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 prorogation of both the
Houses of the Parliament, Govt's stand on Private Members' Bills and
Resolutions.
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
Bills, 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 which drafts the Bills.
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 180 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 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 students community to have intimate knowledge of the working
of Parliament, the Ministry conducts Youth Parliament Competitions in the schools of the Government of
National Capital Territory of Delhi, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas
and Universities/Colleges all over the country.
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 choose certain Members of Parliament
and utilize their expertise and services effectively for winning over their
counterparts in other countries to our side by explaining our policies,
achievements, problems and future visions in various areas. With these
objectives in view, the Ministry sponsors government delegations of Members of Parliament to other countries and
also organises the visits of Government sponsored delegations of MPs from other countries to India.
ORGANISATIONAL SET-UP
1.10 The Ministry continues
to function under the charge of a Cabinet Minister assisted by two Ministers of
State. The names etc of the Cabinet Minister/Ministers of State who held the
charge of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs during the period under report,
are as under:
(a) Shri Pramod Mahajan
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs,
Communications & Information Technology
(The charge of Ministry of Communications was assigned to him with
effect from 1.9.2001).
(b) Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar
Minister of State for
Petroleum & Natural Gas and Parliamentary Affairs.
(c) Shri O. Rajagopal
Minister of State for
Parliamentary Affairs & Railways.
1.10
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.
ORGANISATIONAL CHART OF MINISTRY
OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AS ON 31.12.2001
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SECRETARY
(8-Parliament House, New Delhi-110
001.Tel.-3017663,3034644,
e-mail - mailto:secympa@sansad.nic.in|
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JOINT SECRETARY
(87-Parliament House, New Delhi-110 001.
Tel.-3017893,3034734,
e-mail - jsmpa@sansad.nic.in
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DS(A)
DS(L)
DS(R&C)
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US(A)
US(I)
US(L)
US(C)
US(R&C)
US(WS) |
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SO(A) SO(IFC) SO(I-I) SO(I-II)
SO(L-I) SO(L-II) SO(C)
SO(G) SO(R&C) H.O. SO(WS)
SO(W)
& (L-III)
SO(MINISTER'S
PERSONAL SECTION
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