In 1952, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha published their respective Rules of Procedure. These Rules laid down the details of how the two Houses would function. They also specified the different procedural mechanisms by which Members of Parliament (MPs) could participate in the functioning of the two legislative chambers. These rules have changed over the last seven decades, but the basic principles remain unchanged.
When it is business as usual…
To raise matters in the House, MPs must inform the presiding officers (the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of Lok Sabha) in advance. This requirement ensures the government can collect information to respond to the MPs.
The government also has its agenda of Bills and budgets. It too is required to give advance information so MPs can prepare themselves for the debate. The secretariat of each House compiles the notices from the government and individual MPs into a list of business for a day in Parliament. And MPs can only discuss a matter that is on the day’s business.