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24th July 2023 (7 Topics)

Adjournment Motion moved by MPs in Parliament

As Opposition parties demanded a discussion on the alleged sexual assault of two women in Manipur, amid the ongoing ethnic violence in the state during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the proceedings saw the Lok Sabha being adjourned.

  • So, let us look at the adjournment motions and how do they differ from regular adjournments and the other motions raised in Parliament.

What is an ‘Adjournment Motion’?

  • An adjournment suspends the work in a sitting for a specified time, which may be hours, days or weeks. In this case, the time of reassembly is specified.
  • An adjournment only terminates a sitting and not a session of the House.
  • The power of adjournment lies with the presiding officer of the House In case of Lok Sabha-‘Speaker’ is responsible.

Adjournment Motion vs. Adjournment Sine Die:

  • Adjournment sine die means terminating a sitting of Parliament for an indefinite period.
  • In other words, when the House is adjourned without naming a day for reassembly, it is called adjournment sine die.
  • The power of adjournment sine die lies with the presiding officer of the House.

Sessions of the Parliament:

Part-V (Article 79 – 122) of the Constitution deals with the organization, composition, duration, officers, procedures, privileges and powers of the Parliament.

  • A session of Indian Parliament is the time period during which a House meets almost every day continuously to transact business.
  • There are usually three sessions in a year:
    • The Budget Session (February to May)
    • The Monsoon Session (July to September)and
    • The Winter Session (November to December).
  • A sitting of Parliament can be terminated by adjournment, adjournment sine die, prorogation or dissolution.
  • The period between the prorogation of a House and its reassembly in a new session is called ‘recess’.

Other tools of Parliamentary procedures:

  • Calling Attention – A procedure whereby a Member calls the attention of a Minister to a matter of urgent public importance, the Minister makes a brief statement thereon and thereafter the Members seek clarifications.
  • Crossing the floor--Passing between the member addressing the House and the Chair which is considered breach of Parliamentary etiquette.
  • Motion of Thanks-A formal motion moved in the House, expressing its gratitude to the President for the Address delivered by him/her under article 87(1) of the Constitution to both Houses of Parliament assembled together.
  • Point of Order- A point relating to the interpretation or enforcement of the Rules of Procedure or such articles of the Constitution as regulate the business of the House raised in the House and submitted for the decision of the Chair.
  • Un-starred Question--A question which is not called for oral answer in the House and the written answer to such a question is deemed to have been laid on the Table.
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