Rule 267 of Rajya Sabha

Subject :Polity

Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha rulebook, which allows for suspension of day’s business to debate the issue suggested by a Member, has become a bone of contention in the Upper House.
Opposition members have alleged that the Rajya Sabha chairman has consistently refused to allow any discussion under Rule 267 for a long time.
While Dhankhar has not allowed any matter under Rule 267, his predecessor M Venkaiah Naidu too didn’t allow any admission under Rule 267 during his entire five years.

What is Rule 267 of Rajya Sabha?

The Rule gives special power to a Rajya Sabha member to suspend the pre-decided agenda of the House, with the approval of the Chairman.
The Rajya Sabha Rule Book says, “Any member, may, with the consent of the Chairman, move that any rule may be suspended in its application to a motion related to the business listed before the Council of that day”.
If the motion is carried, the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being: provided further that this rule shall not apply where specific provision already exists for suspension of a rule under a particular chapter of the Rules”.

Why this rule has become important?

In the Upper House, the Opposition members have been consistent in demanding a debate on the India-China border situation.
There have been hundreds of notices by Members to invoke Rule 267 in the past eight years.
After the latest clash between the two sides in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang, the Opposition members have become more vocal with their demand.
Every day, Opposition leaders are demanding that the Chair suspends all other business and allow a discussion on the latest situation in India-China border by applying Rule 267.

Significance of insisting on Rule 267

Any discussion under Rule 267 assumes great significance in Parliament simply because all other business would be put on hold to discuss the issue of national importance.
No other form of discussion entails suspension of other business.
If an issue is admitted under Rule 267, it signifies it’s the most important national issue of the day.
Also, the government will have to respond to the matter by replying during the discussions under Rule 267.

Has the Rule been ever used?

The rule has been used several times.
The Chair had agreed to suspend the business to discuss urgent national issues in the past.
The last time it was used was in November 2016, when the Upper House invoked Rule 267 to discuss demonetization.

Other ways to raise important issues in the House

In Parliament, a member has a number of ways to flag issues and seek the government’s reply.
Question Hour: An MP can ask questions related to any issue during the Question Hour in which the concerned minister has to provide oral or written answers.
Zero Hour: An MP can raise the issue during Zero Hour. Every day, 15 MPs are allowed to raise issues of their choice in the Zero Hour.
Special Mention: An MP can even raise it during Special Mention. A Chairman can allow up to 7 Special Mentions daily.
Debate over president’s address: An MP can try to bring the issue to the government’s notice during other discussions such as the debate on the President’s speech.
Budget speech: Opposition leaders have also used the Budget debate to attack the government politically.