SPECIAL SESSION OF PARLIAMENT (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 -– Polity)

Context:  The government has announced a ‘Special Session of Parliament’ from Sept 18-22, 2023.

Special Session of Parliament

• The Constitution does not use the term “special session”
• The term is sometimes used to describe government sessions convened for specific occasions, such as commemorating parliamentary or national milestones.
• In order for both Houses to be in session, their presiding officers must oversee their proceedings.
• The presiding officers also have the authority to limit the proceedings of their respective Houses during the session, which can include the suspension of procedural devices like the question hour.
• it's worth noting that Article 352 (Proclamation of Emergency) of the Constitution does make a reference to a "special sitting of the House."
• The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, passed in 1978, introduced the provision for a special sitting, with the aim of adding safeguards to the power of declaring an Emergency in the country.
• Determination is made by: Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, which presently consists of nine ministers, including the Ministers of Defence, Home, Finance, and Law.
• The Committee's resolution is formalized by the President, who issues the summons to MPs in order to convene a session.