What is a Calling Attention ?

Under this procedural device, a member may, with the previous permission of the Speaker, call the attention of a Minister to any matter of urgent public importance and the Minister may make a brief statement or ask for time to make a statement at a later hour or date. There can be no debate on such a statement at the time it is made. But, brief clarifications can be sought from the Minister by a member who has initiated the Calling Attention and other members who are called by the Speaker. The Calling Attention procedure is an Indian innovation. It combines asking a question with supplementaries and making brief comments. In this procedure, Government gets adequate opportunity to state its case. The calling attention matter is not subject to the vote of the House.