Consider the following statements regarding parliamentary procedures in India:

1. The adjournment motion, which serves as a form of censure of the government, originated in the UK and was introduced in India under the Government of India Act of 1919.

2. In 1952, the adjournment motion found a place in the Lok Sabha Rule Book, but it was left out of the Rajya Sabha.

3. Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha allows the suspension of any rule to discuss any matter of national importance, even if it is not listed in the business of the day.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct answer is option 1.

In News

• During the Budget Session of Parliament (March 2024), Opposition MPs staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha after their demand to discuss voter ID irregularities and delimitation under Rule 267 was denied. The issue highlighted how Rule 267 has changed over the years. 

Key Points

• The adjournment motion, a parliamentary tool for censuring the government, originated in the UK and was adopted in India under the Government of India Act of 1919.
  •  Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• After India’s independence, the adjournment motion was incorporated into the Lok Sabha Rule Book in 1952 but was excluded from the Rajya Sabha, as the Council of Ministers is responsible only to the Lok Sabha.
  •  Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
• In 2000, Rule 267 was amended by the Rules Committee of Rajya Sabha, restricting its use only to matters already listed in the day’s agenda. Earlier, MPs could invoke it for any urgent discussion, but now it cannot be used to introduce new topics not on the business list.
•  Since Statement 3 incorrectly suggests that Rule 267 can still be used for any matter of national importance (even if not listed), it is incorrect. Rule 267 can now only suspend rules to take up matters already on the business list of the day.
  •  Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.

Additional Information

• The Rules Committee in 2000, chaired by Krishna Kant, tightened Rule 267 to prevent its misuse for introducing unlisted topics.
• Rule 267 can now only suspend rules to take up matters already on the business list of the day.
• The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha has the final discretion to allow or reject Rule 267 motions.