• General information
• Electoral system
• Last elections
• Election archive
• Presidency
• Mandate
• Specialized bodies
• Full text

This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sansad / Parliament More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Lok Sabha / House of the People Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Rajya Sabha / Council of States Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1949 - LEADERSHIP President Meira Kumar (F)  Notes Elected on 3 June 2009. Secretary General T. K. Viswanathan (M)  Notes 1 Oct. 2010 - COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 545 / 545 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 60 (11.01%) Mode of designation directly elected 543 appointed 2 Notes Appointed members: Two members of the Anglo-Indian Community are nominated by the President. The Constitution provides that the House shall have a maximum of 552 members. Up to 530 members represent the states, up to 20 members represent the union territories and not more than two members of the Anglo-Indian Community are nominated by the President, if, in the President's opinion, that community is not adequately represented in the House. Term 5 years Last renewal dates 16 April 2009 13 May 2009 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Lok Sabha Parliament House Parliament Street NEW DELHI 110001 (Export mailing lists) Phone (9111) 2301 74 65 2303 42 55 2303 45 67 Fax (9111) 2379 2107 E-mail lokmail@sansad.nic.in ipuc-lss@sansad.nic.in vnathan@sansad.nic.in Website http://loksabha.nic.in/ http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sansad / Parliament Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Lok Sabha / House of the People Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Rajya Sabha / Council of States LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 17 July 1951 Last amendment: 01/08/1996 Mode of designation directly elected 543 appointed 2 Constituencies 543 single-member constituencies. Voting system Majority: Direct, simple majority vote. Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by-elections within six months for elective seats (unless the remaining term is less than one year) and by nomination by the President for the two appointed seats. Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - age: 18 years - Indian citizenship - ordinary residence in the constituency where voting takes place - disqualifications: insanity, conviction and imprisonment sentence of at least two years (within last six years), electoral offence, certain other convictions CANDIDATES Eligibility Qualified electors - age: 25 years - Indian citizenship - ineligibility: undischarged bankruptcy, allegiance to a foreign State, certain convictions or dismissals Incompatibilities - members of the armed forces - certain offices of profit (e.g. public offices, government contractors) Candidacy requirements - nomination by one qualified elector (party candidates) or 10 such electors (independents) - deposit of 10,000 rupees (5,000 rupees for candidates of Scheduled Caste or Tribe), reimbursed if the candidate is elected or obtains more than 1/6 of the valid votes cast in the constituency

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sansad / Parliament Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Lok Sabha / House of the People Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Rajya Sabha / Council of States BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) (from/to) 16 April 2009 13 May 2009 Timing and scope of renewal Elections were held for 543 elective seats of the Lok Sabha upon the normal expiry of the members' term of office. On 2 March 2009, the Election Commission announced that elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha) would be held in April and May 2009. As before, they were held over a five week period - between 16 April and 13 May - in order to ensure a smooth electoral process involving 714 million registered voters. At stake were 543 directly elected seats, two other seats being nominated by the President. In the previous elections held in April and May 2004, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), led by the Indian National Congress (INC), won 214 seats while the then ruling coalition, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), took 187 seats. INC leader and widow of slain former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Ms. Sonia Gandhi declined to take up the prime ministerial post due to a controversy over her Italian origin. In May, Mr. Manmohan Singh, a member of the Council of States (upper chamber), was inaugurated as the country's first Sikh Prime Minister. He subsequently led a coalition government comprising nearly 20 centre-left parties. Mr. Singh, who served as Finance Minister in 1990s, promoted free market policies that boosted the country's economy. He signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States under which India, which has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, would gain access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel. Four parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist), argued that the agreement would increase US influence on India's foreign and nuclear policy. They subsequently left the coalition government, triggering a vote of no-confidence in July 2008. Mr. Singh's government survived by a one-vote majority thanks to the support of other parties in his coalition and the opposition Socialist Party. In November, terrorists went on a hostage-taking and killing rampage in Mumbai that left 166 people dead. The government was criticized for being unprepared for a terrorist attack. In January 2009, the 78-year old Prime Minister underwent heart surgery. It was widely expected that Mr. Rahul Gandhi, son of INC leader Sonia Gandhi, would become the INC's candidate for the premiership. The 2009 elections once again saw a duel between the UPA, led by Ms. Gandhi's INC, and the NDA, led by Mr. Lal Krishna Advani's BJP. Neither of the coalitions was expected to win an outright majority in the new legislature. In March, several leftist and regional parties formed another electoral alliance, the Third Front. It included the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Revolutionary Socialist Party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham, the Forward Bloc, the Janata Dal (Secular), the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, and the Telugu Desam Party. The Majority Society Party (Bahujan Samaj Party, BSP), which had won 18 seats in the 2004 elections, initially announced that it would stay out of the Third Front but subsequently joined it. The BSP is led by Ms. Mayawati Kumari, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh state. As a member of the Dalit caste, she draws her support from Dalits in the various states. In all, 8,070 candidates, including 490 women, representing 1,000 parties, stood for election. The 2009 elections were held against the backdrop of an economic downturn, triggered by the recent global financial crisis. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth dropped to 5.3 per cent in the final quarter of 2008, compared to 9 per cent a year earlier. Both the UPA and the NDA underscored the need for economic stimulus plans and proposed various tax reductions and a plan to provide the poor with food supplies. The INC promised to abolish taxes on goods and services in order to reduce the tax burden of entrepreneurs and consumers. It also promised to enact a "Right to Food" law that would entitle families living below the poverty line to 25 kg of rice or wheat per month at 3 rupees per kilogramme. The party vowed to provide a comprehensive social security plan for the disabled, the elderly, the homeless as well as members of tribal groups and Dalit communities. It also pledged to reserve 33 per cent of the seats in Parliament and state legislatures for women, a bill the INC had failed to pass in the outgoing legislature. The BJP accused Mr. Singh's government of mismanaging the economy. BJP leader Advani promised to abolish income tax for persons earning less than 300,000 rupees (about US$ 6,000) a year. He also promised to lower interest rates on housing loans and exempt all citizens over the age of 60 from paying taxes of any kind. The BJP criticized Mr. Singh for not taking adequate counter-terrorism measures. It pledged to introduce a tougher law to counter terrorism and enhance the security of the sub-continent's coastline. The Communist Party of India (Marxist), which led the Third Front, pledged to increase taxes for the "super rich", to introduce an inheritance tax and to reinstate a long-term capital gains tax to combat speculation. The party continued to criticize the government for concluding the nuclear agreement with the US, arguing that ordinary citizens could not afford the planned electricity prices. Regional parties and other small parties promised to provide cheaper electricity. Overall turnout was recorded at 63.16 per cent of the 714 million registered voters. In the first phase of voting, Maoist rebels disrupted the elections by attacking polling stations. The clash between the rebels and the police claimed at least 17 lives. The other phases took place in relative peace, although a heatwave reportedly kept voters at home in the fourth phase of the elections. The final results gave 261 seats to the UPA and 159 to the NDA. The parties in the Third Front won a total of 78 seats. On 20 May, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil appointed Mr. Singh as Prime Minister for a second term. Mr. Singh's new cabinet was supported by the UPA, the Samajwadi Party, three members of the Janata Dal (United), several independent members as well as the BSP which was a part of the Third Front. On 2 June, the newly elected House of the People (Lok Sabha) held its first session. The following day, Ms. Meira Kumar (INC), who had previously been appointed as Minister of Water Resources, was unanimously elected as its new Speaker, becoming the first woman to assume the post. STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 (from/to) 16 April 2009 13 May 2009 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 713'776'525 450'850'568 (63.16%) Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Indian National Congress (INC) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Samajwadi Party Majority Society Party (BSP) Janata Dal (United) Congrès des "racines" de tous les Indiens Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Communist Party of India (Marxist) Biju Janata Dal Shivsena Nationalist Congress Party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Independents Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Rashtriya Lok Dal Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Rashtriya Janata Dal Communist Party of India (CPI) Janata Dal (Secular) Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (J&KNC) Muslim League Kerala State Committee Revolutionary Socialist Party All India Forward Bloc Telangana Rashtra Samithi Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Bahujan Samaj Party Asom Gana Parishad (Assam People's Federation) All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen Assam United Democratic Front Bahujan Vikas Aaghadi Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Bodoland People's Front Haryana Janhit Congress (BL) Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) Nagaland People's Front Sikkim Democratic Front Swabhimani Paksha Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katch Kerala Congress (M) Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Indian National Congress (INC) 206 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 116 Samajwadi Party 22 Majority Society Party (BSP) 21 Janata Dal (United) 20 Congrès des "racines" de tous les Indiens 19 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) 18 Communist Party of India (Marxist) 16 Biju Janata Dal 14 Shivsena 11 Nationalist Congress Party 9 All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 9 Independents 9 Telugu Desam Party (TDP) 6 Rashtriya Lok Dal 5 Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) 4 Rashtriya Janata Dal 4 Communist Party of India (CPI) 4 Janata Dal (Secular) 3 Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (J&KNC) 3 Muslim League Kerala State Committee 2 Revolutionary Socialist Party 2 All India Forward Bloc 2 Telangana Rashtra Samithi 2 Jharkhand Mukti Morcha 2 Bahujan Samaj Party 1 Asom Gana Parishad (Assam People's Federation) 1 All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen 1 Assam United Democratic Front 1 Bahujan Vikas Aaghadi 1 Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1 Bodoland People's Front 1 Haryana Janhit Congress (BL) 1 Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) 1 Nagaland People's Front 1 Sikkim Democratic Front 1 Swabhimani Paksha 1 Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katch 1 Kerala Congress (M) 1 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 486 59 10.83% Distribution of seats according to age 21 to 30 years 31 to 40 years 41 to 50 years 51 to 60 years 61 to 70 years Over 70 years Unknown 5 57 130 192 113 46 2 Distribution of seats according to profession Social worker Agriculture/farming Entrepreneur Legal profession Education profession Others Writer, literary, artist Physician, dentist Economist Trade union official Journalism, broadcasting, media Civil service and local authority administration Research/sciences Armed services/Police International civil servant IT/technology Architect, surveyor, engineer 261 251 109 75 53 34 27 21 20 11 10 8 3 2 1 1 1 Comments Sources: - House of the People (05.06.2009, 18.02.2010, 13.01.2012) - http://eci.nic.in/Analysis/ Note on the "Distribution of seats according to sex": Fifty-eight women were directly elected while one woman was appointed, bringing the total number of women to 59 out of a full membership of 545. Note on the "Distribution of seats according to profession": Some members have listed more than one primary occupation. Note: The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) comprised the following parties. Indian National Congress (INC): 206 seats All India Trinamool Congress: 19 seats Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam: 18 seats Nationalist Congress Party: nine seats Jammu & Kashmir National Conference: three seats Jharkhand Mukti Morcha: two seats Muslim League Kerala State Committee: two seats Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katch: one seat Kerala Congress (M): one seat The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) alliance comprised the following parties. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 116 seats Janata Dal (United): 20 seats Shivsena: 11 seats Rashtriya Lok Dal: five seats Shiromani Akali Dal: four seats Telangana Rashtra Samithi: two seats Asom Gana Parishad (Assam People's Federation): one seat The Third Front comprised the following parties. Majority Society Party (BSP): 21 seats Communist Party of India (Marxist): 16 seats Biju Janata Dal 14 seats All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam: nine seats Telugu Desam: six seats Communist Party of India: four seats Janata Dal (Secular): three seats Revolutionary Socialist Party: two seats All India Forward Bloc: two seats Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam: one seat

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sansad / Parliament Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Lok Sabha / House of the People Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Rajya Sabha / Council of States APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title Speaker of the Lok Sabha Term - duration: 5 years (term of House) - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, ceasing to be a Member of the House, being removed removed from his office by a resolution of the House, death, dissolution of the Parliament Appointment - elected by all the Members of the Lok Sabha at a date fixed by the President following the newly elected Parliament - after newly elected Members are sworn in Eligibility any Member may give a motion addressed to the Secretary General with the name of the chosen Speaker - all the motions which are in order are entered in the List of Business which is issued on the day preceding the election Voting system - formal and open vote - simple majority is required Procedures / results - the Speaker pro tempore appointed by the President presides over the Lok Sabha during the voting - the Speaker pro tempore supervises the voting - the Speaker pro tempore announces the results without delay - the results cannot be challenged STATUS Status - ranks 6th in the hierarchy of State, equally with the Chief Justice - Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Vice-President of India) has precedence over the Speaker of Lok Sabha - represents the Lok Sabha with the public authorities - is ex officio member of a committee which nominates the Chairman of the Press Council of India - represents the Lok Sabha in international bodies - in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker presides over the deliberations of the House Board Material facilities - salary (40,000 rupees/ month) + constituency allowance ((3 000 rupees/month) + daily allowance (200 r./day) + sumptuary allowance (1 000 r./month) + travelling allowance for him/her and his/her family - free medical treatment - official residence - official car - railway pass - secretariat - body guards FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - organizes the debates and ensures that time is divided between the party in power and other groups in proportion to their respective strength in the House - examines the admissibility of bills and amendments - refers texts to a committee for study - constitutes and appoints parliamentary committees and appoints the presiding officers Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - announcements concerning the Lok Sabha are made at times by the Speaker and by the House in regard to certain matters - takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures - establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak - establishes the order in which amendments are taken up (if a Member requests that any amendment be put separately, the Speaker shall do so) and selects which amendments have to be debated - calls for a vote and invites Members to say yes or no and gives his/her opinion about the results - this opinion can be challenged, in this case, the Speaker puts the question a second time and if his/her opinion is again challenged, orders that the votes be recorded by division - checks the quorum - authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates Special powers - supervises the establishment of the Lok Sabha's budget prepared by the Secretariat - recruits, assigns and promotes staff with the Secretariat, - appoints the Clerk - supervises the Secretariat who organizes the services of Parliament - heads the parliamentary delegation abroad and receives delegation from other Parliaments - is responsible for relations with other Parliaments, through bilateral exchange of parliamentary delegations - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Lok Sabha Speaking and voting rights, other functions - has only a casting vote which he/she must exercise in case of an equality of votes - intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure, according to the Rules

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sansad / Parliament Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Lok Sabha / House of the People Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Rajya Sabha / Council of States NATURE Nature of the mandate · Free representation Start of the mandate · When results are declared. However, privileges and immunities accrue to MPs only when they have taken the oath or have subscribed affirmation and have signed the Roll of Members (Art. 99 and 104 of the Constitution of 26.01.1950, as amended to the 78th Amendment Act 1995, Third Schedule to the Constitution, Rules 5 and 6 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, Chapter 1 of the Directions by the Speaker of Lok Sabha). Procedure. Validation of mandates · No validation except in case of challenge by parliamentary election petitions (election trials, (in)validation by the appropriate judiciary (Art. 102 (1) (e) of the Constitution, Art. 100 of the Representation of the People Act 1951)) or in case of legal disabilities ((in)validation by the President (Art. 102 (1), 103, and 104 of the Constitution)). See Loss of mandate (b) and (d). End of the mandate · On the day when the legal term of the House ends - or on the day of early dissolution (see Art. 83 (2) and 85 (2) (b) of the Constitution) Can MPs resign? Yes · Of their own free will (Art. 101 (3) of the Constitution, Rule 240 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha) · Procedure (Art. 101 (3) of the Constitution, Rule 240 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, Direction 47B of the Directions by the Speaker of Lok Sabha) · Authority competent to accept the resignation: the Speaker Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes (a) Definitive exclusion from Parliament by the latter: - Disqualification from membership on ground of defection (Art. 102 (2), and 104 of the Constitution, Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, The Members of Lok Sabha Disqualification on Ground of Defection Rules; Appendix IV of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha); see also Code of conduct) - Expulsion (see also Discipline, and Code of conduct) - Loss of mandate for not attending sittings of Parliament (Art. 101 (4) of the Constitution, Rule 241 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha) (b) Loss of mandate by judicial decision: election trials (Art. 102 (1) (e) of the Constitution, Art. 100 of the Representation of the People Act 1951) (c) Loss of mandate for incompatibilities (Art. 101 (1) to (3) of the Constitution) (d) Disqualification from membership by the President of India (Art. 102 (1), 103, and 104 of the Constitution) STATUS OF MEMBERS Rank in hierarchy · Outside Parliament: the official order of precedence ranks the MPs in the 21st position. Indemnities, facilities and services · Diplomatic passport · Basic salary: INR 16,000 per month + Constituency Allowance: INR 6,000 per month + Office Expense Allowance: INR 5,500 per month (see also Art. 97 and 106 of the Constitution, and the Second Schedule to the Constitution) · Total exemption from tax · Special pension scheme · Other facilities: (a) Secretariat: stenographic assistance (b) Assistants (see also Art. 98 of the Constitution) (c) Official housing (d) Telephone services (e) Travel and transport (f) Others Obligation to declare personal assets No Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist (Art. 105 (1) and (2) of the Constitution). · Parliamentary non-accountability is limited to words spoken or written by MPs and votes cast within Parliament. · Derogations: defamatory or incriminatory allegation (Rule 353 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha; see Discipline) · Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins and offers, after the expiry of the mandate, protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate. Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist (Art. 105 (3) of the Constitution). · It applies only to civil proceedings, covers all offences with the exception of particularly serious and minor offences and protects MPs only from arrest. In case of arrest on a criminal charge or for a criminal offence, sentence to imprisonment by a court, arrest under an executive order, or release, the Parliament has to be informed (Rules 229 to 231 of, and Third Schedule to, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha). For an arrest or legal process, civil or criminal, within the precincts of the House, the permission of the Speaker has to be obtained (Rules 232 to 233 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha). · No derogations are foreseen. · Parliamentary inviolability does prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or tribunal in respect of matters relating to business before the House. · Protection is provided from 40 days before a session of the House to 40 days after the session. Since it does not cover judicial pro-ceedings in general, it does not cover judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election. · Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) cannot be lifted. · Parliament cannot subject the prosecution and/or detention to certain conditions. · Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members. · In the event of imprisonment under the emergency legislation or on criminal charges, the MPs concerned can be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament [references, texts or comments]: - Competent authority: - Procedure: the MP may approach the competent authority which may permit him to attend the sitting and return to jail. EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE Training · There is a training/initiation process on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs. · It is provided by the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training. Senior MPs, leaders of political parties and experts are involved. Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is not compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings, committee meetings or other meetings. · Penalties foreseen in case of absence (Art. 101 (4) of the Constitution, Rule 241 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha): loss of mandate · Body competent to judge such cases/to apply the penalties: the House of the People Discipline · The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in Rules 222 to 228, 353, 356, 373 to 375, 378, 380, and 381 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, and in customary law. · Disciplinary measures foreseen: - Order to discontinue the speech (Rule 356 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha) - Order to withdraw for the rest of the sitting (Rule 373 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha) - Naming and suspension (Rule 374 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha) - Adjournment of the House or suspension of the sitting (Rule 375 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha) · Specific cases: - Defamatory or incriminatory allegation (Rules 353, 380, and 381 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha): prohibition of the allegation, expunction from the proceedings - Contempt of the House (breach of privilege) in cases of misconduct within the House (Rules 222 to 228 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha): reprimand or admonition, imprisonment, suspension, expulsion (penal jurisdiction) · Competent body to judge such cases/to apply penalties (see also Rule 378 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha): - Order to discontinue the speech, order to withdraw for the rest of the sitting, adjournment of the House or suspension of the sitting, defamatory or incriminatory allegation: the Speaker - Naming and suspension: the Speaker, the House of the People - Contempt of the House (breach of privilege) in cases of misconduct within the House: the House of the People · Procedure: - Order to discontinue the speech (Rule 356 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha) - Order to withdraw for the rest of the sitting (Rule 373 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha) - Naming and suspension (Rule 374 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha) - Adjournment of the House or suspension of the sitting (Rule 375 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha) - Defamatory or incriminatory allegation (Rules 353, 380, and 381 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha) - Contempt of the House (breach of privilege) in cases of misconduct within the House (Rules 222 to 228 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha) Code (rules) of conduct · This concept does exist in the country's juridical system in a customary form. There are also some relevant written provisions (Art. 102 (2) and 104 of the Constitution, Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, Rules 222 to 228 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, The Members of Lok Sabha Disqualification on Ground of Defection Rules (Appendix IV of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)). Moreover, recommendations on a written code of conduct have been made by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges (for the recommendations made with respect to a declaration of interests, see Obligation to declare personal assets). · Penalties foreseen for violation of those provisions: - Reprimand or admonition - Imprisonment - Suspension - Expulsion - Disqualification from membership on ground of defection (Art. 102 (2) of the Constitution, Tenth Schedule to the Constitution) · Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties: - Reprimand or admonition, imprisonment, suspension, expulsion: the House of the People - Disqualification from membership on ground of defection: the Speaker or an elected Member · Procedure: - Reprimand or admonition, imprisonment, suspension, expulsion (Rules 222 to 228 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha). - Disqualification from membership on ground of defection (Art. 102 (2), and 104 of the Constitution, Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, The Members of Lok Sabha Disqualification on Ground of Defection Rules (Appendix IV of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha)). In this case, MPs have no means of recourse. Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this field.

This page was last updated on 17 January 2012
Copyright 1996-2012 Inter-Parliamentary Union

• Also on PARLINE
• Search
• Modules
• At a glance
• Recent elections
• New in PARLINE
• Toolbox
• Photo gallery
• About
• Newsfeeds