This is the first time the government has called a secret meeting of the Lok Sabha to discuss delicate matters
The government is considering calling a secret meeting of the Lok Sabha to discuss sensitive issues. Such a meeting has never been called in the country before. It is worth noting that provisions have been made in the Indian Constitution for this type of meeting. During the Chinese invasion in 1962, the opposition had proposed to call a secret meeting.
It is also possible for the Lok Sabha to be called by the central government in secret in terms of discussing sensitive issues, but the provision has yet to be invoked.
According to one constitutional expert, opposition MPs during the Chinese invasion period in 1962 even considered having a secret sitting of the House on this issue. That wasn't acceptable to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at that point.
It must be noted that Chapter 25 of the 'Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha' has sufficient provisions for holding secret meetings at the request of the leader of the House. According to sub-section one of Rule 248, the Speaker may fix any day for a secret sitting of the House at the request of the Leader of the House.
Sub-section two states that no stranger shall be allowed to be present in the Chamber, Lobby, or Gallery when the House is in secret sitting. However, certain persons shall be allowed during such sittings.
According to another rule in the same chapter, the Speaker may direct that a report of the proceedings of a secret sitting be issued in such manner as the Speaker may deem fit. But no other person present shall keep a note or record of any proceedings or decisions of the secret sitting, whether partial or full or issue any report of such proceedings or claim to describe the same.
When it is considered that the necessity of maintaining secrecy in respect of the proceedings of a secret sitting has ceased and is now subject to the consent of the Speaker, the Leader of the House or any authorized member may move a motion that the proceedings during such sitting be no longer treated as secret. If the resolution is passed, the Lok Sabha secretary general will prepare a report of the proceedings of the secret meeting and publish it as soon as possible.
However, the rules warn that disclosure of secret proceedings or meeting proceedings or decisions by any person in any manner will be treated as a gross breach of privilege of the House. Constitutional expert and former Lok Sabha secretary general PDT Acharya said there has been no occasion so far to hold a secret meeting of the House.
He cited his conversations with old timers and said that during the Sino-Indian war in 1962, some opposition members had proposed a secret meeting to discuss sensitive issues. But, Nehru did not agree to it and said that the public should know about it.
