Parliamentary Procedure (Law Privileges Practice and Precedents)

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Description
Parliamentary procedure is intended to facilitate debate and discussion on problems and perceptions of the people. Parliamentary institutions are ever evolving, ever in te making. Though the basic principles may remain the same, parliamentary techniques, practices and procedures undergo changes, gradually adapting themselves to the changing needs of the times. Parliamentary system is said to be based eavily on past precedents. But, in actual practice, it is extremely difficult to find exact precedents. Every difficult problem that develops in Parliament seems to be entirely different and without parallel and therefore one requiring fresh handling. Precedents can guide and help ut not dictate the precise decision or course of action. Every new situation, the way it develops and the way it is handled, creates a new precedent and in the long run may give give birth to new rules and regulations. Thus, subtle changes parliamentary procedure take place and new practices keep developing almost constantly.
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Contents
1.    Parliament in Indian Polity
2.    Functions of Parliament
3.    Rules of Procedure
4.    Constitution of the House
5.    Presiding Officers
6.    Office of the Speaker
7.    Sessions and Sittings
8.    President and Parliament
9.    Business of the House
10.  Procedure Regarding Notices
11.  Questions
12.  Half-An-Hour Discussions
13.  Adjournment Motions
14.  Legislation
15.  Constitution Amendment Bills
16.  Petitions
17.  Resolutions
18.  Motions and Amendments
19.  Responsibility of Council of Ministers
20.  Short Duration Discussions
21.  Calling Attention to Matters of Urgent Public Importance
22.  Special Mentions
23.  Financial Business
24.  Parliamentary Privileges
25.  Subordinate Legislation
26.  Members' Resignation and Vacation of Seats in the House
27.  Members' Leave of Absence from the Sittings of the House
28.  Parliamentary Committees
29.  Elections to Parliament
30.  Disqualification on Ground of Defection
31.  Papers Laid on the Table
32.  Parliamentary Papers and Records
33.  Parliamentary Parties and Groups
34.  Parliamentary Decorum and Etiquette
35.  Points of Order
36.  Process of Decision Taking
37.  Parliamentary Buildings
38.  Inter-Parliamentary Relations
39.  Servicing Parliament
40.  Members' Salaries, Allowances and Pension
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Author Details
Dr, Subhash C. Kashyap, Constitutional Law and Parliamentary Affairs specialist and author of many well-known works, had his hiqher education and professional training at Allahabad, New Delhi, Washington D.C., Dallas, London and Geneva. He was intimately associated with Parliament for over 37 years, right from the first Lok Sabha of Nehru and Mavalankar days. He occupied the highest position as Secretary-General of Lok Sabha, for the longest period before taking voluntary retirement. He was Honorary Constitutional Advisor to Government of India on PRI Laws. Earlier, he was Director of the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies and as an International Civil Servant, headed the CIDPof lPU at Geneva.
Recipient of many awards, honours and distinctions within and outside India. He was also US Congressional Fellow of A.P.S.A., jawaharlal Nehru Fellow, UNDP Fellow, Fellow of the Academy of American and International Law, etc.
Dr. Kashyap has authored around 60 books and over 500 research papers and articles. Also, he has edited over 50 volumes. Several of his works have been translated into other languages.
Dr. Kashyap is an Honorary Research Professor at the Centre for Policy Research, Advocate Supreme Court, President Citizenship Development Society and Rashtriya Jagriti Sansthan and Honorary Editor South Asia Politics. Also, he is associated with several other national and international academic and social service organisations. He was member of the National Constitution Commission (2000-2002) and Chairman of its Drafting Committee and is currently on the Board of Directors of International IDEA (Stockholm).
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