Secret Sitting in Parliament

Secret Sitting in Parliament

Subject: Polity

Context: The Opposition members, who were denied the opportunity to seek clarifications in the Rajya Sabha on the India-China stand-off, reminded the Modi Government about the 1962 India-China war, when Parliament discussed the incursions at length.

• The then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, had rejected outrightly the idea of holding a secret session at that time, the Opposition said.
• Provisions relating to the secret sitting are given in the Rules of the house.

Secret Sitting

• On a request made by the Leader of the House, the Speaker shall fix a day or part thereof for sitting of the House in secret.
• When the House sits in secret no stranger shall be permitted to be present in the Chamber, Lobby or Galleries.
• Report of proceedings
• The Speaker may cause a report of the proceedings of a secret sitting to be issued in such manner as the Speaker thinks fit, but no other person present shall keep a note or record of any proceedings or decisions of a secret sitting, whether in part or full, or issue any report of, or purport to describe, such proceedings.
• The procedure in all other respects in connection with a secret sitting shall be in accordance with such directions as the Speaker may give.
• Lifting ban on proceedings
• When it is considered that the necessity for maintaining secrecy in regard to the proceedings of a secret sitting has ceased to exist and subject to the consent of the Speaker, the Leader of the House or any member so authorized may move a motion that the proceedings in the House during a secret sitting be no longer treated as secret.
• On adoption by the House of the motion, the Secretary-General shall cause to be prepared a report of the proceedings of the secret sitting, and shall, as soon as practicable, publish it in such form and manner as the Speaker may direct.
• Disclosure of proceedings or decisions of a secret sitting by any person in any manner shall be treated as a gross breach of privilege of the House.