Report of Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules-2023 Presented in Vidhansabha

• 08 Aug 2023

Why in News?

• On August 7, 2023, the report of Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha's Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules-2023 was presented in the Vidhan Sabha. Legislators will be able to propose amendments on this till August 8 and there is a plan to discuss & approve the rules on August 9 in the House.

Key Points:

• In the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules-2023, a provision has been made to make the proceedings of the House online as much as possible under e-Vidhan.
• After the approval, the winter session of the Vidhan Sabha will be conducted under the new rules. Other information including answers to the questions of the MLAs can be taken online from the department concerned and will be given to the MLAs online only.
• In the rules, the conduct and behavior of the legislators in the House have been fixed-
• Legislators will not be able to tear any document in the House.
• In the course of his speech, he will not point to any stranger or admire him.
• The MLAs will neither be able to stand nor sit with their backs towards the Speaker.
• Neither will they be able to bring weapons in the House, nor will they be able to display them.
• Will not be able to distribute any such literature, questionnaire, booklet, press note, pamphlets, which are not related to the house.
• Can't smoke.
• He will neither talk nor laugh so loudly in the lobby that it is heard in the House.
• The session of Vidhan Sabha can now be called on seven days' notice-
• Presently this arrangement is on 15 days' notice. On behalf of the government, information will have to be given to the assembly secretariat seven days before the date of calling the session.
• Presently this arrangement is on 15 days' notice. On behalf of the government, information will have to be given to the assembly secretariat seven days before the date of calling the session.
• The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Leader of the House or with the permission of the House will be able to change the order of business.
• The legislators will also be informed about the convening of the session through email and mobile message.
• Prohibition on taking names of officials-
• Legislators may not impeach the conduct of persons in high authority unless the discussion is based on a properly placed substantive motion.
• Members shall not use their right of speech to obstruct the work of the House. Will not mention the names of government officials.
• Will not use the name of the state for the purpose of influencing the debate.
• Will not be able to read the written speech without the permission of the Speaker or the Chair. Will not be able to give instructions to a stranger sitting in any gallery.
• According to the rules, the new rules of the assembly should be discussed in the house for 14 days, but due to the session being of only five days, the rules can be discussed till Friday only.
• Increment will stop on reprimand
• In the rules, it is proposed to give the right of reprimand and fine to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in cases of breach of privilege.
• The Speaker can reprimand or impose fines on the officers, employees or other person for not answering the questions of the Assembly or for disobeying the order.
• Reprimanding or imposing a fine on any officer or employee will affect their increment and promotion.
• Maximum two supplementary questions can be asked on a starred question-
• Now only two supplementary questions can be asked on any starred question in the assembly. The MLA who asked the original question will get priority in asking supplementary questions. If there is more than one questionnaire, then the second priority will be given to the second questionnaire.
• The MLA will have to give his questions in writing or online to the Principal Secretary of the Legislative Assembly three days before the commencement of the session. The Secretary has to obtain the permission of the Speaker within 24 hours. Answers to unstarred questions will be laid on the Table of the House on the same day.
• To attract the attention of the House on subjects related to public interest, the members will have to give online or offline information in two copies to the Principal Secretary of the Legislative Assembly one hour before the commencement of the proceedings of the House.
• Information related to attracting attention will have to be presented by the government to the concerned member or the assembly secretariat within a maximum of 30 days (about 4 and a half weeks).