India 2018

22 India 2018
Government Business in Parliament
The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs is entrusted with coordinating, planning
and arranging government business in both Houses of Parliament. In discharge
of this function, he is assisted by two ministers of state. The minister also keeps
close and constant contact with the presiding officers, the leaders as well as
chief whips of various parties and groups in both Houses of Parliament.
Consultative Committees
Functioning of Consultative Committees of Members of Parliament for various
ministries is one of the functions allocated to the Ministry of Parliamentary
Affairs under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961.
The minimum membership of a Consultative Committee is ten and the
maximum membership is thirty. The Consultative Committee stands dissolved
upon dissolution of every Lok Sabha and are re-constituted upon constitution
of each Lok Sabha. 35 Consultative Committees attached to various ministries
were constituted for 16th Lok Sabha and 96 meetings were held between June
2016 to May 2017
Youth Parliament Competition
In order to develop democratic ethos in the younger generation the Ministry
conducts Youth Parliament Competitions in various categories of schools and
colleges/universities. The 'Youth Parliament Scheme' was first introduced in
the schools in Delhi in 1966-67. Kendriya Vidyalayas located in and around
Delhi were incorporated into the ongoing scheme in 1978. Subsequently, a
separate scheme of Youth Parliament for Kendriya Vidyalayas at the national
level was launched in 1988. In 1997-98, two new Youth Parliament Schemes at
the national level, one for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and the other for
universities/colleges were launched.
All India Whips' Conference
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, organises All India Whips' Conference
from time to time with the purpose of establishing suitable links among the
whips of various political parties at the centre and the states/union territories
who are concerned with the practical working of the legislatures to discuss
matters of common interest and to evolve high standards to strengthen the
institution of parliamentary democracy. Seventeen All India Whips' Conferences
have been organized so far since 1952.
Special Mentions
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs takes follow-up action on matters raised
under Rule 377 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha
and by way of Special Mentions in Rajya Sabha. After ‘Question Hour’ in Lok
Sabha members raise matters of urgent public importance at 12.00 noon. In
Rajya Sabha members raises matters of urgent public importance at 11.00 am.
Though it is not mandatory, ministers often react to the points made by the
members. In the absence of concerned minister, the Minister of Parliamentary