Allotment of time for discussion of the address
16. The Speaker shall, in consultation with the Leader of the House,
allot time for the discussion of the matters referred to in the President's
Address to the Houses under article 87(1) of the Constitution.
Scope of discussion
17. On such day or days or part of any day, the House shall be at liberty
to discuss the matters referred to in such Address on a Motion of Thanks
moved by a member and seconded by another member.
Amendments
18. Amendments may be moved to such Motion of Thanks in such form as
may be considered appropriate by the Speaker.
Other business that may be taken up
19. (1) Notwithstanding that a day has been allotted for discussion
on the President's Address,-
(a) a motion or motions for leave to introduce a Bill or Bills may be
made and a Bill or Bills may be introduced on such day; and
(b) other business of a formal character may be transacted on such day
before the House commences or continues the discussion on the Address.
(2) The discussion on the Address may be postponed in favour of a Government
Bill or other Government business on a motion being made that the discussion
on the Address be adjourned to a subsequent day to be appointed by the
Speaker. The Speaker shall forthwith put the question, no amendment or
debate being allowed.
(3) The discussion on the Address shall be interrupted in the course
of a sitting by an adjournment motion under rule 61.
*1[Right
of reply]
20. (1) The Prime Minister or any other Minister, whether he has previously
taken part in the discussion or not, shall on behalf of the Government
have a general right of explaining the position of the Government at the
end of the discussion and the Speaker may enquire how much time will be
required for the speech so that he may fix the hour by which the discussion
shall conclude.
*2 [(2)The mover or the seconder shall not
have any right of reply after the Prime Minister or any other Minister
has explained the position of the Government at the end of the discussion.]
Time limit for speeches
21. The Speaker may, if he thinks fit, prescribe a time limit for speeches
after taking the sense of the House.
President's Address under art. 86(1)
22. The Speaker may allot time for the discussion of the matters referred
to in the President's Address under article 86 (1) of the Constitution.
Messages from President.
23. Where a message from President for the House under article 86 (2)
of the Constitution is received by the Speaker, he shall read the message
to the House and give necessary directions in regard to the procedure that
shall be followed for the consideration of matters referred to in the message.
In giving these directions, the Speaker shall be empowered to suspend or
vary the rules to such extent as may be necessary.
President's address on prorogation.
24. When the President prorogues the House or Houses, he may address
the House or Houses, as the case may be.
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[*1] Sub. by
LS.Bn. (ii) dated 09-05-1989, para.2930.
[*2] Added ibid.