IITR MUN

LOK SABHA
The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of India's bicameral Parliament,
with the upper house being the Rajya Sabha. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by adult
universal suffrage and a first-past-the-post system to represent their respective
constituencies, and they hold their seats for five years or until the body is dissolved by the
President on the advice of the council of ministers.

RULES & REGULATIONS

1) SEATING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY MEMBERS:

The layout of the Chamber of the Committee should resemble as far as possible the layout of the
Chamber of Lok Sabha.

• Ruling party to sit on the right side of the chair.

• Opposition and other alliances to sit on the left side of the chair
 Both sides approx. equal in no.

2) LANGUAGE:

• Both English or Hindi are allowed in all the committees

• Only 1 particular use of language while debating i.e. during one speech, no ‘Hinglish’ allowed.
3)PROCEDURE:

The following procedure shall take its course during the 3-day session of the Committee.

• For Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha

a) National Anthem
b) Oath of Speaker
c) Statements from the members of the house
d) Discussion Hour
e) Question Hour
f) Zero Hour
g) Introduction of Bills
h) Reading of Bills (discussion and amendments)
i) Voting (simple majority)

Note

• An informal session or adjournment of maximum 15 minutes can be allotted to the house on

the sole discretion of the chair.

• In case there is no bill available to be introduced the house will return to Discussion Hour.

• For the benefit of debate the chairperson has the right to start the second day directly from
any point; however, the same shall be informed at the end of day.
• An informal session or adjournment of maximum 15 minutes can be allotted to the house on the sole
discretion of the chair.
• The chairperson has the authority to put into effect any order or procedure that the chairperson may
feel is required for the proper functioning.

4. OATH OR AFFIRMATION:
A newly elected member of the House is required to make an oath or affirmation at the
commencement of a sitting of the House. The prescribed form of oath or affirmation is:
“I........., having been elected (or nominated) a member of (Committee) House of the People do swear
in the name of God/solemnly affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of
India as by law established, that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India and that I will
faithfully discharge the duty upon which I am about to enter."
5. STATEMENTS FROM THE HOUSE :
After establishing quorum, the speaker will ask for statements from the members. A total of 8
members (4 each from government and opposition) are given time on the floor to make statements.
The leader of the house is the default first speaker and the leader of opposition is the default last
speaker. However, they may pass on their chance to speak to whomever they wish to.

The other 6 speakers are chosen by the discretion of the chair when the MPs are asked for statements.
• The maximum time allowed to make statements is two minutes.
• Agendas for discussion hour (explained in the next section) are allowed to be sent once first two
speakers have given their statements.

6. DISCUSSION HOUR:
A discussion hour is the time allotted (maximum half hours) for the discussion on sub-agenda, which
the members feel, should be discussed in front of the house. The total time of all the discussion shall
be an hour.
• All agendas for discussion hour are supposed to be sent prior the commencement of discussion hour.
• Agendas for discussion hour are allowed to be sent once first two speakers have given their opening
statements.
• The process of putting up agendas for a discussion is in writing and follows the given format:
Name of the constituency
Topic of the discussion
Total Duration (not to exceed 30 minutes)
Individual Speaker Time (not to exceed 60 seconds)
• The speaker shall keep the agendas in chronological order and first put the agenda to vote which is
received first on the Dias.
• The chairperson may withdraw any agenda he/she feels is not related to the agenda. However,
he/she has to notify the particular MP of the same on which the MP is allowed to send a chit explaining
why the agenda should not be withdrawn.
• On receiving the agenda, the speaker will ask for seconds. An agenda requires 1/5th support of the
house to enable it to be put to vote.
• On receiving required seconds the chairperson will put the agenda to vote and a simple majority of
placard vote decides the result.
• An extension to a discussion hour may be obtained if the total time does not exceed 30 minutes.
Note: All points except points of information are allowed in the discussion hour.

7. QUESTION HOUR:
It is the one hour after the discussion hour where the members of the house are free to ask questions
to each other on matters pertaining to agenda or on a national emergency provided that such a
question is sent in writing to the said member via the speaker and with his due approval before the
commencement of question hour.
• The question has been defined as an instrument by which a member can elicit information on any
matter of public importance.
• Starred Questions: Meant for oral answers
• Unstarred Questions: Meant for written answers
• The sender MP is allowed to ask a supplementary question, with the permission of the Chairperson,
after the reply is obtained from the Minister concerned for starred questions.
• The chit on which the question is sent has to be properly marked/written as Starred or Unstarred to
be in proper format.
• Any Starred question may be changed to unstarred on the discretion of the chair. The chair shall
notify the sender of the same.
• Answers to Unstarred questions are mandatory and have to be sent to the recipient MP via the
chairperson before the end of question hour.
• Not more than two starred questions are allowed to be asked to a member.
• The maximum questions, starred or unstarred, a member is entitled to send is 20 per day.
• If it contains a statement, the member shall make himself responsible for the accuracy of the
statement.
• It shall not contain arguments, inferences, ironical expressions, Imputations, epithets or defamatory
statements.
• It shall not ask as to the character or conduct of any person except in his official or public capacity

• It shall not ordinarily exceed 150 words.

• It shall not relate to a matter which is not primarily the concern of the Government of India.
• It shall not make or imply a charge of a personal character.
• It shall not raise questions of policy too large to be dealt with within the limits of an answer to a
question.
• It shall not repeat in substance questions already answered or to which an answer has been refused
• It shall not ordinarily ask for information on matters of past history
• It shall not raise matters under the control of bodies or persons not primarily responsible to the
Government of India
• It shall not ask or information on matter which is under adjudication by a court of law having
jurisdiction in any part of India The Speaker shall decide whether a question, or a part thereof, is or is
not admissible under these rules and may disallow any question, or a part thereof, when in his opinion
it is an abuse of the right of questioning or is calculated to obstruct or is in contravention of these
rules. Note: All points except points of information are allowed in the question hour

8. Zero Hour:
• It starts immediately after the Question Hour.
• During the Zero Hour any question pertaining to agenda or a national emergency can be raised by a
member without any prior written request.
• The Zero Hour can extend to any period depending upon the Speaker's direction.
• The Government is not obliged to answer any of the questions raised in the Zero Hour.
• The chairperson shall choose the MPs on his discretion.

Note: All points except points of information are allowed in the zero hour
9. CALLING ATTENTION NOTICE:
• The calling attention notice has to be sent to in written to the chairperson who shall use the time
between two procedural hours that is Discussion Hour and Question Hour or Question Hour &
Question Hour and Zero Hour for the same. However the chairperson is allowed to allow calling
attention notice at any time if the matter of emergency or has to be resolved urgently.
• The Opposition gets a chance to criticize the Government and its policies.

Procedure:
The Speaker calls the name of the member (or members) in whose name the item has been
mentioned. On being called, the member raises in his/her seat, calls the attention of the Minister
concerned, and requests him/her to make a statement on the matter. The form, in which the member
calls the attention, is as follows:
I call the attention of the Minister...............................................to the following matter of public
importance and I request that he/she may make a statement there on.

• The Minister then makes a statement of facts. The member or members, in whose name or names
the notice has been issued, are permitted to ask questions.
• The Minister after hearing all the questions raised by the Members will give a consolidated reply
thereto and after that, there would be no further discussion on the matter.

10. ADJOURNMENT MOTION (OPTIONAL)

Any matter which is of urgent importance and which is so grave that it affects their interest and safety
of the country can be raised through an adjournment motion. In order that the adjournment motion be
admitted, it must
1. Be related to a single specific issue
2. Be urgent, and
3. Be of public importance.
11. NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION (OPTIONAL)
• The moment the Lok Sabha expresses its no-confidence in the Ministry the Prime Minister and his/her
Ministers have to leave. Thus the Prime Minister and his/her Council of Ministers are collectively
responsible to the Lok Sabha.
• For the benefit of debate this motion shall not be allowed to be raised before the second day of
committee.
• The member who wishes to raise this particular motion shall take proper permission before raising
this motion.
• On receiving the agenda, the speaker will ask for support. For this motion to pass it shall require an
affirmative vote of 40 members.
• The Chairperson in this motion shall allow every question necessary to determine the decision of the
House on the motion.
• The chairperson will allot specific time period for speeches and will allow as many speakers as
possible in this particular motion.
• After the members have spoken on the motion, the Prime Minister gives a reply to the charges
levelled against his/her government. The mover of the motion has the right to reply.
• When the chairperson feels there has been sufficient debate on the question he shall put forward the
motion to vote.

12. PRIVILEGE MOTION

• It is a motion raised by a Member of Parliament. He charges the Minister with committing a breach of
the privilege of the House by withholding or distorting facts.
• The motion can be raised at any time in the parliament
• The Minister is given a chance to reply and the MP who has raised the motion is allowed to ask
supplementary questions.
 13. ANTI-DEFECTION LAW/ ANTI-DEFECTION MOTION:
If a member of the parliament votes (or abstains) against the directives issued by his/her party, without
the written permission of the said party, the member stands to be disqualified on grounds of defection
if such a request is made to the speaker by the leader of the party in the house or in case of the leader
standing on defection- any member of the house belonging to that party. In case of single-seat parties,
the defection is to be decided at the discretion of the speaker.

Law-making is a major function of Parliament and, therefore, in the Committee the legislative business
should form an important part. The proposal is given the shape of a Bill and introduced in Parliament.
Bills are either Government Bills, which are sponsored by Ministers, or private members' bills, which are
sponsored by individual members other than members.

Each Bill undergoes three Readings

First Reading
• The First Reading means a motion for permission to introduce a Bill. ON the adoption of the motion
the Bill is introduced.
• We will skip the first reading as it only seeks leave to introduce a bill.

The Second Reading:

 There are two stages in the Second Reading of the bill. In the first stage, the motion that the Bill be
taken into consideration is adopted. [This is followed by discussion on the principles of the bill].
 In the second stage, clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill is taken up. Notices of amendment are
given any time after the introduction of a Bill. An amendment is admissible if it is within the scope of
the bill. After the introduction of the bill, the minister concerned formally moves that the bill be
taken up for consideration.

 The minister will say; "sir, I beg to move that the bill be taken into consideration." The Minister then
makes a brief introductory speech outlining of the importance of the Bill. After this the Speaker
formally places the motion before the house with the announcement that "The motion is that the
...... Bill is taken into consideration."

 This is followed by a discussion in which the members from either side can take part after giving prior
notice of their intention to the secretary-general. It may be noted that the discussion should be held
on the general principles and provisions of the Bill.

 The Speaker asks members from both the Treasury and the Opposition benches to speak on the bill.
After the discussion, the Minister concerned makes a closing speech and winds up the discussion.

 The motion for consideration is then put to the house. After it has been adopted, clause-by-clause
discussion of the bill takes place. Amendments, if any, are permitted and voted upon.

The Third Reading:

In the Third Reading the Minster concerned moves that the bill be passed. The Speaker then puts the
question before the house in these words:
The Question is that the ......Bill, 199... be passed. Those in favour will say "Aye, those against will be 'No.'
after taking the voice vote, he/she declares thrice that Ayes (or Noes) have it. He will then say that 'the
Bill is passed (not passed)", as the case may be.

It may be noted that for passing an ordinary Bill a simple majority is required and for Bills pertaining to
Constitutional Amendments two-thirds majority is necessary.

15. PRIVELEDGES TO THE MPs

These privileges in the form of permission or points are allowed at all times when a speaker is not
speaking or immediately after the speaker has finished speaking.

Point of Information is not allowed at certain times as mentioned above in relevant sections.
PERMISSION TO RAISE A MOTION
A MP at any time can raise his/her placard and seek permission from the chair to raise a motion.

POINT OF INQUIRY
Enquiry about parliamentary procedures and conduct to the chair

POINT OF ORDER
This may be introduced in order to complain about improper parliamentary procedures; however the
Chair may overrule the point.

RIGHT TO REPLY
If a particular member present feels that a grave (or false) statement has made by others towards that
member, he/she may privilege the right of reply.

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEDGE

This may be used in order to remove a personal discomfort.

POINT OF INFORMATION: This may be used to put up questions on a members’ statement.

Consideration for Drawing up the Merit List:
Although the executive board shall have its own criteria of deciding they shall keep in view the
following points while assessing the performances of speakers.
• Marks [TOTAL 100]
(i) Discipline and Decorum (10)
(ii) Observance of Parliamentary procedures (20)
(iii) Selection of Subjects for Questions and Supplementaries and Quality of Answers thereto (20)
(iv) Selection of Subjects for Debates (10)
(v) Delivery or Quality of Speeches delivered, Standard of Debate (30)
vi) General Assessment of the Performance as a whole (10)
Chits: All the chits will be marked and will have significant weight age while deciding the final awards.
• Party Policy & Role Rehearsal
17. IMPORTANT POINTS TO BE KEPT IN MIND
1. Attire Indian/Western formals STRICTLY. Indian Wear is encouraged.
2. Laptops allowed.
3. No internet usage allowed inside the house.
4. Two most important parts of the list of business of a ‘Committee’ are the ‘Questions’ and the
‘Debate’ or ‘Discussion’
6. The participants are encouraged to tap desks in agreement.

Please Note: Committee shall not allow any statement against any religion or debate on acts of
government against any particular religion. The same shall lead to expulsion of MP from the house for a
time period of 10 Minutes.

 In case of any discrepancy, the final say rests with Team Thomso, IIT Roorkee.
IITR- MUN
UNHRC COMMITTEE
Introduction
True to the spirit of the United Nations, this event strives to foster a
constructive forum for open dialogue on complex global issues, including
international peace and security, and economic and social progress. During
the conference, students learn the importance of balancing national interests
with the needs of the international community, while also learning about the
powers and limitations of international negotiation. Delegates will preserve
their countries’ national policy while negotiating in the face of other,
sometimes conflicting, international policies.

Proceedings
Formal debate
 Formal opening speech will be presented to the committee.
 Debate will begin with the chair creating the speakers list.
 Delegates will be called on from the speakers list.
 Each speaker will be allotted 3 mins to deliver.

Moderated Caucus
 Delegates raise placards when the chair calls for the speaker.
 Each speaker will be allotted 1 min to deliver.
 Delegates must motion for then vote on a moderated caucus.

Unmoderated Caucus
 Delegates move around freely and talk
 Allows negotiation or working or draft language in groups
 Delegates must motion for and then vote on unmoderated caucus.

Precedence
 A motion takes precedence over another if it is more disruptive.
 Motion of the same type of caucus will take precedence if they are longer.
Resolution
 Once there is only 1 resolution for the committee, they will begin a “Formal
Informal” meeting, where the Chair will lead the committee through a paragraph by
paragraph review of the resolution, making sure the committee has consensus on
every part of the resolution, and making amendments as needed to find consensus.
 In case committee fails to conclude on one resolution, the resolution with 2/3rd
majority will be accepted.

Basic points and motions

Point of personal privilege
 Used to inform the chair of a discomfort or disadvantage.
E.g.-If you are unable to see or hear the chair.

Point of inquiry
 Used to ask the chair a question about procedure.
E.g.- if you are not sure if a resolution has been passed.

Point of order
 Used when a delegate thinks the chair made a mistake.
E.g.- if a chair makes a procedural mistake.
Warning: Can be seen as rude by some chair.

Motion for a moderated Caucus

 Used to introduce a moderated caucus.
 Requires seconds and a simple majority vote.
 Need to stipulate a length, speaker’s time and a topic in the motion.

Motion for an unmoderated Caucus

 Used to introduce an Unmoderated Caucus.
 Requires seconds and simple majority vote.
 Only need to stipulate a length.
Motion to limit debate
 Used to restrict a debate to a topic, resolution or amendment.
 Requires seconds and simple majority vote.
 Only need to stipulate what you are limiting to.

Rules
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
 Official and working languages English shall be the official and working language
of all committees during formal and informal debate.

DECORUM
 Delegates are to obey instruction given by MUN staff. Those who do not
obey directions will be dismissed from the conference.

SECRETARIAT
 Statements by the Secretariat, the Secretary-General or his representative may
make oral as well as written statements to any committee concerning any issue.
 General Functions of the Secretariat: The Chairperson shall declare the opening
and closing of each meeting and may propose the adoption of any procedural
motions to which there is no significant objection. The Chair, subject to these
rules, shall have complete control of the proceedings at any meeting and shall
moderate discussion, announce decisions, rule on points or motions, and ensure
and enforce the observance of these rules. The Chair may temporarily transfer
his or her duties to another member of the committee staff. All procedural
matters in committee are subject to the discretion of the Chair. The Chair may
undertake any action that is not covered in the Rules of Procedure in order to
facilitate the flow of debate at the conference.

AGENDA
 The Secretary-General or his/her representative shall communicate the agenda
to the delegates before the conference.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
 Country assignment policy: Country assignments are determined by a variety of
factors, including Model United Nations experience, number of delegates
requested, and answers to registration questionnaire inquiries.

 Speakers List: The Chair shall open the speakers list for each topic to be
discussed at the request of a delegate. Any delegate wishing to be added to the
speakers list shall indicate so when asked by the Chair or shall submit such a
request in writing to the dais.

 Limitation of Speaking Time: The Chair may limit the time allotted to each
speaker. However, delegates can motion to increase or decrease the speaking
time, which will be voted upon by the committee or council. When a delegate
exceeds his or her allotted time, the Chair may call the speaker to order without
delay.

 Speeches: No delegate may address the body without the previously obtained
permission of the Chair. The Chair may call a speaker to order if his/her remarks
are not relevant to the subject under discussion. The Chair shall enforce the time
limit as described by Rule 9.

 Yielding Time: The delegate, who has been recognized by the Chair to address
the body on a substantive issue, may yield any time following their remarks after
their speech. Yields may be made in three ways: to another delegate, to points
of information (questions), or to the Chair.

 Yield to another delegate. His/her remaining time shall be given to another

delegate. Yield to questions. Delegates shall be selected by the Chair to ask one
question per speech. The Chair has the right to call order to any delegate whose
question is, in the opinion of the Chair, not designed to elicit information.
Answers to questions are limited to the time remaining in a delegate's speech.
Yield to the Chair. Such a yield should be made if the delegate does not wish
his/her speech to be subject to comments. The Chair shall then move on to the
next speaker.

 Once a delegate yields his/her time, the second delegate (the one who has been
yielded to) may not yield any remaining time.
  Right of Reply: The Chair may recognize the Right of Reply only in instances of a
grave personal insult. Rights of Reply must be submitted in writing to the Chair,
and may only be granted after a speech is completed. The Chair shall inform the
Secretary-General of the circumstances surrounding the Right of Reply. No ruling
on this matter is subject to appeal.

 Appeal to the Chair’s Decision An appeal is made when a delegate feels that the
Chair has made an incorrect ruling. The delegate formally challenges the Chair in
writing by sending a note to the dais, moving to appeal the Chair's decision. The
appeal will be taken to the Deputy-Secretary General who will decide if the
appeal will be considered. Once the motion is acknowledged, the Deputy-
Secretary General will hear from both the delegate and the Chair before making
a decision.

 COMMENTS: If a substantive speech is followed by no yields, the Moderator

may recognize two delegations, other than the initial speaker, to comment for
thirty seconds each on the specific content of the speech just completed.
Delegates who make comments may not yield. No comments will be in order
during debate on procedural motions, moderated caucus, or debate on
amendments.

RESOLUTIONS
 Submission Of Working Papers, Draft Resolutions, and Amendments Working papers, draft
resolutions, and amendments shall be submitted to the Director typed and with the proper
number of signatures (see Resolutions Submission Process.). The Chair may permit
discussion and consideration of proposals and amendments once approved, even if the
documents have not been circulated through the committee.

 Introducing Draft Resolutions Once a draft resolution has been approved by the Director and
has been copied and distributed, a delegate may raise a motion to introduce the draft
resolution, which is automatically approved and does not require a vote. The content of the
introduction shall be limited to summarizing the operative clauses of the draft resolution.
Such an introduction shall be considered procedural in nature, hence yields and comments
are out of order. Additional questions and comments regarding the resolution are
encouraged to be raised through the speakers list and yields.
o Amendments Both friendly and unfriendly amendments require the approval of the
Chair. An amendment is considered friendly if all of the sponsors of the initial draft
resolution are signatories of the amendment. Such an amendment is adopted
automatically. Unfriendly amendments are a decision of the Committee. An
unfriendly amendment must have the approval of the Director and the signatures by
20% of the committee. Amendments to amendments are out of order.

VOTING
 Methods of Decision: All procedural decisions, except for the closure and
adjournment of debate, shall be made by a simple majority of the delegations
present. Delegations physically present in the committee may not abstain on
procedural motions. Decisions on draft resolutions and amendments shall require a
simple majority in favour. However, the passage of all resolutions and amendments
in the Security Council requires nine affirmative votes and an affirmative vote or an
abstention on the part of all permanent members (People's Republic of China,
France, Russian Federation, United States of America and United Kingdom).

 Voting Rights: Each present delegation shall have one vote. Observing nations and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) cannot vote on substantive matters. Each
vote may be a Yes, No, or Abstain. On procedural motions, members may not
abstain. Members “present and voting” shall be defined as members casting an
affirmative or negative vote (no abstentions) on all substantive votes.

 Conduct While In Voting Procedure After the Chair has announced the beginning of
voting, no representative may enter or leave the room, nor shall any representative
interrupt the voting except on a Point of Personal Privilege, Point of Inquiry, or a
Point of Order in connection with the actual conduct of the voting. Communication
between delegates is strictly forbidden. A member of the staff shall secure the doors
during voting procedure.

 Method of Voting: Delegations may vote in favour of or against a proposal or may

abstain from voting. The committee shall normally vote by show of placards, but any
delegate may request a roll call vote on substantive matters. The roll call vote shall
be taken in alphabetical order of the English names of the countries present.
  During a roll call vote, delegations may answer with an affirmative vote, a negative
vote, an abstention (when appropriate) or may pass. Delegations passing in the first
round of voting will be called upon alphabetically in a second round, at which time
they may only answer with an affirmative or negative vote. Delegations that appear
to be voting out of policy, while casting an affirmative or negative vote, may reserve
the right to explain their vote by Voting with Rights. Delegations must announce that
they are Voting with Rights at the time they cast their vote. The Chair may permit
delegations Voting with Rights to explain their votes after voting has concluded but
before the decision has been announced.

 Order of Draft Resolutions: If two or more draft resolutions relate to the same
question, the committee shall vote on the resolutions in the order in which they
have been submitted.

 Voting on Unfriendly Amendments During the voting procedure on a substantive

proposal, unfriendly amendments to a resolution shall be voted on first. When two
or more amendments are proposed to a resolution concurrently, the committee
shall first vote on the amendment that creates the greatest change to the draft
resolution, as deemed by the Chair, and then the amendment that creates the
second greatest change to the resolution. This process continues until all
amendments are voted upon. Where, however, the adoption of the amendment
necessarily implies the rejection of another amendment (as decided by the Chair),
the latter amendment shall not be put to a vote. If one or more amendments are
adopted, the amended proposal shall then be voted upon. Amendment voting is a
substantive procedure and adoption requires the simple majority consent of the
delegations present.

 Passage of Resolutions: If a vote does not result in a simple majority* in favour, the
resolution shall be regarded as rejected. A simple majority requires fifty percent of
the members present during the last role call, plus one. Example: 99 members
present requires 49.5 (50%) + 1= 50.5=51 affirmative votes.

SUSPENSION OF THE RULES

 Suspension of The Rules: These rules may only be suspended following a majority vote.
Any motion to suspend the rules is subject to the Chair’s discretion.

 In case of any discrepancy, the final say rests with Team Thomso, IIT Roorkee.