New Delhi 14 December 2009: The Lok Sabha Speaker Smt. Meira Kumar released the 6th revised Edition of the book Practice and Procedure of Parliament by M.N. Kaul and S.L. Shakdher, brought out by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, in the Parliament House Annexe today. Shri P.D.T. Achary, Secretary General, Lok Sabha, is the Editor of the present edition of the book.
Among the dignitaries who attended the function were several Union Ministers, Members of Parliament and former Members of Parliament.
Releasing the Book, the Smt. Kumar said that it is the most comprehensive and authentic volume covering practically all areas of our Parliament’s functioning. Lauding the hardwork and efforts put in by many officers and staff under the guidance of the learned Secretary-General Shri P.D.T. Achary, she hoped that like all its earlier versions, the present edition would receive wide acclaim and will be read by parliamentarians and legislators, political scientists, research scholars, academics, media personnel and all others who have deep interest in our parliamentary polity. Earlier the Secretary-General, Lok Sabha, Shri P.D.T. Achary and the editor of the present edition briefed the august gathering about the main contents of the publication.
The Practice and Procedure of Parliament, authored by two distinguished Secretaries-General of Lok Sabha late Shri M.N. Kaul and Shri S.L. Shakdher has been one of the most authoritative, exhaustive and informative Publications on the subject. First published in 1968, this oft-quoted treatise have been revised in 1972, 1978, 1991 and 2001, mainly to make the publication apposite to time in the background of amendments to the Constitution and existing laws, changes in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, new precedents and conventions, which have evolved over a period. Since its 4th Edition in 1991, the book is an official publication of the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
Several measures, pertaining to the working of the Lok Sabha through procedural innovations and to uphold the dignity of the House have been taken since the book was last revised in 2001. Several initiatives for reaching out to masses were also taken, including launching of an independent 24 hour Lok Sabha Television Channel-the first of its kind for a Parliament to own one, and setting up of a Hi-tech interactive Parliament Museum. To further strengthen the Committee system, seven more Departmentally Related Standing Committees were constituted. The Chapter on Committees also covers information on Parliamentary Forums. Not only these, many new conventions and practices evolved in between, thus necessitating further revision of the publication. The comprehensively updated sixth revised edition has made this publication most exhaustive, authentic and authoritative work.
The publication which has come to be to be regarded as an authority on the practices and procedures of our Parliament, is indeed an indispensable reference work for parliamentarians, legislators, parliamentary officials, political scientists, research scholars and all those, who are interested in the institution of Parliament and its work, procedures and practices, processes and challenges. The Book is priced at Rs. 3,000/- per copy. The Hindi version of the Book which is under revision, will be brought out soon.
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