Rule 176 vs Rule 267

July 21, 2023

GS Paper II Polity

Context:

The opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament was disrupted after the government and the Opposition differed on the format of the discussion on the Manipur situation.

What is Rule 267, and Rule 176?

Rule 267 is for the suspension of rules to accommodate specific business, while Rule 176 allows short-duration discussions on urgent matters of public importance.
Rule 267 gives a Rajya Sabha MP special power to suspend the pre-decided agenda of the House, with the approval of the Chairman.

Rule 267

Rule 176

Rule 267: Relates to suspension of rules in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).
Member’s Right to Move for Suspension: Any member can move, with the Chairman’s consent, to suspend the application of any rule related to the business listed before the Council on a particular day.
Temporary Suspension on Carrying the Motion: If the motion to suspend the rule is carried, the rule in question shall be temporarily suspended.
Exceptions:This rule does not apply if there is already a specific provision for the suspension of a rule under a particular chapter of the Rules.

Rule 176: Pertains to short-duration discussions in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).
Member’s Right to Give Written Notice: Any member can give written notice to the Secretary-General, expressing their desire to raise a discussion on a matter of urgent public importance.
Specification of the Matter and Explanatory Note: The notice must specify the matter to be raised clearly and precisely and be accompanied by an explanatory note stating reasons for the discussion.
Support from Other Members: The notice must also be supported by the signatures of at least two other members.
Fixing Date and Time for Discussion: Once the Chairman admits the notice, he, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, will fix the date and time for the discussion, which should not exceed two and a half hours.
No Formal Motion or Voting: There shall be no formal motion or voting during a short-duration discussion; the member who gave the notice makes a short statement, and the Minister replies shortly.