RULE 267 OF RAJYA SABHA

Indian Polity


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 06-Dec-2024
  • Rule 267: 
    • Allows MPs to move for the suspension of rules to debate urgent matters not included in the day's agenda. 
    • MPs must give notice before 10 am on the day they wish to invoke Rule 267. 
    • The motion to suspend the rule is put to vote, and if carried, the rule is temporarily suspended for that particular discussion. 
    • This rule has been invoked 11 times since 1990, including discussions on significant national issues like the Gulf War, corruption, and demonetisation. 
    • The last invocation of Rule 267 was in 2016 on the topic of demonetisation. 
    • Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu has rejected hundreds of notices for invoking Rule 267 since 2017, including issues such as the Rafale deal and GST implementation, creating a five-year gap in its use. 
  • Rule 176: 
    • Facilitates short-duration discussions, typically lasting no more than two-and-a-half hours on important topics. 
    • No formal motion or voting is required for Rule 176; MPs can make short statements on the issue. 
    • The concerned Minister provides a brief reply, and other MPs can participate with the Chairman's prior permission. 
    • The Chairman may set a time limit for speeches to ensure the discussion remains concise. 
    • Discussions under Rule 176 are scheduled in consultation with the Leader of the House or the Leader of the Council. 
    • Rule 176 is designed for quick debates on current issues and is a less formal procedure compared to Rule 267. 

Key Differences Between Rule 267 and Rule 176:

  • Purpose: Rule 267 is invoked to discuss urgent matters that require suspension of existing rules, while Rule 176 is for brief, scheduled discussions on important but not immediately urgent topics. 
  • Procedure: Rule 267 involves the suspension of rules and requires MPs to seek permission from the Chairman, while Rule 176 involves no formal motion or voting and is more informal in nature. 
  • Frequency of Use: Rule 267 has been rarely used in recent years, with 11 invocations since 1990, whereas Rule 176 is frequently used for quick discussions in the Rajya Sabha.