Sources indicated that the decision has come after the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) combed through debates on China dating back to 1962 Chinese aggression when the Parliament was in session. “Different resolutions were studied and then a call has been taken,” said the official.The Parliament is now gearing up for the session, which begins on September 14. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariat have started testing their staff for Covid-19 starting Tuesday in a phased manner. The secretariats are ensuring a paperless session. MPs have been asked to send their questions and notices through the members e-portal. Though there would be no Question Hour, written replies would be given to questions raised by members. There has been no change in the rules for raising questions with each MP eligible to raise five questions on a single day and giving a minimum 15 days notice for his question.
Govt planning short duration discussion on India-China border dispute in monsoon session
NEW DELHI: The government is planning a short duration discussion on India-China border dispute in the forthcoming monsoon session of Parliament.The government is planning to discuss the international dispute under Rule 193 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, which is used by a member of Parliament to raise a discussion on a matter of urgent public importance and it does not require any voting at the end of the discussion.The time for the discussion is allocated by the business advisory committee of the House. The matter is raised by an MP through a motion and members from different political parties are given time to speak. At the end of the discussion, the concerned minister gives a reply, addressing the issues raised by MPs.This is not the first time Parliament would discuss India-China relations under this rule. The Congress-led UPA had also discussed India-China border relations under the same rule during the 15th Lok Sabha. The same short duration discussion is likely to be conducted in Rajya Sabha under Rule 176.Earlier, the government was considering a resolution on India’s territorial integrity and passing it with a voice vote. According to sources, the government is veering towards a short duration discussion without any voting. Under Rule 184 of Lok Sabha’s Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, a short duration discussion can be held but after the minister’s reply, it is followed by voting.“The government was planning for a resolution with voting,” a source told ET. “ But now the sense is to have a short duration discussion. A final call would be taken in the business advisory committee meeting.”
