Lok Sabha Suspensions Decoded: From Allowances to Access, Here's What Suspended MPs Lose

Eight Lok Sabha members suspended on Tuesday will be barred from entering Parliament, attending committee meetings or drawing daily allowances for the duration of their suspension, according to a circular issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat.The circular, circulated to all parliamentary officers, said the suspended lawmakers cannot enter the Lok Sabha chamber, lobbies or galleries. They are also not permitted to participate in the sittings of parliamentary committees or list any House business in their names during the suspension period.The suspended members include Congress lawmakers Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, Dean Kuriakose, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Prashant Padole and Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, along with CPI(M) member S Venkatesan.

All eight were suspended for the remainder of the Budget session for what authorities described as “unruly behaviour.”The action was taken under Rule 374 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, which allows for the suspension of members for the rest of a session.

Under the rule, any notices submitted by the suspended MPs during the period will not be accepted. They are also not allowed to vote in elections to parliamentary committees held while the suspension is in force.The circular further clarified that suspended members are not eligible to receive the daily allowance normally paid to MPs during sittings. “They are not entitled to daily allowance for the period of suspension, if suspended from the service of the House for the remainder of Session, as their stay at place of duty cannot be regarded as ‘residence on duty’,” it said.

What Happened in Parliament Today?

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Wednesday amid repeated disruptions by the opposition over a variety of issues.Amid indications that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may respond to the debate on Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in the evening, the Chair adjourned the House soon after it reassembled at 5 pm.Opposition members were raising slogans as P P Chaudhury of the BJP rose to speak on the motion. Sandhya Rai, chairing the House, adjourned the proceedings within minutes.Displaying banners and placards, Congress and other opposition members were standing in the Well as well as the aisles.