedings in accordance with Rule 267.
Motions in Congress – Items used in Congressional Proceedings and their classifications:
- Motions are used by lawmakers to bring up and discuss subjects of general interest.
- These procedures enable members to successfully communicate their concerns in their respective Houses and aid in the Parliament’s ability to respond to the changing demands of the populace.
Rules 176 and 267:
- Rule 267 states that “Any member may, with the Chairman’s consent, move that any rule be suspended in its application to a motion related to the business listed before the Council on that particular day, and if the motion is approved, the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being:”
- Additionally, this rule shall not be applicable if a specific rule suspension provision already exists under a certain chapter of the Rules.
- A short-duration conversation, on the other hand, is one that, according to Rule 176, lasts no more than two and a half hours.
Any member may submit a written request to the Secretary-General explaining the specifics of an urgent matter for public discussion, including the following:
- As long as a letter describing the reason the matter is being brought up for debate is included with the notification.
- The notice must also be signed by at least two more members.
- The regulations specify that after the notice is admitted, the Chairman will choose the date and allocate time for discussion, which cannot be longer than two and a half hours.
- As a result, a short-duration discussion pursuant to Rule 176 may begin immediately, after a short delay, the following day, or at a later time and date. A formal motion or vote, however, are prohibited during a brief discussion, according to the rule. According to the regulation, the member who provided notice “may make a brief statement and the Minister shall reply shortly.”
Expert perspectives on Rule 167 and Rule 267:
- Experts claim that opposition parties have been abusing Rule 267 to act in place of the adjournment petition for the Lok Sabha.
- The topic of debate is a motion for an adjournment, which is governed by Rules 56–63 of the Lok Sabha’s Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
- The Speaker’s consent is required to motion for the adjournment of the House’s business to address a particular matter of urgent public interest.
- Furthermore, only one such motion may be made during a sitting, per the regulations.
Additional Info:
- A specific rule may be suspended under Rule 267 in relation to an item on the agenda.
- On the other hand, 267 is meant to suspend the rule if a regulation is getting in the way and a bill is about to be introduced. Rule 267’s fundamental goal is to do this.
- Furthermore, there is no adjournment motion in the Rajya Sabha because that privilege belongs to the Lok Sabha, which has the power to overthrow a government, which the RS lacks.
- The Opposition has historically depended on Rule 267 because there isn’t a Rajya Sabha rule with a mechanism for censure.
