• BJP president and Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has been named Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha.

• Nadda replaces Union minister Piyush Goyal, who recently won the Lok Sabha election and took oath as a member of the Lower House of Parliament.

• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

Leader of the House

• Leader of the House is an important Parliamentary functionary who plays an important role in the efficient and smooth conduct of the business in the House. 

• The term ‘Leader of the House’ has been defined in the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

• The Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha is normally the Prime Minister, if he/she is its member or a Minister who is a member of the House and is nominated by the Prime Minister to function, as the leader of the House.

• The primary responsibility of the Leader of the House is to maintain coordination amongst all sections of the House for a harmonious and meaningful debate in the House. 

• For this purpose, he remains in close contact not only with the government but also with the Opposition, individual ministers and the Presiding Officer. 

• He/she occupies the first seat (first row) in the Chamber at the right side of the Chairman so that he is easily available to the Presiding Officer for consultation.

• As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States, the Chairman consults the Leader of the House with regard to:

i) The arrangement of government business in the House.

ii) Allotment of days or allocation of time for discussion on the President’s Address.

iii) Discussion on Private Members’ business on any day other than Friday.

iv) Discussion on No Day-Yet-Named Motions.

v) Short Duration Discussions

vi) Consideration and return of a Money Bill. 

• He/she is also consulted by the Chairman in the matter of adjournment or otherwise of the House for the day in case of death of an outstanding personality, national leader or international dignitary.

• In the era of coalition governments, the task of the Leader of the House has become more challenging. 

• He/she ensures that all possible and reasonable facilities are made available to the House for a meaningful discussion on any matter that is brought before it. 

• He/she works as the spokesperson of the House in expressing sense of the House and represents it on ceremonial or formal occasions.

Manorama Yearbook app is now available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store