Privilege motion against PM a rare process

The parliamentary procedure grants priority to a privilege motion over other businesses by treating it as a matter of great importance. Through this, a member brings to the notice of the House that there was a breach of privilege through an event. In this case, the statement of Singh on WikiLeaks is being cited as having caused issue of privilege.

It’s a lengthy process. First stage involves the presiding officer admitting the notice; he/she can dismiss/reject it at the admission stage itself. The Speaker of Lok Sabha/Chairman of Rajya Sabha would examine if it’s of sufficient public importance to be taken up early. The member who has moved the notice may be asked to explain why the notice for privilege motion should be admitted. This itself can become a debate in the House.

The presiding officer may then either reject it or admit it and move it to the Privileges Committee of the relevant House for discussion. Once the two committees complete discussion, they have to submit the report to the respective Houses. It can be debated further on the floor of House but is rarely done.