PRIVILEGE MOTION

 PRIVILEGE MOTION

CONTEXT: The recent suspensions of leaders in 

Parliament has ignited a debate on the potential 

infringement of MPs’ privileges and the arbitrary use of 

suspension as a political tool.

What are Privilege motions?

€ Privilege motions revolve around the concept of 

parliamentary privilege, which confers certain rights 

upon Members of Parliament to facilitate the conduct 

of business on the floor of the House.

€ Though an exhaustive list of these privileges doesn’t 

exist, they generally encompass the freedom of 

expression during parliamentary debates, with MPs 

being immune to court proceedings for their speech.

When does Privilege committee come into 

role?

€ When it is believed that a privilege has been breached, 

any member can raise a motion. If admitted by 

the Chairman, it can be referred to the Privileges 

Committee.

€ For a question of privilege to be raised, two conditions 

must be fulfilled-

 The matter must relate to a recent occurrence

 The matter necessitate Rajya Sabha’s intervention

€ Composition: The Privileges Committee consists of 

ten members who are nominated by the Chairman of 

Rajya Sabha.

€ Headed by: The Privileges Committee is headed by 

a Chairman chosen from among the members.

€ The Committee’s responsibility is to examine cases 

and provide suitable recommendations. It can summon 

relevant individuals for examination and study pertinent 

documents.

€ Subsequently, the committee generates a report, to be 

presented within a month of the reference date if no 

specific time has been set by the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

€ The report’s consideration requires a motion, with the 

possibility of suggested amendments. Members can 

agree, disagree or propose amendments to the Privileges 

Committee’s report.

Other Important Motions:

No Confidence Motion-

€ In a parliamentary democracy, a government can be in 

power only if it commands a majority in the directly 

elected House.

€ Article 75(3) of the Constitution embodies this rule by 

specifying that the Council of Ministers are collectively 

responsible to the Lok Sabha.

€ For testing this collective responsibility, the rules of Lok 

Sabha provide a particular mechanism – a motion of 

no-confidence.

 The procedure is specified under Rule 198 of the 

Lok Sabha. The Constitution does not mention 

either a Confidence or a No Confidence Motion.

 Any Lok Sabha MP, who can garner the support of 

50 colleagues, can, at any point of time, introduce 

a motion of no-confidence against the Council of 

Ministers.

€ A no-confidence motion can be moved only in the Lok 

Sabha. It cannot be moved in the Rajya Sabha.

€ The motion is moved by the member who submitted it, 

and the government will then respond to the motion.

€ The opposition parties will then have the opportunity to 

speak on the motion.

€ After the debate, the Lok Sabha will vote on the no￾confidence motion.

€ The motion will be passed if it is supported by a 

majority of the members of the House.

€ If a no-confidence motion is passed, the government 

must resign.

€ If the government wins the vote on the no-confidence 

motion, the motion is defeated and the government 

remains in power.

€ Adjournment Motion-

€ Adjournment motion is introduced only in the 

Lok Sabha to draw the attention of the House 

to a definite matter of urgent public importance.

 It involves an element of censure against the 

government, therefore Rajya Sabha is not 

permitted to make use of this device

€ It is regarded as an extraordinary device as it interrupts 

the normal business of the House. It needs the support 

of 50 members to be admitted.

€ The discussion on this motion should last for not less 

than two hours and thirty minutes.

€ However, right to move a motion for an adjournment 

of the business of the House is subject to the following 

restrictions. i.e. It should:

 Raise a matter which is definite, factual, urgent 

and of public importance.

 Not cover more than one matter.

 Be restricted to a specific matter of recent 

occurrence.

 Not raise a question of privilege.

 Not revive discussion on a matter that has been 

discussed in the same session.

 Not deal with any matter that is under adjudication 

of courtNot raise any question that can be raised on 

a distinct motion.

PYQ (2013)

2. In the Parliament of India, the purpose of an 

adjournment motion is:

(a) to allow a discussion on a definite matter of 

urgent public importance

(b) to let opposition members collect information 

from the ministers

(c) to allow a reduction of specific amount in 

demand for grant

(d) to postpone the proceedings to check the 

inappropriate or violent behaviour on the part 

of some members

Correct Option: (a)