Q. With reference to the Secretariat of the Parliament, consider the following statements:
1. The Secretariat of the Parliament is a statutory office.
2. The Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha secretariat is appointed by the President.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Exp) Option d is the correct answer.
The Constitution of India provides for a separate secretarial staff for each House of Parliament. Parliament may by law regulate the recruitment and the conditions of service of persons appointed to the secretarial staff of either House of Parliament. The Secretariat functions under the overall guidance and control of the Chairman/ Speaker.
Statement 1 is incorrect. Article 98 of the Indian Constitution states that each House of Parliament shall have separate secretarial staff of its own, though there can be some posts common to both the Houses. Thus, it is a constitutional office and not a statutory office.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The secretariat of each House is headed by a secretary-general. He is a permanent officer and is appointed by the presiding officer of the House (and not the President).
