UPSC Prelims 2024 Q80: Indian Polity – Parliament & State Legislatures
Which of the following statements about the Ethics Committee in the Lok Sabha are correct?
1. Initially it was an ad - hoc Committee.
2. Only a Member of the Lok Sabha can make a complaint relating to unethical conduct of a
member of the Lok Sabha.
3. This Committee cannot take up any matter which is sub - judice.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Ethics Committee in the Lok Sabha - Key Facts
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Initially it was an ad-hoc Committee | TRUE | The Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha was first constituted as an ad-hoc Committee in 2000 during the 13th Lok Sabha. It was later made a permanent standing committee. |
| 2 | Only a Member of Lok Sabha can make a complaint about unethical conduct of a Lok Sabha member | FALSE | Any person (not just Members) can make a complaint to the Ethics Committee about the unethical conduct of a Lok Sabha member. The complaint must be submitted in writing and supported by an affidavit. |
| 3 | This Committee cannot take up any matter which is sub-judice | TRUE | The Ethics Committee avoids taking up matters that are already under judicial consideration (sub-judice) to prevent conflict with ongoing court proceedings. |
Statements 1 and 3 are correct.
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is correct (initially ad-hoc), but Statement 2 is false - any person, not just MPs, can file a complaint. And Statement 3 is also correct (sub-judice exclusion).
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false - complaints can be made by any person, not just Lok Sabha members. Statement 3 is correct.
- (c) CORRECT. Statement 1 (initially ad-hoc, constituted in 2000) and Statement 3 (cannot take sub-judice matters) are both correct. Statement 2 is false.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is the only false statement. Both 1 and 3 are correct, not all three.
Key point
Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha: initially ad-hoc (2000), later permanent. Any person (not just MPs) can file a complaint. Cannot take up sub-judice matters. Complaints must be in writing with affidavit.
Remember
The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee was initially an ad-hoc body (2000) and cannot take up sub-judice matters. Any person (not just MPs) can file a complaint about a member's unethical conduct.
Common mistakes
- Thinking only MPs can file ethics complaints - any citizen can submit a complaint about a Lok Sabha member's conduct to the Ethics Committee.
- Not knowing the Ethics Committee was initially ad-hoc - it was first set up as a temporary committee in 2000, then made permanent.
- Confusing the Ethics Committee with the Privilege Committee - the Ethics Committee handles violations of ethical norms; the Privilege Committee handles breach of parliamentary privileges.
Exam tip
Ethics Committee = any PERSON can complain (not just MPs). Cannot take sub-judice matters. Started as ad-hoc in 2000, made permanent later. Contrast with Privilege Committee (only members/Speaker can raise privilege questions).
Sources
- Lok Sabha Secretariat - Ethics Committee Rules and Procedure
- NCERT Class 11 Political Science - Chapter 5: Legislature