Consider the following statements regarding Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha:

Statement I: Rule 267 allows the suspension of any rule to discuss matters of national importance, even if they are not listed in the business of the day.

Statement II: The 2000 amendment to Rule 267 restricted its use, allowing suspension of rules only for discussions on matters already included in the day’s agenda.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Question

Question

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.
Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I.
Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect.
Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option 4.

In News

During a recent parliamentary session, Opposition MPs walked out of the Rajya Sabha after the Deputy Chairman rejected Rule 267 notices for discussions on voter ID irregularities, delimitation, and telecom deals. The rejection was based on Rule 267's amended scope, which prevents its use for unlisted matters.

Key Points

Rule 267 originally allowed MPs to suspend any rule to discuss urgent national issues, even if they were not on the day's agenda. However, this is no longer the case. Hence, Statement I is incorrect.
The 2000 amendment to Rule 267, introduced by the Rules Committee of Rajya Sabha, limited its use only to matters already listed in the day's agenda, preventing its misuse for introducing new topics. Hence, Statement II is correct.
The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha has full discretion to accept or reject motions under Rule 267.

Additional Information

Recent Application of Rule 267:
- Opposition MPs from Trinamool, Congress, and Left parties attempted to invoke Rule 267 to discuss voter ID irregularities, delimitation, and telecom sector deals but were denied.
- The BJP sought a discussion on atrocities against SC/STs in West Bengal, while the DMK and CPI(M) raised concerns over delimitation's impact on southern states.
Changes in Parliamentary Procedures:
- The Adjournment Motion, which serves as a form of government censure, was introduced in India under the Government of India Act, 1919.
- In 1952, it was included in the Lok Sabha Rule Book but not in the Rajya Sabha, as the Council of Ministers is accountable only to the Lok Sabha.