Suspension of MPs

Suspension of MPs

Part of: GS- Prelims and Main GS-II: Parliament

Context: In the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs has sought the approval of the House for suspending 12 Rajya Sabha MPs for the remainder of the session. 

Why has the minister asked for suspension of MPs?

• The reason for their suspension was “their unprecedented acts of misconduct, contemptuous, unruly and violent behaviour and intentional attacks on security personnel” on the last day of the Monsoon Session.
• MPs are required to adhere to certain rules of parliamentary etiquette.

What is the procedure for suspension of MPs?

• The presiding officer of each House can direct an MP to withdraw from the legislative chamber for grossly disorderly conduct. The MP then has to remain absent from the proceedings of the House for the remainder of the day.
• The presiding officers can also “name” an MP for “persistently and wilfully obstructing the business” of the House. In such a case, usually, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister moves a motion for suspending the offending MP from the service of the House. The suspension can last until the end of the session.
• In 2001, the Lok Sabha rule was amended to give the Speaker one additional power. A new rule, 374A, empowers the Speaker to automatically suspend an MP for a maximum of five days for disrupting the business of the House.
  • In 2015, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan used this rule for suspending 25 Congress MPs.