Parliamentary proceedings are carried out by various sessions, devices and motions.

 

Sessions of Parliamentary Proceedings:

Article 85 of the Constitution of India provides for sessions, prorogation and dissolution of the Parliament. These are given as under:

1. Sessions of Parliament:

The President may summon each House of Parliament to meet at any time and location he deems fit. However, the President's right to summon the House is subject to the stipulation that no more than six months elapse between the House's final sitting in one session and the date set for its next sitting. The President shall address both Houses of Parliament assembled together and notify them of the reasons for their summons at the start of the first session following the General Election to the Lok Sabha and at the start of the first session of each year. It is not the President's private address. The Cabinet is in charge of preparing the speech.

2. Prorogation:

Prorogation simply terminates a session. The life of the house is not terminated by prorogation. After prorogation, the house reconvenes. The President has the authority to dissolve the House. In England, prorogation suspends all Bills or proceedings before the House of Commons. In India, however, a pending Bill or business does not expire when a session is prorogued. It simply means that the house stops doing business at a certain point in time. When it meets after prorogation, it takes up pending business for deliberation. A house sitting is adjourned when it is adjourned. It is a house act that can be exercised at any time by the presiding officer. An adjournment has no effect on the unfinished work. When the house reconvenes after the adjournment, it may resume its business.

3. Dissolution:

A dissolution ends the house's existence, and a general election is required to elect a new Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha is the one that could be dissolved. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body that cannot be dissolved. A dissolution terminates the life of the house, whereas a prorogation terminates a session.

The President has the authority to dissolve the Lok Sabha. However, he follows the Prime Minister's recommendations in this matter as well. In England, the sovereign has the authority to dissolve the House if he is advised by the Prime Minister. This is a well-established practise in England. The situation is the same in India. As a result, as long as the Prime Minister and his Cabinet have the confidence of the Lok Sabha, the President is obligated to dissolve the house as advised by the Prime Minister.