Parliament Winter Session: What Is Rule 267 Of Rajya Sabha And Why Is It In Focus -- Explained

Under Rule 267, MPs can issue notice to take up a discussion on urgent issues of public importance setting aside the Upper House's listed business of the day. 

MPs in the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament in New Delhi. ( Image Source :PTI )

Recent protests by opposition members in the Rajya Sabha pressing for a discussion on the Chinese incursion on Indian borders have repeatedly disrupted proceedings in the Upper House. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday said that he had received nine notices under Rule 267 that called for the suspension of the listed business and taking up a discussion or debate on the matter indicated therein. 

Rejecting all the nine notices, Dhankhar stated he cannot give attention to any notice that is “deficient” or that “miserably fails minimum requirement of the fulfillment of rules”.

Reacting to the rejection of all the notices, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, “The Chairman has the powers and can allow a discussion, but Dhankhar was not impressed.”

What is Rule 267?

Under Rajya Sabha's Rule 267, “any member, may, with the consent of the Chairman, move that any rule may be suspended in its application to a motion related to the business listed before the Council of that day and if the motion is carried, the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being.”

It means that under Rule 267, MPs can issue notice to take up a discussion on urgent issues of public importance setting aside the Upper House's listed business of the day. 

It further states, "the Chairman alone has the power to give consent for moving of a motion for suspension of a rule and it is for the House to decide whether a particular rule should be suspended or not."

But, this rule will not apply "where specific provisions already exist for suspension of a rule under a particular chapter of the Rules."

Who can issue Rule 267? 

Any member of the Rajya Sabha can issue a notice to the Chairperson for a discussion on any subject under Rule 267.

When was Rule 267 last invoked?

The last time it was used was in November 2016, when the Upper House invoked Rule 267 to discuss demonetisation. Post 2016, the Rajya Sabha has not allowed debates or discussions for nearly five years.