The recent development in the Indian government has caught nation-wide attention, as it announced the cancellation of the Winter session of the Parliament. The decision was taken out of caution to prevent a Covid-19 case surge. In order to understand the implications of this move, a deeper understanding of the functioning of the Indian constitutional body is crucial.
Understanding the Sessions of Parliament
Under Article 85 of the Constitution, the summoning of Parliament falls under the jurisdiction of the Government. The decision-making process traverses from the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs to formalising by the President, who calls upon the Members of Parliament (MPs) to assemble for a session.
Different from other democracies, India does not function on a fixed parliamentary calendar. Instead, it is rooted in convention that Parliament meets for three essential sessions. Commencing towards the end-January and ending by late-April or early-May, the longest session is known as the Budget Session. This session includes a recess allowing Parliamentary Committees to discuss budgetary proposals.
Following this, the three-week Monsoon Session typically starts in July and ends in August. The Winter Session, which is the third in line, usually takes place between November and December.
The Summoning of Parliament
The President, from time to time, calls upon each House of the Parliament to assemble, a process termed as ‘Summoning’. The gap between two sessions cannot exceed six months, ensuring Parliament convenes at least twice a year.
Understanding Adjournment and Prorogation
Adjournment refers to the termination of a sitting of the House, which reconvenes at a pre-designated time for the next assembly. The delay could be for a few hours, days, or even weeks. In cases where the meeting ends without setting a specific date or time for the next one, it’s called ‘Adjournment sine die’.
On the other hand, Prorogation signifies the culmination of a session. The interim period between prorogation and reassembly is termed as ‘Recess’. Importantly, Prorogation marks the end of the session, not the dissolution of the house – a fact relevant to Lok Sabha, as Rajya Sabha does not dissolve.
Significance of Quorum
Quorum is the term used to denote the minimum number of members required for conducting a house meeting. For both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the Constitution has dictated one-tenth of the strength as the quorum. Consequently, a sitting of the Lok Sabha requires at least 55 members present, whereas the Rajya Sabha needs at least 25 members in attendance.
Although the cancellation of the Winter session has thrown the regular cycle off, the functioning of the Parliament continues within the pre-established constitutional framework. As the nation grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, such moves illustrate the government’s efforts to maintain legislative functions while prioritizing public health.
