Which one of the following statements is *not* correct with regard to quorum of Lok Sabha / Parliamentary Committees ?
Quorum of the House is one-tenth of the total members of the House.
Quorum of a Parliamentary Committee is, as near as may be, one-third of its total members.
The House/Committee cannot commence its sitting without ensuring quorum.
Quorum is ensured only when it is pointed out by a member.
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC SO-Steno – 2017
Statement B is correct. The Rules of Procedure of Parliament generally stipulate that the quorum for a meeting of a Parliamentary Committee shall be, as near as may be, one-third of the total number of members of the Committee.
Statement C is correct. Article 100(4) states that if at any time during a meeting of a House there is no quorum, it shall be the duty of the Chairman or Speaker to adjourn the House or suspend the meeting until there is a quorum. Similar rules apply to committees. Business cannot commence without quorum.
Statement D is incorrect. Quorum must be ensured by the Presiding Officer (Speaker/Chairman or Committee Chairperson) before commencing the sitting and also when the deficiency of quorum is pointed out by a member during the sitting. The requirement of quorum is mandatory for the validity of proceedings; it is not contingent *only* on a member pointing it out. The sitting should not commence or continue without quorum, whether pointed out or not.