Speaker announces research initiative for members

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Monday announced a new programme "Speaker's Research Initiative" which will provide information to members on various issues of topical interest such as Goods and Services Tax and millennium development goals (MDGs).

Mahajan told media persons here that the members will be briefed by experts and also provided with short written notes.

"It will be a support system for MPs," she said, adding that the programme would start in the first week of August, and office space will be provided for it.

Mahajan said it was also decided to increase the number of members allowed to raise matters under Rule 377 from the present 20 to 30.

Matters which are not points of order or which cannot be raised under the rules relating to questions, short notice questions, calling attention motions etc., can be raised under Rule 377.