Which of the following statements about the Ethics Committee in the Lok Sabha are correct ? 1. Initially it was an ad-hoc Committee. 2. Only a Member of the Lok Sabha can make a complaint relating to unethical conduct of a member of the Lok Sabha. 3. This Committee cannot take up any matter which is sub-judice. Select the answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (c)
• The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee was first constituted as an ad-hoc committee in 2000 and made a permanent Standing Committee in 2015 — statement 1 is correct.
• Statement 3 is correct: under the Rules, the Committee does not entertain complaints on matters that are sub-judice, and it also rejects complaints based only on media reports.
• Statement 2 is wrong: any person, not only a member, may complain against a member's unethical conduct, provided the complaint is forwarded through a Lok Sabha member along with evidence and an affidavit.
• The Committee came into the news in 2023 over the 'cash for query' case.
• Hence 1 and 3 only, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: non-members may complain through a member.
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- Statement 2 is wrong; statement 1 on ad-hoc origin is correct.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 2 is wrong, so all three cannot be correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2024, held on 16 June 2024. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.