Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha

Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business
in
Lok Sabha

Chapter XXVIIGENERAL RULES OF PROCEDURE NOTICES Mode of giving notice 332. (1) Every notice required by these rules shall be given in writing addressed to the Secretary-General and signed by the member giving notice, and shall be left at the Parliamentary Notice Office which shall be kept open for this purpose between the hours to be notified from time to time on every day except Sunday or a public holiday. (2) Notices left at the Parliamentary Notice Office after the hours notified under sub-rule(1) shall be treated as given on the next open day. Contingent notice 333. (1) A member may give notice of a motion or resolution or Bill which he may desire to be taken up on the conclusion of other business on which that motion is contingent and if such a notice is admitted by the Speaker it may be included in the list of business under the heading; contingent notice of motion or resolution or Bill, as the case may be (2) A contingent notice shall be in such form as the Speaker may prescribe and shall be taken up in the House only after the business on which the notice is contingent is disposed of. Circulation of notices and papers to members 334. (1) The Secretary-General shall make every effort to circulate to each member a copy of every notice or other paper which is required by these rules to be made available for the use of members. (2) A notice or other paper shall be deemed to have been made available for the use of every member if a copy thereof is deposited in such manner and in such place as the Speaker may, from time to time, direct. Prohibition of advance publicity of notices 334A. A notice shall not be given publicity by any member or other person until it has been admitted by the Speaker and circulated to members: Provided that a notice of a question shall not be given any publicity until the day on which the question is answered in the House. Lapse of pending notices on prorogation of House 335. On the prorogation of the House, all pending notices, other than notices of intention to move for leave to introduce a Bill, shall lapse and fresh notices shall be given for the next session: Provided that a fresh notice shall be necessary of intention to move for leave to introduce any Bill in respect of which sanction or recommendation has been granted under the Constitution if the sanction or recommendation, as the case may be, has ceased to be operative. Motion, resolution or amendment moved not to lapse 336. A motion, resolution or an amendment, which has been moved and is pending in the House, shall not lapse by reason only of the prorogation of the House Power of Speaker to amend notices 337. If in the opinion of the Speaker, any notice contains words, phrases or expressions which are argumentative, unparliamentary, ironical, irrelevant, verbose, or otherwise inappropriate, he may, in his discretion, amend such notice before it is circulated. MOTIONS Repetition of motion 338. A motion shall not raise a question substantially identical with one on which the House has given a decision in the same session. Withdrawal of motion 339. (1) A member who has made a motion may withdraw the same by leave of the House. (2) The leave shall be signified not upon question but by the Speaker taking the pleasure of the House. The Speaker shall ask: 'Is it your pleasure that the motion be withdrawn?' If no one dissents, the Speaker shall say: The motion is by leave withdrawn. But if any dissentient voice be heard or a member rises to continue the debate the Speaker shall forthwith put the motion: Provided that if an amendment has been proposed to a motion, the original motion shall not be withdrawn until the amendment has been disposed of. Adjournment of debate on motion 340. At any time after a motion has been made, a member may move that the debate on the motion be adjourned. Motion in abuse of rules or dilatory motion 341. (1) If the Speaker is of opinion that a motion for the adjournment of a debate is an abuse of the rules of the House, he may either forthwith put the question thereon or decline to propose the question. (2) If the Speaker is of opinion that a motion for re-circulation of a Bill to elicit further opinion thereon is in the nature of a dilatory motion in abuse of the rules of the House inasmuch as the original circulation was adequate or comprehensive or that no circumstance has arisen since the previous circulation to warrant the re-circulation of the Bill, he may, forthwith put the question thereon or decline to propose the question. (3) If the Speaker is of opinion that a motion for recommittal of a Bill to a Select Committee of the House or a Joint Committee of the Houses or circulation or re-circulation of the Bill after the Select Committee of the House or the Joint Committee of the Houses has reported thereon, is in the nature of a dilatory motion in abuse of the rules of the House inasmuch as the Select Committee of the House or the Joint Committee of the Houses, as the case may be, has dealt with the Bill in a proper manner or that no unforeseen or new circumstance has arisen since the Bill emerged from such Committee, he may forthwith put the question thereon or decline to propose the question. Motion to consider policy, situation, statement or any other matter 342. A motion that the policy or situation or statement or any other matter be taken into consideration shall not be put to the vote of the House, but the House shall proceed to discuss such matter immediately after the mover has concluded his speech and no further question shall be put at the conclusion of the debate at the appointed hour unless a member moves a substantive motion in appropriate terms to be approved by the Speaker and the vote of the House shall be taken on such motion. ANTICIPATING DISCUSSION Anticipating discussion 343. No member shall anticipate the discussion of any subject of which notice has been given provided that in determining whether a discussion is out of order on the ground of anticipation, regard shall be had by the Speaker to the probability of the matter anticipated being brought before the House within a reasonable time. AMENDMENTS Scope of amendments 344. (1) An amendment shall be relevant to, and within the scope of, the motion to which it is proposed (2) An amendment shall not be moved which has merely the effect of a negative vote. (3) An amendment on a question shall not be inconsistent with a previous decision on the same question. Notice of amendments 345. Notice of an amendment to a motion shall be given one day before the day on which the motion is to be considered, unless the Speaker allows the amendment to be moved without such notice. Selection of amendments 346. The Speaker shall have power to select the amendments to be proposed in respect of any motion, and may, if he thinks fit, call upon any member who has given notice of an amendment to give such explanation of the object of the amendment as may enable him to form a judgment upon it. Putting of amendments 347. The Speaker may put amendments in such order as he may think fit: Provided that the Speaker may refuse to put an amendment which in his opinion is frivolous. COMMUNICATION OF PRESIDENT'S RECOMMENDATION Mode of communication of recommendation 348. Every sanction or recommendation by the President shall be communicated to the Secretary-General by a Minister in the following terms:- 'The President having been informed of the subject matter of the proposed Bill, motion, demand for grant or amendment accords his previous sanction to the introduction of the Bill or the moving of the amendment or recommends the introduction of the Bill or the moving of the motion, demand for grant or amendment in the House or recommends to the House the consideration of the Bill.' It shall be printed in the proceedings of the House in such manner as the Speaker may direct. RULES TO BE OBSERVED BY MEMBERS Rules to be observed by members in House 349. Whilst the House is sitting, a member- (i) shall not read any book, newspaper or letter except in connection with the business of the House; (ii) shall not interrupt any member while speaking by disorderly expression or noises or in any other disorderly manner; (iii) shall bow to the Chair while entering or leaving the House, and also when taking or leaving his seat; (iv) shall not pass between the Chair and any member who is speaking; (v) shall not leave the House when the Speaker is addressing the House; (vi) shall always address the Chair; (vii) shall keep to his usual seat while addressing the House; (viii) shall maintain silence when not speaking in the House; (ix) shall not obstruct proceedings, hiss or interrupt and shall avoid making running commentaries when *1[another member is speaking;] (x) shall not applaud when a stranger enters any of the Galleries, or the Special Box; *2[(xi) shall not shout slogans in the House;] *3[(xii) shall not sit or stand with his back towards the Chair;] (xiii) shall not approach the Chair personally in the House. He may send chits to the officers at the Table, if necessary; (xiv) shall not wear to display badges of any kind in the House; (xv) shall not bring or display arms in the House; (xvi) shall not display flags, emblems or any exhi-bits in the House; (xvii) shall not leave the House immediately after delivering his speech; (xviii) shall not distribute within the precincts of Parliament House any literature, questionnaire, pamphlets, press notes, leaflets, etc. not connected with the business of the House; (xix) shall not place his hat/cap on the desk in the House, bring boards in the Chamber for keeping files or for writing purposes, smoke or enter the House with his coat hanging on the arms; (xx) shall not carry walking stick into the House unless permitted by the Speaker on health grounds; (xxi) shall not tear off documents in the House in protest; (xxii) shall not bring or play cassette or tape recorder in the House; and (xxiii) shall avoid talking or laughing in Lobby loud enough to be heard in the House.] Only member called by Speaker entitled to speak 350. When a member rises to speak, his name shall be called by the Speaker. If more members than one rise at the same time, the member whose name is so called shall be entitled to speak. Mode of addressing House 351. A member desiring to make any observations on any matter before the House shall speak from his place, shall rise when he speaks and shall address the Speaker: Provided that a member disabled by sickness or infirmity may be permitted to speak sitting. Rules to be observed while speaking 352. A member while speaking shall not- (I) refer to any matter of fact on which a judicial decision is pending; (ii) *4[make personal reference by way of making an allegation imputing a motive to or questioning the bona fides of any other member of the House unless it be vimperatively necessary for the purpose of the debate being itself a matter in issue or relevant thereto;] (iii) use offensive expressions about the conduct or proceedings of Parliament or any State Legislature; (iv) reflect on any determination of the House except on a motion for rescinding it; (v)reflect upon the conduct of persons in high authority unless the discussion is based on a substantive motion drawn in proper terms; Explanation:-The words 'persons in high authority' mean persons whose conduct can only be discussed on a substantive motion drawn in proper terms under the Constitution or such other persons whose conduct, in the opinion of the Speaker, should be discussed on a substantive motion drawn up in terms to be approved by him; (vi) use the President's name for the purpose of influencing the debate; (vii) utter treasonable, seditious or defamatory words; *5[*** *** ***] (viii) use his right of speech for the purpose of obstructing the business of the House. *6[(ix) make any reference to the strangers in any of the galleries; (x) refer to Government officials by name; and (xi) read a written speech except with the previous permission of the Chair.] Procedure regarding allegation against any person 353. No allegation of a defamatory or incriminatory nature shall be made by a member against any person unless the member has given *7[adequate advance notice] to the Speaker and also to the Minister concerned so that the Minister may be able to make an investigation into the matter for the purpose of a reply: Provided that the Speaker may at any time prohibit any member from making any such allegation if he is of opinion that such allegation is derogatory to the dignity of the House or that no public interest is served by making such allegation. Restriction on quoting speeches made in Council 354. No speech made in the Council shall be quoted in the House unless it is a definite statement of policy by a Minister: Provided that the Speaker may, on a request being made to him in advance, give permission to a member to quote a speech or make reference to the proceedings in the Council, if the Speaker thinks that such a course is necessary in order to enable the member to develop a point of privilege or procedure. Questions to be asked through Speaker 355. When, for the purposes of explanation during discussion or for any other sufficient reason, any member has occasion to ask a question of another member on any matter then under the consideration of the House, he shall ask the question through the Speaker. Irrelevance or repetition 356. The Speaker, after having called the attention of the House to the conduct of a member who persists in irrelevance or in tedious repetition either of his own arguments or of the arguments used by other members in debate, may direct him to discontinue his speech. Personal explanation 357. A member may, with the permission of the Speaker, make a personal explanation although there is no question before the House, but in this case no debatable matter may be brought forward, and no debate shall arise. ORDER OF SPEECHES, RIGHT OF REPLY AND CONCLUSION OF DEBATE Order of speeches and right of reply 358. (1) After the member who moves a motion has spoken, other members may speak to the motion in such order as the Speaker may call upon them. If any member who is so called upon does not speak, he shall not be entitled except with the permission of Speaker, to speak to the motion at any later stage of the debate. (2) Except in the exercise of right of reply or as otherwise provided by these rules, no member shall speak more than once to any motion, except with the permission of the Speaker. (3) A member who has moved a motion may speak again by way of reply, and if the motion is moved by a private member, the Minister concerned may, with the permission of the Speaker, speak (whether he has previously spoken in the debate or not) after the mover has replied: Provided that nothing in this sub-rule shall be deemed to give any right of reply to the mover of an amendment to a Bill or a resolution save with the permission of the Speaker. Conclusion of debate 359. Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (3) of rule 358 the reply of the mover of the original motion shall in all cases conclude the debate. ADDRESS BY SPEAER Address by Speaker 360. The Speaker may himself, or on a point being raised or on a request made by a member, address the House at any time on a matter under consideration in the House with a view to aid members in their deliberations, and such expression of views shall not be taken to be in the nature of a decision. PROCEDURE WHEN SPEAKER RISES Procedure when Speaker rises 361. (1) Whenever the Speaker rises he shall be heard in silence and any member who is then speaking or offering to speak shall immediately resume his seat. (2) No member shall leave his seat while the Speaker is addressing the House. CLOSURE AND LIMITATION OF DEBATE Closure 362. (1) At any time after a motion has been made, any member may move: 'That the question be now put', and unless it appears to the Speaker that the motion is an abuse of these rules or an infringement of the right of reasonable debate, the Speaker shall then put the motion 'That the question be now put'. (2) Where the motion: 'That the question be now put' has been carried, the question or questions consequent thereon shall be put forthwith without further debate: Provided that the Speaker may allow a member any right of reply which he may have under these rules. Limitation of debate 363. (1) Whenever the debate on any motion in connection with a Bill or on any other motion becomes unduly protracted, the Speaker may, after taking the sense of the House, fix a time limit for the conclusion of discussion on any stage or all stages of the Bill or the motion, as the case may be. (2) At the appointed hour, in accordance with the time limit fixed for the completion of a particular stage of a Bill or a motion, the Speaker shall, unless the debate is sooner concluded, forthwith put every question necessary to dispose of all the outstanding matters in connection with that stage of the Bill or the motion. DECISION OF HOUSE Question on motion made 364. A matter requiring the decision of the House shall be decided by means of a question put by the Speaker on a motion made by a member. Proposal and putting of question 365. When a motion has been made, the Speaker shall propose the question for consideration, and put it for the decision of the House. If a motion embodies two or more separate propositions, those propositions may be proposed by the Speaker as separate questions. No Speech after voices collected 366. A member shall not speak on a question after the Speaker has collected the voices both of the Ayes and of the Noes on that Question. DIVISION Procedure regarding division 367. (1) On the conclusion of a debate, the Speaker shall put the question and invite those who are in favour of the motion to say 'Aye' and those against the motion to say 'No'. (2) The Speaker shall then say: 'I think the Ayes (or the Noes, as the case may be) have it.' If the opinion of the Speaker as to the decision of a question is not challenged, he shall say twice: 'The Ayes (or the Noes, as the case may be) have it' and the question before the House shall be determined accordingly. (3) (a) If the opinion of the Speaker as to the decision of a question is challenged, he shall order that the Lobby be cleared. (b) After the lapse of*8 [three minutes and thirty seconds] he shall put the question a second time and declare whether in his opinion the 'Ayes' or the 'Noes' have it. (c) If the opinion so declared is again challenged, he shall direct that the votes be recorded either by operating the automatic vote recorder or by using 'Aye' and 'No' Slips in the House or by the Members going into the Lobbies: Provided that, if in the opinion of the Speaker, the Division is unnecessarily claimed, he may ask the members who are for 'Aye' and those for 'No' respectively to rise in their places and, on a count being taken, he may declare the determination of the House. In such a case, the names of the voters shall not be recorded. Division by automatic vote recorder 367A. (1) Where the Speaker directs under clause (c) of sub-rule (3) of rule 367 that the votes be recorded by operating the automatic vote recorder, it shall be put into operation and the members shall cast their votes from the seats respectively allotted to them by pressing the buttons provided for the purpose. (2) After the result of the voting appears on the indicator board, the result of the Division shall be announced by the Speaker and it shall not be challenged. (3) A member who is not able to cast his vote by pressing the button provided for the purpose due to any reason considered sufficient by the Speaker, may, with the permission of the Speaker, have his vote recorded verbally by stating whether he is in favour of or against the motion, before the result of the Division is announced. (4) If a member finds that he has voted by mistake by pressing the wrong button, he may be allowed to correct his mistake provided he brings it to the notice of the Speaker before the result of the Division is announced. Division by distribution of 'Aye' and 'No' slips 367AA. (1) Where the Speaker directs under clause (c) of sub-rule (3) of rule 367 that the votes shall be recorded by members on 'Aye' and 'No' slips, the Division Clerks shall supply to each member at his seat, an 'Aye' or 'No' slip, according to the choice indicated by him. A member shall record his vote on the slip by signing and indicating his Division Number thereon. (2) After the members have recorded their votes, the Division Clerks shall collect the 'Aye' and 'No' slips and bring them to the Table where the votes shall be counted by the Officers at the Table and the totals of 'Ayes' and 'Noes' presented to the Speaker. (3) The result of the Division shall be announced by the Speaker and it shall not be challenged. Division by going into Lobbies 367B. (1) Where the Speaker directs under clause (c) of sub-rule (3) of rule 367 that the votes shall be recorded by the members going into the Lobbies, he shall direct the 'Ayes' to go into the Right Lobby and the 'Noes' into the Left Lobby. In the 'Ayes' or 'Noes' Lobby, as the case may be, each member shall state his Division Number and the Division Clerk, while marking off his number on the Division List, shall simultaneously call out the name of the member. (2) After voting in the Lobbies is completed, the Division Clerks shall bring the Division Lists to the Table when the votes shall be counted by the officers at the Table and the totals of 'Ayes' and 'Noes' presented to the Speaker. (3) The result of the Division shall be announced by the Speaker and it shall not be challenged. (4) A member who is unable to go to the Division Lobby owing to sickness or infirmity may, with the permission of the Speaker, have his vote recorded either at his seat or in the Lobby before the result of the Division is announced. (5) If a member finds that he has voted by mistake in the wrong Lobby, he may be allowed to correct his mistake, provided he brings it to the notice of the Speaker before the result of the Division is announced. (6) When the Division Clerks have brought the Division Lists to the Table, a member who has not upto that time recorded his vote but who then wishes to have his vote recorded may do so with the permission of the Speaker before the result of the Division is announced. PAPERS TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE Papers quoted to be laid 368. If a Minister quotes in the House a despatch or other State paper which has not been presented to the House, he shall lay the relevant paper on the Table: Provided that this rule shall not apply to any documents which are stated by the Minister to be of such a nature that their production would be inconsistent with public interest: Provided further that where a Minister gives in his own words a summary or gist of such despatch or State paper it shall not be necessary to lay the relevant papers on the Table. Authentication and treatment of papers laid 369. (1) A paper or document to be laid on the Table shall be duly authenticated by the member presenting it. (2) All papers and documents laid on the Table shall be considered public. Document containing advice or opinion disclosed to be laid 370. If, in answer to a question or during debate, a Minister discloses the advice or opinion given to him by any officer of the Government or by any other person or authority, he shall ordinarily lay the relevant document or parts of document containing that opinion or advice, or a summary thereof on the Table. [For rules relating to Committee on Papers laid on the Table, see Chapter XXVI of these rules.] OBJECTION TO VOTE OF A MEMBER ON GROUNDS OF PERSONAL, PECUNIARY OR DIRECT INTEREST Objection to vote of a member 371. If the vote of a member in a division in the House is challenged on the ground of personal, pecuniary or direct interest in the matter to be decided, the Speaker may, if he considers necessary, call upon the member making the challenge to state precisely the grounds of his objection and the member whose vote has been challenged to state his case and shall decide whether the vote of the member should be disallowed or not and his decision shall be final: Provided that the vote of a member or members is challenged immediately after the division is over and before the result is announced by the Speaker. Explanation.- For the purposes of this rule the interest of the member should be direct, personal or pecuniary and separately belong to the person whose vote is questioned and not in common with the public in general or with any class or section thereof or on a matter of State policy. STATEMENT BY MINISTER Statement by Minister 372. A statement may be made by a Minister on a matter of public importance with the consent of the Speaker but no question shall be asked at the time the statement is made. WITHDRAWAL AND SUSPENSION OF MEMBERS Withdrawal of member 373. The Speaker may direct any member whose conduct is, in his opinion, grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately from the House, and any member so ordered to withdraw shall do so forthwith and shall absent himself during the remainder of the day's sitting. Suspension of member 374. (1) The Speaker may, if he deems it necessary, name a member who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the House by persistently and wilfully obstructing the business thereof. (2) If a member is so named by the Speaker, the Speaker shall, on a motion being made forthwith put the question that the member (naming him) be suspended from the service of the House for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session: Provided that the House may, at any time, on a motion being made, resolve that such suspension be terminated.(3) A member suspended under this rule shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House. Automatic Suspension of a member *9 374A. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in rules 373 and 374, in the event of grave disorder occasioned by a member coming into the well of the House or abusing the Rules of the House persistently and wilfully obstructing its business by shouting slogans or otherwise, such member shall, on being named by the Speaker, stand automatically suspended from the service of the House for five consecutive sittings or the remainder of the session, whichever is less: Provided that the House may, at any time, on a motion being made, resolve that such suspension be terminated.  (2) On the Speaker announcing the suspension under this rule, the member shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House. ADJOURNMENT OF HOUSE OR SUSPENSION OF SITTING DUE TO GRAVE DISORDER Power of Speaker to adjourn House or suspend sitting 375. In the case of a grave disorder arising in the House, the Speaker may, if he thinks it necessary to do so, adjourn the House or suspend any sitting for a time to be named by him POINTS OF ORDER Points of order and decisions thereon 376. (1) A point of order shall relate to the interpretation or enforcement of these rules or such Articles of the Constitution as regulate the business of the House and shall raise a question which is within the cognizance of the Speaker. (2) A point of order may be raised in relation to the business before the House at the moment: Provided that the Speaker may permit a member to raise a point of order during the interval between the termination of one item of business and the commencement of another if it relates to maintenance of order in, or arrangement of business before, the House. (3) Subject to conditions referred to in sub-rules (1) and (2) a member may formulate a point of order and the Speaker shall decide whether the point raised is a point of order and if so give his decision thereon, which shall be final. (4) No debate shall be allowed on a point of order, but the Speaker may, if he thinks fit, hear members before giving his decision. (5) A point of order is not point of privilege. (6) A member shall not raise a point of order - to ask for information; or to explain his position; or when a question on any motion is being put to the House; or which may be hypothetical; or that Division Bells did not ring or were not heard. *10[Raising a matter which is not a point of order 377. A member who wishes to bring to the notice of the House a matter which is not a point of order, shall give notice in writing to the Secretary-General specifying clearly and precisely the text of the matter to be raised. The member shall be permitted to raise it only after the Speaker has given his consent and at such time and date as the Speaker may fix.] *11[Conditions of admissibility 377A. In order that a notice may be admissible it shall satisfy the following conditions:- it shall not refer to a matter which is not primarily the concern of the Government of India; it shall not relate to a matter which has been discussed in the same session or which is substantially identical to the matter already raised by a member under this rule during the session; it shall not exceed 250 words; it shall not raise more than one issue; it shall not contain arguments, inferences, ironical expressions, imputations, epithets or defamatory statements; and it shall not refer to proceedings of a parliamentary/consultative committee.] Time for tabling notices and their validity 377B. (1) Notices received during a week commencing from its first sitting till 10.00 hours on the last day of the week on which the House sits shall be valid for that week. (2) Notices received after 10.00 hours on the last day of the week on which the House sits shall be valid for the next week. Notices received after 10.00 hours and upto 10.30 hours on that day shall be deemed to have been received at the same point of time and these shall be balloted to determine the inter-se priority of members. Notices received subsequently shall be arranged in accordance with the date and time of their receipt. (3) Notices not selected during the week for which they have been tabled, shall lapse at the end of the week: Provided that a notice referred for facts under order of the Speaker shall not lapse till it is finally disposed of. Restriction on raising matters 377C. (1) No member shall raise more than one matter during a week. (2) Only the text approved by the Speaker shall go on record.] MAINTENANCE OF ORDER Speaker to preserve order and enforce decisions 378. The Speaker shall preserve order and shall have all powers necessary for the purpose of enforcing his decisions PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE, PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS AND CUSTODY OF PAPERS Preparation and publication of proceedings 379. The Secretary-General shall cause to be prepared a full report of the proceedings of the House at each of its sittings and shall, as soon as practicable, publish it in such form and manner as the Speaker may, from time to time, direct. Expunction 380. If the Speaker is of opinion that words have been used in debate which are defamatory or indecent or unparliamentary or undignified, he may, in his discretion, order that such words be expunged from the proceedings of the House. Indication in proceedings regarding expunction 381. The portion of the proceedings of the House so expunged shall be marked by asterisks and an explanatory footnote shall be inserted in the proceedings as follows: 'EXPUNGED AS ORDERED BY THE CHAIR' Printing and publication of Parliamentary papers 382. (1) The Speaker may authorise printing, publication, distribution or sale of any paper, document or report in connection with the business of the House or any paper, document or report laid on the Table or presented to the House or a Committee thereof. (2) A paper, document or report printed, published, distributed or sold in pursuance of sub-rule (1) shall be deemed to have been printed, published, distributed or sold under the authority of the House within the meaning of clause (2) of article 105 of the Constitution. (3) If a question arises whether a paper, document or report is in connection with the business of the House or not, the question shall be referred to the Speaker whose decision shall be final. Custody of papers 383. The Secretary-General shall have custody of all records, documents and papers belonging to the House or any of its Committees or Lok Sabha Secretariat and he shall not permit any such records, documents or papers to be taken from the Parliament House without the permission of the Speaker. CHAMBER OF THE HOUSE Restriction on use of Chamber of House 384. The Chamber of the House shall not be used for any purpose other than the sittings of the House. ADMISSION OF OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL Admission of officers of Council to House 385. Any officer of the Secretarial staff of the Council shall be entitled to admission to the House during any sitting of the House. ADMISSION, WITHDRAWAL AND REMOVAL OF STRANGERS Admission of strangers 386. The admission of strangers during the sittings of the House to those portions of the House which are not reserved for the exclusive use of members shall be regulated in accordance with orders made by the Speaker. Withdrawal of strangers 387. The Speaker may, whenever he thinks fit, order the withdrawal of strangers from any part of the House. Removal and taking into custody of strangers 387A. An officer of the Secretariat authorised in this behalf by the Speaker shall remove from the precincts of the House or take into custody, any stranger whom he may see, or who may be reported to him to be, in any portion of the precincts of the House which is reserved for the exclusive use of members, and also any stranger who, having been admitted into any portion of the precincts of the House, misconducts himself or wilfully infringes the regulations made by the Speaker under rule 386 or does not withdraw when the strangers are directed to withdraw under rule 387 while the House is sitting BUSINESS PERTAINING TO STATE UNDER PRESIDENT'S RULE Application of rules to business pertaining to State under President's Rule 387B. These rules shall, with such variations or modifications, as the Speaker may from time to time make, apply to the business pertaining to a State, the powers of whose Legislature are, by virtue of a Proclamation issued by the President under article 356 of the Constitution exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament. SUSPENSION OF RULES Suspension of rules 388. Any member may, with the consent of the Speaker, move that any rule may be suspended in its application to a particular motion before the House and if the motion is carried the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being. RESIDUARY POWERS Residuary powers 389. All matters not specifically provided for in these rules and all questions relating to the detailed working of these rules shall be regulated in such manner as the Speaker may, from time to time, direct. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [*1] Sub. by L.S. Bn. (II) dated 9-5-1989, para 2930. [*2] Subs. ibid. [*3] Added ibid. [*4] Sub. by L.S. Bn. (II) dated 9-5-1989, para 2930. [*5] Omitted by L.S. Bn. (II) dated 9-5-1989, para 2930. [*6] Added ibid. [*7] Sub. ibid. [*8] Sub. by L.S. Bn. (II) dated 9-5-1989, para 2930. *9 Added by L.S. Bn.(II) dt. 5.12.2001, Para 2430 [*10] Sub. by L.S. Bn. (II) dated 9-5-1989, para 2930.[*11] Added by L.S. Bn. (II) dated 9-5-1989, para 2930. source  - parliamentofindia.nic.in