Rajya Sabha Chair Narrows Rule 267, Limits It to Listed Business

Overview

• Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan ruled that Rule 267 cannot introduce unrelated subjects and is not an adjournment motion like the Lok Sabha’s Article 75(3) device.
• He disallowed two recent notices and said future submissions that fail the clarified requirements will not be considered.
• Valid notices must specify the rule to be suspended, relate to an item on the day’s agenda, state grounds, avoid duplication with other rules, and present a properly framed motion with prior consent.
• Radhakrishnan cited rising near-daily notices and recalled the 2000 Rules Committee’s move to restrict Rule 267 to listed business after finding past misuse.
• Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said Rule 267 is the only route for urgent issues, while Leader of the House J.P. Nadda said the government has allowed debates and noted planned discussions on Vande Mataram and electoral reforms next week.