Congress Questions Government Over Long Delay In Ending Monsoon Parliament Session

Session Delay

The Congress party has raised concerns over an 88-day delay in formally ending the last monsoon session of Parliament. Congress general secretary for communications Jairam Ramesh pointed out that the Lok Sabha has not been prorogued since it was adjourned sine die. According to parliamentary procedure rules, the time gap between adjournment and prorogation is normally two to four days. Ramesh noted that a parliamentary procedure book published in mid-2024 states this standard timeline.

Rules and Schedule

Parliamentary rules state that a new session cannot be called until the previous House is prorogued. Last year, the winter session schedule was announced on November 8, running from December 1 to December 19 with 15 working days. Officials note that a new session typically requires a two-week notice period for lawmakers to prepare and travel to Delhi, though a special session can be called with just three days of notice.

Opposition Concerns

Some opposition leaders have expressed doubt about whether the winter session will happen at all. Article 85(1) of the Constitution requires that no more than six months pass between the final sitting of one session and the first sitting of the next, meaning the next session must happen before February 13. Government officials and an NDA leader have insisted a session will take place in December, though it remains unclear if it will be a regular winter session or a special session.

Delimitation Claims

Ramesh further claimed the delay is intended to allow the Union Home Minister time to secure a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha for upcoming Delimitation Bills. He added that the Congress President has written to the Prime Minister four times in six months asking for an all-party meeting on delimitation before any legislation is introduced, but the Prime Minister has refused.

Context

Parliamentary sessions in India follow a regular calendar typically featuring a budget session, a monsoon session, and a winter session. The process of prorogation formally ends a session on the recommendation of the government before the President issues a summons for the next one.