Government Business in Parliament
The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs is entrusted with coordinating, planning and
arranging government business in both Houses of Parliament. In discharge of this function, he is
assisted by two ministers of state. The minister also keeps close and constant contact with the
presiding officers, the leaders as well as chief whips of various parties and groups in both Houses
of Parliament.
Consultative Committees
Functioning of Consultative Committees of Members of Parliament for various ministries is
one of the functions allocated to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs under the Government of
India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961. The minimum membership of a Consultative
Committee is ten and the maximum membership is thirty. The Consultative Committee stands
dissolved upon dissolution of every Lok Sabha and are re-constituted upon constitution of each
Lok Sabha. 35 Consultative Committees attached to various ministries were constituted for 16th
Lok Sabha and 96 meetings were held between June 2016 to May 2017
Youth Parliament Competition
In order to develop democratic ethos in the younger generation the Ministry conducts Youth
Parliament Competitions in various categories of schools and colleges/universities. The ‘Youth
Parliament Scheme’ was first introduced in the schools in Delhi in 1966-67. Kendriya
Vidyalayas located in and around Delhi were incorporated into the ongoing scheme in 1978.
Subsequently, a separate scheme of Youth Parliament for Kendriya Vidyalayas at the national
level was launched in 1988. 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.
All India Whips’ Conference
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, organises All India Whips’ Conference from time to
time with the purpose of establishing suitable links among the whips of various political parties
at the centre and the states/union territories who are concerned with the practical working of the
legislatures to discuss matters of common interest and to evolve high standards to strengthen the
institution of parliamentary democracy. Seventeen All India Whips’ Conferences have been
organized so far since 1952.
Special Mentions
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. After ‘Question Hour’ in Lok Sabha members raise matters of urgent
public importance at 12.00 noon. In Rajya Sabha members raises matters of urgent public
importance at 11.00 am. Though it is not mandatory, ministers often react to the points made by
the members. In the absence of concerned minister, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs assures
the House or the member that their sentiments would be conveyed to the concerned ministers.
Implementation of Assurances
The Ministry culls out from the printed daily proceedings, assurances, promises,
undertakings, etc., given by ministers in both the Houses of Parliament, and forward them to the