Suspension of MPs

• Context (TH | IE): Several Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) of Lok Sabha were suspended in for disrupting the proceedings of the House.

Process of Suspension of MPs in Lok Sabha

• Rule 373 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business empowers the Speaker to direct a member to withdraw immediately on account of disorderly conduct.
  • Members shall do so forthwith and remain absent from the sitting of the house during the remainder of the day.
• Rule 374: The Speaker can name a member who continues to disregard the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the House by persistently and wilfully obstructing the business.
  • Once named, the House can move a motion to suspend the MP until the end of the session.
  • The member so named will be suspended from the House for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session.
• Rule 374A: It was incorporated in the Rule Book in 2001, to bypass the need for a motion for suspension.
  • On being named by the Speaker, the member stands automatically suspended for 5 consecutive sittings or the remainder of the session, whichever is less (no motion is passed).
  • Member shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House.

Process of Suspension of MPs in Rajya Sahba

• Rule 255: It empowers the Chairperson to direct a member to withdraw immediately on account of disorderly conduct.
• Rule 256: The House may adopt a motion suspending the Member from the service of the House for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session.

Termination of Suspension

• The House may, by another motion, terminate the suspension.

Difference in powers of Speaker and Chairman Of Rajya Sabha

• Both are empowered to direct any Member, whose conduct is grossly disorderly, to withdraw immediately from the House.
• Unlike the Speaker, the Rajya Sabha Chairman does not have the power to suspend a member automatically (i.e. a motion needs to be passed by the House).