CHAPTER - I
INTRODUCTION AND ORGANISATIONAL SET-UP
Introduction
1.1 In a Parliamentary form of Government, the day-to-day working of the Parliamentary system makes large claims on time and resources of the various Ministries/Departments. Over a period of time, Parliamentary programme covers numerous intricate matters-financial, legislative and non-legislative-concerning various Ministries/Departments of the Government. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, though small in size, is one of the key Ministries of the Union Government. The task of efficiently handling diverse and enormous parliamentary work on behalf of the Government in the Parliament has been assigned to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. As such, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs serves as an important link between the two Houses of Parliament and the Government in respect of Government Business in Parliament. Created in May, 1949 as a Department entrusted mainly with the above function, it is now a full-fledged Ministry.
1.2 The functions assigned to the Ministry under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 framed under Article 77(3) of the Constitution of India are in Appendix - I.
1.3 The Ministry renders secretarial assistance to the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, which, inter-alia recommends summoning of both the Houses of the Parliament and their prorogation.
1.4 The Ministry keeps a close contact with the Ministries /Departments of the Government in respect of Bills pending in the Parliament, new Bills to be introduced and Bills to replace Ordinances. The Ministry keeps a watch over the progress of Bills from the stage of approval by the Cabinet till the Bill is passed by both Houses of the Parliament. In order to ensure smooth passage of Bill in Parliament, officials of the Ministry have to be in constant touch with the officials of Ministries/ Departments sponsoring the Bills and the Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs who drafts the Bill.
1.5 The Ministry constitutes Consultative Committees of Members of Parliament and makes arrangements for holding their meetings both during the session and the inter-session periods. At present, there are 29 such Committees attached to various Ministries which were required to hold about 177 meetings in a year. The guidelines regarding the composition and functioning of these Committees are formulated by this Ministry. Notifications in respect of any Sub-Committees/Study Groups to be set up by the Consultative Committees are also issued by this Ministry.
1.6 .The Ministry pursues with the other Ministries for prompt and proper implementation of assurances given by Ministers in the Parliament.
1.7 There are also several other items of work allocated to this Ministry which involve liaison between Members of Parliament, two Secretariats of Parliament and the various Ministries. Looking after the welfare and amenities of the Members is also an important function assigned to this Ministry. The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs nominates Members on various Committees, Councils, Boards and Commissions set up by the Government. The Ministry also administers the Salaries and Allowances of Officers of Parliament Act. 1953, the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954, the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977 and the Leaders and Chief Whips of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Act, 1998.
1.8 With a view to strengthening the roots of democracy and inculcating habits of discipline and tolerance and for enabling the student community to have intimate knowledge of the working of Parliament, the Ministry conducts Youth Parliament Competitions amongst students of schools in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi as well as under the Kendriya Vidyalayas Sangathan all over the country. As a part of celebration of Golden Jubilee year of India's Independence, the Vidyalayas of Navodaya Vidyalayas Samiti have been included for the first time in the scheme of National Youth Parliament Competitions on the pattern of Kendriya Vidyalayas and a scheme of Youth Parliament was also launched for the first time in Universities/Colleges all over the country in cooperation with University Grants Commission and Association of Indian Universities during 1997-98. The Ministry has also been conducting Parliamentary Quiz Competitions among students of Senior Secondary Schools and Colleges on Parliamentary Procedures, Constitutional provisions and the history of the freedom movement.
1.9 Parliamentarians in any country contribute to the shaping of foreign policy and relations with other countries. Particularly in the present international scenario, it is necessary and useful for the Government of India to chose certain members of Parliament and utilize their services effectively for winning over their counterparts in other countries to our side by explaining our policies, achievements and problems in various areas. With these objectives in view, the Ministry sponsors the delegations of Members of Parliament to other countries and also organises the visits of Government sponsored Parliamentary Delegations from other countries to India.
Organisational Set-Up
1.10 Shri Madan Lal Khurana, relinquished the charge of the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs on 30.1.99. Sh. P. R. Kumaramangalam, the Minister of Power, was entrusted the additional charge of the office of the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs w.e.f. 30.1.1999. Shri R.K. Kumar relinquished office of the Minister of State with effect from 22nd May, 1998. Shri Dilip Ray, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Coal, assumed the additional charge of the office of the Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs with effect from 22nd May, 1998. Shri Ram Naik continues to be the Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs with effect from 19.3.1998.
1.11 On the administrative side, Ministry is headed by a Secretary to the Government of India who is assisted by one Joint Secretary, three Deputy Secretaries and six under Secretaries.
1.12 The Highlights of working of the Ministry during the year 1998-99 can be glanced through at Appendix-II.
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