When was the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) first constituted?

  Ans:         On 3 April 1952.

              When did the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) meet for the first time?

 Ans:          On 13 May 1952.

              When was the Council of States named as ‘Rajya Sabha’ in Hindi?

 Ans:        On 23 August 1954. The Chairman, Rajya Sabha made an announcement in the House that the Council of States would now be called ‘Rajya Sabha’ in Hindi.

              Who was the first Chairman of Rajya Sabha?

 Ans:         Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. He was the only Chairman to have two terms (13.5.1952-12.5.1962).

              Who was the first Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:         Two hundred and fifty (250), of which 238 are to be elected and 12 are to be nominated by the President of India.

              What is the actual strength of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          Two hundred and forty five (245), of which 233 are elected and 12 are nominated.

              How many members does each State have in Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          The allocation of seats in Rajya Sabha to the States is based on population. It is given in the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution, which is as follows:

              Currently how many members are elected from Union territories?

Ans:         In total four members are elected from the Union territories (3 from Delhi and 1 from Puducherry). However, currently one seat from Delhi and one from Puducherry is vacant. Other Union territories are not represented in Rajya Sabha.

              Why is Rajya Sabha called a permanent body?

Ans:          Rajya Sabha is not subject to dissolution; as nearly as possible, one-third of its members retire every second year.

              What is the term of a member of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          It is six years; but a member elected in a bye-election serves for the remainder of the term of the vacancy caused.

              What is the quorum to constitute a meeting of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          It is one-tenth of the total members of the House, i.e., 25 members.

              Which is the party with maximum members in the House?

 Officers of  Rajya Sabha

              Who acts as the Chairman, Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          The Vice-President is the ex officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

              How is the Vice-President of India elected?

Ans:          The Vice-President is elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

              What is the term of office of the Vice-President of India?

Ans:          The Vice-President  holds office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office.

              Currently who is the Chairman of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari

              How is the Deputy Chairman elected?

Ans:          The Deputy Chairman is elected by the members of Rajya Sabha from amongst its members.

              What are the responsibilities of the Deputy Chairman?

Ans:          While the office of Chairman is vacant, or during any period when the Vice-President is acting as, or discharging the functions of the President, the duties of the office of the Chairman are performed by the Deputy Chairman.

              Currently who is the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          Shri K. Rahman Khan

              Who presides over the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha in the absence of both the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman?

              Currently who is the Leader of the House?

Ans:          Dr. Manmohan Singh        

              What are the responsibilities of the Leader of the House?

Ans:          Leader of the House plays an important role in drawing up the programme of official business in the House. Normally, the Prime Minister nominates a Minister who is a member of the Rajya Sabha as Leader of the House, but if the Prime Minister himself is a member of Rajya Sabha, he will act as the Leader of the House. 

              Currently, who is the Leader of the Opposition?

Ans:          Shri Arun Jaitley.              

              Currently, who is the Secretary-General of Rajya Sabha?

              How is the Secretary – General appointed?

              What is the role of the Secretary-General?     

              How are members of Rajya Sabha elected?

Ans:          Members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Assemblies of States and Union territories in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. 

              What are the requirements to become a member of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          He should be a citizen of India above 30 years of age and possessing such other qualifications as may be prescribed by law of Parliament.

              Should a Member be a domicile of the State from which he is elected to the Rajya Sabha?

              Are there nominated members in Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          Yes, there are twelve members nominated by the President of India from amongst persons having special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service.

              Do the nominated members vote in the election of the President and the Vice-President?

Ans:          While the nominated members of Rajya Sabha have a right to vote in the election of the Vice-President of India, they are not entitled to vote in the election of the President of India.

              Who was the first woman nominated member of the Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale (1952-56 and 1956-62).

              Who are the current nominated members in Rajya Sabha?

              Currently, how many members of Rajya Sabha are there in the Council of Ministers?

               Can aMinister who is a Member of Lok Sabha participate in the proceedings of Rajya Sabha?

Ans.          A Minister who is a Member of Lok Sabha has the right to speak in and   otherwise to take part in the proceedings of Rajya Sabha but has no right to vote in Rajya Sabha and vice versa.

               Currently, how many women members are there in Rajya Sabha and what is their percentage?

Ans:           Twenty-five (25); 10.5%

              Who is currently the youngest member in Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          Shri Saman Pathak

Ans:         Shri Rishang Keishing.

              Who is currently the longest serving member in Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          : Shri S.S. Ahluwalia.

Ans:          Shri Rishang Keishing.

             Who decides, if the member is disqualified from being a member of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          If any question arises as to whether a member of the House has become subject to disqualification under article 102 (1), the question is referred for the decision of the President and his decision is final. Before giving any decision on any such question, the President obtains the opinion of the Election Commission of India and acts according to such opinion. If under article 102 (2) any question arises as to whether a member of the House has become subject to disqualification under the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, the question is referred to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and his decision is final.

              What are the special powers of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          Rajya Sabha being a federal chamber - representing States/Union territories, enjoys certain special powers:  (i) to empower Parliament to make laws in respect of any matter enumerated in the State List in the national interest by adopting a resolution to this effect (article 249), (ii) creation of All India Services (article 312) and (iii) approving Proclamations (issued under article 352 or article 356 or article 360) if the Lok Sabha stand dissolved or the dissolution of the Lok Sabha takes place within the period allowed for the approval of the Proclamation by Parliament.

              What is the legislative relationship between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          In legislative matters, Rajya Sabha enjoys almost equal powers with Lok Sabha, except in the case of Money Bills where the latter has overriding powers.  Such Bills cannot be introduced in Rajya Sabha and are deemed to have been passed if these are not returned to Lok Sabha within fourteen days.

              Is any deadlock between the two Houses possible?

Ans:          Yes.  In the case of Bills, a disagreement between the two Houses may arise when a Bill passed by one House is rejected by the other House; or the Houses have finally disagreed as to the amendments to be made in the Bill; or more than six months lapse from the date of the reception of the Bill by the other House without the Bill being passed by it.

              What is the mechanism for resolving the deadlock between the two Houses?

Ans:          A joint sitting of the Houses is convened for this purpose.   In the case of Money Bills, there is no question of a deadlock as the Rajya Sabha has a limited say in such matters. There is no provision for a joint sitting in case of a deadlock over a Constitution Amendment Bill.  

               <img border="0" width="17" height="16" id="_x0000_i1065"
src="gr_ball.gif" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How many joint sittings of Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have been convened so far?

Ans:          In the history of Parliament of India, there have been three occasions when both Houses of Parliament held a joint sitting to resolve deadlock on Bills between them, i.e., (i) 6 and 9 May 1961 on the Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1959; (ii) 17 May 1978 on the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1977; and (iii) 26 March 2002 on the Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002.

               What are the powers of Rajya Sabha with respect to the Money Bill?

Ans:          A Money Bill is introduced only in Lok Sabha and after it is passed by that House, it is transmitted to Rajya Sabha for its concurrence or recommendation.  Rajya Sabha has to return the Money Bill to Lok Sabha within a period of fourteen days from its receipt. Rajya Sabha cannot amend the Money Bill directly; it can only recommend amendments to the Bill. Lok Sabha may either accept or reject all or any of the recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha. If Lok Sabha accepts any of the recommendations made by Rajya Sabha, the Bill is deemed to have been passed by both the Houses with the amendments so recommended and accepted. If, however, Lok Sabha does not accept any of the recommendations of Rajya Sabha, the Money Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses of Parliament in the form in which it was passed by Lok Sabha without any of the amendments recommended by Rajya Sabha.

              What are the different categories of Parliamentary Committees of Rajya Sabha?

Ans.          Parliamentary Committees of the Rajya Sabha may be categorized as  ad hoc Committees and Standing Committees.

              What are ad hoc Committees?

              What are Standing Committees?

Ans:          Standing Committees are permanent Committees whose members are either  elected by the House or nominated by the Chairman every year or from time to time.  These are: Business Advisory Committee, General Purposes Committee, Committee on Government assurances, House Committee, Committee on Petitions, Committee on Subordinate Legislation, Committee on Papers Laid on the Table, Committee of Privileges, Committee on Rules, Committee on Ethics, Committee on Provision of Computers to Members of Rajya Sabha, Committee on Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme and the Department-related Standing Committees.

              What are the Department-related Standing Committees (DRSCs)?

              How many DRSCs have been constituted?

Ans:          Twenty-four DRSCs have been constituted consisting of not more than thirty-one members, out of which twenty-one members are nominated by the Speaker, Lok Sabha and ten members are nominated by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha.

             What are the main functions of the DRSCs?

Ans:          These Committees are entrusted with the following functions:

     (a)  to consider the Demands for Grants of the related Ministries/ Departments and report thereon;

(b)  to examine Bills, pertaining to the related Ministries/  Departments, referred to the Committee and report thereon;

     (c)   to consider the annual reports of the Ministries/ Departments and report          thereon; and

     (d)  to consider national basic long term policy documents and report thereon.

              How many DRSCs are there under the jurisdiction of  Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha?

Ans:          Eight DRSCs function under the control and direction of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, while sixteen such Committees function under the control and direction of the Speaker, Lok Sabha.

              Which are the DRSCs under Rajya Sabha and the Ministries/Departments under their purview?

Ans:          Details of the Committees and the Ministries/Departments under them are given as under:

           

              What are the details regarding Chairmanship of the Committees of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          The Chairman, Rajya Sabha is the Chairman of the Business Advisory Committee, General Purposes Committee and Committee on Rules. The Deputy Chairman is the Chairman of the Committee of Privileges. In the case of other   Standing Committees, namely, Committee on Petitions, Committee on Government Assurances, Committee on Subordinate Legislation, Committee on Papers Laid on the Table and the House Committee, the Chairmanship is shared between the ruling and the opposition parties in proportion to their numerical strength in the House.  The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha appoints Chairman of Committees in consultation with the leaders of parties/groups concerned. The Chairmanship of Committees allotted to the opposition parties may rotate amongst themselves.

            (i)      to oversee the moral and ethical conduct of members:

(ii)     to prepare a Code of Conduct for members and to suggest      amendments or additions to the Code from time to time in the form of     reports to the Council;

(iii)    to examine cases concerning the alleged breach of the Code of Conduct by members as also cases concerning allegations of any other ethical misconduct of members; and

           What sanctions the Committee on Ethics can impose?

Ans  The Committee may recommend imposition of one or more of the following sanctions, viz.

(c)     suspension from the Council for a specific period; and

(d)    any other sanction determined by the Committee to be appropriate.

           Is there any Code of Conduct for Members enumerated by the Committee on Ethics which was adopted by Rajya Sabha?

Ans:   Yes.  The Code of Conduct is as follows:

            The Members of Rajya Sabha should acknowledge their responsibility to maintain the public trust reposed in them and should work diligently to discharge their mandate for common good of the people.  They must hold in high esteem the Constitution, the Law, Parliamentary Institutions and above all the general public.  They should constantly strive to translate the ideals laid down in the Preamble to the Constitution into a reality. The following are the principles which they should abide by in their dealings:

(i)      Members must not do anything that brings disrepute to the Parliament and affects their credibility.

(ii)     Members must utilise their position as Members of Parliament to advance general well-being of the people.

(iii)    In their dealing if Members find that there is a conflict between their personal interests and the public trust which they hold, they should resolve such a conflict in a manner that their private interests are subordinated to the duty of their public office.

(iv)    Members should always see that their private financial interests and those of the members of their immediate family do not come in conflict with the public interest and if any such conflict ever arises, they should try to resolve such a conflict in a manner that the public interest is not jeopardised.

(v)     Members should never expect or accept any fee, remuneration or benefit for a vote given by them on the floor of the House, for introducing a Bill, for moving a resolution or desisting from moving a resolution, putting a question or abstaining from asking a question or participating in the deliberations of the House or a Parliamentary Committee.

(vi)    Members should not take a gift which may interfere with honest and impartial discharge of their official duties.  They may, however, accept incidental gifts or inexpensive mementoes and customary hospitality.

(vii)   Member holding public offices should use public resources in such a manner as may lead to public good.

(viii)  If Members are in possession of a confidential information owing to their being Members of Parliament or Members of Parliamentary Committees, they should not disclose such information for advancing their personal interests.

(ix)    Members should desist from giving certificates to individuals and institutions of which they have no personal knowledge and are not based on facts.

(x)     Members should not lend ready support to any cause of which they have no or little knowledge.

(xi)    Members should not misuse the facilities and amenities made available to them.

(xii)   Members should not be disrespectful to any religion and work for the promotion of secular values.

(xiii)  Members should keep uppermost in their mind the Fundamental Duties listed in Part IVA of the Constitution.

(xiv)  Members are expected to maintain high standards of morality, dignity, decency and values in public life.

        In pursuance of the Rajya Sabha (Declaration of Assets and Liabilities) Rules, 2004, what information is required to be furnished by Members to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha?

Ans:   Under Rule 3 of the Members of the Rajya Sabha (Declaration of Assets and Liabilities) Rules, 2004, every elected member of Rajya Sabha is required to furnish the following information to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha within 90 days from the date of his taking oath/affirmation –

        What arethe pecuniary interests and the ingredients thereof, identified by the Committee on Ethics, in respect of which information is to be furnished by Members?

Ans:   The Committee on Ethics has identified the following five pecuniary interests and the ingredients thereof, in respect of which information is to be furnished by Members for registration in the ‘Register of Member’s Interests’ under sub-rule (1) of Rule 293 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States:-

                        I.          Remunerative Directorship

                                    Name and address of the company

                                    Nature of company business

                                    Salary/fees/allowance/benefits or

                                    any other receipts which are taxable (per annum)

                        II.          Regular Remunerated Activity

                                    Name and address of the Establishment

                                    Nature of business

                                    Position held

                                    Amount of remuneration received (per annum)

                        III.         Shareholding of Controlling Nature

                                    Name and address of the company

                                    Nature of business of the company

                                    Percentage of shares held

                        IV.        Paid Consultancy

                                    Name of consultancy

                                    Business activity of the organisation

                                    Where engaged as Consultant

                                    Total value of benefits derived from the

                                    Consultancy

                        V.        Professional Engagement

                                    Description

                                    Fee/Remuneration earned therefrom (per annum)

              Whether pecuniary interests of Members outside the country come under its purview?

Ans:          Yes. Under the said Rule, information that Members furnish has to be in respect of their pecuniary interests, whether held within the country or outside.

Legislation

              What is a Bill?

Ans:          A Bill is a legislative proposal brought before the House for its approval. 

              What are the types of Bills?

Ans:          The Bills initiated by Ministers are called Government Bills and those introduced by Members who are not Ministers, are known as Private Members’ Bills.  Depending on their contents, Bills may further be classified broadly into (a) original Bills which embody new proposals, (b) amending Bills which seek to amend existing Acts, (c) consolidating Bills which seek to consolidate existing law on a particular subject, (d) Expiring Laws (Continuance) Bills which, otherwise, would expire on a specified date,        (e) repealing Bills, (f) Bills to replace Ordinances, (g) Money and financial Bills and (h) Constitution Amendment Bills.

              What is the difference between a Bill and an Act?

Ans:          A Bill passed by both Houses of Parliament becomes an Act only after it has been assented to by the President. 

              What are the steps involved in the passage of a Bill?

Ans:          A Bill while being considered has to undergo three stages in each House of Parliament.  The first stage is the Introduction, which is done on a motion moved by either a Minister or a Member.

                  During the second stage any of the following motions can be moved: that the Bill be taken into consideration; or that it be referred to a Select Committee of Rajya Sabha; or that it be referred to a Joint Committee of the two Houses; or that it be circulated for the purpose of eliciting opinion thereon. Thereafter, the Bill is taken up for the clause-by-clause consideration as introduced or as reported by the Select/Joint Committee.

The third stage is confined to the discussion on the motion that the Bill be passed and the Bill is passed/rejected either by voting or voice vote (or returned to Lok Sabha, in the case of a Money Bill).

              Does the Chairman have a right to cast a vote?

Ans:          The Chairman has a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes.

              What are the methods of voting in Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          In Rajya Sabha, generally four methods of voting are adopted: Voice vote, Counting, Division by automatic vote recorder and Division by going into the Lobbies

              What are the effects of dissolution of Lok Sabha on the business of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:   

              What is Calling Attention?

Ans:          Rule 180 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Rajya Sabha provides that a Member may with the previous permission of the Chairman call the attention of a Minister to any matter of urgent public importance and the Minister may make a brief statement or ask for time to make a statement at a later hour or date.  The Calling Attention is an Indian innovation in the parliamentary procedure.

              What is Special Mention?

Ans:          Under Rules 180A - 180E, a Member may mention a matter of public importance in the House; he has to give a notice in writing along with the text of the matter to be raised not exceeding 250 words. No member is permitted to make more than one Special Mention during a week.

              What is a Motion?

Ans:          Rules 167-174 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Rajya Sabha provide that no discussion on a matter of general public interest shall take place except on a motion made with the consent of the Chairman.

                 The term ‘motion’ in parliamentary parlance means any proposal made for the purpose of eliciting a decision of the House.   It is phrased in such a way that, if passed, it will purport to express the will of the House.  

              What are the types of motion?

Ans:          Motions may be classified as Substantive or Subsidiary.  A substantive motion is a self-contained proposal made in reference to a subject which the mover wishes to bring forward.  A subsidiary motion as its name suggests, relates to a substantive motion.

              What is No-Day-Yet-Named-Motion?

Ans:          If the Chairman admits notice of a motion and no date is fixed  for the discussion on such a motion, it is immediately notified in the Bulletin Pt. II under the heading‘No-Day-Yet-Named-Motion’ Date and time is allotted for discussion on such motions by the Chairman, in consultation with the Leader of the House after taking into consideration the state of business before the House.

              What is a Resolution?

Ans:          The House declares its own opinions and purposes by its resolutions.  Every question, when agreed to, by the House, assumes the form of either a resolution or an order. 

Resolutions may be categorized as: Private Members’ Resolutions (which are moved by a member not a Minister); Government Resolutions (which are moved by Ministers); and Statutory Resolutions (which are moved in pursuance of a provision contained in the Constitution or an Act of Parliament).

              What is the President’s Address?

Ans:          The President of India addresses both Houses of Parliament assembled together at the commencement of the first session after a new Lok Sabha has been constituted and also at the commencement of first session each year.  The matters referred to in the President’s Address to the Houses are discussed on a Motion of Thanks moved by a Member and seconded by another Member.

             What is Point of Order?

Ans:          A Point of Order is a point relating to the interpretation or enforcement of the Rules of Procedure or such articles of the Constitution as regulate the business of the House and submitted to the decision of the Chair. Rule 258 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Rajya Sabha makes a provision to enable a member to raise a point of order. Any member may at any time submit a point of order for the decision of the Chairman, but in doing so, shall confine himself to stating the point. The Chairman shall decide all points of order which may arise, and his decision shall be final.

             What is Dilatory Motion?

Ans:          Rule 230 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Rajya Sabha explains Dilatory motion. At any time after a motion has been made, a member may move that the debate on the motion be adjourned. If the Chairman is of opinion that a motion for the adjournment of a debate is an abuse of the rules of the Council, he may either forthwith put the question thereon from the Chair or decline to propose the question.

             What is a Short Duration Discussion?

Ans:          Rules 176-179 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Rajya Sabha explains about the short duration discussion. If the Chairman is satisfied, after calling for such information from the member who has given notice and from the Minister as he may consider necessary, that the matter is urgent and is of sufficient public importance to be raised in the Council at an early date, he may admit the notice and in consultation with the Leader of the Council fix the date on which such matter may be     taken up for discussion and allow such time for discussion, not exceeding two and a half hours, as he may consider appropriate in the circumstances.

              How does a member ask a question in Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          He has to give a notice about it on a prescribed form at least 15 days before he wants to ask question.

              What are starred and unstarred questions?

Ans:          A question for which an oral answer is desired by a member is distinguished by an asterisk and is called a starred question.  A question without an asterisk is called unstarred and is admitted for written answers.

              Who decides the admissibility of questions?

Ans:          The Chairman, Rajya Sabha decides whether a question or a part thereof is or is not admissible. He may disallow any question or a part thereof when, in his opinion, it is an abuse of the right of questioning or calculated to obstruct or prejudicially affect the procedure of the House or is in contravention of the rules under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of  the Council of States(Rajya Sabha). The Chairman may direct that a question be placed on the list of questions for answers, on a date later than that specified by a member in his notice, if he is of the opinion that a longer period is necessary to decide whether the question is or is not admissible.

              What is the total limit of questions admitted for a particular day?

Ans:          The total number of questions to be admitted for any one day shall be limited to 175, of which 20 would be for oral answers and 155 for written answers.

              What are parliamentary privileges?

Ans:          Each House of Parliament collectively and the Members individually, enjoy certain powers and privileges without which they may not be able to discharge their functions, efficiently and effectively.  Article 105 of the Constitution deals with such powers, privileges and immunities of Members of Parliament. 

              Are the parliamentary privileges codified in India ?

Ans:          No law so far has been enacted by Parliament (and State Legislatures) to define the powers, privileges and immunities available to each House, its Members and Committees thereof.  

              What is the difference between the ‘Breach of Privilege’ and ‘Contempt of the House’?

Ans:          When any of the privileges either of the Members individually or of the House in its collective capacity are disregarded or attacked by any individual or authority, the offence is called a breach of privilege.

                  Any obstruction or impediment put before Houses or its Members in due discharge of their duties, or which have a tendency of producing such result, may amount to contempt of the House.

              What is the procedure regarding a question of privilege?

Ans:          The procedure for dealing with a question of privilege is laid down in          Rule 187 – 203 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Rajya Sabha.  A question of privilege may either be considered  and decided by the House itself or it may be referred to the Committee of Privileges by the Chairman for examination, investigation and report.

Ans:       Yes. An exclusive satellite channel of Doordarshan, namely, DD Rajya Sabha on National Network of Doordarshan was launched on 14 December 2004 which telecasts the live proceedings of the House.

           Whether the functioning of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat comes under the purview of the Right to Information Act, 2005?

Ans:     Yes, functioning of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat comes under the purview of the Right to Information Act, 2005. To facilitate the supply of information to anyone desirous of getting it, the Chairman, Rajya Sabha has made rules for the Secretariat as per Section 28 of the Act.

           Who are the persons to be contacted and what are their details?

Ans:     Contact Persons in this regard are as follows:-

Shri Deepak Goyal
Director
(Central Public Information Officer of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat)
201, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi-110001
Tel. No. 011-23034201

Shri Mahesh Chandra Tiwari
Joint Director
(Central Assistant Public Information Officer)
528A , Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi-110001
Tel. No. 011-23034353

Shri N.C. Joshi
Secretary
(Appellate Authority in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat)
34, Parliament House, New Delhi-110001
Tel. No. 011-23034604
23011328 (telefax)

        What is a Parliamentary Forum? At present, how many such forums are there?

Ans:   A Parliamentary Forum is a group of Members of Parliament who are nominated by the Speaker, Lok Sabha and the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, as the case may be, from amongst the Leaders of various Political Parties/Groups or their nominees who have special knowledge/keen interest in the subject. Each Forum consists of not more than 31 Members (excluding the President and ex officio Vice-Presidents) out of whom not more than 21 are from Lok Sabha and not more than 10 are from Rajya Sabha.

            There are at present five Parliamentary Fora, viz.

            Parliamentary Forum on Water Conservation and Management;

Parliamentary Forum on Children;

Parliamentary Forum on Youth;

Parliamentary Forum on Population and Public Health; and

Parliamentary Forum on Global Warming and Climate Change.

        How are the forums distinct from the Parliamentary Committees?

Ans:     Unlike the Department-related Committees which are governed by the Rules of Procedure, these forums are governed by a separate set of guidelines issued by the Speaker, Lok Sabha in consultation with the Chairman, Rajya Sabha.

       Where do I get more information on members of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          The Rajya Sabha Website: http://rajyasabha.nic.in has a section on  members which has a search form for getting information on members.

        How can I get in touch with a member of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          The Rajya Sabha Website: http://rajyasabha.nic.in gives a list of  Addresses and E-mail of members of Rajya Sabha.

       Where do I get information regarding the sessions of Rajya Sabha?

Ans:          The Rajya Sabha Website: http://rajyasabha.nic.in has a section on Legislation which contains the Sessional Information.

       Whether the Rajya Sabha website is available in Hindi?

Ans:          Yes. Its address is http://rajyasabhahindi.nic.in/rshindi/hindipage.asp

       Who maintains the Rajya Sabha Website and how do I send a feedback?