About Parliamentary Business

List of Business

Laying of Papers on the Table

As part of the mechanism to ensure accountability of Government to Parliament, copies of important documents issued by Government are circulated to Members through a formal process called 'Laying of Papers on the Table'. The Ministry concerned intimates the list of papers to be laid, (along with a copy of the documents authenticated by the Minister), which is then included in the agenda for the day. At the appointed time (generally 12 noon), the Minister rises and states that he lays the papers listed in his name on the Table. The following are some of the categories of papers which are required to be laid on the Table: a) Ordinances promulgated under Article 123 of the Constitution of India b) Statutory orders (S.O.) issued by Government under various statutes c) General Statutory Rules (GSR) framed by Government under the relevant statutes. d) Reports of Government companies. e) Reports of societies and cooperatives financed by Government institutions f) Reports of Joint ventures with State Governments g) MOU between Government and PSUs etc

Synopsis of Debates

The Synopsis of Debates is a gist of important suggestions and points made during the Debates. However, the details of arguments advanced, motion or amendments moved, Papers Laid on the Table and other formal items are not included therein. It is just a summary and not an authoritative record of the proceedings of Lok Sabha Debates. For authoritative full record of proceedings official report of proceedings (Edited Debates) may be consulted.

List of Questions

Daily Questions List contains the text of each question put for oral and written answers by Ministers for a given day. Starred Questions are the questions to which answers are desired to be given orally on the floor of the House during the Question Hour. These are distinguished in the printed lists by asterisks. 20 such questions are listed each day. Unstarrred Questions are questions to which written answers are given by Ministers which are deemed to have been laid on the Table of the House at the end of the Question Hour. Upto 230 such questions are listed each day in a separate list. Short Notice Questions can be asked orally in the House after the Question Hour or as the first item in the agenda where there is no Question Hour at a notice shorter than that prescribed for Starred and Unstarred Questions. These must relate to a subject-matter considered by the Chairman to be of urgent public importance.