Wednesday, August 17 2005 16:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Observing that the ruling of the Speaker cannot be questioned except on substantive motion, Lok Sabha Secretary-General P D T Achary has warned that a member who protests against such a ruling commits contempt of the House and the Speaker.

"The Speaker's decision is equally binding whether given in the House or on a departmental file. He is not bound to give reasons for his decisions," said he quoting excerpts from Kaul and Shakdher on Parliamentary Procedures, according to a Lok Sabha bulletin.

Achary said that members could not criticise directly or indirectly, inside or outside the House, any ruling given, opinion expressed or statement made by the Speaker. "If a member desires to make a submission to the Speaker on the floor of the House regarding a ruling, the Speaker may permit the member to do so after satisfying himself that it does not unduly interfere with proceedings of the House," he said. The member making such a submission cannot criticise the decision but can seek elucidation on any point, or request the Chair to consider the ruling in the light of the fact submitted by him, the Secretary-General said requesting members to observe these well-established norms.