Rule 267

Rule 267 is a procedural provision in the Lok Sabha’s Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business that governs “motions of urgent public importance” (MUPI). By allowing a member who can demonstrate that a matter bears immediate relevance to the nation to bring it before the House outside the ordinary agenda, the rule creates a fast‑track channel for parliamentary intervention on crises, scandals or sudden policy shifts. Its distinctive feature is the combination of a modest support threshold—typically ten per cent of the total membership—and the Speaker’s discretionary certification of urgency, which together balance minority initiative with the need to prevent frivolous disruptions.

Origins and Legislative Evolution

The original text of Rule 267 was adopted on 26 January 1952, when the first Lok Sabha convened under the Constitution of India. It was modeled on the British “Urgent Question” practice, reflecting the framers’ intent to give elected representatives a mechanism for rapid response without dismantling the regular legislative calendar. The rule remained largely unchanged until the Lok Sabha Secretariat issued an amendment on 12 December 2006, shortening the mandatory notice period from seven days to two days and introducing a requirement that at least 55 members (the ten‑per‑cent floor of the 543‑seat House) sign the motion. A further amendment on 3 March 2019 clarified the definition of “public importance” after the high‑profile NEET paper‑leak protests, stipulating that the issue must affect a “substantial segment of the citizenry” rather than a narrow professional group.

How the Mechanism Operates

A member wishing to invoke Rule 267 must first submit a written notice to the Secretary‑General, indicating the subject and attaching the signatures of the requisite supporting members. Within two days of receipt, the Speaker reviews the notice and decides whether the matter qualifies as urgent public importance; this decision is recorded in the official proceedings. If certified, the motion is placed on the next available day of business, and the House is allotted a maximum of thirty minutes for debate, followed by an immediate vote. The rule also empowers the Speaker to reject a motion deemed “frivolous or vexatious,” in which case the supporting members may re‑submit a revised notice after a ten‑day cooling‑off period.

Key Provisions

• •Notice and Support (Clause a): Written notice must be served at least two days before the scheduled debate; at least 55 members must endorse the motion.
• •Speaker’s Certification (Clause b): The Speaker evaluates urgency based on criteria such as national security, public health, or large‑scale economic impact.
• •Debate Allocation (Clause c): A fixed thirty‑minute window is granted, split equally between the mover and any opposing speaker.
• •Voting Procedure (Clause d): The motion is decided by a simple majority of members present and voting; abstentions are recorded but do not affect the outcome.
• •Rejection Safeguard (Clause e): The Speaker may label a motion “vexatious,” triggering a mandatory ten‑day interval before a new submission on the same