Question map
Who among the following can attend the meetings of both Houses of Parliament while not being a member of either House ?
Explanation
Under Article 88 of the Indian Constitution, the Attorney General of India (AG) and every Union Minister have the right to speak and participate in the proceedings of either House of Parliament, any joint sitting, and any parliamentary committee of which they are named a member [1]. This right exists even if the individual is not a member of that specific House [3]. Specifically, the AG is a constitutional officer appointed under Article 76 who serves as the chief legal advisor to the government [2]. While the AG enjoys the privileges and immunities of a Member of Parliament, they do not possess the right to vote in the proceedings [4]. In contrast, the Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and presides over it but does not have a general right to participate in the proceedings of the Lok Sabha. The Solicitor General and CAG do not share this specific constitutional right of audience in both Houses [4].
Sources
- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Rights of Ministers and Attorney General > p. 239
- [3] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Rights of Ministers and Attorney General > p. 239
- [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 53: Attorney General of India > RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS > p. 451
- [4] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Meaning > p. 261