Minutes of the Meeting

Summary

These minutes, issued by the Swatantra Party Parliamentary Office on July 10, 1967, record a General Body meeting held in Parliament House, New Delhi, on July 7. The document lists twenty members present and addresses internal party discipline, including advance notice of absences, the regular scheduling of General Body meetings, and the handling of members who miss meetings without informing the party.

The minutes also discuss a proposed parliamentary delegation to Mazar-i-Sharif, coordination with Jan Sangh, SSP, and PSP delegations, committee nominations, the selection of parliamentary speakers, and the responsibilities of whips and secretaries. The final section, headed “Secretaries,” records members’ speaking preferences on ministry demands and tabulates areas of broad agreement or excessive demand, including Home, External Affairs, Defence, Planning, Food and Agriculture, Commerce, and Communications. The document concludes by restating that members may raise questions and motions independently but should consult the party before moving policy-related bills.

Key points

• The meeting was held on July 7, 1967, with Prof. N. G. Ranga in the chair and twenty members recorded as present.
• The party moved its regular General Body meeting from Friday to Monday at 6 p.m., unless otherwise notified.
• A proposed parliamentary delegation to Mazar-i-Sharif was discussed, including possible coordination with Jan Sangh, SSP, and PSP.
• Members considered procedures for committee nominations, speaker selection, and maintaining records of members available in Delhi.
• Whips were assigned responsibility for coordinating speakers, supporting committee elections, and reporting members’ movements.
• Secretaries were expected to monitor House proceedings, issue meeting notices, prepare agendas, and communicate members’ complaints to party leadership.
• A speaking-time table records areas of broad agreement and subjects where the number of prospective speakers exceeded available time.