Special session of Parliament: The concept and history

There is no mention of the term “special session” in the Constitution

The Union government is all set to hold a special session of the Parliament from September 18 at the newly constructed building, with employees wearing shirts with lotus prints and khaki pants.

Though the building was inaugurated in May, it has not been used for official purposes. The session will be held on the first day at the old building. But on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, the new building is likely to be open to all the members of the House.

On August 31, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, announced a ‘special session’ of Parliament from September 18-22 to discuss ‘important items’. This five-day session will have no Question Hour or Zero Hour.  No private member bills will be allowed as well.

Also  read: Lotus prints on shirts, khaki pants part of new dress code of Parliament staff

What is a Special Session of Parliament?

There is no mention of the term “special session” in the Constitution. The President, who summons a regular Parliamentary session will summon this session also according to provisions of Article 85(1) of the Constitution.

“The President shall from time to time summon each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as he/she thinks fit, but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session,” stated Article 85(1).

The decision regarding holding Question Hour is entirely up to the discretion of the presiding officers of either House – the Speaker in the  Lok Sabha and the Vice President in the Rajya Sabha.

The history of special sessions can be divided into those with debates and the midnight sessions without any debates.

Special sessions with debates

2015: A tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 125th birth anniversary

1997: Commemorating India’s 50th anniversary of independence

1962: The agenda included a discussion on the India-China war situation

Midnight special sessions

1972: To celebrate 25 years of India's independence

1992:  To mark the 50th anniversary of the Quit India Movement

2017:  To mark the rollout of Goods and Services Tax (GST)