ETHICS COMMITTEE

• The procedure for raising questions is governed by Rules 32 to 54 of the “Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha” and Directions 10 to 18 of the “Directions by the Speaker, Lok Sabha‟.
• To ask a question, an MP has to first give a notice addressed to the lower house’s Secretary-General, intimating their intention to ask a question
• The notice usually contains the text of the question, the official designation of the Minister to whom the question is addressed, the date on which the answer is desired, and the order of preference, in case the MP tables more than one notice of questions for the same day
• According to 'Question Hour in Parliament' - “A Member is allowed to give not more than five notices of questions, both for oral and written answers, in all, for any day. Notices received in excess of five from a Member for a day, are considered for the subsequent day(s) concerning that Minister(s) during the period of that session only,”
• Usually, the period of notice of a question isn’t less than 15 days.
• There are two ways through which MPs can submit the notices of their questions. First, through an online ‘Member’s Portal’, where they have to enter their ID and password to get access. Second, through the printed forms available in the Parliamentary Notice Office
• The next stage is when the Speaker of Lok Sabha examines the notices of the questions in the light of the laid out rules. It is the Speaker, who decides if a question, or a part thereof, is or isn’t admissible

• There are four different types of questions: starred, unstarred, short-notice questions and questions addressed to private Members
• A starred question is asked by an MP and answered orally by the Minister-in-charge.
• Each MP is allowed to ask one starred question per day. Starred questions have to be submitted at least 15 days in advance (so that the Minister-in-charge has the time to prepare the answers) and only 20 questions can be listed for oral answers on a day. When a question is answered orally, supplementary questions can be asked thereon
• An unstarred question receives a written reply from the Ministry. These also need to be submitted at least 15 days in advance. Only 230 questions can be listed for written answers in a day. Unlike starred questions, unstarred questions don’t permit any follow-up questions
• While starred questions are better suited to inquire about the government’s views on issues and its policy inclination, unstarred questions are more conducive for getting answers to queries related to data or information, according to a report by PRS Legislative Research.
• Short notice questions are ones pertaining to a matter of urgent public importance. They can be asked with less than 10 days’ notice, with reasons for the short notice. Like a starred question, they are answered orally, followed by supplementary questions.
• The question to a private Member is addressed to the MP themselves. It is asked when the subject matter pertains to any Bill, Resolution or any matter relating to the Business of the House for which that MP is responsible

• Drafting and maintaining a code of conduct or ethical guidelines for members of parliament. This code outlines expected behavior, such as avoiding conflicts of interest, financial transparency, and proper use of parliamentary resources
• Investigating allegations of ethical violations by members of parliament. This could involve cases of corruption, misuse of power, conflicts of interest, or breaches of the parliamentary code of conduct.
• Recommending sanctions or penalties for members found to have violated ethical standards. Sanctions may range from warnings and reprimands to suspension or expulsion from parliament, depending on the severity of the violation.
• Promoting transparency in the financial affairs of members of parliament, such as disclosure of financial interests, assets, and liabilities
• Reporting the committee's findings and recommendations to the parliament for further action or debate