What is special session of parliament? What will center take up?

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that the meeting "is much ado about nothing" and all this could have waited till the Winter session in November

Ending the long-awaited suspense on the agenda of the special session of the parliament called by the government from September 18 to 22, the government revealed that a discussion on Parliament’s 75-year journey starting from the Samvidhan Sabha will be discussed on the first day of the session in both houses starting tomorrow.

On Wednesday, the government released a tentative list of the special session and noted that the first day of the session will have a discussion on “Parliamentary Journey of 75 Years Starting from Samvidhan Sabha: Achievements, Experiences, Memories, and Learnings” besides other formal business like the laying of papers.

Apart from this, the government has also listed the bill on the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners to be taken up for consideration and passage.

Amid the much debate on the special parliament session set to start tomorrow, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that the meeting “is much ado about nothing” and all this could have waited till the Winter session in November.

He added that the government could have “legislative grenades” up its sleeves to be unleashed at the last moment.

It may be mentioned that the last time a bill was discussed at a special session of Parliament was on GST in 2017.

In 2008, a special session was convened to conduct a trust vote in the Lok Sabha when Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister.

Twice, special sessions have been convened to extend presidential rules in states. But mostly, special sessions have been used for commemorating and celebrating milestones of national importance.

WHAT IS A SPECIAL SESSION OF PARLIAMENT?

The power to convene a session of the parliament is granted by the constitution to the government of India.

The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs decides whether to schedule a session, and the President then summons the Members of Parliament (MPs) to attend.

It is significant to note that the term “special session” of Parliament is not included in the Indian Constitution, but it is commonly linked with sessions called by the administration to commemorate significant legislative or national events.

According to the guidelines of Article 85(1), under which all sessions are held, even what is termed a special session by the government will be summoned.

It may be noted that under Article 352, which deals with the Proclamation of Emergency, a “special sitting of the House” can be held.

Also Read: SC’s real-time data now available on National Judicial Data Grid: CJI

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