COMMITTEE OF PRIVILAGE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Rajya Sabha's privileges committee will meet next week to review the recently reported cases of breach of privilege against members of Parliament (MPs).

Breach of Privilege

• A breach of privilege refers to the violation of the privileges of MPs or Parliament.
• Actions that cast reflections on MPs, Parliament, or its committees can be regarded as breaches of privilege.
• Such actions encompass the publishing of news items, editorials, or statements in newspapers, magazines, TV interviews, or public speeches.

Parliamentary Privilege

• Parliamentary privilege encompasses the rights, immunities, and exemptions granted to Parliament and individual MPs, enabling them to fulfil their constitutional duties effectively.
• When any of these rights and immunities are violated, it constitutes a breach of privilege, subject to legal consequences under parliamentary law.
• A member of either House can initiate proceedings against those found guilty of breaching privilege by submitting a motion in the form of a notice.

Committee of Privileges

• About: It is a Parliamentary Committee present in both the Houses of the Parliament.
• Composition: 15 members in Lok Sabha (10 in case of Rajya Sabha) nominated by the Speaker (Chairman in case of Rajya Sabha).
• Functions: The committee reviews matters related to breaches of privilege.
• The committee outlines the steps for the House to implement its recommendations.
• If the Speaker refers a privilege question to the Committee, the Committee's report is presented to the Speaker, who may make final decisions or have it placed on the House's Table.