OTHER INFORMATION
- The Leaders of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha are accorded statutory recognition.
- The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs coordinates plans and arranges Government Business in both Houses of Parliament.
- The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs nominates Members of Parliament on Committees, Councils, Boards and Commissions, etc, set-up by the Government of India in various Ministries (except in case of statutory or other bodies).
- The Ministry conducts Youth Parliament Competition in various categories of schools and colleges / universities.
- The Youth Parliament Scheme was first introduced in the Schools in Delhi in 1966-
- Kendriya Vidyalayas located in and around Delhi were incorporated into the ongoing Scheme for Delhi Schools in
- Subsequently, as separate scheme of Youth Parliament for Kendriya Vidyalayas at the National Level was launched in 1988.
- Similarly, in 1997—98, two new Youth Parliament Schemes at the national level, one for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and the other for Universities/Colleges were launched.
- The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, organizes All India Whips Conference to establish suitable links among the whips of various political parties at the Centre and the States.
- 15 All India Whips Conferences have been organized so far since 1952.
- The last one was held on 10th and 11th February, 2010 at Chandigarh.
- The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs takes follow-up action on matters raised under Rule 377 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha and by way of Special Mentions in Rajya Sabha.
- Also after ‘Question Hour’ in both the Houses of Parliament, Members raise matters of urgent public importance. Though it is not mandatory, Ministers sometimes react to the points made by the Members. In the absence of concerned Minister, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs assures the House or the individual Members that their sentiments would be conveyed to the concerned Ministers.
- The Ministry culls out assurances, promises, undertakings, etc, given by Ministers in both the Houses of Parliament, and forwards them to the concerned Ministries/ Departments for implementation.
- The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs sponsors Government Goodwill Delegation of Members of Parliament to other countries and receives similar Government sponsored delegations of parliamentarians under the exchange programme from other countries through the Ministry of External Affairs.
- The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs looks after the welfare of ailing Members of Parliament admitted for treatment in hospitals in Delhi and renders any assistance required by them.
ADMINISTRATIVE SET-UP
- The Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 are made by the President of India under Article 77 of the Constitution for the allocation of business of the Government of India.
- The Ministries/Departments of the Government are created by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister under these Rules.
- Each of the Ministry(ies) is assigned to a Minister by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Each department is generally under the charge of a Secretary to assist the Minister on policy matters and general administration.
