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ÊÊ

Parliament is the supreme legislative body of a country. Our Parliament comprises of

the President and the two Houses²Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha
(Council of States). The President has the power to summon and prorogue either House
of Parliament or to dissolve Lok Sabha. Ê

The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950. The first general
elections under the new Constitution were held during the year 1951-52 and the first
elected Parliament came into being in April, 1952, the Second Lok Sabha in April, 1957,
the Third Lok Sabha in April, 1962, the Fourth Lok Sabha in March, 1967, the Fifth Lok
Sabha in March, 1971, the Sixth Lok Sabha in March, 1977, the Seventh Lok Sabha in
January, 1980, the Eighth Lok Sabha in December, 1984, the Ninth Lok Sabha in
December, 1989, the Tenth Lok Sabha in June, 1991, the Eleventh Lok Sabha in May,
1996, the Twelfth Lok Sabha in March, 1998 and Thirteenth Lok Sabha in October,
1999.Ê

c Ê

Lok Sabha, as the name itself signifies, is the body of representatives of the people. Its
members are directly elected, normally once in every five years by the adult population
who are eligible to vote. The minimum qualifying age for membership of the House is 25
years. The present membership of Lok Sabha is 545. The number is divided among the
different States and Union Territories as follows:Ê

(1) Andhra Pradesh 42Ê

(2) Arunachal Pradesh 2Ê

(3) Assam 14Ê

(4) Bihar 40Ê

(5) Chhattisgarh 11Ê

(6) Goa 2Ê

(7) Gujarat 26Ê

(8) Haryana 10Ê

(9) Himachal Pradesh 4Ê

(10) Jammu & Kashmir 6Ê

(11) Jharkhand 14Ê

(12) Karnataka 28Ê

(13) Kerala 20Ê

(14) Madhya Pradesh 29Ê

(15) Maharashtra 48Ê

(16) Manipur 2Ê

(17) Meghalaya 2Ê

(18) Mizoram 1Ê

(19) Nagaland 1Ê

(20) Orissa 21Ê

(21) Punjab 13Ê

(22) Rajasthan 25Ê

(23) Sikkim 1Ê

(24) Tamil Nadu 39Ê

(25) Tripura 2Ê

(26) Uttaranchal 5Ê

(27) Uttar Pradesh 80Ê

(28) West Bengal 42Ê

(29) Andaman & Nicobar Islands 1Ê

(30) Chandigarh 1Ê

(31) Dadra & Nagar Haveli 1Ê

(32) Daman & Diu 1Ê

(33) NCT of Delhi 7Ê

(34) Lakshadweep 1Ê

(35) Pondicherry 1Ê

(36) Anglo-Indians (if nominated 2 by the President under Article 331 of the
Constitution)Ê

 Ê

Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament. It has not more than 250 members.
Members of Rajya Sabha are not elected by the people directly but indirectly by the
Legislative Assemblies of the various States. Every State is allotted a certain number of
members. No member of Rajya Sabha can be under 30 years of age.Ê
Twelve of Rajya Sabha members are nominated by the President from persons who
have earned distinction in the fields of literature, art, science and social service.Ê

Rajya Sabha is a permanent body. It is not subject to dissolution but one-third of its
members retire every two years. Rajya Sabha was duly constituted for the first time on
April 3, 1952 and it held its first sitting on May 13, that year.Ê

There are at present 245 members in Rajya Sabha, distributed among different States
and Union Territories as follows:Ê

(1) Andhra Pradesh 18Ê

(2) Arunachal Pradesh 1Ê

(3) Assam 7Ê

(4) Bihar 16Ê

(5) Chhattisgarh 5Ê

(6) Goa 1Ê

(7) Gujarat 11Ê

(8) Haryana 5Ê

(9) Himachal Pradesh 3Ê

(10) Jammu & Kashmir 4Ê

(11) Jharkhand 6Ê

(12) Karnataka 12Ê

(13) Kerala 9Ê
(14) Madhya Pradesh 11Ê

(15) Maharashtra 19Ê

(16) Manipur 1Ê

(17) Meghalaya 1Ê

(18) Mizoram 1Ê

(19) Nagaland 1Ê

(20) Orissa 10Ê

(21) Punjab 7Ê

(22) Rajasthan 10Ê

(23) Sikkim 1Ê

(24) Tamil Nadu 18Ê

(25) Tripura 1Ê

(26) Uttaranchal 3Ê

(27) Uttar Pradesh 31Ê

(28) West Bengal 16Ê

(29) NCT of Delhi 3Ê

(30) Pondicherry 1Ê

(31) Nominated by the President under 12 Article 80(1)(a) of the ConstitutionÊ

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Lok Sabha elects one of its own members as its Presiding Officer and he is called the
Speaker. He is assisted by the Deputy Speaker who is also elected by Lok Sabha. TheÊ
conduct of business in Lok Sabha is the responsibility ofÊthe Speaker.Ê

The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. He is elected by

the members of an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of
Parliament. Rajya Sabha also elects one of its members to be the Deputy Chairman.Ê

D 
 !Ê

The main function of both the Houses is to pass laws. Every Bill has to be passed by
both the Houses and assented to by the President before it becomes law. The subjects
over which Parliament can legislate are the subjects mentioned under the Union List in
the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Broadly speaking, Union subjects are
those important subjects which for reasons of convenience, efficiency and security are
administered on all-India basis. The principal Union subjects are Defence, Foreign
Affairs, Railways, Transport and Communications, Currency and Coinage, Banking,
Customs and Excise Duties. There are numerous other subjects on which both
Parliament and State Legislatures can legislate.Ê

Under this category mention may be made of economic and social planning, social
security and insurance, labour welfare, price control and vital statistics. Ê

Besides passing laws, Parliament can by means of resolutions, motions for

adjournment, discussions and questions addressed by members to Ministers exercise
control over the administration of the country and safeguard people¶s liberties. Ê

‰"
 !Ê

(1) Members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the eligible voters. Members of Rajya
Sabha are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies in
accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single
transferable vote. Ê
(2) The normal life of every Lok Sabha is 5 years only while Rajya Sabha is a
permanent body. Ê

(3) Lok Sabha is the House to which the Council of Ministers is responsible under the
Constitution. Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. Also it is Lok Sabha
which grants the money for running the administration of the country. Ê

(4) Rajya Sabha has special powers to declare that it is necessary and expedient in the
national interest that Parliament may make laws with respect to a matter in the State
List or to create by law one or more all-India services common to the Union and the
States.Ê

ÊÊ

Ê Ê
Ê



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#$ comprises the Parliament House, Reception Office building,

Sansadiya Gyanpeeth (Parliament Library Building), Parliament House Annexe and the
extensive lawns around it where ponds with fountains have been provided. Special floral
decoration is done at important points in the building during sessions of Parliament as
well as on other important occasions. Ê

By the very nature of things, Parliament House Estate as a whole and the Chambers of
the two Houses in particular are subject to strict security precaution all round the year.Ê

The entire Parliament House Estate is enclosed by an ornamental red sand stone wall
or iron grills with iron gates that can be closed when occasions demand. The approach
roads which cut across the Parliament House Estate and form part of the Estate are not
allowed to be used as public thoroughfares.Ê

#$ is one of the most magnificent buildings in New Delhi which has one
of the brightest clusters of architectural gems possessed by any country in the world.
Visitors to the capital invariably pay a visit to this building as the two Houses of
Parliament²the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of
States) are located within its walls.Ê

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The building was designed by two famous architects² Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir
Herbert Baker²who were responsible for the planning and construction of New Delhi. Ê

The Foundation Stone of Parliament House was laid on the 12th February, 1921 by
H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught. The construction of the building took six years and the
opening ceremony was performed on the 18th January, 1927 by the then Governor-
General of India, Lord Irwin. The cost of construction was Rs. 83 lakhs. Ê

% #Ê

Parliament House is a massive circular edifice 560 feet (170.69 metres) in diameter. Its
circumference is one-third of a mile 536.33 metres and it covers an area of nearly six
acres (24281.16 square metres). The open verandah on the first floor is fringed with a
colonnade of 144 creamy sandstone columns²each 27 feet (8.23 metres) high. The
building has twelve gates among which Gate No. 1 on the Sansad Marg is the main
gate.Ê

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Apart from the fact that the building was built with indigenous material and by Indian
labour, the architecture of the building bears a close imprint of the Indian tradition. The
layout of fountains both inside and outside the building, the use of Indian symbols the
"Chhajjas" which shade the walls and windows and the varied forms of "Jali" in marble
are reminders of the story of the craftsmanship displayed in ancient monuments and
memorials. With the ancient features of Indian art are mingled modern scientific
achievements in acoustics, air-conditioning, simultaneous Interpretation and Automatic
Voting etc.Ê

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The centre and focus of the building is the big circular edifice of the Central Hall. On the
three axes, radiating from this centre are placed the three Chambers for Lok Sabha
(House of the People), Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the erstwhile Library Hall
(formerly the Princes Chamber) and between them lie garden courts. Surrounding
these three Chambers is a four storeyed circular structure providing accommodation for
Ministers, Chairmen, Parliamentary Committees, Party Offices, important offices of Lok
Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats and also the Offices of the Ministry of
Parliamentary Affairs.Ê
Three Committee Rooms on the first floor are used for meetings of Parliamentary
Committees. Three other rooms on the same floor are used by Press Correspondents
who come to the Press Galleries of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Ê

There are six lifts operating in the building, one on either side of the entrances to the
Chambers. The Central Hall is air cooled and the Chambers are air-conditioned.Ê

The outer wall of the corridor on the ground floor of the building is decorated with a
series of panels depicting the history of India from the ancient times and India¶s cultural
contacts with her neighbours.Ê

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The Parliament House precints have been a witness to the evolution of our
parliamentary democracy. The Parliament House Estate has statues and busts of the
following stalwarts from our history who have made immense contribution to the
national cause: Ê

(i) Chandragupta MauryaÊ

(ii) Pandit Motilal NehruÊ

(iii) Gopal Krishna GokhaleÊ

(iv) Dr. B.R. AmbedkarÊ

(v) Sri Aurobindo GhoshÊ

(vi) Mahatma GandhiÊ

(vii) Y.B. ChavanÊ

(viii) Pandit Jawaharlal NehruÊ

(ix) Pandit Govind Ballabh PantÊ

(x) Babu Jagjivan RamÊ

(xi) Pandit Ravi Shankar ShuklaÊ

(xii) Smt. Indira GandhiÊ

(xiii) Maulana Abul Kalam AzadÊ

(xiv) Netaji Subhas Chandra BoseÊ

(xv) K. KamarajÊ

(xvi) Prof. N.G. RangaÊ

(xvii) Sardar PatelÊ

(xviii) Birsa MundaÊ

(xix) Andhra Kesari Tanguturi PrakasamÊ

(xx) Jayaprakash NarayanÊ

(xxi) S. SatyamurtiÊ

(xxii) C.N. AnnaduraiÊ

(xxiii) Lokapriya Gopinath BordoloiÊ

(xxiv) P. Muthuramalinga ThevarÊ

(xxv) Chhatrapati Shivaji MaharajÊ

(xxvi) Mahatma BasaveshwaraÊ

(xxvii) Maharaja Ranjit SinghÊ

(xxviii) Shaheed Hemu KalaniÊ

(xxix) Ch. Devi LalÊ

(xxx) Mahatma Jyotirao PhuleÊ

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The Central Hall is circular in shape and its dome which is 98 ft. (29.87 metres) in
diameter is stated to be one of the most magnificent domes in the world. Ê

The Central Hall is a place of historical importance. The transfer of power on the 15th
August, 1947 from British to Indian hands took place in this Hall. The Indian Constitution
was also framed in the Central Hall.Ê

The Central Hall was originally used as the Library of the erstwhile Central Legislative
Assembly and the Council of States. In 1946, it was converted and refurnished into the
Constituent Assembly Hall. The Constituent Assembly met there from December 9,
1946 to January 24, 1950.Ê

At present, the Central Hall is used for holding Joint Sittings of the two Houses. At the
commencement of the first session after each general elections to Lok Sabha and at the
commencement of the first session of each year, the President addresses both the
Houses of Parliament assembled together in the Central Hall. When the Houses are in
session, the Central Hall is used by Members for informal discussions among
themselves. Central Hall is also used for special occasions when the Members of
Parliament are addressed by distinguished Heads of States of other countries. The Hall
is also equipped with Simultaneous Interpretation System.Ê

Overlooking the dais in the Centre of the Central Hall hangs a portrait of Mahatma
Gandhi painted by Sir Oswald Birley and donated to the nation by Shri A.P. Pattani, a
Member of the Constituent Assembly of India. Gilded panels on the walls and arches on
either side of dais contain portraits of the following distinguished national leaders:²Ê

(i) Madan Mohan MalviyaÊ

(ii) Dadabhai NaurojiÊ

(iii) Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar TilakÊ

(iv) Lala Lajpat RaiÊ

(v) Motilal NehruÊ

(vi) Sardar Vallabhbhai PatelÊ

(vii) Deshbandhu Chittaranjan DasÊ

(viii) Rabindra Nath TagoreÊ

(ix) Smt. Sarojini NaiduÊ

(x) Maulana Abul Kalam AzadÊ

(xi) Dr. Rajendra PrasadÊ

(xii) Jawaharlal NehruÊ

(xiii) Subhash Chandra BoseÊ

(xiv) C. RajagopalachariÊ

(xv) Smt. Indira GandhiÊ

(xvi) Dr. B.R. AmbedkarÊ

(xvii) Dr. Ram Manohar LohiaÊ

(xviii) Dr. Syama Prasad MookerjeeÊ

(xix) Rajiv GandhiÊ

(xx) Lal Bahadur ShastriÊ

(xxi) Ch. Charan SinghÊ

(xxii) Morarji DesaiÊ

(xxiii) Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar SavarkarÊ

There are also 12 gilded emblems on the wall of the Hall representing the 12 Provinces
of undivided India. Surrounding the Central Hall are six lobbies which are suitably
covered and furnished. One Lounge is reserved for the exclusive use of lady Members,
one for First Aid Post, one for Panel of Chairmen of Lok Sabha and one for Computer
query booth for MPs.Ê

The Central Hall has six galleries on its first floor. At the time of Joint Sittings of the two
Houses, the two Galleries which are towards the right of the dais are occupied by Press
Correspondents, the one facing the dais is set apart for distinguished visitors and in the
other three, the guests of the Members of the two Houses are accommodated.Ê

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The Chamber of the Lok Sabha is semi-circular in shape with a floor area of about 4800
sq. feet (446 square metres). Ê

The Chair of the Speaker is placed on a raised platform at the centre of the diameter
connecting the two ends of the semi-circle. On the wooden panel just above the
Speaker¶s Chair, which was originally designed by Sir Herbert Baker, the famous
architect is installed an electrically-lit motto in Sanskrit.ÊTo the right of the Chair is
located the Official Gallery meant for the use of the officials required to be present in
attendance on Ministers in connection with the business of the House. To the left of the
Chair is the Special Box reserved for the Members of the family and guests of the
President, Governors of States, Heads and Prime Ministers of Foreign States and other
high personalities in the discretion of the Speaker.Ê

In the pit of the Chamber just below the Speaker¶s Chair is the table of the Secretary-
General of the House. In front of him is placed a large table which is the Table of the
House on which papers are formally laid by Ministers, Officers of the House and the
Official Reporters sit at this Table.Ê

The Chamber has seating accommodation for 550 Members. The seats are divided into
six blocks, each with eleven rows. Block No. 1 on the right-hand side of the Speaker¶s
Chair and Block No. 6 on the left-hand side have 97 seats each. The remaining 4 blocks
have 89 seats each. A seat is allotted in the Chamber to each MemberÊincluding
Ministers who are Members of Lok Sabha. The seats on the right-hand side of the
Speaker¶s Chair are occupied by the Members of Government party and those on the
left-hand side by Members belonging to the Opposition Parties/Groups. The Deputy
Speaker occupies the first front row seat on the left side. Ê

Over looking the Chamber and fixed on the wood-work opposite to the Speaker¶s seat is
the portrait of the late Shri Vithalbhai Patel, the first elected President of the Indian
Legislative Assembly. Ê

In the wood-work around the Lok Sabha Chamber, there are 35 gilded designs
representing the various Provinces of undivided India, the Dominions and certain other
British Settlements.Ê

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Adjoining the Chamber and co-terminus with it are two covered corridors called the
Inner and Outer Lobbies. These Lobbies are well furnished to make them a comfortable
place for Members to sit and have informal discussions among themselves. Ê

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In the first floor of the Lok Sabha Chamber are located the various public galleries and
the Press Gallery. The Press Gallery is just above the Chair and to its left are situated
the Speaker¶s Gallery (meant for the guests of the Speaker) the Rajya Sabha Gallery
(meant for Rajya Sabha Members) and the Special Gallery. The Public Gallery is in
front of the Press Gallery. To the right of the Press Gallery are situated Diplomatic and
Distinguished Visitors¶ Galleries.Ê

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An Integrated System on Microphone Management, Simultaneous Interpretation and

Automatic Vote Recording has been installed in the Lok Sabha Chamber for recording
vote during the time for Division in the House.Ê

Members operate the Automatic Vote Recording Equipment from the seats (same as
the Division Numbers) assigned to them. A voting console for operating the Automatic
Vote Recording system has been installed at the Secretary-General¶s table in the
Chamber. On the direction of the Speaker, the Secretary-General initiates the voting
process. With the pressing of a button by the Secretary-General on his table an audio-
alarm sounds and the vote now LED on the push-button-set of each member glows,
thus giving a signal to members for casting their votes. Ê

For casting a vote, each member in the House has to press the Vote Initiation Switch
and at the same time Operate one of the three push buttons, ×iz. green for µAYES¶ or
red for µNOES¶ or yellow for µABSTAIN¶ according to his/ her choice. Both the Vote
Initiation Switch and one of the push buttons (as per choice) must be kept pressed
simultaneously till the audio alarm sounds for the second time after 10 seconds. The
passage of the time of 10 seconds is also depicted in a descending order ( i.e. count
down) from 10,9,8 and so on upto 0 on the Total Result Display Board. The amber
button should not be pressed during the Division. In case of any error in voting, a
member can correct it by pressing the desired push button simultaneously with the Vote
Initiation Switch, before the second audio-alarm is sounded. The LED corresponding to
the vote cast on the push-button-set of member¶s seat will glow simultaneously with the
pressing of the button.Ê

The glowing of this LED will indicate that the vote is being recorded by the system. It
may please be seen from the above that the following points are required to be kept in
view by a member when a Division is announced by the Chair in the House:² Ê
(i) to operate the system from his/her own seat which is assigned to him/her;Ê

(ii) wait for the sounding of alarm and also for glowing of µVote Now¶ sign installed at the
seat of each membe r; Ê

(iii) to press the Vote Initiation Switch and at the same time operate one of the push
buttons, ×iz. Green (µA¶) for µAYES¶, Red (µN¶) for µNOES¶ and Yellow (µO¶) for µABSTAIN¶
according to his/her choice; Ê

(iv) to ensure that both the Vote Initiation Switch and one of the push buttons of his/her
choice are kept pressed simultaneously till the audio alarm sounds for the second time
after the expiry of ten seconds; and Ê

(v) do not press amber button (µP¶) during the division. If a member wants to correct
his/her vote, he/she can do so by pressing the desired push button simultaneously with
the Vote Initiation Switch during the period of ten seconds before the second audio
alarm is sounded. Ê

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Immediately after the sounding of the second audio-alarm, the System starts totalling up
the affirmative and negative votes besides abstentions and the total numbers of µAYES¶,
µNOES¶ and µABSTAIN¶ are flashed on the Total Result Display Boards. It also indicates
the total number of members who have exercised their vote. Ê

The result of the Division also appears on the monitors provided on the tables of
Speaker, Secretary-General and in the Sound Control Room as well. As soon as the
result is flashed, a print out of the voting result is taken for permanent record. Ê

The Lok Sabha Chamber is provided with a modern automatic Vote Recording and
Sound Amplifying System. Powerful microphones are also placed in selected positions
on pedestal stands as back up. Each seat is provided with a sensitive microphone on a
flexible stand, a loud-speaker concealed in the back of the bench. Small loud-speakers
are also provided in the galleries.Ê
The Automatic Vote Recording Systems installed in the Lok Sabha Chamber enables
the Members to record their votes quickly in cases of Division.Ê

The Interpretation system is designed to interpret the proceedings of the House

simultaneously from English into Hindi and ×ice ×ersa and from Assamese, Kannada,
Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit,ÊTamil and Telugu into English
and Hindi. A MemberÊintending to speak in any one of these languages is to give
advance intimation to the Officer at the Table. During Question Hour also, the Member
who has raised the Ê

principal question can put supplementaries in any of theÊ

above languages with prior notice. The Members can alsoÊ

make statements under Rule 377 in the above-mentionedÊ

languages.Ê

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This is almost on the same pattern as that of the Lok Sabha Chamber but it is smaller in
size. It has a seating capacity of 250. It is also equipped with modern sound equipment,
Automatic Vote Recording and the Simultaneous Interpretation System.Ê

The Public Gallery, the Distinguished Visitors¶ Gallery, the Diplomatic Gallery, the
Chairman¶s Gallery (meant for the guests of the Chairman), the Press Gallery and the
Gallery for Members of the Lok Sabha are all located on the first floor of the Rajya
Sabha Chamber as in the case of the Lok Sabha Chamber.Ê

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The Reception Office accommodated in a circular building, constructed, opposite Gate

No. 1, is a friendly waiting place for large number of visitors who come to meet
Members, Ministers, etc. or to witness the proceedings of Parliament. Its entry is from
Raisina Road side. The building which is fully air-conditioned is unique in conception
and combines the value of both the old and the new forms of architecture. The outer
portion of the building is finished in red sandstone and the inner portion is given wooden
lining which radiates the feeling of warmth and welcome. There is provision for cafeteria
inside the Reception Office for the convenience of the visitors.Ê

There is a lounge at basement level in the Reception Office Building for the
convenience of Members, where they can meet and entertain their guests. Ê

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Till May 2002 the Parliament Library was functioning from the Parliament House. With
time the library service expanded into what is now familiarly known as LARRDIS
(Library & Reference, Research, Documentation & Information Service). The
accommodation available to the Parliament Library and its allied services in the
Parliament building was too limited to cope with the volume of literature being acquired
by it. Besides, there had been a growing demand for making available to the members
of Parliament a more effective, efficient and modern Research, ReferenceÊand
Information Service. In order to satisfy this requirement the new Parliament Library
Building (Sansadiya Gyanpeeth) was conceived. The foundation stone was laid by Shri
Rajiv Gandhi the then Hon¶ble Prime Minister on 15 August 1987 and the Bhoomi
Poojan was performed by Shri Shivraj V. Patil, the then Hon¶ble Speaker on 17 April,
1994. This fully air-conditioned massive building was constructed by Central PWD. M/s
Raj Rewal Associates were the Consulting Architects. Externally the Library building is
related to the Parliament House and uses similar materials of red and beige sandstone.
The general height is restricted to the podium of the Parliament, below the circular
colonnade. The roof of the Library building has a series of low profile bubble domes
sitting on steel structures complementing the existing domes of masonry on the
Rashtrapati Bhawan. The main entrance of the library is directly linked to one of the
gates of the Parliament. It leads to an atrium covered with a circular roof lightly placed
above a stainless steel ring, allowing muted light. The focal centre of the complex is
built with sun reflecting, state-of-the-art, structural glass and stainless steel. It is
composed of four petals. These petals are tied together with delicate tension rods. The
upper part of the glass dome has a symbol of circle representing the Ashok Chakra. Ê

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A reading room for Members of Parliament is located in the central core of the library
complex and faces an internalÊcourtyard. It is a two storey high space (in part) with an
internal atrium, covered with a circular dome supported on four columns. The primary
structure of white painted steel is raised above the roof level and admits translucent
light through glass blocks creating a serene ambience within a hall of noble proportions. Ê

The large hall of the main library and the audio-visualÊmuseum at the two ends of a
cross axis have a similar configuration. They have a large span of 35 metres. This large
volume is lit from the top with glass blocks inserted within the concrete bubbles. The
primary steel structure is kept low and illuminated with natural light on the periphery.Ê

The auditorium is equipped with the state-of-the-art digital Dolby surround sound
system for 35 mm film projection; a wireless simultaneous interpretation system for
ground plus four language interpretation; video projection system withÊhigh power
Xenon illumination system with an output of 10,000 ANSI lumens; and stage light
system with scanner controlled FOH lights. Ê

There are 10 committee rooms/lecture halls out of which 7 nos. have been provided
with state-of-the-art conferencing system and 3 nos. (out of these 7) with simultaneous
interpretation system.Ê

Members Reading Halls are located at µH¶ Block of Parliament Library Building. The
Members of Parliament, who desire to study and access information through internet
can avail the facilities at Reading Hall No. G049 and Hall No. F058.Ê

A Members Assistance Counter has also been set up at Hall No. G049 which provides
assistance to Members of Parliament for their information requirements in their day to
day parliamentary work. Statistical data and information readily available in the
published documents is supplied on the spot while queries which are time consuming
and need detailed information are passed on to the Members Reference Service for
collecting factual and updated information. Ê

In order to cater to the information needs of the members, latest periodicals and
newspapers in Hindi, English and regional languages are displayed in the above
Reading Hall. The Bulletins of Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha and News Bulletins are also
kept handy for use of members. Members may also reserve books to facilitate
reference. Computers with internet connections have been installed at the Members
Assistance Counter and Reading Room for retrieval of information.Ê

The other facilities housed in the building are: Ê

ÊÊLibrary with stack area for housing three million volumes; Ê

ÊResearch and Reference Division; Ê

ÊComputer Centre;Ê

ÊPress and Public Relations Service;Ê

ÊMedia Centre;Ê

ÊÊPress Briefing Room;Ê

ÊBureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training;Ê

ÊAudio Visual Library;Ê

ÊParliamentary Museum and Archives;Ê

ÊAuditorium with a capacity of 1,067 persons;Ê

ÊCommittee and Conference rooms;Ê

ÊBanquet Hall;Ê
 ÊParking for 212 cars.Ê

‰$,+# Ê

The basic structure for the building is conceived as a Reinforced Cement Concrete
framed structure with column spacings generally of 5 metre. The intermediate floors are
of coffer unit construction while the roof is partly of coffer units and partly with steel-and-
concrete domes. Ê

The design and construction of the domes has been the first of its kind in the country.
Some of the novel features involved in the construction of the Domes are: Ê

ÊUse of stainless steel of grade AISI 304 L in two ofÊthe 12 domes. The steel is finished
to a satin finish. All other domes are in carbon steel finished with epoxy paint.Ê

ÊAll joints in the framework were precast in foundries and connected to the tubes by a
combination of HSFG bolts and welding under controlled conditions. Consequently the
joints appear sleek even where 12 members meet at one joint. Ê

ÊGeometric precision was achieved in the manufacture and assembling of the various
elements of the Dome, ×iz. the cast joints, the curved tubes and the precast Êconcrete
bubbles seated over the steel frame work.Ê

$-+(+.Ê

ÊCentral air-conditioning of 45,000 Sqm. of the building, with 5 x 500 TR centrifugal

chilling machines including winter heating and dehumidification.Ê

ÊAutomatic, intelligence fire alarm systems, duly integrated with AHUs, PA system and
Fire Check Doors, for co-ordinated functioning in case of fire. Ê

ÊÊNon-wet fire-fighting system with NAFS-III gas in computer centre and micro filming
store & CO for Switch Rooms.Ê

ÊÊCCTV for surveillance, library operations and display of proceedings in Parliament.Ê

 ÊÊÊPA system in most parts of the building.Ê

ÊÊVideo projection system, Digital conferencing systemsÊand Simultaneous

Interpretation system in Committee Rooms. Ê

ÊÊÊCar-control systems for Parking area.ÊÊ

ÊÊ

The building has a total covered area of 60,460 sq.m. and has been constructed at a
cost of Rs. 200 crores. The construction was completed over a period of 7 years and 9
months. The Parliament Library Building was inauguratedÊon 7 May 2002 by Shri K.R.
Narayanan the Hon¶ble President of India, in the presence of: Ê

Shri Krishan Kant Hon¶ble Vice PresidentÊ

Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hon¶ble Prime MinisterÊ

Shri P.M. Sayeed Hon¶ble Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha (discharging the functions of
Speaker)Ê

Smt. Sonia Gandhi Leader of the Opposition Ê

Shri Pramod Mahajan Hon¶ble Minister of Parliamentary AffairsÊ

Shri Ananth Kumar Hon¶ble Minister of Urban Development & PovertyÊAlleviation.Ê

(#$$#$ Ê

For the convenience of Members of Parliament the following amenities are provided in
Parliament House:²Ê

(i) Refreshment RoomsÊ

The main Refreshment rooms are located in Room Nos. 70 and 73 on the First Floor.
There are also small Tea, Coffee, Milk Booths, Snack Bar and a Refreshment Lounge
near the passages leading to the Chambers from the Central Hall.Ê

(ii) Railway Booking Office (Room No. 131 on the Third Floor).Ê

(iii) Railway Booking Office in the Reception Block. Ê

(iv) Pay Office of the State Bank of India (Room No. 57, First Floor).Ê

(v) First Aid Post located in a lobby of the Central Hall.Ê

(vi) Post Office (Ground Floor).Ê

(vii) Air Booking (Room No. 131-A on the Third Floor).Ê

(viii) C.P.W.D. Complaint Cell. (Near Centralised Pass Issue Cell)Ê

#$ /)! *Ê

With the manifold increase in th e activities of ParliamentÊafter Independence the

demand for accommodation for Parliamentary Parties/Groups, Meeting Halls for Parties/Ê
Groups, Committee Rooms and office for the Chairmen ofÊParliamentary Committees
and for the Secretariats for the two Houses has vastly increased. The original
Parliament House comprised three Chambers for :Ê

(i) The Central AssemblyÊ

(ii) The Council of StatesÊ

(iii) The Princes ChamberÊ

At the time, the strength of membership of all the three Houses was about 300. The
strength of the present Parliament is 795. In order to meet the essential requirements of
Members and to extend some of the facilities provided to them, Parliament House
Annexe was constructed. The provision of such facilities is imperative in the interest of
the efficient discharge of the heavy responsibilities placed on the people¶s
representatives.Ê

G  #Ê

The building was designed by Shri J.M. Benjamin, Chief Architect, CPWD, and the
structure is R.C.C. framed with waffle-slab construction. The building is modern,
functional, economical and dignified. Ê

The foundation-stone of Parliament House Annexe was laid on the 3 August 1970 by
Shri V.V. Giri, President of India. It was inaugurated on 24 October 1975 by Shrimati
Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister.Ê

A#!  #Ê

The building has 3 wings²front, rear and central blocks besides a covered plaza for car
parking in front of it. The front and rear blocks are 3-storeyed and the central block is 6-
storeyed with terrace. Ê

D #Ê

There are lounge, Post Office and a small Committee Room Êat basement level and
State Bank of India Branch andÊMultipurpose Hall on the Ground Floor. The rooms of
Speaker, Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs,
Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha,Ê

Secretary-General, Lok Sabha and Party Meeting Room are located on the first floor.
The water pond at basement Êlevel with hanging stairs over it and pyramids for diffused
natural light add beauty to the area. Ê

G# #Ê
At the basement level, there is a fully equipped Medical Centre comprising
Physiotherapy Centre, Eye Clinic, Dental Clinic and Pathological Laboratory. Telephone
Exchange & Telecom Bureau, are also located at the basement levelÊand at ground
level Banquet Hall, Private Dining Rooms and Refreshment Rooms are located. From
2nd to 5th floors the Secretariats of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are located.Ê

Canteen, and Club for the staff of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are also located on
the either sides of the Terrace floor.Ê

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At Basement level, there is one small Committee Room µE¶. At ground level there is one
Main Committee Room and four small Committee Rooms which are grouped around
Central court. At First Floor, there is one Mini Committee Room. All the Committee
Rooms are provided with simultaneous interpretation system as is available in the Lok
Sabha and Rajya Sabha Chambers in Parliament House. The offices of Chairmen,
Parliamentary Committees are also located on this floor.Ê

(#$$#$Ê

 /Ê

For the convenience of Members of Parliament the following amenities are provided in
Parliament House Annexe:²Ê

(1) Refreshment Rooms on ground floor.Ê

(2) Milk Bar on ground floor.Ê

(3) Banquet Hall and Private Dining Room on ground floor for special parties/functions.Ê

(4) Medical Examination Centre.Ê

(5) State Bank of India on ground floor. Ê

(6) Post Office on basement floor.Ê

(7) Multipurpose Hall on ground floor.Ê

(8) Lounges on basement and ground floors.Ê

(9) Income-Tax Cell²Room No. 314 third floor.Ê

(10) Telecom Bureau ² basement floor.Ê

 0
#(/Ê

A modern and efficient EPABX telephone exchange hasÊbeen installed in Parliament

House Annexe, which is exclusively catering to the Parliament House Estate. The same
instrument is used for inter-com and external calls. Ê

For a call outside the EPABX Exchange, the required number is dialled after prefixing
the µ0¶ digit.Ê

ÊÊ

Ê Ê
Ê

c  AcD

 

‰
Ê

Article 87(1) of the Constitution provides:² "At the commencement of the first session
after each general election to the House of the People and at the commencement of the
first session of each year the President shall address both Houses of Parliament
assembled together and inform Parliament of the causes of its summons." Ê

In the case of the first session after each general election to Lok Sabha, the President
addresses both Houses of Parliament assembled together after the Members have
made and subscribed the oath or affirmation and the Speaker has been elected. It takes
generally two days to complete these preliminaries. No other business is transacted till
the President has addressed both Houses of Parliament assembled together and
informed Parliament of the causes of its summons. In the case of the first session of
each year, the President addresses both Houses of Parliament at the time and date
notified for the commencement of the session of both the Houses of Parliament. Half-
an-hour after the conclusion of the Address, both the Houses meet separately in their
respective Chambers when a copy of the President¶s Address is laid on the Table and
brought on the record of each House.Ê

No separate summons for the President¶s Address are issued to members. They are
informed of the date, time and place fixed for the President¶s Address through a
Parliamentary Bulletin. At the time fixed for the President¶s Address, Members of both
Houses of Parliament assemble together in the Central Hall of the Parliament House
where the President delivers his Address. New members who have not already made
and subscribed the oath or affirmation are admitted to the Central Hall on the occasion
of the President¶s Address on production of either the certificate of election granted to
them by the Returning Officer or the summons for the session issued to them. In the
Central Hall, Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha and Deputy
Chairman, Rajya Sabha are allotted seats in the first row. Other Ministers are also
allotted a block of seats. The Leaders of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and in Rajya
Sabha are allotted seats in the first row. Leaders of other Parties/Groups in both the
Houses are also allotted suitable seats. Members of Panel of Chairmen and Chairmen
of Parliamentary Committees are allotted seats in the second row. The Members are
free to occupy other seats which are not allotted/earmarked. Ê

The President¶s Address to both the Houses of Parliament assembled together is a

solemn and formal act under the Constitution. Utmost dignity and decorum befitting the
occasion are maintained. Any action on the part of a Member which mars the occasion
or creates disturbance is punishable by the House to which that Member belongs.
Members are expected to take their seats five minutes before the President arrives in
the Central Hall. Ê

The visitors, who are issued passes for this occasion, are also requested to be in their
seats half-an-hour before the time fixed for the President¶s Address. It is a convention
that no Member leaves the Central Hall while the President is addressing. The
President arrives at the Parliament House (North West portico) in the State Coach or in
the car and is received at the Gate by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister,
the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Secretaries-General of
the two Houses. The President is conducted to the Central Hall in a procession. On the
passage from the Gate to the Central Hall from where the procession passes, red baize
cloth is spread.Ê

Just when the procession enters the gangway of the Central Hall, the Marshal who has
taken his position at the dais, announces the arrival of the President by saying [Hon¶ble
Members, Hon¶ble the President] Almost simultaneously two trumpeters positioned in
the Gallery above the dais sound the fanfare till the President arrives at the dais.
Thereupon, Members rise in their places and remain standingÊuntil the President has
taken his seat on the dais.Ê

On reaching the floor of Central Hall in front of the dais, the procession bifurcates; the
President, the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of Lok Sabha move towards
their seats on the dais ² the Chairman to the right and the Speaker to the left of the
President who occupies the middle seat. The Secretaries-General and other Officers in
the procession move towards the chairs placed for them in the pit of the Central Hall on
either side of the dais. When President reaches his seat on the dais, a band positioned
in the Lobby of the Central Hall to the right of the President, plays the National Anthem
during which time everyone remains standing. Thereafter, as the President takes hisÊ
seat, Presiding Officers and Members resume their seats. The President then
addresses the Members in Hindi or English. The other version of the Address is read
out by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. After the conclusion of the Address, the
President rises in his seat followed by the members when the National Anthem is
played again. The President, thereafter, leaves the Central Hall in a procession which is
formed in the same manner as at the time of his arrival. The members remain standing
till the procession leaves the Central Hall. On reaching the gate, the President takes
leave of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister, the Speaker, Lok Sabha and
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. The Secretaries-General of the two Houses are also
present at the occasion. Thereafter, the President leaves for the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Ê

ÊÊ

Ê Ê
ÊÊ

‰A
 

Ê

With the emergence of Welfare State, Governments have come to look after virtually
every sphere of human life. They have to perform manifold functions from maintaining
law and order, protecting their territories to implementation of plans for economic and
social betterment. Besides, they provide a variety of social services like education,
health, employment and housing to the people. Needless to say, Government require
adequate resources to discharge these functions effectively. Where is this money to
come from and who is to sanction the funds? The necessary funds are mobilised from
the country¶s resources by way of taxes both direct and indirect, loans both long-term
and short-term, to meet the Governmental expenditure. In India, the principal sources of
revenue are customs and excise duties and Income-tax on individuals and companies. Ê

 Ê

It is not as if the Government can tax, borrow and spend money the way it likes. Since
there is a limit to the resources, the need for proper budgeting arises to allocate scarce
resources to various Governmental activities. EveryÊitem of expenditure has to be well
thought out and total outlay worked out for a specific period. Prudent spending is
essential for the stability of a Government and proper earnings are a pre-requisite to
wise spending. Hence, planned expenditure and accurate foresight of earnings are sine-
qua-non of sound Governmental finance. Ê

#$!G#+DÊ

Ours is a Parliamentary system of Government based on Westminster model. The

Constitution has, therefore, vested the power over the purse in the hands of chosen
representatives of the people thus sanctifying the principle µno taxation without
representation¶. Preparation of Budget for the approval of the Legislature is a
Constitutional obligation of the Government both at the Centre and the State levels.
Legislative prerogative over taxation, legislative control over expenditure and executive
initiative in financial matters are some of the fundamental principles of the system of
Parliamentary financial control. Ê

There are specific provisions in the Constitution of India incorporating these tenets. For
example, article 265 providesÊthat µno tax shall be levied or collected except by authority
of law¶; no expenditure can be incurred except with the authorisation of the Legislature
(article 266); and President shall, in respect of every financial year, cause to be laid
before Parliament, Annual Financial Statement (article 112). These provisions of our
Constitution make the Government accountable to Parliament.Ê

 Ê

The µAnnual Financial Statement¶, laid before both the Houses of Parliament constitutes
the Budget of the Union Government. This statement takes into account a period of one
financial year. The financial year commences in India on 1st April each year. The
statement embodies the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India
for the financial year.Ê

‰$AÊ

The estimates of expenditure included in the Budget and required to be voted by Lok
Sabha are in the form of Demands for Grants. These Demands are arranged Ministry-
wise and a separate Demand for each of the major services is presented. Each
Demand contains first a statement of the total grant and then a statement of the detailed
estimate divided into items.Ê

#"! Ê

The Budget of the Indian Railways is presented separately to Parliament and dealt with
separately, although the receipts and expenditure of the Railways form part of the
Consolidated Fund of India and the figures relating to them are included in the µAnnual
Financial Statement¶.Ê
Ê

In India, the Budget is presented to Parliament on such date as is fixed by the

President. The Budget speech of the Finance Minister is usually in two parts. art A
deals with general economic survey of the country while art B relates to taxation
proposals. General Budget was earlier being presented at 5 P.M. on the last working
day of February, but since 1999 the General Budget is being presented at 11 A.M. on
the last working day of February, i.e. about a month before the commencement of the
Financial year except in the year when General Elections to Lok Sabha are held. In an
election year, Budget may be presented twice²first to secure Vote on Account for a few
months and later in full. Ê

The General Budget is presented in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Finance. He makes a
speech introducing the Budget and it is only in the concluding part of his speech that
the proposals for fresh taxation or for variations in the existing taxes are disclosed by
him. The µAnnual Financial Statement¶ is laid on the Table of Rajya Sabha at the
conclusion of the speech of the Finance Minister in Lok Sabha. Ê

‰ $Ê

Alongwith the µAnnual Financial Statement¶ Government presents the following

documents: an Explanatory Memorandum briefly explaining the nature of receipts and
expenditure during the current year and the next year and the reasons for variations in
the estimates for the two years, the Books of Demands showing the provisions Ministry-
wise and a separate Demand for each Department and service of the Ministry. The
Finance Bill which deals with the taxation measures proposed by Government is
introduced immediately after the presentation of Budget. It is accompanied by a
memorandum explaining the provisions of the Bill and their effect on the finances of the
country.Ê

´ Ê
The discussion on the Budget begins a few days after its presentation. In a democratic
set-up, Government is anxious to give Parliament full opportunity to discuss the
budgetary provisions and the various proposals for taxation. Since Parliament is not
able to vote the entire budget beforeÊthe commencement of the new financial year, the
necessity to keep enough finance at the disposal of Government in order to allow it to
run the administration of the country remains. A special provision is, therefore, made for
"Vote on Account" by which Government obtains the Vote of Parliament for a sum
sufficient to incur expenditure on various items for a part of the year.ÊÊ

Normally, the Vote on Account is taken for two months only. But during election year or
when it is anticipated that the main Demands and Appropriation Bill will take longer time
than two months, the Vote on Account may be for a period exceeding two months. Ê

‰ Ê

The Budget is discussed in two stages in Lok Sabha. First, there is the General
Discussion on the Budget as a whole. This lasts for about 4 to 5 days. Only the broad
outlines of the Budget and the principles and policies underlying it are discussed at this
stage. Ê

G‰$!G$$#$Ê

After the first stage of General Discussion on both Railway as well as General Budget is
over, the House is adjourned for a fixed period. During this period, the Demands for
Grants of various Ministries/Departments including Railways are considered by
concerned Standing Committees (Rule 331G). These Committees are required to make
their reports to the House within specified period without asking for more time. The
system of consideration of Demands for Grants by the Standing Committees was
introduced from the Budget for the year 1993-94. The Standing Committee consists of
45 Members, 30 from Lok Sabha and 15 from Rajya Sabha. The reports of the Standing
Committees are of persuasive nature (Rule 331N). The report shall not suggest
anything of the nature of cut motions.Ê
After the reports of the Standing Committees are presented to the House, the House
proceeds to the discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants, Ministry-wise. The time
for discussion and Voting of Demands for Grants is allocated by the Speaker in
consultation with the Leader of the House. On the last day of the allotted days, the
Speaker puts all the outstanding Demands to the Vote of the House. This device is
popularly known as µguillotine¶. Lok Sabha has the power to assent to or refuse to give
assent to any Demand or even to reduce the amount of Grant sought by Government.
In Rajya Sabha there is only a General Discussion on the Budget. It does not vote on
the Demands for Grants. Only so much of the amount is subject to the vote of Lok
Sabha as is not a "charged" expenditure on the Consolidated Fund of India. The
"charged" expenditure includes the emoluments of the President and the salaries and
allowances of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker
and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, Judges of Supreme Court, Comptroller and Auditor
General of India and certain other items specified in the Constitution of India.
Discussion in Lok Sabha on µcharged¶ expenditure is permissible but such expenditure
is not voted by the House. Members have full opportunity to criticise the budgetary
provisions during the course of discussion as also to make suggestions for improving
the financial position of theÊcountry.Ê

G Ê

Motions for reduction to various Demands for Grants are made in the form of Cut
Motions seeking to reduce the sums sought by Government on grounds of economy or
difference of opinion on matters of policy or just in order to voice a grievance. Ê

((( ##Ê

After the General Discussion on the Budget proposals and Voting on Demands for
Grants have been completed, Government introduces the Appropriation Bill. The
Appropriation Bill is intended to give authority to Government to incur expenditure from
and out of the Consolidated Fund of India. The procedure for passing this Bill is the
same as in the case of other money Bills.Ê
D ##Ê

The Finance Bill seeking to give effect to the Government¶s taxation proposals which is
introduced in Lok Sabha immediately after the presentation of the General Budget, is
taken up for consideration and passing after the Appropriation Bill is passed. However,
certain provisions in the Bill relating to levy and collection of fresh duties or variations in
the existing duties come into effect immediately on the expiry of the day on which the
Bill is introduced by virtue of a declaration under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act.
Parliament has to pass the Finance Bill within 75 days of its introduction. Ê

 ((#$!1/AÊ

No expenditure in excess of the sums authorised by Parliament can be incurred without

the sanction of Parliament. Whenever a need arises to incur extra expenditure, a
Supplementary estimate is laid before Parliament. If any money has been spent on any
service during a financial year in excess of the amounts granted for that service and for
that year, the Minister of Finance/ Railways presents a Demand for Excess Grant. The
procedure followed in Parliament in regard to Supplementary/Excess Grants is more or
less the same as is adopted in the case of estimates included in the General Budget.Ê

1 

! '
#Ê

Budget of a State under President¶s rule is presented to Lok Sabha. The procedure
followed in regard to the Budget of the Union Government is followed in the case of
State Budget also with such variations or modifications, as the Speaker may make.Ê

ÊÊ

ÊÊ

ÊÊ

Ê Ê
ÊÊ

c2  Gc G

Ê

A Bill is the draft of a legislative proposal. It has to pass through various stages before it
becomes an Act of Parliament. Ê

D
Ê

The legislative process starts with the introduction of a Bill in either House of
Parliament²Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. A Bill can be introduced either by a Minister or
by a private member. In the former case it is known as a Government Bill and in the
latter case it is known as a Private Member¶s Bill. Ê

It is necessary for a member-in-charge of the Bill to ask for leave to introduce the Bill. If
leave is granted by the House, the Bill is introduced. This stage is known as the First
Reading of the Bill. If the motion for leave to introduce a Bill is opposed, the Speaker
may, in his discretion, allow brief explanatory statement to be made by the member who
opposes the motion and the member-in-charge who moved the motion. Where a
motion for leave to introduce a Bill is opposed on the ground that the Bill initiates
legislation outside the legislative competence of the House, the Speaker may permit a
full discussion thereon. Thereafter, the question is put to the vote of the House.
However, the motion for leave to introduce a Finance Bill or an Appropriation Bill is
forthwith put to the vote of the House. Ê

 #A%Ê

After a Bill has been introduced, it is published in the Official Gazette. Even before
introduction, a Bill might, with the permission of the Speaker, be published in the
Gazette. Ê
In such cases, leave to introduce the Bill in the House is not asked for and the Bill is
straightaway introduced. Ê

 ##G$$Ê

After a Bill has been introduced, Presiding Officer of the concerned House can refer the
Bill to the concerned Standing Committee for examination and make report thereon.Ê

If a Bill is referred to Standing Committee, the Committee shall consider the general
principles and clauses of the Bill referred to them and make report thereon. The
Committee can also take expert opinion or the public opinion who are interested in the
measure. After the Bill has thus been considered, the Committee submits its report to
the House. The report of the Committee, being of persuasive value shall be treated as
considered advice given by the Committees.Ê


Ê

The Second Reading consists of consideration of the Bill which is in two stages. Ê

Dirst Stage: The first stage consists of general discussion on the Bill as a whole when
the principle underlying the Bill is discussed. At this stage it is open to the House to
refer the Bill to a Select Committee of the House or a Joint Committee of the two
Houses or to circulate it for the purpose of eliciting opinion thereon or to straightaway
take it into consideration. Ê

If a Bill is referred to a Select/Joint Committee, the Committee considers the Bill clause-
by-clause just as the House does. Amendments can be moved to the various clauses
by members of the Committee. The Committee can also take evidence of associations,
public bodies or experts who are interested in the measure. After the Bill has thus been
considered, the Committee submits its report to the House which considers the Bill
again as reported by the Committee. If a Bill is circulated for the purpose of eliciting
public opinion thereon, such opinions are obtained through the Governments of the
States and Union Territories. Opinions so received are laid on the Table of the House
and the next motion in regard to the Bill must be for its reference to a Select/Joint
Committee. It is not ordinarily permissible atÊthis stage to move the motion for
consideration of the Bill. Ê

Second Stage: The second stage of the Second Reading consists of clause-by-clause
consideration of the Bill as introduced or as reported by Select/Joint Committee. Ê

Discussion takes place on each clause of the Bill and amendments to clauses can be
moved at this stage. Amendments to a clause have been moved but not withdrawn are
put to the vote of the House before the relevant clause is disposed of by the House. The
amendments become part of the Bill if they are accepted by a majority of members
present and voting. After the clauses, the Schedules if any, clause 1, the Enacting
Formula and the Long Title of the Bill have been adopted by the House, the Second
Reading is deemed to be over. Ê



Ê

Thereafter, the member-in-charge can move that the Bill be passed. This stage is
known as the Third Reading of the Bill. At this stage the debate is confined to
arguments either in support or rejection of the Bill without referring to the details thereof
further than that are absolutely necessary. Only formal, verbal or consequential
amendments are allowed to be moved at this stage. In passing an ordinary Bill, a simple
majority of members present and voting is necessary. But in the case of a Bill to amend
the Constitution, a majority of the total membership of the House and a majority of not
less than two-thirds of the members present and voting is required in each House of
Parliament. Ê

## Ê

After the Bill is passed by one House, it is sent to the other House for concurrence with
a message to that effect, and there also it goes through the stages described above
except the introduction stage. Ê
! ##Ê

Bills which exclusively contain provisions for imposition and abolition of taxes, for
appropriation of moneys out of the Consolidated Fund, etc., are certified as Money Bills.
Money Bills can be introduced only in Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha cannot make
amendments in a Money Bill passed by Lok Sabha and transmitted to it. It can,
however, recommend amendments in a Money Bill, but must return all Money Bills to
Lok Sabha within fourteen days from the date of their receipt. It is open to Lok Sabha to
accept orÊreject any or all of the recommendations of Rajya Sabha with regard to a
Money Bill. If Lok Sabha accepts any of the recommendations of Rajya Sabha, the
Money Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses with amendments
recommended by Rajya Sabha and accepted by Lok Sabha and if Lok Sabha does not
accept any of the recommendations of Rajya Sabha, Money Bill is deemed to have
been passed by both Houses in the form in which it was passed by Lok Sabha without
any of the amendments recommended by Rajya Sabha. If a Money Bill passed by Lok
Sabha and transmitted to Rajya Sabha for its recommendations is not returned to Lok
Sabha within the said period of fourteen days, it is deemed to have been passed by
both Houses at the expiration of the said period in the form in which it was passed by
Lok Sabha. Ê

ÊÊ

Ê Ê
Ê

3 
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 c Ê

Generally, the first hour of a sitting of Lok Sabha is devoted to Questions and that hour
is called the Question Hour. It has a special significance in the proceedings of
Parliament.Ê

Asking of questions is an inherent and unfettered parliamentary right of members. It is

during the Question Hour that the members can ask questions on every aspect of
administration and Governmental activity. Government policies in national as well as
international spheres come into sharp focus as the members try to elicit pertinent
information during the Question Hour. Ê

The Government is, as it were, put on its trial during the Question Hour and every
Minister whose turn it is to answer questions has to stand up and answer for his or his
administration¶s acts of omission and commission. Through the Question Hour the
Government is able to quickly feel the pulse of the nation and adapt its policies and
actions accordingly. It is through questions in Parliament that the Government remains
in touch with the people in as much as members are enabled thereby to ventilate the
grievances of the public in matters concerning the administration. Questions enable
Ministries to gauge the popular reaction to their policy and administration. Questions
bring to the notice of the Ministers many an abuse which otherwise would have gone
unnoticed. Sometimes questions may lead to the appointment of a commission, a court
of enquiry or even legislation when matters raised are grave enough to agitate the
public mind and are of wide public importance. Ê

The Question Hour is an interesting part of the Parliamentary proceedings. Although a

question mainly seeks information and tries to elicit facts on a particular subject, there
are many a time lively and quicksilver repartees between the Members asking the
questions and the Ministers answering them. These repartees are sometimes coupled
with flashes of wit and humour. That is why the public galleries and the press galleries
are packed to capacity during the Question Hour.Ê

#3  Ê

With a view to familiarising the public at large about the manner in which the
proceedings of the Houses of Parliament are conducted in the Question Hour and how
their representatives raise various issues of national/international importance,
proceedings of the Question Hour are being telecast since 2 December 1991. Earlier
the pre-recorded proceedings of the Question Hour were telecast by Doordarshan on
the following day in the morning. From 7 December 1994, the proceedings of the
Question Hour of both the Houses are being telecast live on alternate weeks throughout
the country on the national channel of Doordarshan from 1100 hrs. to 1200 hrs. All India
Radio is also broadcasting the proceedings of the Question Hour of both the Houses
from 2200 hrs. to 2300 hrs. in the same night on their national hook up. It has been
arranged in such a manner that during the telecast of the Question Hour of one House
by Doordarshan, the Question Hour of the Other House is broadcast by All India Radio.
In addition, the proceedings of the Question Hour and the entire post-lunch proceedings
of Lok Sabha are being telecast live on a separate terrestrial channel through a Low
Power Transmitter (LPT) with a reach of 10-15 kms, installed in Parliament House. The
entire proceedings of Rajya Sabha are also being telecast live daily since 7 December
1994 through a separate LPT. Ê

!(3 Ê

Questions are of four types:² Ê

Starred, Unstarred, Short Notice Questions and Questions addressed to private

Members : Ê

A Starred Question is one to which a member desires an oral answer in the House and
which is distinguished by anÊasterisk mark. When a question is answered orally,
supplementary questions can be asked thereon. Only 20 questions can be listed for oral
answer on a day. Ê

An Unstarred Question is one which is not called for oral answer in the House and on
which no supplementary questions can consequently be asked. To such a question, a
written answer is deemed to have been laid on the Table after the Question Hour by the
Minister to whom it is addressed. It is printed in the official report of the sitting of the
House for which it is put down. Only 230 questions can be listed for written answer on a
day. In addition to this, 25 more questions can also be included in the Unstarred List
relating to the States under Presidential Rule and the total number of questions in the
list of Unstarred Questions for a day may not exceed 255 in relaxation of normal limit of
230 questions.Ê

A Short Notice Question is one which relates to a matter of urgent public importance
and can be asked with shorter notice than the period of notice prescribed for an ordinaryÊ
question. Like a starred question, it is answered orally followed by supplementary
questions. Ê

The Question to a Private Member is addressed to the Member himself/herself and it is

asked when the subjectmatter of it pertains to any Bill, Resolution or any matter relating
to the Business of the House for which that Member is responsible. For such Questions,
the same procedure is followed as in the case of Questions addressed to a Minister with
such variations as the Speaker may consider necessary or convenient.Ê

3 Ê

A member gives notice in writing addressed to the Secretary-General, Lok Sabha,

intimating his intention to ask a question. Besides the text of the question, the notice
states clearly theÊofficial designation of the Minister to whom the question is addressed
as also the date on which the question is desired to be placed on the list of questions for
answer as also the order of preference, if any, for its being placed on the list of
questions when a member tables more than one notice of questions for the same day. Ê
The normal period of notice of a question is not more than twenty-one and not less than
ten clear days. A short notice question can be asked with a notice shorter than ten days,
but the member has to state briefly the reasons for asking the question at short notice.Ê

 Ê

On receipt of the notice of a question it is scrutinised to see that the designation of the
Minister and date of answer have been correctly mentioned in the notice. A preliminary
ballot of identical questions is held and the member who obtains priority is deemed to
have tabled the question. A ballot is then held in respect of notices received in this
Secretariat at the same time to determine their inter se priority. Separate ballots are
held for starred and unstarred questions. Starred, unstarred and short notice questions
are numbered separately and entered in separate diaries on computer software.Ê

The next stage is to examine the question as to whether or not it is admissible under the
rules and past precedents. A question is primarily asked for the purpose of obtaining
information on a matter of public importance. Questions that contain arguments,
inferences or defamatory statements or otherwise refer to the character or conduct of
any person except in his official or public capacity, are not admitted. Questions which
are in substance repetitions of those that have been answered previously or in regard to
which information is available in accessible documents or in ordinary works of reference
are also not admitted. Besides, if the subject matter of a question is pending for
judgement before any court of law or any other tribunal or body set up under law or is
under consideration before a Parliamentary Committee, the same is not permitted to be
asked. Questions making discourteous references to foreign countries with whom India
has friendly relations are disallowed. Similarly, questions raising larger issues of policy
are not allowed for it is not possible to enunciate policies within the limited compass of
an answer to a question. Questions containing more than 150 words or relating to a
matter which is not primarily the concern of the Government of India are not admitted.
Questions going into minor details of administration and day-to-day working of the
Government/Organisations are also not admitted.Ê
Keeping the above rules and precedents in view, a question is admitted or disallowed.
Typed copies of the admitted and edited questions are then made out on a standard
form. An advance copy of the admitted question is informally collected by the
Ministry/Department concerned so that they may on their side initiate the action for
collection of information asked for in the question to prepare a reply. Ê

A Short Notice Question which is of wide public importance is first referred to the
Ministry concerned if necessary for furnishing factual information in the matter and also
for indicating whether the Minister concerned accepts the short notice and, if so, what
date will be convenient to him to answer the question. If the Minister accepts the short
notice and the matter sought to be raised is considered by the Speaker, urgent, the
Short Notice Question is admitted and printed in a separate list on the light pink paper in
order to distinguish from lists of ordinary questions. The Short Notice Question is taken
up after the Question Hour.Ê

##$‰!3 Ê

Immediately on the fixation of the dates of sittings of a session of Lok Sabha, allotment
is made of the days available for the answering of questions relating to the various
Ministries of Government of India. For this purpose the various Ministries are divided
into five Groups and fixed days are allotted to groups of Ministries during the week.
There is no Question Hour on Saturday, if a sitting is fixed for that day. Separate lists
are prepared for starred and unstarred questions which have been admitted. Admitted
questions are entered in the List of Questions for the day for oral or written answers as
the case may be, in the order of priority obtained in ballot with the orders of the
Speaker. Not more than five questions are admitted in the name of a member for each
sitting of which not more than one is put down for oral answer. While compiling the list
of unstarred questions, care is taken to see that one question of each member is
included in the list of questions of that date. The remaining unstarred questions are
thereafter put in the list according to inter se priority obtained in the ballot. A serial
number is allotted to each question. Normally not more than twenty questions are
placed on the list of questions for oral answers and not more than two hundred and
thirty questions are placed on the list of questions for written answers on any one day.
The Ministries are supplied with the lists of finally admitted questions at least 5 days
before the date fixed for asking the questions.Ê

3 Ê

The member whose question has been admitted and which is included in the list of
questions for oral answers for a particular day, rises in his/her seat when the turn of
his/her question comes and asks his/her question by reading out its number on the list
of questions. The Minister concerned answers the question. Thereafter the member
who had asked the question can ask only two supplementary questions. After him/her
the second member whose name is clubbed on the question is allowed to ask one
supplementary question. Thereafter, the Speaker allows one supplementary each to
members who are able to catch his eye. The number of such members depends on the
importance of the question. Then the next question is taken up. The replies to questions
not reached for oral answer during the Question Hour are deemed to have been laid on
the Table of Lok Sabha. Ê

At the end of the Question Hour, i.e. after the questions for oral answer have been
answered, Short Notice Question, if any, for that day is taken up and disposed of in the
same way as the questions for oral answers. Ê

#&& ‰ Ê

Where answer to a question whether Starred or Unstarred needs elucidation on a

matter of fact, any member can table a notice for raising Half-an-Hour Discussion
thereon. If the notice is admitted and gets priority in ballot such a discussion may be
allowed by the Speaker. Normally, such discussions are held on three days in a week,
×iz., Monday, Wednesday and Friday except in Budget Session when such discussion
is normally not held till the financial business is completed. The discussion is usually
held from 17.30 to 18.00 hrs.ÊDuring the discussion, the member who has given notice
makes a short statement and not more than four other members, who have given
advance notice before 11.00 hours on the day on which discussion is to be held are
permitted toÊask a question each for further elucidating any matter ofÊfact. Thereafter,
the Minister concerned replies. Ê

Ê
Ê Ê
  ‰ 


A
c Ê

cÊ

The Indian Parliamentary Group is an autonomous body formed in the year 1949 in
pursuance of a Motion adoptedby the Constituent Assembly (Legislative) on 16 August,
1948.Ê

$(Ê

Membership of the Indian Parliamentary Group is open to all Members of Parliament

and ex-Members of Parliament. A Member of Parliament can become a life Member of
the Group on payment of life subscription of Rs. 500/-. Members of Parliament desirous
of joining the Group may send an application together with the life subscription to the
Secretary-General of Lok Sabha (who is ex-officio Secretary-General of the Group),
Parliament House, New Delhi in the prescribed form available in Parliamentary Notice
Offices of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and also in the Conference Branch of the Lok
Sabha Secretariat.Ê

$c Ê

The aims and objects of the Indian Parliamentary Group are:²Ê

(i) to promote personal contacts between Members of Parliament;Ê

(ii) to study questions of public importance that are likely to come up before Parliament
and arrange Seminars and discussions and orientation courses and bring out
publications for the dissemination of information to the Members of the Indian
Parliamentary Group; Ê

(iii) to arrange lectures on political, defence, economic, social and educational problems
by Members of Parliament and distinguished persons; and Ê
(iv) to arrange visits to foreign countries with a view to develop contacts with Members
of other Parliaments. Ê

cÊ

The management and control of the affairs of the Group are vested in the Executive
Committee consisting of the President, two Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer andÊ
6
Members. The Speaker of Lok Sabha is the ex-officio President of the Group and the
Executive Committee. The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Deputy Speaker
of Lok Sabha are ex-officio Vice-Presidents of the Group. The Treasurer and Members of
the Executive Committee are elected at the Annual General Meeting from amongst the
Life Members of the Group.Ê

+Ê

The Group acts as a link between the Parliament of India and the various Parliaments of
the world. This link is maintained through exchange of delegations, goodwill missions,
correspondence, documents etc. with foreign Parliaments. The Indian Parliamentary
Group functions as the (a) National Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union1, and (b)
Main Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association* in India. Addresses to
Members of Parliament by the visiting Heads of States and Governments of foreign
countries and talks by eminent persons are arranged under the auspices of the Group.Ê
Seminars and Symposia on Parliamentary subjects of topical interest are organised
periodically at national as well as international level. Members of the Group when
visiting abroad are given letters of introduction to the Secretaries of the National Groups
of the IPU and Secretaries of the CPA Branches. The Indian Missions in the countries of
visit are also suitably informed so as to enable them to get assistance and usual
courtesies. As per decision of the Executive Committee of the Indian Parliamentary
Group, only those Members of Parliament who are Members of the Group of at least six
months standing at the time of the composition of the Delegation may be included in the
Indian Parliamentary Delegations to foreign countries.Ê

A "#Ê
An uninterrupted flow of information to Members regarding the activities of the Group is
maintained through IPG Newsletter brought out every quarter. It is sent regularly to all
Members of the Group including Associate Members.Ê

c #$"Ê

An award for Outstanding Parliamentarian was instituted by the Indian Parliamentary

Group in the year 1995. The First and Second awards for the years 1995 and 1996
were conferred on Shri Chandrashekhar and Shri Somnath Chatterjee respectively. The
Third and Fourth awards for the years 1997 and 1998 were conferred on Shri Pranab
Mukherjee and Shri S. Jaipal Reddy respectively. The Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth
awards for the years 1999, 2000, 001 and 2002 were conferred on Shri L. K. Advani,
Shri Arjun Singh, Shri Jaswant Singh and Dr. Manmohan Singh respectively.Ê

#$!D(A (Ê

To encourage bilateral relations, IPG has decided to constitute Parliamentary

Friendship Groups with other Countries in the Parliament. Each Friendship Group shall
consist of at least twenty two sitting Members of Parliament (15 from Lok Sabha and 7
from Rajya Sabha) in proportion to the strength of Parties in Lok Sabha and Rajya
Sabha. The Aims and Objectives of the Group are, to maintain political, social and
cultural contacts between the two countries and to assist in having exchanges of
information and experiences on issues relating to Parliamentary activities. Ê

+$(AÊ

The main advantage of membership of the Indian Parliamentary Group, insofar as it

functions as the Main Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in India,
are as follows:² Ê

(a) „ra×el facilities and concession: In some countries of the Commonwealth train fares
at reduced rates are available to visiting members of the Association and in some
cases, to their families also. Ê
(b) pntroductions and hospitality: Every CPA Branch uses its best endeavours to ensure
that visiting members, especially when carrying letters of introduction from their
Branches, shall be warmly received and shall enjoy parliamentary privileges and other
facilities during their visit. Ê

(c) referential „reatment: The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has arranged

that its members, when visiting a Commonwealth country shall receive preferential
treatment as parliamentarians. A visiting member is granted access to galleries, lobbies,
dining and smoking rooms of the Parliament of the host Branch, so that he may hear
debates and meet fellow members of the Association.Ê

(d) Dree supply of periodicals: „he arliamentarian, which is a periodical published by

the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, London, is supplied free to the members
of the Indian Parliamentary Group on request made in the prescribed form available in
the Conference Branch of Lok Sabha Secretariat. Ê

Ê
1 The IPU is an Association of Parliamentary Groups constituted within the National Parliaments with the object to promote personal contacts
between Members of all Parliaments and to unite them in common action to secure participation of their respective States in the
establishment and development of Parliamentary Institutions and towards international peace and cooperation, particularly by supporting the
UN objectives. The Union meets in Conference twice a year to be hosted by member countries. India hosted IPU Conferences in New Delhi
in October-November, 1969 and in April, 1993. Ê

* The CPA is an Association of Commonwealth Parliamentarians with the aim of encouraging understanding and cooperation between them
and to promote the study of and respect for Parliamentary Institutions. The Association meets in Conference annually and also assists in
holding Seminars on Parliamentary Practice and Procedure at regional levels. India hosted CPA Conferences in New Delhi in 1957, 1975
and in 1991. Ê

Ê Ê
  
Dc
 
cD

Ê

After election to Parliament, the members become entitled to certain amenities. These
amenities are provided to members with a view to enable them to function effectively as
Members of Parliament. Ê

Broadly speaking, the amenities provided to the members relate to salaries and
allowances, travelling facilities, medical facilities, accommodation, telephones, etc.
These are governed by the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament
Act, 1954 and the rules made thereunder.Ê

#!‰#!##"Ê

With the commencement of Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament

(Amendment) Act, 2001, the amount of salary has been increased from rupees four
thousand to rupees twelve thousand per mensem for a period of five years w.e.f. 14
September 2001. Similarly, the amount of daily allowance has been increased from
rupeesÊfour hundred to rupees five hundred for each day of residence on duty at a
place where a session of a House of Parliament or a sitting of a Committee thereof is
held. After the expiry of the period of five years, the above amount may be determined
by the Government by introducing an amendment in the above provision. Ê

Provided that no member shall be entitled to the aforesaid allowance unless he signs
the register, maintained for this purpose by the Secretariat of the House of the People
or, as the case may be, Council of States on all the days (except intervening holidays
for which no such signing is required) of the session of the House for which the
allowance is claimed. Ê

A member is also entitled to daily allowance for a period of such residence, not
exceeding three days immediately preceding or succeeding the session of the House
and not exceeding two days preceding or succeeding the sitting of a Committee, or for
the purpose of attending to any other business connected with his/her duties as a
Member of Parliament.Ê

G !##"Ê

A member is entitled to receive the constituency allowance at the rate of rupees ten
thousand per mensem. Ê

c/(##"Ê

Every member is entitled to office expense allowance @ Rs. 14,000 per month out of
which Rs. 3,000 is for meeting expenses on stationery items etc.; Rs. 1000 for franking
the letters; and Rs. 10,000 is paid by the Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha Secretariats direct to
the person(s) as may be engaged by a member for obtaining secretarial assistance.Ê

+####"1
+#D#Ê

A member is entitled to the following travelling allowances for the journey performed by
him for attending a session of the House or a sitting of a Committee or for the purpose
of attending to any other business connected with his/her duties as a member from
his/her usual place of residence to the place where the above-mentioned business is
transacted and for return journey from such place to his/her usual place of residence:Ê

(a) If the journey is performed by rail, an amount equal to one first class fare plus one
second class fare irrespective of the class in which the member actually travels. Ê

(b) If the journey is performed by air, an amount equal to one and one-fourth of the air
fare for each such journey. Ê

(c) If the journey or any part thereof cannot be performed by rail or air²Ê

(i) Where the journey or any part thereof is performed by steamer an amount equal to
one and three-fifths of the fare (without diet) for the highest class in the steamer.Ê
(ii) Where the journey or any part thereof is performed by road, a road mileage at the
rate of rupees eight per kilometre. Ê

Provided that where a member performs journey by road in Delhi from and to an
aerodrome, he shall be paid a minimum amount of one hundred and twenty rupees for
each such journey.Ê

A member is entitled to receive road mileage for the journey performed by road between
the places not connected with the superfast/express/mail train. However, the members
belonging to north-eastern States are entitled to road mileage from the usual place of
residence to the nearest airport even if the places connected by superfast/express/mail
train.ÊSimilarly a member whose usual place of residence is within the radius of 300
kms. from Delhi is entitled to receive road mileage for the journey performed by road
even if the place is connected with superfast/express/mail train.Ê

For the purpose of claiming travelling allowance for attending a session of Parliament or
a sitting of a Committee, membersÊare required to travel only after the issue of
Summons for attending a session or after the issue of notice of meeting for attending
the meeting of a Committee. Besides, a member is also entitled to receive travelling and
daily allowances in respect of a journey performed by him/ her in the course of a tour
outside India, undertaken in the discharge of his/her duties as such member. If, during a
session of the House or a sitting of a Committee thereof, a member absents
himself/herself for less than 15 days for visiting any place in India, he/she is entitled to
receive the following travelling allowance: Ê

(a) If the journey is performed by rail, an amount equal to one first class fare of each
such journey, irrespective of the class in which the member actually travels.Ê

The travelling allowance admissible in respect of such journey is limited to the total
amount of daily allowances which would have been admissible to such member for the
days of absence if he/she had not so remained absent.Ê
(b) If the journey being a journey during a sitting of a committee is performed by air, an
amount equal to one fare by air for each such journey but not more than once for
visiting any place in India. Ê

When a House of Parliament is adjourned for a fixed period during Budget Session, a
member is entitled to receive travelling allowance for every journey performed by air for
visiting any place in India during interval not exceeding seven days between two sittings
of a Departmentally Related Standing Committee. But the total amount of travelling
allowance, excluding air fare, is restricted to the amount of daily allowance which would
have been admissible to him for the days of absence if he had not remained absent.Ê

Every member has been given the facility of 32 air journeys during a year to be availed
of during session/inter-session period with the spouse or any number of companions or
relatives. The spouse/companion of a member may travel alone by air eight time to
meet the member out of the 32 air journeys available to a member in a year. The newly
elected member may also avail of the journey before the publication of Notification by
Election Commission. Any journey performed by the spouse, companions or relatives
shall be added in computing the limit of 32 air journeys. Further, the balance of unused
air journeys shall be carried over to the following year. A member who performs air
journey out of 32 air journeys to his usual place of residence or any place situated within
his constituency during session period would be entitled to claim to and fro TA by air
upto the airport nearest thereto and also TA for rail/road journeys, if any, beyond the
airport. A member performing a journey by air out of 32 air journeys to any place other
than the usual place of residence or any place situated within his constituency during
session period would be entitled to only to and fro TA by air only upto the farthest point
travelled by the direct route and also TA for the road mileage at Delhi and at the city of
the said farthest point travelled by air, from and to airport to city at both places. A
member performing a journey by air out of 32 air journeys during inter-session period for
visiting any place in IndiaÊwould be entitled to only to and fro TA by air only upto the
farthest point travelled by the direct route and also TA for the road mileage at Delhi and
the city of the said farthest point travelled by air, from and to airport to city at both
places. Every member who has his ordinary place of residence in the Ladakh area of
the State of Jammu & Kashmir is entitled to an amount equal to the fare by air for each
single journey by air performed by him from any airport in Ladakh to the airport in Delhi
and back at any time. In addition to the air travel provided to a member, he is also
entitled to an amount equal to the fare by air for each single journey by air performed by
the spouse, if any, of the member or one person to accompany such member from any
airport in Ladakh area to the airport in Delhi and back at any time. Ê

ÊÊ

#
+#D#Every member is provided with²Ê

(a) One free non-transferable first class air-conditioned or executive class of any train
pass which entitled him to travel at any time by any railway in India;Ê

(b) One free non-transferable air-conditioned two-tier railway pass for one person to
accompany the member when he travels by rail; The spouse of every member is
entitled to² Ê

(a) One free non-transferable railway pass to travel in first class air conditioned or
executive class in !4+##!4$ 5 #,
from the usual place of residence of a member to Delhi and back once during every
session and twice in Budget Session but not exceeding 8 single journeys in a year. The
spouse can travel from the usual place of residence of the member to Delhi at any time
after the issue of Summons and can return back any day before the commencement of
the next session. Ê

(b) The spouse is also entitled to travel in first class air conditioned or executive class
in all the trains "$from any place in India to any other place in India. A
member having no spouse is entitled to accompany with any other person in lieu of
spouse in any train in first class AC or executive class from any place in India to any
other place in India inÊaddition to the facility available to him in respect of one
companion in AC-II tier. The spouse of the Member is allowed road mileage for theÊ
journey or part thereof performed by road if unaccompanied by the Member. Where
during any part of a year the usual place of residence is inaccessible by rail, steamer or
road, due to climatic conditions and where air service is available, a member is entitled
to travel by air to and from his usual place of residence upto the nearest airport outside
his constituency having rail service. Ê

$Ê

Every member representing the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and
the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Islands is provided with one free non-transferable
pass to travel in the highest class of Steamer (excluding diet charges) to and from any
part of his constituency and any other part of his constituency or the nearest port in the
mainland of India. Such pass is valid for the term of his/her office and on the expiration
of the term, the pass is required to be surrendered to the Lok Sabha Secretariat. Ê

Members representing these Islands can also use the pass before taking their seat in
the House, to utilise the same for the purpose of attending a session of the House for
taking his/her seat therein. Ê

Where a member has not been provided with such a pass he/she will be entitled to
receive an amount equal to one fare (without diet) for the highest class by steamer for
any journey referred to above. Ê

Every such member is entitled to an amount equal to the fare by air from his usual place
of residence to the nearest airport in the mainland of India and back.ÊÊ

Companion or spouse of the member representing the Union Territory of Andaman and
Nicobar Islands or the Union Territory of Lakshadweep is entitled to travel by the
highest class (without diet) by steamer between the Island and mainland of India on the
authority of the steamer pass issued to the spouse or companion of the member
accompanying the member. Ê
Every member is entitled to an amount equal to the fare by air, for the spouse, if any, of
the member, or for one person to accompany him/her from the usual place of residence
in the Island to the nearest airport of the mainland of India and back. Ê

$$Ê

In order to meet adequately the needs of members for residential accommodation a

separate pool of residences for members has been established and allotment of
residences to members from this pool is made by the Accommodation Sub-Committee
of the House Committee, Lok Sabha. Arrangements for accommodation are made
according to the criteria laid down by the House Committee. Ê

Each member is entitled to a licence-fee free flat or hostel accommodation throughout

his term of office. Where a member is allotted a housing accommodation in the form of
a bungalow at his request, he shall pay full normal licence fee, if he is entitled to such
accommodation. Ê

Every member is entitled without payment of charges to the supply of water upto 4000
kl per annum and electricity uptoÊ50,000 units (25,000 units measures on light meter
andÊ25,000 units on power meter or pooled together) per annum beginning from 1st of
January every year in respect ofÊresidence allotted to him in Delhi. The above facilities
are extended to a member residing in a private accommodation in Delhi.Ê

Other facilities enjoyed by members include washing of sofa covers and curtains every
three months; furniture within the monetary ceiling of Rs. 24,000 in respect of durable
furniture and Rs. 6,000 for non-durable furniture; and also 25 per cent remission in the
rents on account of anyÊimprovement or addition made to it or any additional service
provided thereto by way of furniture, electrical equipment and other services. Ê

#(D#Ê

No charges shall be payable by a member in respect of the installation and rental of one
telephone installed either at his residence or at his office in Delhi or New Delhi, and no
member shall be liable to make any payment in respect of the first 50,000 local calls
made from the telephone during any year. However, Chairmen of Parliamentary
Committees are exempted from payment of any charges for local calls made from the
telephone installed at their residences in Delhi/New Delhi.Ê

In addition to above, no charges shall be payable by a member in respect of the

installation and rental of one telephone installed either at his usual place of residence,
or a place selected by him being a place² (i) situated within the State which he
represents, or within the State in which he resides in the case of member of the Council
of States other than a member nominated to that House; (ii) situated within the State in
which his constituency isÊor within the State in which he resides in the case of a member
of the House of the People, other than a member nominated to that House; and (iii)
approved by the Chairman of the Council of States or the Speaker of the House of the
People, as the caseÊmay be, in the case of nominated members. Ê

No member shall be liable to make any payment in respect of the first 50,000 local calls
made from that telephone during any year: Ê

Provided that the place selected by the member or approved by the Chairman or the
Speaker, as the case may be, shall be within the area of operation of an existing
telephone exchange. Ê

Every member is also entitled to one additional telephone either at his residence in
Delhi/New Delhi or at his usual place of residence or at the place selected by him within
the State in which his constituency is or in the State in which he resides and 50,000 free
local calls during a year for connectivity purposes. Ê

The trunk call bills of the members may be adjusted within the monetary equivalent of
the ceiling of one lakh fifty thousand local calls per annum as aforesaid. Ê

In addition, 20,000 additional calls are also allowed to the members whose
constituencies are 1000 km. away from Delhi. Ê
Further, every member is entitled to one mobile phone of MTNL, New Delhi with the
adjustment of calls from the existing 1,50,000 local calls available to them for 3
telephones. Ê

Excess telephone calls made over and above the pooled total of one lakh fifty thousand
free local calls per annum in respect of the three telephones installed under sub-rule (1),
sub-rule (3) and sub-rule (5) of Rule 4 of the Housing and Telephone Facilities
(Members of Parliament) Rules, 1956 are adjusted against the one lakh fifty thousand
free local calls allowed on the three telephones for the next year. Ê

##Under the Central Government Health Scheme as extended to

members, a member and his/her family are entitled to free medical treatment on a
monthly contribution of Rs. 150. Dispensaries for providing treatment mainly to
members exist in the North Avenue, South Avenue, Telegraph Lane, Pandara Road, Dr.
Zakir Hussain Road, Constitution Club and First Aid Post in V.P. House. A First Aid Post
in Parliament House and a Medical Centre in Parliament House Annexe are also
functioning for rendering medical aid to members in cases of emergency or sudden
illness. Ê

+( +!A member is entitled to an advance not

exceeding rupees one lakh or the actual price of the conveyance intended to be
purchased, whichever is less. However, no advance is dmissible when a conveyance
has already been purchased and paid for in full. Ê

Provided further that where such payment has been made in part, the amount of
advance shall be limited to the balance to be paid as certified by the member. Advance
granted together with interest thereon is recoverable from the salary bill of the member
concerned in not more than sixty equal monthly installments, which shall not extend
beyond theÊensure of his membership.Ê

D#$(&$ #!#+ÊÊ

f a Lok Sabha is dissolved pre-maturely, the members of the dissolved Lok Sabha are
entitled to consume the unutilised telephone calls, electricity units and water units from
the date of dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the constitution of subsequent Lok Sabha.
Further, if a member is re-elected in subsequent Lok Sabha, he is entitled to adjust the
excess telephone calls, electricity/water units consumed during the intervening period
from the quota for the first year of the subsequent Lok Sabha.Ê

DG

c0& 
cD

Ê

! Ê

Every person who has served as a member of the Provisional Parliament or either
House of Parliament for any period is entitled to a pension of rupees three thousand per
mensem. Provided further that where any person has served for a period exceeding five
years, he shall be paid an additional pension of rupees six hundred per mensem for
every year in excess of five years. For the purpose of calculation of years for
determination of additional pension, the period of nine months or more shall be treated
as one complete year. Ê

D
#
+#D#!Ê

Under Section 8AA of the MSA Act, an ex-member of Parliament is entitled to travel in
any train in AC-II tier class alongwith a companion in AC-I class, if travels done, on the
strength of ex-MP Identity Card issued to him by Lok Sabha Secretariat. Ê

#D#Ê

CGH Scheme is applicable to ex-members of Parliament residing in cities covered by

CGH Scheme on payment of contribution at the same rate as they were paying as
Members of Parliament. This facility is obtained by an ex- MP direct from Director-
General (CGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.ÊÊ

D$#!( Ê
In case a member dies during his term of office, his spouse/dependent is entitled to a
pension of rupees oneÊthousand and five hundred per mensem for a period of five years
from the date of death of such member. Ê

Ê
Ê Ê
 ÊÊ


´G 


c Ê

The Sales Counter of the Lok Sabha Secretariat is located in Reception Office,
Parliament House, in front of the main building of Parliament House.Ê

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 Members² Ê

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.Ê

##G Ê

Sale across the Sales Counter to customers (Government or private individuals) is

strictly conducted on cash payment and cash receipts are issued.Ê

# # 6c61#c+(!$Ê

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. Ê

" $DG Ê

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. Ê

#‰( Ê

Customers (Government or private individuals) who desire to be on the regular mailing

list for any Parliamentary publications, ×iz., 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.Ê
 ((#!#Ê

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. Ê

# +  !Ê

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.Ê

$'‰6c6!Ê

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. Ê

# (Ê

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.Ê

#! Ê

For the convenience of customers, booksellers of repute have been appointed agents in
various States for the sale of Parliamentary publications.Ê

 #$! #Ê

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.Ê

Ê
Ê Ê
ÊÊ

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‰ ‰

  AÊ

Established in 1976 as an integral Division of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the Bureau of
Parliamentary Studies and Training (BPST) is the premier training body providing
opportunities for systematic study and training in various disciplines ofÊparliamentary
institutions, processes and procedures to the Legislators and officials.Ê

Ever since its inception, BPST has successfully embarked upon various programmes of
training in Parliamentary and Legislative fields, thus imparting professionalism,
expertise and orientation to those who actually work for the parliamentary system.Ê

The Bureau¶s activities include holding of Orientation Programmes and Seminars for
Members of Parliament and State Legislatures, Training and Refresher courses for
officers of the Secretariats of Parliament and State Legislatures, Appreciation Courses
for Senior and Middle Level Officers of the Government of India including Defence
Services and Public Sector Undertakings and probationers of All India and Central
Services.Ê

The Bureau also conducts two international training programmes for foreign
parliamentary officials ×iz. µParliamentary Internship Programme¶ and µInternational
Training Programme in Legislative Drafting¶. Ê

n addition, the Bureau organises short study visits for the members of foreign/State
Legislatures, government officials, scholars, students and others. It also conducts
regular attachment programmes for parliamentarians and parliamentary/government
officials of foreign countries with the Indian Parliament.Ê

Housed in the state-of-art Parliament Library Building, the Bureau is equipped with
modern infrastructure and latest training equipments. The Bureau has its own web site
at <http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/bpst/bpst.htm> The Bureau functions under the overall
control and supervision of Secretary-General, Lok Sabha.Ê

c$$$#$1# Ê

With a view to familiarising the newly elected Members of Parliament and State
Legislatures with the intricacies of the Parliamentary Practices and Procedures, the
Bureau organises Orientation Programmes. Each Programme is of two to three day¶s
duration. These Programmes aim at promoting a deeper appreciation of the
constitutional role and position of the Parliament and the State Legislatures as
representative institutions, familiarising the Members more closely with the
parliamentary traditions and etiquette and help them in making the best and most
effective use of the precious time for more informed and fruitful discussions. Ê

Eminent parliamentarians, including Cabinet Ministers, seasoned parliamentary officials

and other experts are invited to hold discussions on various aspects of parliamentary
practice and procedure. Ê

$"($#$1# Ê

To enable the elected representatives to make optimum use of the time at their
disposal, the Bureau organises seminars and specialised workshops on various topics
of parliamentary and current importance. Seminars on topics of political, economic and
social developments are organised to help the legislators acquire deeper and broader
understanding of complex national and global issues. Ê

G$( "$$Ê

The Bureau also organises computer awareness programmes for Members of

Parliament to assist them in discharging effectively their duties such as constituency
management functions, office automation activities and personal information
management, etc. Computer awareness programmes are also organised for officials of
Lok Sabha as well as the personal staff of the Members.Ê
$$D#$Ê

Customised Attachment Programmes and Study Visits for Presiding Officers,

parliamentarians and parliamentary officials from abroad are organised by the Bureau
on request. The programmes are ad hoc in nature and are specially tailor made to suit
the special requirements of the visiting dignitaries enabling them to have a first-hand
knowledge of the working of parliamentary institutions in India. The Bureau does not
charge any fee for organising programmes and making available relevant study
material. However, all expenditure in connection with such visits including air-fare,
lodging, boarding and local transport are either borne by the participants themselves or
by the sponsoring authority. Ê

$$c#D#$Ê

The Bureau organises every year two International Training programmes i.e.
Parliamentary Internship Programme and International Training Programme in
Legislative Drafting for the foreign parliamentary/government officials. The participants
are drawn from countries covered under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation
(ITEC)/Special Commonwealth Africa Assistance Plan (SCAAP) and Colombo Plan.
The Programmes are open to others also in case the sponsoring authority or the
participants are prepared to meet the expenses on boarding, lodging, travel, etc. Ê

The aim of the Parliamentary Internship Programme is to provide the participants an

opportunity to exchange ideas in the context of their own experiences in their
legislatures and to make them aware of the environment, tradition, culture and working
of the parliamentary institutions in India. This programme is of seven weeks¶ duration
and is organised during October-November every year. Ê

To assist the legislators of developing countries in drafting Private Members¶ Bills, the
Bureau organises a nine week long International Training Programme in Legislative
Drafting during December-February. The programme is designed to equip the
parliamentary officials with the basic concepts,Êskills and techniques required for
drafting legislation. Ê
G A+$c###G#
+Ê

Appreciation Courses in Parliamentary Processes and Procedures of a week¶s duration

are organised not only for middle and senior level officials of the Government of India
but also for the probationers of All India and Central Services.Ê

These Courses provide to the participants the much needed direct exposure to the
environment, culture and traditions of parliamentary institutions so as to enable them to
appreciate better the nature of their role and place in the overall context of
parliamentary system, leading to a more informed response to their work in relation to
Parliament.Ê

G #$!# c#Ê

To sharpen the functional skills of the officials working in the Secretariats of Parliament
and State Legislatures,foundational courses, refresher courses as well asÊspecialised
courses are organised by the Bureau for them.Ê

These courses aim at developing the right attitudes andÊqualities essential in

parliamentary officials, for example, aÊsense of dedication in service, precision and
promptness,objectivity of approach, highest respect for the representatives of the
people and unfailing courtesy.Ê

 !´Ê

The Bureau organises short study visits for officers of Government and Legislature
Secretariats, as well as scholarsÊand students both from India and abroad. During suchÊ
visits, the participants are given the requisite orientation toÊenable them to understand
some notable aspects ofÊparliamentary institutions followed by a visit to Lok
SabhaChamber and Rajya Sabha Chamber, Central Hall, or witnessing the proceedings
of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha when the Houses are in session.Ê

´ #Ê
To make the lectures more interesting, the Bureau has prepared video films on subjects
of parliamentary interest such as "Parliamentary Questions", "Private Members¶ Bills",
"Parliamentary Etiquette and Manners", "Financial Committees of Parliament" and
"Enriching the Debates in Legislatures". These video films are shown to the Members of
Parliament as well as the participants who come to attend the various
courses/programmes organised by the Bureau.Ê

Ê
Ê Ê
  ‰c&´  ‰
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Ê

In the light of advancements made in the field of electronic media and the need
to make the citizens aware of the deliberations in Parliament, the Lok Sabha Secretariat
had taken several steps to record and telecast/broadcast the proceedings of Lok Sabha
with the help of Doordarshan / All India Radio. Televising of proceedings provides the
people a direct access to the work of their elected representatives in the highest
democratic institution.Ê

A beginning was made in this direction when for the first time the President¶s
Address to members of both the Houses of Parliament was telecast live in 1989.
Subsequently, an Audio-Visual Library was set up in 1992 for keeping the records of the
proceedings in cassettes and CDs and providing facilities to members to view the
same. In the beginning, selected proceedings of Lok Sabha were got recorded on U-
matic tapes and VHS cassettes. Since 18 April 1994, complete recordings of the Lok
Sabha proceedings and other parliamentary functions are being maintained on U-matic
/ Betacam / VHS cassettes/Video CDs in the Audio-Visual Library. These records have
immense archival value for the parliamentarians, media persons, scholars,
academicians and even common people.Ê

The Service has two Units: (I) Audio-Visual Unit, and (II) Telecasting Unit.Ê

ÊÊ

  ‰c7´  
Ê

ÊÊ

The Audio-Visual Unit which was set up in 1992 provides facilities for viewing /
listening to the video records of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha debates, proceedings of
National and International Parliamentary Conferences / Seminars / Symposia /
Workshops, Parliamentary Films and Linguaphone Courses to members of Parliament,
media persons and other visiting dignitaries.Ê

The Unit has VHS cameras, editing equipment and a Viewing Room in the
Parliament Library Building. With the help of VHS cameras, the video crew of the Unit
records all important parliamentary functions/events including National and
International Parliamentary Conferences/Seminars/Symposia/Workshops, calls on
Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Secretary General, by foreign delegations and
dignitaries, meetings of MPs with Parliamentary Delegations, Press Conferences and
other functions of Hon¶ble speaker, Floral Tributes paid at the portraits in the Central
Hall on the birth anniversaries of the National Leaders, Orientation Programmes
organised by BPST, Parliamentary Exhibitions, etc. As part of the modernisation of
A.V. facilities, a state-of-the-art studio and production control room (in digital format),
equipped with post production editing facilities, are being set up in the Parliamentary
Library Building. Video viewing arrangements would also be modernized by providing
multi media facilities.Ê

This Unit preserves the Video (U-matic, Betacam, VHS) cassettes, Video
Compact Discs (VCDs) and audio cassettes of Lok Sabha Debates, proceedings of
National and International Parliamentary Conferences / Seminars / Symposia /
Workshops and other parliamentary functions. It is also looking after the work of
selection and collection of audio - visual materials; accession, classification and
preservation of cassettes of important parliamentary functions and events like
Conferences, Seminars, Symposia and Workshops and telefilms on different aspects of
parliamentary practices and procedures. Arrangements have also been made for
dubbing of recordings of all events and functions into VHS cassettes for being supplied
to members and others on demand on payment basis.Ê

The Audio-Visual Unit has acquired audio and video cassettes for Linguaphone
Courses in various Indian and foreign languages and has also added to its holdings
audio-cassettes pertaining to classical and instrumental music and patriotic songs for
the use of members of Parliament and for use at various parliamentary functions. The
following Linguaphone Courses (audio and video cassettes) are available for
listening/viewing in the Viewing Room:Ê

Audio CassettesÊ

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In view of the demands from MPs and storing convenience of CDs, the Unit has
started getting the recordings of Lok Sabha proceedings transferred in CD format.
Rajya Sabha proceedings in CD format are also being acquired.ÊÊ

ÊÊ
 6ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ
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Televising of select parliamentary proceedings in India commenced with the live

telecast of President¶s Address to the members of both the Houses of Parliament on
20 December 1989. As a prelude to complete live telecast of parliamentary proceedings
throughout the nation, a Low Power Transmitter (LPT) was set up in Parliament House
on 25 August 1994 to provide for live telecast of Lok Sabha proceedings, within a range
of 10 to 15 kms. from Parliament House. With the installation of another Low Power
Transmitter, the Rajya Sabha proceedings are also being telecast live
since 7 December 1994. The proceedings of the Question Hour of both the
Houses are also being telecast live on alternate weeks throughout the country on the
Primary Channel of Doordarshan from 1100 hrs. to 1200 hrs. since 7 December 1994.ÊÊ

With the launch of DD-News Channel, Doordarshan has been telecasting live
the Question Hour of both Lok Sabha And Rajya Sabha simultaneously on National
Channel and DD-News Channel of Doordarshan on alternate weeks from the Winter
Session of 2003. While telecasting the Question Hour of one House on National
Channel, Doordarshan is telecasting live the Question Hour of the other House on DD-
News Channel.ÊÊ

All India Radio, too, broadcasts the recording of Question Hour of both the
Houses, on alternate weeks, on their National Channel same day from 2200 hrs. to
2300 hrs. It has been arranged in such a manner that during the week Doordarshan
covers the one House on its National Channel, All India Radio covers the other House.
Important events like President¶s Address to members of both the Houses, presentation
of General and Railway Budgets and debates on Motions of
Confidence/No-Ê

confidence in the Council of Ministers, Elections of Speaker and Deputy Speaker,

oath taking by members have also been telecast/broadcast live on the Primary Channel
of Doordarshan / All India Radio.ÊÊ

ÊÊ
‰##G##+#Ê

ÊÊ

As a result of the consistent efforts of Lok Sabha and Prasar Bharati, a landmark
in the history of telecasting of parliamentary proceedings was reached on 14 December
2004 when two separate dedicated satellite channels for telecasting live the entire
proceedings of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were launched by Vice-President of India
and Speaker, Lok Sabha respectively at a function held in the historic Central Hall of
Parliament House. The entire proceedings of the two Houses of Parliament are since
being telecast live through separate dedicated satellite channels by Doordarshan.Ê

ÊÊ

##
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ÊÊ

In order to telefilm and telecast live the complete proceedings of Parliament in a

better manner, a sophisticated modern robotic camera system and a production control
room had been set up in Parliament House. The system had become operational with
effect from the Winter Session of Parliament in 1997. Under the new robotic camera
system, there are eight robotic cameras which are operated by remote control from the
production control room in Parliament House. From the Budget Session of 2000, the
televised proceedings of Parliament are properly captioned/titled through BIID system
installed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).Ê

A robotically-controlled TV set up has been introduced for the purpose of

coverage of the functions/events held in the G.M.C. Balayogi Auditorium and other
Committee Rooms in the Parliament Library Building. Robotically-controlled Multi-
Camera Systems and Production Control Rooms have been set up for Auditorium and
BPST Main Committee Room. A Mobile Unit has also been developed for on-line
production of the events/functions in other Committee Rooms of the Parliament Library
Building. The latest digital broadcasting quality equipments have also been installed in
the Production Control Rooms.Ê

ÊÊ

c 
# Ê

ÊÊ

This Unit coordinates with Doordarshan/All India Radio and other official
agencies for the telecast/broadcast of parliamentary proceedings, National and
International Conferences/Seminars besides other important parliamentary functions
held in Parliament precincts and elsewhere. For example, ceremonies connected with
the Farewell to and Oath-taking by the President of India, unveiling of the statues and
portraits of National Leaders in the Parliament House Complex, conferment of
Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards, Celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the First
Sitting of the Constituent Assembly and India¶s Independence, Addresses by foreign
dignitaries and Inaugural and Closing Ceremonies of International Parliamentary
Conference to mark the Golden Jubilee of Indian Parliament were telecast/broadcast on
the national channel by Doordarshan and All India Radio.Ê

The Unit makes all necessary arrangements for effective and

uninterruptedÊ

telecasting/broadcasting by providing infrastructural and other assistance to the

concerned agencies. It also coordinates with official/private agencies for transferring the
proceedings from U-matic tapes to VHS cassettes and U-matic/Betacam cassettes to
Video CDs.Ê

If any private television and radio/internet broadcasting agency wants to

telecast/broadcast the proceedings live/recorded or to use the recorded
excerpts/footage of parliamentary proceedings, it is allowed to use the feed or supplied
with the footage on the terms and conditions laid down by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.Ê

In pursuance of a Resolution adopted at the Conference of Presiding Officers of

Legislative Bodies in India held in New Delhi in October 1996, the Speaker, Lok Sabha
had constituted a Committee of Presiding Officers on ³Telecasting of the Proceedings of
the Legislatures´ for assessing the feasibility of telecasting the proceedings of
Legislative Bodies in India, live or pre-recorded. This Committee is serviced by the
Telecasting Unit.Ê

ÊÊ

#$!D#$Ê

As an extension of telefilming and televising of parliamentary proceedings, video

films are also prepared on different aspects of parliamentary practices and procedures
and related parliamentary topics for new members of Parliament and State
Legislatures. These films also facilitate in educating students, media persons and others
about various facets of the functioning of Parliament. Six parliamentary films which
have been produced so far are: (i) Private Members¶ Bills; (ii) ParliamentaryÊÊ

Questions; (iii) Parliamentary Etiquette and Manners; (iv) Financial Committees; (v)
Enriching the Debates in Legislatures; and (vi) How to be an Effective Parliamentarian?
Two films, viz. µParliamentary Etiquette and Manners¶ and µHow to be an Effective
Parliamentarian?¶ were also dubbed in Russian and shown at the State Duma,
Moscow,Êduring an Exhibition on ³Parliamentary History and Activities´ set up as part of
the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of India¶s Independence in November 1998. The Unit
is in the process of preparing some more informative and educative films on the
functioning of Parliament.ÊÊ

888888888888888888888Ê

Ê Ê
 Ê




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Ê

The work done by the Parliament in modern times is not only varied in nature, but
considerable in volume. The time at its disposal is limited. It cannot, therefore, give
close consideration to all the legislative and other matters that come up before it. A
good deal of its business is, therefore, transacted by what are called the Parliamentary
Committees. Ê

G$$Ê

Parliamentary Committees are of two kinds: Ad hoc Committees and the Standing
Committees. Ad hoc Committees are appointed for a specific purpose and they cease to
exist when they finish the task assigned to them and submit a report. The principal Ad
hoc Committees are the Select and Joint Committees on Bills. Others like the Railway
Convention Committee, the Committees on the Draft Five Year Plans and the Hindi
Equivalents Committee were appointed for specific purposes. Apart from the Ad hoc
Committees, each House of Parliament has Standing Committees like the Business
Advisory Committee, the Committee on Petitions, the Committee of Privileges and the
Rules Committee, etc. Ê

cG$$Ê

Of special importance is yet another class of Committees which act as Parliament¶s

µWatch Dogs¶ over the executive. These are the Committees on Subordinate
Legislation, the Committee on Government Assurances, the Committee on Estimates,
the Committee on Public Accounts and the Committee on Public Undertakings and
Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs). The Committee on Estimates,
the Committee on Public Accounts, the Committee on Public Undertakings and DRSCs
play an important role in exercising a check over governmental expenditure and Policy
formulation.Ê
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When a Bill comes up before a House for general discussion,it is open to that House to
refer it to a Select Committee of the House or a Joint Committee of the two Houses. A
motion has to be moved and adopted to this effect in the House in which the Bill comes
up for consideration. In case the motion adopted is for reference of the Bill to a Joint
Committee, the decision is conveyed to the other House requesting them to nominate
members of the other House to serve on the Committee. The Select or Joint Committee
considers the Bill clause by clause just as the two Houses do. Amendments can be
moved to various clauses by members of the Committee. The Committee can also take
evidence of associations, public bodies or experts who are interested in the Bill. After
the Bill has thus been considered the Committee submits its report to the House.
Members who do not agree with the majority report may append their minutes of dissent
to the report. Ê

G$$$Ê

This Committee consists of 30 members who are elected by the Lok Sabha every year
from amongst its members. A Minister is not eligible for election to this Committee. The
term of the Committee is one year. The main function of the Committee on Estimates is
to report what economies, improvements in organisation, efficiency, or administrative
reform, consistent with the policy underlying the estimates may be effected and to
suggest alternative policies in order to bring about efficiency and economy in
administration. From time to time the Committee selects such of the estimates
pertaining to a Ministry or a group of Ministries or the statutory and other Government
bodies as may seem fit to the Committee. The Committee also examines matters of
special interest which may arise or come to light in the course of its work or which are
specifically referred to it by the House or the Speaker. Ê

G$$ # Ê

The Committee on Public Undertakings consists of 15 members elected by the Lok
Sabha and 7 members of Rajya Sabha are associated with it. A Minister is not eligible
for election to this Committee. The term of the Committee is one year. Ê

The functions of the Committee on Public Undertakings are²(a) to examine the reports
and accounts of Public Undertakings; (b) to examine the reports, if any, of the
Comptroller and Auditor General on the Public Undertakings; (c) to examine in the
context of the autonomy and efficiency of the Public Undertakings whether the affairs of
the Public Undertakings are being managed in accordance with sound business
principles and prudent commercial practices; and (d) such other functions vested in the
Committee on Public Accounts and the Committee on Estimates in relation to the Public
Undertakings as are not covered by clauses (a), (b) and (c) above and as may be
allotted to the Committee by the Speaker from time to time. The Committee does not,
however, examine matters of major Government policy and matters of day-to-day
administration of the Undertakings. Ê

G$$ # Ê

This Committee consists of 15 members elected by the Lok Sabha and 7 members of
the Rajya Sabha are associated with it. A Minister is not eligible for election to this
Committee. The term of the Committee is one year. Ê

The main duty of the Committee is to ascertain whether the money granted by
Parliament has been spent by Government "within the scope of the Demand". The
Appropriation Accounts of the Government of India and the Audit Reports presented by
the Comptroller and Auditor General mainly form the basis for the examination of the
Committee. Cases involving losses, nugatory expenditure and financial irregularities
come in for severe criticism by the Committee. The Committee is not concerned with
questions of policy. It is concerned only with the execution of the policy laid down by
Parliament and its results. Ê

+!G$$)*Ê
The Business Advisory Committee of Lok Sabha consists of 15 members including the
Speaker who is the ex-officio Chairman. The members are nominated by the Speaker.
Almost all sections of the House are represented on the Committee as per the
respective strength of parties in the House. The function of the Committee is to
recommend the time that should be allotted for the discussion of such Government
legislative and other business as the Speaker, in consultation with the Leader of the
House, may direct to be referred to the Committee. The Committee, on its own initiative,
may also recommend to the Government to bring forward particular subjects for
discussion in the House and recommend allocation of time for such discussions. The
decisions reached by the Committee are always unanimous in character and
representative of the collective view of the House. The Committee generally meets at
the beginning of each Session and thereafter as and when necessary. Ê

G$$+$' ##
# )*Ê

This Committee consists of 15 members and the Deputy Speaker is its Chairman when
nominated as a member of he Committee. The Committee is nominated by the
Speaker. The functions of the Committee are to allot time to Private Members¶ Bills and
Resolutions, to examine Private Members¶ Bills seeking to amend the Constitution
before their introduction in Lok Sabha, to examine all Private Members¶ Bills after they
are introduced and before they are taken up for consideration in the House and to
classify them according to their nature, urgency and importance into two categories
namely, category A and category B and also to examine such Private Members¶ Bills
where the legislative competence of the House is challenged. The Committee, thus,
performs the same function in relation to Private Members¶ Bills and Resolutions as the
Business Advisory Committee does in regard to Government Business. The Committee
holds office for a term not exceeding one year. Ê

#G$$)*Ê

The Rules Committee consists of 15 members including the Speaker who is the ex-
officio Chairman of the Committee. The members are nominated by the Speaker. The
Committee considers matters of procedure and conduct of business in the House and
recommends any amendments or additions to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of
Business in Lok Sabha that are considered necessary.Ê

G$$+#)*Ê

This Committee consists of 15 members nominated by the Speaker. The function is to

examine every question involving breach of privilege of the House or of the members of
any Committee thereof referred to it by the House or by the Speaker. It determines with
reference to the facts of each case whether a breach of privilege is involved and makes
suitable recommendations in its report. Ê

G$$(
#Ê)*Ê

This Committee consists of 15 members nominated by the Speaker. Its function is to

examine all papers laid on the Table of the House by Ministers (other than those which
fall within the purview of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation or any other
Parliamentary Committee) and to report to the House²(a) whether there has been
compliance of the provisions of the Constitution, Act, rule or regulation under which the
paper has been laid, (b) whether there has been any unreasonable delay in laying the
paper, (c) if there has been such delay, whether a statement explaining the reasons for
delay has been laid on the Table of the House and whether those reasons are
satisfactory, (d) whether both the Hindi and English versions of the paper have been
laid on the Table, (e) whether a statement explaining the reasons for not laying the
Hindi version has been given and whether such reasons are satisfactory, (f) such other
functions in respect of the papers laid on the Table as may be assigned to it by the
Speaker from time to time. Ê

G$$)*Ê

The Committee consists of 15 members nominated by the Speaker. A Minister is not

nominated to this Committee. The function of the Committee is to consider and report
on petitions presented to the House. Besides, it also considers representations from
individuals and associations, etc. on subjects which are not covered by the rules relating
to petitions and gives directions for their disposal.Ê

G$$ #)*Ê

The Committee consists of 15 members nominated by the Speaker. A Minister is not

nominated to this Committee. The Committee scrutinizes and reports to the House
whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws etc. conferred by the
Constitution or delegated by Parliament are being properly exercised by the executive
within the scope of such delegation. Ê

G$$A+$ )*Ê

This Committee consists of 15 members nominated by the Speaker. A Minister is not

nominated to this Committee. While replying to questions in the House or during
discussions on Bills, Resolutions, Motions etc., Ministers at times give assurances or
undertakings either to consider a matter or to take action or to furnish the House further
information later. The functions of this Committee are to scrutinize the assurances,
promises, undertakings etc. given by Ministers from time to time and to report to Lok
Sabha on the extent to which such assurances etc. have been implemented and to see
whether such implementation has taken place within the minimum time necessary for
the purpose.Ê

G$$$$ )*Ê

The Committee consists of 15 members who hold office for one year. The members are
nominated by the Speaker. This Committee considers all applications from members for
leave of absence from the sittings of the House and examines every case where a
member has been absent for a period of 60 days or more, without permission, from the
sittings of the House. In its report it makes recommendations with respect to each case
as to whether the absence should be condoned or leave applied granted or whether the
circumstances of the case justify that the House should declare the seat of the member
vacant. Ê
G$$cÊ

This Committee consists of 15 members. Ten members are elected from Lok Sabha
and five from Rajya Sabha. The Committee is constituted for the duration of each Lok
Sabha. Ê

The main functions of the Committee are to examine the composition and character of
the Committees appointed by the Central and State Governments and to recommend
what offices should disqualify and what offices should not disqualify a person for being
chosen as, and for being, a member of either House of Parliament under article 102 of
the Constitution.Ê

G$$2# #G #

Ê

The Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes consists of
20 members elected by the Lok Sabha and 10 members of Rajya Sabha are
associated with it. The term of the Committee is one year. A Minister is not eligible for
election to this Committee. The main functions of the Committee are to consider all
matters concerning the welfare of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, falling
within the purview of the Union Government and the Union Territories, to consider the
reports submitted by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes and to examine the measures taken by the Union Government to secure due
representation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in services and posts
under its control.Ê

#"!G+G$$Ê

The Railway Convention Committee is an ad-hoc Committee. It consists of 18

members. Out of these, 12 members are from Lok Sabha nominated by the Speaker
and 6 members are from Rajya Sabha nominated by the Chairman. By convention the
Minister of Finance and the Minister of Railways are members of the Committee.
Besides this, Ministers of State in the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Railways
respectively are also its members. Ê
The main function of the Committee is to review the Rate of Dividend payable by the
Railways undertaking to General Revenues as well as other ancillary matters in
connection with the Railway Finance ×is-a-×is the General Finance and make
recommendations thereon. The Railway Convention Committee, 1949 was the first
Committee after independence. This Committee and subsequent Committees confined
themselves to determining the rate of dividend payable by Railways to General
Revenues. Since 1971 the Railway Convention Committees have been taking up
subjects for examination and report which have a bearing on the working of Railways. Ê

G$$$("$2$Ê

This Committee came into being on 29th April, 1997, as a consequence of identical
Resolutions adopted by both the Houses of Parliament on the occasion of International
Womens¶ Day on 8th March, 1996. The Committee consists of 30 members, 20
nominated by the Speaker from amongst the members of Lok Sabha and 10 nominated
by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha from amongst the members of the Rajya Sabha. The
term of the Committee is of one year. The Committee have been primarily mandated
with the task of reviewing and monitoring the measures taken by the Union
Government in the direction of securing for women equality, status and dignity in all
matters. The Committee would also suggest necessary correctives for improving the
status/condition of women in respect of matters within the purview of the Union
Government. Besides, another important function of the Committee is to examine the
measures taken by the Union Government for comprehensive education and adequate
representation of women in Legislative bodies/services and other fields. The Committee
would also consider the report of the National Commission for Women. The Committee
may also examine such other matters as may seem fit to them or are specifically
referred to them by the Lok Sabha or the Speaker and the Rajya Sabha or the
Chairman, Rajya Sabha. Ê

‰($##!
#G$$Ê
A full-fledged system of 17 Departmentally Related Standing Committees came into
being in April, 1993. These Committees cover under their jurisdiction all the Ministries/
Departments of the Government of India. These Committees are as under :Ê

*  
 Ê

1. Committee on CommerceÊ

2. Committee on Home AffairsÊ

3. Committee on Human Resource DevelopmentÊ

4. Committee on IndustryÊ

5. Committee on Science & Technology,Ê

Environment & ForestsÊ

6. Committee on Transport, Culture and TourismÊ

7. Committee on AgricultureÊ

8. Committee on Information TechnologyÊ

9. Committee on DefenceÊ

10. Committee on EnergyÊ

11. Committee on External AffairsÊ

12. Committee on FinanceÊ

13. Committee on Food, Civil Supplies andÊ

Public DistributionÊ

14. Committee on Labour and WelfareÊ

15. Committee on Petroleum & ChemicalsÊ

16. Committee on RailwaysÊ

17. Committee on Urban and Rural DevelopmentÊ

Out of the 17 Committees, 6 Committees (Sl. No. 1 to 6) are serviced by the Rajya
Sabha Secretariat and 11 Committees (Sl. No. 7 to 17) by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.Ê

Each of these Standing Committees consists of not more than 45 members²30 to be

nominated by the Speaker from amongst the members of Lok Sabha and 15 to be
nominated by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha from amongst the members of Rajya Sabha.
A Minister is not eligible to be nominated to these Committees.Ê

The term of members of these Committees is one year. With reference to the
Ministries/Departments under their purview, the functions of these committees are: Ê

(a) Consideration of Demands for Grants.Ê

(b) Examination of Bills referred to by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha or the Speaker, Lok
Sabha as the case may be.Ê

(c) Consideration of Annual Reports.Ê

(d) Consideration of national basic long term policy documents presented to the House
and referred to the Committee by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha or the Speaker, Lok
Sabha, as the case may be. These Committees do not consider matters of day-to-day
administration of the concerned Ministries/Departments.Ê

The newly constituted departmentally related StandingÊCommittee System is a path-

breaking endeavour of theÊParliamentary surveillance over administration. With theÊ
emphasis of their functioning to concentrate on long-term plans, policies and the
philosophies guiding the working of the Executive, these Committees will be in a very
privileged position to provide necessary direction, guidance and inputs for broad policy
formulations and in achievement of the long-term national perspective by the Executive. Ê

Ê
 ÊÊ

ÊÊÊ

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 Ê Ê ÊÊ

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ÊÊ

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Ê

ÊÊ

G Ê

The Estimates Committee, constituted for the first time in 1950, is a Parliamentary
Committee consisting of 30ÊMembers, elected every year by the Lok Sabha from
amongst its Members. The Chairman of the Committee is appointed by the Speaker
from amongst its members. A Minister cannot be elected as a member of the
Committee and if a member after his election to the Committee, is appointed a Minister,
he ceases to be a member of the Committee from the date of such appointment. [For
composition of the Committee 2003-2004 see pages 3-4]. Names of all previous
Chairmen of Estimates Committee are given on pages 4-5.Ê

$cÊ

The term of office of the Committee is one year. Ê

D Ê

The functions of the Estimates Committee are: Ê

(a) to report what economies, improvements in organisation, efficiency or administrative

reform, consistent with the policy underlying the estimates may be effected;Ê
(b) to suggest alternative policies in order to bring about efficiency and economy in
administration; Ê

(c) to examine whether the money is well laid out within the limits of the policy implied in
the estimates; and Ê

(d) to suggest the form in which the estimates shall be presented to Parliament. Ê

The Committee does not exercise its functions in relation to such Public Undertakings
as are allotted to the Committee on Public Undertakings by the Rules of Procedure of
Lok Sabha or by the Speaker. A list of subjects selected by the Committee for
examination during 2003-2004 is given on pages 5-7. The Committee have also
decided to finalise draft reports on the subjects on which evidence have been concluded
by the previous Committee indicated on page 7. Ê

2Ê

Soon after it is constituted, the Committee selects such of the estimates pertaining to a
Ministry/Department of theÊCentral Government or such of the statutory and other
bodies of the Central Government as may seem fit to the Committee. The Committee
also examines matters of special interest which may arise or come to light in the course
of its work or which are specifically referred to it by the House or the Speaker.Ê

The Committee calls for preliminary material from the Ministry/Department, statutory
and other Government bodies in regard to the subjects selected for examination and
also memoranda from non-officials connected with the subjects for the use of the
Members of the Committee. Ê

The Committee, from time to time, appoints one or more Sub-Committees/Study Groups
for carrying out detailed examination of various subjects. If it appears to the Committee
that it is necessary for the purpose of its examination that an on-the-spot study should
be made, the Committee may, with the approval of the Speaker decide to undertake
tours to make a study of any particular matter, project or establishment, either as a
whole Committee or by dividing itself into Study Groups. Notes relating to the
institutions/offices etc. to be visited are called for in advance from the concerned
Ministries/Departments etc. and circulated to the Members of the Committee/Sub-
Committee/Study Group.Ê

The Members while on tour may also meet the representatives of chambers of
commerce and other nonofficial trade organisations and bodies which are concerned
with the subjects under examination of the Committee, for an informal discussion. Ê

When the Committee/Sub-Committee/Study Group is on study tour only informal sittings

are held at the place of visit. At such sitting neither evidence is recorded nor any
decisions are taken. All discussions held by the Committee with the representatives of
the Ministries/ Departments, nonofficial organisations, etc. are treated as confidential
and no one having access to the discussions directly orÊindirectly, should communicate
to the Press or any unauthorised person any information about matters takenÊup during
the discussions. Ê

Later in the light of informal discussions during Study Tours, memoranda received from
non-officials and informationÊcollected from the Ministry/Department concerned and
other sources, non-official and official witnesses are invited to give evidence at formal
sittings of the Estimates Committee held in Parliament House/Parliament House
Annexe, New Delhi.Ê

The observations/recommendations of the Committee are embodied in its Reports

which are presented to Lok Sabha. After a Report has been presented to the House the
Ministry or Department concerned is required to take action on the recommendations
and conclusions contained in the Report within a period of six months. The replies of the
Government are examined by the Committee and an Action Taken Report is presented
to the House. The replies to the recommendations contained in the Action Taken
Reports are laid on the Table of Lok Sabha in the form of Statements.Ê

+$Ê

Since its inception in April, 1950, the Committee has presented 922 Reports covering
almost all the Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India. Out of these 480 are
the Original Reports and 442 are Reports on Action Taken by the Government on
earlier Reports of the Committee. Ê

G$($G$$Ê

)9::;&9::<*Ê

1. Prof. Ummareddy Venkateswarlu ² ChairmanÊ

2. Shri Raashid AlviÊ

3. Prof. S.P. Singh BaghelÊ

4. Shri Ramchander BaindaÊ

5. Shri G.M. BanatwallaÊ

6. Shri Sudip BandyopadhyayÊ

7. Shri S. BangarappaÊ

8. Shri Lal Muni ChaubeyÊ

9. Shri Dalit EzhilmalaiÊ

10. Smt. Sheela GautamÊ

11. Shri Shankar Prasad JaiswalÊ

12. Shri Shriprakash JaiswalÊ

13. Shri N.N. KrishnadasÊ

14. Shri C. KuppuswamiÊ

15. Shri P.R. KyndiahÊ

16. Shri Samik LahiriÊ

17. Shri Sanat Kumar MandalÊ

18. Shri Shivaji ManeÊ

19. Shri Manjay LalÊ

20. Shri Ram Nagina MishraÊ

21. Shri Shyam Bihari MishraÊ

22. Prof. Rasa Singh RawatÊ

23. Shri G. Ganga ReddyÊ

24. Shri Dileep SanghaniÊ

25. Kunwar Akhilesh SinghÊ

26. Shri Maheshwar SinghÊ

27. Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad SinghÊ

28. Shri Rampal SinghÊ

29. Shri Lal Bihari TiwariÊ

30. Shri Shankersinh VaghelaÊ

$+ G$$G$$Ê

)=>?:&9::<*Ê
1. Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar Ê

(1950-51 to 1953-54)Ê

2. Shri Balwantray Gopalji Mehta Ê

(1954-55 to1958-59)Ê

3. Shri H.C. DasappaÊ

(1959-60 to 1962-63)Ê

4. Shri A.C. GuhaÊ

(1963-64 to 1966-67)Ê

5. Shri P. Venkatasubbaiah Ê

(1967-68 to 1968-69)Ê

6. Shri M. Thirumala Rao Ê

(1969-70 to 1970-71)Ê

7. Shri Kamal Nath TewariÊ

(1971-72 to 1973-74)Ê

8. Shri R.K. SinhaÊ

(1974-75 to 1975-76)Ê

9. Shri Bhagwat Jha AzadÊ

(1976-77)Ê

10. Shri Satyendra Narayan SinhaÊ

(August, 1977 to April, 1979)Ê

11. Dr. Baldev PrakashÊ

(May, 1979 to August, 1979)Ê

12. Shri S.B.P. Pattabhi Rama RaoÊ

(1980-81 to 1981-82)Ê

13. Shri Bansi LalÊ

(1982-83 to 1984-85)Ê

14. Shri Chintamani PanigrahiÊ

(1985-86)Ê

15. Smt. Chandra TripathiÊ

(1987-88)Ê

16. Shri Ashutosh LawÊ

(1988-89)Ê

17. Shri Jaswant SinghÊ

(1990-91)Ê

18. Shri Manoranjan BhaktaÊ

(1991-92 to 1992-93)Ê

19. Dr. Krupasindhu BhoiÊ

(1993-94 to 1994-95)Ê

20. Shri S.B. SidnalÊ

(1995-96)Ê

21. Shri Rupchand PalÊ

(1996-97 to 1997-98 {December 1997})Ê

22. Shri Madhukar SirpotdarÊ

(1998-99)Ê

23. Prof. Ummareddy VenkateswarluÊ

[2000-2003-2004 (February 2004)]Ê

  #/$!$G$$ 9::;&9::<Ê

 

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(Department of Agriculture and Cooperation)Ê

(1) NAFEDÊ

(2) National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)Ê

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(3) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)Ê

 

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(i) (Department of Coal)Ê

(ii) (Department of Mines)Ê

(4) Safety Measures in MinesÊ

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRYÊ

(Department of Commerce)Ê

(5) Export of species, coffee, rubber and teaÊ

 

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(Department of Telecommunications)Ê

(6) Productivity Improvement in Urban and Rural TelephonyÊ

(7) Telecommunication Services in Urban and Rural AreasÊ

 

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(8) Coast Guard OrganisationÊ

 

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(9) Environmental PollutionÊ

 

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(10) Public Sector Banks ² Non-Performing AssetsÊ

(11) Role of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in Rural
DevelopmentÊ

(12) Priority Sector LendingÊ

(13) Sponsoring of RRBs by the Nationalised Banks andÊ

preserving rural character of RRBsÊ

(14) Implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes under the Ministry of Rural

DevelopmentÊ

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(15) Recovery of Arrears²Central Excise, Customs and Income TaxÊ

(16) Import Duty on Power Generation Equipments including those for Non-
Conventional Energy Sources.Ê

(17) Simplification of Customs and Excise proceduresÊ

(18) Customs Godowns²Storage, Accounting, Pricing and Disposal of Confiscated

GoodsÊ

 

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(19) Food Processing IndustriesÊ

 

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(20) Medical Council of IndiaÊ

(21) Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)Ê

 

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(22) Modernisation of Police and Para Military ForcesÊ

(23) New Delhi Municipal Committee (NDMC)Ê

 

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(24) Central UniversitiesÊ

(25) All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)Ê

 

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(26) Central Board of Film CertificationÊ

(27) Quality and Accessibility of Doordarshan Programmes in Remote AreasÊ

 

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(28) Welfare Schemes for LabourÊ

(29) Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)Ê

 

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(30) Non-Conventional Sources of EnergyÊ

 

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(31) Power GenerationÊ

 

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(Railway Board)Ê

(32) Safety and Security in RailwaysÊ

 

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(Department of Rural Development)Ê

(33) CAPARTÊ

(34) Implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes under the Ministry of Rural

DevelopmentÊ

 

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(35) Congestion in PortsÊ

 

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(36) Social Welfare Schemes for Women, Weaker and Physically Handicapped
SectionsÊ

 

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(37) Archaeological Survey of IndiaÊ

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1. Public Sector Banks²Non-Performing AssetsÊ

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ÊÊ

On the occasion of International Women¶s Day on 8th March, 1996, two identical
resolutions for constituting a Standing Committee of both the Houses for improving the
status of women were moved in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha respectively.Ê

In pursuance of the aforesaid resolution, the matter was considered by the Rules
Committee (Eleventh Lok Sabha). The Rules Committee in their Second Report laid on
the Table of the House on 6th March, 1997 recommended that a Committee for the
purpose may be constituted. Accordingly, the Committee on Empowerment of Women
was constituted on 29th April, 1997. The Committee consists of 30 Members of whom
20 are nominated by the Speaker from amongst the Members of Lok Sabha and 10 are
nominated by the Chairman,ÊRajya Sabha from amongst the Members of the Rajya
Sabha. The Chairman of the Committee is appointed by the Speaker from amongst its
Members. A Minister cannot be nominated a Member of the Committee and if a Member
after his nomination to the Committee is appointed a Minister, he ceases to be a
Member of the Committee from the date of such appointment. Ê

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The term of the Committee does not exceed one year.Ê

D Ê

The functions of the Committee on Empowerment of Women are :Ê

1. To consider the reports submitted by the National Commission for Women and to
report on the measures that should be taken by the Union Government for improving
the status/conditions of women in respect of matters within the purview of the Union
Government including the Administration of the Union Territories;Ê

2. To examine the measures taken by the Union Government to secure for women
equality, status and dignity in all matters;Ê

3. To examine the measures taken by the Union Government for comprehensive

education and adequate representation of women in Legislative bodies/services and
other fields;Ê

4. To report on the working of the welfare programmes for the women; Ê

5. To report on the action taken by the Union Government and Administration of the
Union Territories on the measures proposed by the Committee; andÊ

6. To examine such other matters as may seem fit to the Committee or are specifically
referred to it by the Lok Sabha or the Speaker and the Rajya Sabha or the Chairman,
Rajya Sabha. Ê

2Ê

During the Thirteenth Lok Sabha, the Committee had selected the following subjects
relating to the women issues for detailed examination and report:²Ê

(i) Functioning of National and State Commissions for WomenÊ

(ii) Women in Detention Ê

(iii) Health and Family Welfare Programmes for WomenÊ

(iv) Functioning of Family CourtsÊ

(v) Education Programmes for WomenÊ

(vi) Training Programmes for WomenÊ

(vii) Training and Empowerment of Women in Local BodiesÊ

(viii) Violence against Women during RiotsÊ

(ix) Economic Empowerment of WomenÊ

Based on preliminary materials, tour impressions and oral evidence, the Commitee
finalised and presented the following Nine Original Reports to the Parliament. Ê

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1. Second Report on µFunctioning of National and State Commissions for Women¶Ê

2. Third Report on µWomen in Detention¶Ê

3. Fourth Report on µHealth and Family Welfare Programmes for Women¶Ê

4. Fifth Report on µFunctioning of Family Courts¶ Ê

5. Sixth Report on µEducation Programmes for Women¶Ê

6. Seventh Report on µTraining Programmes for Women¶Ê

7. Eighth Report on µTraining and Empowerment of Women in Local Bodies.¶Ê

8. Ninth Report on µViolence against Women during Riots¶ Ê

9. Eighteenth Report on µFunctioning of Self Help Groups for Economic Empowerment

of Women¶.Based on the action taken replies furnished by the concerned
Ministries/Departments on the recommendations contained in their Original Reports, the
Committee finalised the Nine Action Taken Reports on the following subjects :²Ê



(Ê

1. First Report of the Committee on Action Taken by the government on the Report on
the subject µDevelopmentÊSchemes for Rural Women¶Ê

2. Tenth Report of the Committee on Action Taken by the government on the Second
Report on the subject 'Functioning of National and State Commissions for Women¶Ê

3. Eleventh Report of the Committee on Action Taken by the government on the Third
Report on the subject µWomen in Detention¶Ê

4. Twelfth Report of the Committee on Action Taken by the government on the Fifth
Report on the subject µFunctioning of Family Courts¶ Ê

5. Thirteenth Report of the Committee on Action Taken by the government on the

Fourth Report on the subject µHealth and Family Welfare Programmes for Women¶Ê

6. Fourteenth Report of the Committee on Action Taken by the government on the Sixth
Report on the subject µEducation Programmes for Women¶ Ê

7. Fifteenth Report of the Committee on Action Taken by the government on the

Seventh Report on the subject µTraining Programmes for Women¶ Ê

8. Sixteenth Report of the Committee on Action Taken by the government on the Eighth
Report on the subject µTraining and Empowerment of Women in Local Bodies¶ Ê

9. Seventeenth Report of the Committee on Action Taken by the government on the

Ninth Report on the subject µViolence against Women during Riots¶ Ê

G$(G$$$("$2$)9::;&:<*Ê

CHAIRPERSONÊ

Smt. Margaret AlvaÊ

MEMBERSÊ
Yok SabhaÊ

2. Dr. (Smt.) Anita AryaÊ

3. Smt. Jayashree BanerjeeÊ

4. Smt. Krishna BoseÊ

5. Smt. Santosh ChowdharyÊ

6. Smt. Renuka ChowdhuryÊ

7. Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrix D¶SouzaÊ

8. Adv. Suresh Ramrao Jadhav (Patil)Ê

9. Shri Bali Ram KashyapÊ

10. Smt. Abha MahtoÊ

11. Dr. Ashok PatelÊ

12. Shri E. PonnuswamyÊ

13. Shri Bishnu Pada RayÊ

14. Smt. Sushila SarojÊ

15. Dr. (Smt.) V. SarojaÊ

16. Smt. Minati SenÊ

17. Smt. Shyama SinghÊ

18. Smt. Jayaben B. ThakkarÊ

19. Dr. (Smt.) Rajeswaramma VukkalaÊ

*20. VACANTÊ

ajya SabhaÊ

21. Ms. Pramila BohidarÊ

22. Smt. Saroj DubeyÊ

23. Smt. Vanga GeethaÊ

24. Smt. S.G. IndiraÊ

25. Smt. Sumitra MahajanÊ

26. Smt. Chandra Kala PandeyÊ

27. Smt. Bimba RaikarÊ

28. Miss Mabel RebelloÊ

29. Smt. Savita ShardaÊ

30. Smt. Maya SinghÊ

* The vacancy occurred due to the demise of Sh. Bhan Singh Bhaura on 3.1.2004.Ê

Ê Ê
When the Committee or its Study Group is on study tour,
only informal discussions are held at the places of visit.
During such discussions no formal evidence is recorded
nor any decision taken. Later, in the light of these informal
discussions and the memoranda and other information
received, official and, where considered necessary,
non-official witnesses are invited to tender evidence at formal
sittings of the Committee held in Parliament House or
Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi.
The procedure for examination of the official/non-official
witnesses, as laid down by the Committee, is as follows:²
(i) The programme for taking the evidence of the officials
and non-officials on various subjects under
examination by the Committee is drawn up and the
witnesses are invited to appear before the Committee
on the appointed dates to tender evidence. As a rule,
examination of non-officials precedes that of the
officials on the subjects concerned.
(ii) The purpose in examining the witnesses is to obtain
information on (a) the working of the organisations,
and (b) subjects concerned which are examined by
the Committee. If it is necessary to enquire into certain
deals regarding the personnel employed by the
Ministry, Public Undertaking/Nationalised Bank,
Statutory or Government organisation concerned, the
questions should not, as far as possible, name
particular individuals.
(iii) In the case of the Official witnesses generally the
Secretary of the Ministry is the principal spokesman.
The Chairman or the Convener first welcomes the
principal spokesman and then asks him to introduce
his colleagues to the Committee.
(iv) The Chairman or the Convener then asks questions
one by one.
(v) After the Chairman or the Convener has put his
question, he gives a chance to other members who
desire to ask questions for clarification or elucidation
of the point under discussion.
(d) to report on the working of the welfare programmes for
the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the
Union Territories; and
(e) to examine such other matters as may deem fit to the
Committee or are specifically referred to it by the House
or the Speaker.
This Committee, like other Parliamentary Committees has
all the powers to call for the detailed information from the
Ministries of the Government, Public Undertakings,
Nationalised Banks and various organisations in respect of
subjects taken up by the Committee for examination and to
examine official and non-official witnesses. The Committee
also takes the assistance of the National Commission for
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in pursuing matters
raised in its Reports in regard to the subjects under
examination by the Committee.
 2G$$
From time to time the Committee selects such subjects
pertaining to the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes as may deem fit to the Committee.
The Committee may also examine matters of special interest
relating to the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes which may arise, or come to light in the course of its
working or which may be specifically referred to it by the
House or by the Speaker.
The Committee ask for preliminary material from the Ministry/
Department/Public Undertaking/ Nationalised Bank or other
Statutory or Government Body connected with the subject
matter under examination for use of the Members of the
Committee.
The Committee may, from time to time, appoint one or more
Sub-Committees/Study Groups for carrying out detailed
examination of various subjects.
If it appears to the Committee that it is necessary for the
purpose of its examination that an ³on-the-spot,´ study should
be made, the Committee divides itself into Study Groups
consisting of a few members to undertake tours to make a
study of the problems of the Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes and the measures taken or being taken
for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes,
and prepare Study Reports.
Gc

c 
2D
cD
G‰ ‰G
 ‰
G‰ ‰

 
G D 
The Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes consists of 30 Members²20 elected by
Lok Sabha from amongst its Members in accordance with
the System of proportional representation by means of
single transferable vote and 10 nominated by Rajya Sabha
from amongst its Members. The Chairman of the Committee
is appointed by the Speaker from amongst the Members of
the Committee.
A Minister is not eligible for election to the Committee. If a
Member after his election to the Committee is appointed a
Minister he ceases to be a Member of the Committee from
the date of such appointment.
The term of the Committee does not exceed one year.
The functions of the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled
Castes and Scheduled Tribes are:
(a) to consider the reports submitted by the *[National
Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes under article 338(5) of the Constitution] and to
report as to the measures that should be taken by the
Union Government in respect of matters within the
purview of the Union Government including the
Administration of the Union Territories;
(b) to report on the action taken by the Union Government
and the Administration of the Union Territories on the
measures proposed by the Committee;
(c) to examine the measures taken by the Union
Government to secure due representation of the
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in services
and posts under its control (including appointments in
the Public Sector Undertakings, Nationalised Banks,
Statutory and Semi-Government Bodies and in the
Union Territories) having regard to the provisions of
article 335;
* Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes substituted as
National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Terms
of the Constitution (Sixty-Fifth Amendment Act), 1990 which came into
force from 12.3.1992. Ê

Ê Ê
the service or purpose to which they have been applied
or charged;
(b) that the expenditure conforms to the authority which
governs it; and
(c) that every re-appropriation has been made in accordance
with the provisions made in this behalf under rules framed
by competent authority.
One of the duties of the Committee is to ascertain that money
granted by Parliament has been spent by Government within
the scope of the demand. It considers the justification for
spending more or less than the amount originally sanctioned. If
any money has been spent on a service in excess of the
amount granted by the House for the purpose, the Committee
examines with reference to the facts of each case, the
circumstances leading to such an excess and makes such
recommendations as it may deem fit.
The functions of the Committee extend however, ³beyond, the
formality of expenditure to its wisdom, faithfulness and
economy´. The Committee thus examines cases involving
losses, nugatory expenditure and financial irregularities.
While scrutinising the Reports of the Comptroller and
Auditor-General on Revenue Receipts, the Committee examines
various aspects of Government¶s tax administration. The Committee,
thus examines cases involving under-assessments, tax-evasion,
non-levy of duties, misclassifications etc., identifies the loopholes in
the taxation laws and procedures and makes recommendations in
order to check leakage of revenue.
2G$$
The representatives of the Ministries appear before the
Committee when examining the Accounts and Audit Reports
relating to their Ministries. The Committee proceeds by way of
interrogation of witnesses. The Comptroller and Auditor General
is the ³friend, philosopher and guide´ of the Committee. He
attends the sittings of the Committee and assists it in its
deliberations.
The Committee may appoint one or more Sub-Committees/ Sub
Groups to examine any particular matter. At the beginning of its
term, the Committee appoints a few Working Groups/Sub
Committees to facilitate the examination of the various Accounts
and Audit Reports and Sub-Committee to consider the action
taken by the Government on the recommendations made by the
Committee in its earlier Reports. If it appears to the Committee
that it is necessary for the purpose of its examination that an onthe-
spot study should be made, the Committee may, either in
its entirety or by dividing itself into Study Groups decide to
undertake tours to make an on-the-spot study of any project or
establishment. All discussions held during tour by the
Committee/Study Groups, with the representatives of the
establishment, Ministries/Departments, non-official
organisations, Labour Unions etc. are treated as confidential
and no one having access to the discussion, directly or
indirectly is to communicate to the Press or any unauthorised
person, any information about matters taken up during the
discussions.

((!G$$
Since the Committee became a Parliamentary Committee
under the control of the Speaker from 26th January, 1950, it
has presented 1310 Reports till 5 February, 2004 (i.e. till the
dissolution of the 13th Lok Sabha).
Government take action on the recommendations of the
Committee and submit action taken notes to the Committee.
The Committee then present an Action Taken Report after
considering the views of the Government. The Government
further submit an ³Action Taken Statement´ on the action
taken by the Government on the ³Action Taken Report´ of
the Committee. The Action Taken Statement is generally
laid before the House without any further examination by
the Committee. Normally, almost all the recommendations
of the Committee are implemented by the Government.
G$( # G$$)9::;&9::<*
(at the time of dissolution of 13th Lok Sabha)
Sardar Buta Singh ² Chairman
LOK SABHA
2. Shri Haribhai Chaudhary
3. Shri Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi
4. Shri M.O.H. Farook
5. Dr. Madan Prasad Jaiswal
6. Shri Raghunath Jha
7. Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab
8. Dr. K. Malaisamy
9. Dr. M.V.V.S. Murthi
10. Shri Rupchand Pal
11. Shri Mohan Rawale
12. Dr. Nitish Sengupta
13. Shri Raghuraj Singh Shakya
14. Shri Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
15. Shri Kirit Somaiya
RAJYA SABHA
16. Shri Santosh Bagrodia
17. Shri Prasanta Chatterjee
18. Shri K. Rahman Khan
19. Shri Bachani Lekhraj
20. Dr. Alladi P. Rajkumar
21. Shri S. Viduthalai Virumbi
22. Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav
G$ # G$$
#$()=>9=,9::<*
Sl.No. Name Year
1. Mr. W.M. Hailey 1921
2. Sir Basil P. Blackett 1922
3. Sir Basil P. Blackett 1923
4. Sir Basil P. Blackett 1924
48. Shri M.R. Masani 1968-69
49. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee 1969-70
50. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee 1970-71
51. Shri Era Sezhiyan 1971-72
52. Shri Era Sezhiyan 1972-73
53. Shri Jyotirmoy Basu 1973-74
54. Shri Jyotirmoy Basu 1974-75
55. Shri H.N. Mukherjee 1975-76
56. Shri H.N. Mukherjee 1976-77
57. Shri C.M. Stephen 1977-78
58. Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao 1978-79
59. Shri T.A. Pai 1979-80
(upto 30.7.79)
Shri R. Venkataraman 1979-80
(w.e.f. 2.8.79)
60. Shri Chandrajit Yadav 1980-81
61. Shri Satish Agarwal 1981-82
62. Shri Satish Agarwal 1982-83
63. Shri Sunil Maitra 1983-84
64. Shri Sunil Maitra 1984
65. Shri E. Ayyapu Reddy 1985-86
66. Shri E. Ayyapu Reddy 1986-87
67. Shri Amal Datta 1987-88
68. Shri Amal Datta 1988-89
69. Shri P. Kolandaivelu 1989
(upto 27.11.89)
70. Shri Sontosh Mohan Dev 1990-91
71. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee 1991-92
72. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee 1992-93
73. Shri Bhagwan Shankar Rawat 1993-94
74. Shri Bhagwan Shankar Rawat 1994-95
75. Shri Ram Naik 1995-96
76. Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi 1996-97
77. Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi 1997-98
78. Shri Manoranjan Bhakta 1998-99
79. Shri Narayan Datt Tiwari 1999-2000
80. Shri Narayan Datt Tiwari 2000-2001
81. Shri Narayan Datt Tiwari 2001-2002
(upto 1.3.2002)
Shri N. Janardhana Reddy 2001-2002
(w.e.f. 15.3.2002
to 30.4.2002)
82. Sardar Buta Singh 2002-2003
83. Sardar Buta Singh 2003-2004
(upto 6.2.2004)
.„ill 1966-67 Chairmen, AC were appointed from
members of the ruling arty.
 GGGc
Gc


The Committee on Public Accounts is constituted by Parliament
each year for examination of accounts showing the appropriation
of sums granted by Parliament for expenditure of Government
of India, the annual Finance Accounts of Government of India,
and such other Accounts laid before Parliament as the
Committee may deem fit such as accounts of autonomous and
semi-autonomous bodies (except those of Public Undertakings
and Government Companies which come under the purview of
the Committee on Public Undertakings).
G G$$
The Committee consists of not more than 22 members comprising
15 members elected by Lok Sabha every year from amongst its
members according to the principle of proportional representation
by means of single transferable vote and not more than 7 members
of Rajya Sabha elected by that House in like manner are associated
with the Committee. The Chairman is appointed by the Speaker
from amongst its members of Lok Sabha. The Speaker, for the
first time, appointed a member of the Opposition as the Chairman
of the Committee for 1967-68. This practice has been continued
since then. A Minister is not eligible to be elected as a member of
the Committee. If a member after his election to the Committee is
appointed a Minister, he ceases to be a member of the Committee
from the date of such appointment.
G& (
From its inception in the year 1921 till early 1950, the
Finance-member was appointed as the Chairman of the
Committee and its Secretarial functions were looked after
by the Finance Department (later Ministry of Finance).
With the coming into force of the Constitution of India on
26th January, 1950, the Committee became a Parliamentary
Committee under the control of Speaker. Its Secretarial
functions were transferred to the Parliament Secretariat
(now Lok Sabha Secretariat).
D G$$
The Examination of the Appropriation Accounts relating to the
Railways, Defence Services, P&T Department and other Civil
Ministries of the Government of India and Reports of the
Comptroller and Auditor-General of India thereon as also the
Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General on Revenue
Receipts mainly form the basis of the deliberation of the
Committee. In scrutinising the Appropriation Accounts and the
Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General thereon, it is
the duty of the Committee to satisfy itself:
(a) that the money shown in the accounts as having been
disbursed were legally available for and, applicable to
5. Sir Basil P. Blackett 1925
6. Sir Basil P. Blackett 1926
7. Sir Basil P. Blackett 1927
8. Sir Bhupendra Nath Mitra 1928
9. Sir George Schuster 1929
10. Sir George Schuster 1930
11. Sir George Schuster 1931
12. Sir Alan Parsons 1932
13. Mr. A.H. Lloyd 1933
14. Sir James Grigg 1934
15. Sir James Grigg 1935
16. Sir James Grigg 1936
17. Mr. J.C. Nixon 1937
18. Sir James Grigg 1938
19. Sir Jeremy Raisman 1939
20. Sir Jeremy Raisman 1940
21. Sir Jeremy Raisman 1941
22. Mr. C.E. Jones 1942
23. Sir Jeremy Raisman 1943
24. Sir Cyril Jones 1944
25. Sir Archibald Rowlands 1945
26. Sir Eric Coates 1946
Dr. John Matthai
Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan
27. Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan 1947
Shri R.K. Shanmukham Chetty
28. Shri R.K. Shanmukham Chetty 1948
Dr. John Matthai
29. Dr. John Matthai 1949
30. Shri B. Das 1950-51
31. Shri B. Das 1951-52
32. Shri B. Das 1952-53
33. Shri B. Das 1953-54
34. Shri B. Das 1954-55
35. Shri V.B. Gandhi 1955-56
36. Shri V.B. Gandhi 1956-57
37. Shri T.N. Singh 1957-58
38. Shri T.N. Singh 1958-59
Prof. N.G. Ranga
39. Dr. P. Subbarayan 1959-60
Shri Upendranath Barman
40. Shri Upendranath Barman 1960-61
41. Shri C.R. Pattabhi Raman 1961-62
42. Shri Mahavir Tyagi 1962-63
43. Shri Mahavir Tyagi 1963-64
Shri R.K. Khadilkar
44. Shri R.R. Morarka 1964-65
45. Shri R.R. Morarka 1965-66
46. Shri R.R. Morarka 1966-67
47. Shri M.R. Masani 1967-68
 (1  #! # G$$)9::;&9::<*
‰#/$ 9::;&9::<
SL. Report Paragraph Subject Ministry/
No. No. No. Department
12345
1. 1 of 2003 7.1 Excess disbursements over grants/appropriations Various Ministries/Departments
2. 1 of 2003 Chapter 8 Review of selected grants (Grant Nos. 22, 65 and 85) Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of
Rural Development and Ministry of Social
Justice and Empowerment
3. 2 of 2003 3.1 Functioning of Mail Motor Service Ministry of Communications and Information
Technology (Department of Posts)
4. 2 of 2003 4.6 Irregularities in hiring of Embassy residence and Ministry of External Affairs
avoidable expenditure on rent
5. 2 of 2003 7.1 National Crime-Criminal Information System Ministry of Home Affairs
6. 2 of 2003 12.2 Infructuous expenditure on erection Ministry of Urban Development and
of Ready Mixed Concrete Batching Plant Poverty Alleviation
7. 2 of 2003 12.3 Idle investment on vacant shops and Ministry of Urban Development
accumulation of arrears of license fee and Poverty Alleviation
8. 3 of 2003 Chapter I National Scheme of Liberation and Rehabilitation Ministry of Social Justice and
of Scavengers and their Dependents Empowerment
9. 3 of 2003 Chapter II Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana Ministry of Rural Development
10. 4 of 2003 2.1 All India Council for Technical Education Ministry of Human Resource Development
(Department of Secondary and Higher
Education)
11. 4 of 2003 5.1 Unfruitful expenditure Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
(Prasar Bharati)
12. 4 of 2003 5.3 Incorrect interpretation of commercial Ministry of Information and
rates Broadcasting (Prasar Bharati)
13. 4 of 2003 5.4 Undue benefit to a producer Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
(Prasar Bharati)
14. 4 of 2003 5.7 Non Collection of Fee and interest for the Ministry of Information and
telecasting of the Tamil Serial µJanani¶ Broadcasting (Prasar Bharati)
15. 4 of 2003 5.8 Misplaced concession Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
(Prasar Bharati)
16. 4 of 2003 6 Irregularities in disposal of seized assets Ministry of Labour
(Employees Provident Fund Organisation)
17. 5 of 2003 2.1 Technology transfer in Council of Ministry of Science and Technology
Scientific and Industrial Research (Department of Scientific and
Industrial Research)
18. 6 of 2003 2 Exploitation of Defence Lands Ministry of Defence
19. 6 of 2003 9 Accumulation of stocks of Grenades Ministry of Defence
20. 6 of 2003 30 Defective manufacture of shells Ministry of Defence
21. 7 of 2003 8 Mismatch in procurement of bombs and components Ministry of Defence
22. 7 of 2003 18 Avoidable additional expenditure on refit of a Naval Ship Ministry of Defence
23. 8 of 2003 3.1 Injudicious sanction/execution of an unremunerative project Ministry of Railways
24. 8 of 2003 3.2 Unproductive expenditure on restoration of Ministry of Railways
uneconomic Narrow Gauge (NG) lines
25. 8 of 2003 3.3 Unproductive expenditure due to defective Ministry of Railways
planning
26. 8 of 2003 4.1.1 Premature stabling of WAG-6 Locomotives Ministry of Railways
27. 8 of 2003 4.2.1 Wasteful expenditure on manufacture of Ministry of Railways
BOXNHA wagons
28. 8 of 2003 4.2.3 Blocking up of capital due to injudicious award Ministry of Railways
of contracts
29. 8 of 2003 4.4.2 Extra expenditure on procurement of Spheriodal Ministry of Railways
Graphite Cast Iron (SGCI) inserts
30. 9 of 2003 Chapter I Rehabilitation/Rebuilding/ Strengthening of Ministry of Railways
Railway Bridges
31. 9 of 2003 Chapter 4 Gauge conversion of Mysore-Hassan Ministry of Railways
section
32. 10 of 2003 Chapter 2 Non disposal/delay in disposal of Ministry of Finance
seized confiscated and detained goods (Department of Revenue)
33. 10 of 2003 Chapter 3 End use exemption notification Ministry of Finance
issued U/S 25 (1) of Customs Act, 1962 (Department of Revenue)
34. 10 of 2003 4.1 Short levy due to incorrect classification Ministry of Finance
of beddings, mattresses etc. (Department of Revenue)
35. 11 of 2003 6.2 Loss of revenue due to in-ordinate Ministry of Finance
delay in amendment in Tariff (Department of Revenue)
36. 11 of 2003 6.3 Incorrect grant of refund of NCCD in Ministry of Finance
North Eastern States (Department of Revenue)
37. 11 of 2003 Chapter 2 Review on Valuation of excisable goods under Ministry of Finance
section 4 A (Maximum Retail Price) (Department of Revenue)
38. 11 of 2003 Chapter 3 Review on Handling of Appeal Cases in Ministry of Finance
the Central Excise Department (Department of Revenue)
39. 12 of 2003 3.12.4 Incorrect allowance of deduction in respect of payment Ministry of Finance
made outside India for acquiring knowhow S. No. 1 (Department of Revenue)
of Table No. 3.9²M/s Asianet Communications (Pvt.) Ltd.
Tamil Nadu-I Chennai
40. 12 of 2003 3.20.4 Incorrect allowance of deduction in respect of Ministry of Finance
export profits-S. No. 1 of Table No. 3.22² (Department of Revenue)
M/s Hindustan Lever Ltd. Mumbai City III
1 2 3 4 5Ê