Lok Sabha Debates
Consent Of The Speaker To Move The Motion For Adjournment Regarding ... on 20 November, 2002
NT> 12.02 hrs. Title: Consent of the Speaker to move the motion for adjournment regarding unprecedented drought situation in the country.
MR. SPEAKER: I now go to Adjournment Motion.
I have to inform the House that I have received 22 notices of adjournment motion regarding the unprecedented drought situation in the country which has not been addressed by the Union Government adequately and lack of comprehensive policy initiative of the Union Government to combat the situation, has increased the sufferings of the drought affected people in several States of India. I call upon the Union Government to respond to this issue immediately with a view to helping the affected States. These notices were received from the following Members : Shrimati Sonia Gandhi, hon. Leader of the Opposition Shri Mahboob Zahedi Shri Basu Deb Acharia Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh Shri Sontosh Mohan Dev Shri Shyamacharan Shukla Madhusudan Mistry Shri Manikrao Hodlya Gavit Shri K.A. Sangtam Shri Saiduzzama Shri A.F. Golam Osmani S.D.N.R. Wadiyar Shri Rameshwar Dudi Shri Ram Raghunath Chaudhary Shri Savshibhai Makwana Shri Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy Shri Jagmeet Singh Brar Shri Tarachand Bhagora Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar Shri Madhab Rajbangshi Shri Satyavrat Chaturvedi Dr. Giriya VyasI have given my consent to Shri Tarachand Bhagora who has secured first place in the ballot to move the motion in the following form:
"Unprecedented drought situation in the country and lack of comprehensive policy initiative of the Union Government to combat the situation, thereby increasing the sufferings of the drought affected people in several States of India."
Shri Tarachand Bhagora, meanwhile in his letter received by me just now has requested that Shrimati Sonia Gandhi may be permitted to seek leave of the House and initiate discussion in his place.
I have accepted his request. Shrimati Sonia Gandhi may now ask for leave of the House.
SHRIMATI SONIA GANDHI (AMETHI): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I seek leave of the House for moving the adjournment motion regarding:
"Unprecedented drought situation in the country and lack of comprehensive policy initiative of the Union Government to combat the situation, thereby increasing the sufferings of the drought affected people in several States of India."
MR. SPEAKER: Is the leave opposed by anybody?
THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN): Sir, at the outset, as you have given the permission and as I have said yesterday that we are ready to discuss any subject under any motion and formally from the Government side not opposing the motion, we would like the discussion to happen. But to make my conscience clear and to get the record straight I would like to only place on the table of the House the information that strictly speaking, this subject does not come under the motion for adjournment. But as you have already permitted, we are not objecting to it.
MR. SPEAKER: Though the subject matter, namely the drought situation in the country is an issue which is normally discussed by way of short duration discussion, looking at the gravity of the problem and the number of notices under Rule no. 56 for adjournment motion, as a special case, not to be quoted as precedent, leave is granted. Under Rule 61, the adjournment motion is to be taken up at 1600 hours or at an earlier hour. Under Rule 62 not less than two hours and 30 minutes are allotted for its discussion.
If the House agrees, the discussion on the motion may be taken up immediately after laying of papers etc. I think the House agrees.
SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN: Sir, I have to say something, nothing for the Members or the Adjournment Motion. I would like to say one thing that it must be made clear to the Members and the media that normally the Adjournment Motion comes on the same day. You cannot give notice for an Adjournment Motion saying that `Tomorrow, the House will be adjourned and this will be discussed under Adjournment Motion.’ Many times we see in the media and sometimes, a Member also says that he is moving an Adjournment Motion on next Tuesday on such and such subject. This is not the system of Adjournment Motion. I think, this is time to educate people on the Adjournment Motion. Adjournment Motion is of a sudden occurrence. It should be brought for the same day. A Member cannot even give a notice for tomorrow’s Adjournment Motion. You have to give it on the same day. … (Interruptions) Shri Basu Deb Acharia, I am not talking about the Members. Since 6 o’clock in the morning, I am seeing on television that the Adjournment Motion is likely to be moved in the Houses. I think, people need to be educated on the issue of Adjournment Motion.
MR. SPEAKER: I think, the Members are aware of the rules which he has quoted.
SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI (RAIGANJ): Sir, I think, we have completely complied with Rule 56. Before 10 o’clock of the day, a Member has to give notice for an Adjournment Motion. A Member has the right to give notice for Adjournment Motion subject to its being in order. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: The motion is quite in order.
SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : We have complied with the rules. It is not that we gave notice yesterday.
MR. SPEAKER: I agree with you.
DR. VIJAY KUMAR MALHOTRA (SOUTH DELHI): Sir, kindly fix up the time for voting also. When will the voting take place?
MR. SPEAKER: As the normal practice is, the voting will take place at 6 o’clock.
DR. VIJAY KUMAR MALHOTRA : What is the time for debate – four hours, five hours or six hours? You kindly fix up that also.
MR. SPEAKER: I think, by 6 o’clock, we will be able to do voting provided all the Members have spoken. … (Interruptions)
SHRI PRAKASH MANI TRIPATHI (DEORIA): How many Adjournment Motions can be moved in a Session? … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: There is no rule. It depends on how many instances take place.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN: Not more than the days of the Session! … (Interruptions)
SHRI PRAKASH MANI TRIPATHI : Can Adjournment Motion be moved everyday? … (Interruptions) Since Adjournment Motion is a matter of great public importance, it should be dispose of on the same day. You cannot carry on moving it everyday. … (Interruptions)
कुंवर अखिलेश सिंह (महाराजगंज, उ.प्र.) : अध्यक्ष महोदय, उत्तर प्रदेश से राज्य सभा के सांसद श्री अमर सिंह को ११ नवम्बर को उत्तर प्रदेश में लखनऊ के अमौसी हवाईअड्डे पर वहां के पुलिस प्रशासन द्वारा जान से मारने की धमकी दी गई एवं उन्हें अपमानित किया गया। इसकी सूचना मैंने कार्य स्थगन प्रस्ताव के रूप में दी है।
MR. SPEAKER: All other notices are disallowed today. You can raise it in some other form on any other day.
Leave for moving Adjournment Motion regarding drought situation in the country is granted. ………………………..