Free Courses Sale ends Soon, Get It Now


ADJOURNS SINE DIE

23rd December, 2023

ADJOURNS SINE DIE

Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Context: The Winter Session of the Parliament, which began on December 4, 2023, has been adjourned sine die on December 21, 2023, after providing 14 sittings over 18 days.

Details

  • During this session, a total of 19 bills were passed by both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
  • The Lok Sabha demonstrated a productivity rate of approximately 74%, while the Rajya Sabha had a productivity rate of about 79%.

Adjourns Sine Die Under Indian Constitution

  • The term adjourns sine die means to adjourn without fixing a date for the next meeting.
  • Under the Indian Constitution, the power to adjourn sine die lies with the presiding officers of both Houses of Parliament, namely the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
    • The presiding officers can exercise this power at any time, after taking into account the state of business and the convenience of the members. However, they are expected to consult the leaders of various parties before doing so.
  • The purpose of adjournment sine die is to end a session of Parliament, which is different from prorogation or dissolution. Prorogation is done by the President on the advice of the Cabinet, and it terminates the business pending before the Houses. Dissolution is applicable only to the Lok Sabha, and it ends its existence until a new House is elected.
  • Adjournment sine die does not affect the bills or motions pending before the Houses, and they can be taken up when the Houses meet again.

●The longest session of Parliament in India was the first session of the first Lok Sabha, which lasted from 13 May 1952 to 13 May 1953, with 677 sittings.

●The shortest session was the third session of the eleventh Lok Sabha, which lasted from 23 March 1998 to 23 March 1998, with one sitting.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. What does the term "adjourns sine die" mean in parliamentary proceedings?

A) Adjournment for a short break

B) Adjournment until the next day

C) Adjournment for an unspecified period

D) Adjournment for a fixed period

Answer: C

Explanation:

"Adjourns sine die" signifies the adjournment of a legislative session without specifying a definite date for reconvening, effectively ending the current session.