Calling Attention Motion - UPSC Notes

Motion is a procedural device or a procedure through which questions or a discussion with

respect to India’s constituency or progress or Government’s efforts can be raised in the House on a matter of general public interest. The ministers or a member can initiate the process of a debate by making a motion. One of them is Calling Attention Motion. This concept is of Indian origin.

The most important point here is that Calling Attention Motion gives the members an opportunity to let the people know about the inadequacies of any kind of governmental action on an important matter of public importance. Since it’s a vital topic for the upcoming UPSC exam, let’s discuss it in more detail.

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The Procedure of Calling Attention Motion

Generally, there is no debate on a statement at the time it is made but each Member in whose name the notice stands may, with the permission of the speaker, ask a question. The minister then responds on the matter. This motion is used to draw the attention of the Government. The minister who is in charge of the motion makes a brief statement on the public issue which is urgent and needs to be brought to the notice of the house. It can be introduced by any house in the Parliament whether a Lok Sabha or a Rajya Sabha. Calling attention motion in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha as we can call it, was introduced in 1954.

Not more than one matter shall be raised during the motion. If more than one matter is raised

In this case, then the matter which in the opinion of the speaker is important shall be taken up first. During the parliamentary procedure, many supplementary questions are asked. A member who initiates a Calling Attention may not take more than 7 minutes to present the motion. The minister may make a brief statement or request additional time to make a statement at a later time. In a single session, only a single member can make two call-attention motions. If there is any matter of public importance, it should not be a mode of raising a discussion but to focus attention on the house in a certain way.

Generally, a motion is phrased in such a way that results in taking an action or expressing an opinion. A motion that states that nothing is being done shouldn’t be offered in the first place if the same result is taking place without anything being done. This will lead to confusion if the assembly doesn’t need it.

A member who wants to call attention to a matter of public importance should give written notice through a form available in the Notice Office. This notice has to be taken up by the members through a writing procedure by 10 am and is immediately started after the question hour. It is to be concluded before the lunch break but can at times go beyond the whole day or next day, depending upon the importance of the subject.

The candidates can read more about other relevant topics for their upcoming exams from the links provided below:

Recent Case of Calling Attention Motion in the Lok Sabha

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addressed a Calling Attention Motion in the 2021 winter

session of the Bihar Assembly. Elected representatives were not invited for the inauguration of projects under the PMGSY and MMGSY, and hence a motion was called.

He replied saying that it was compulsory to invite elected public representatives in state government functions, foundation-laying ceremonies and other inaugural events. This information will be helpful for your IAS preparation.

Calling Attention Motion UPSC

This topic is included in the current affairs section of any competitive examination. Calling attention has gained importance in the UPSC syllabus lately. Hence students should study it thoroughly if they want to pursue or prepare for the IAS exam.

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