New Delhi, Oct 22 Amid suggestions that the government could convene an extended sitting of Parliament for the passage of the delimitation-linked women’s reservation bill, a top official on Thursday said such a sitting can be convened on a short notice of two days.
While both the Houses were adjourned sine die (for an indefinite period), the Monsoon session has not been prorogued or ended formally.
As the session has not been prorogued for over two months, there are suggestions that the government could convene a special or extended sitting for the passage of an amendment to the Women’s Reservation Act.
There is speculation that the government does not want to push the proposed bill to the Winter session.
The bill fell through in Lok Sabha in the Budget session in April during an extended sitting due to lack of numbers.
“If session is prorogued, a minimum 14-day notice is needed to call the next session. If the session is not prorogued, then an extended sitting can be convened in two days,” the official noted.
At a press conference here, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said provisions of Article 85 are being followed when asked about prorogation of the Monsoon session.
Article 85 governs the summoning, prorogation, and dissolution of Parliament by the President.
There have been instances in the past when the Houses remained unprorogued for long periods, extending up to 87 days.
There are several other such instances: 1987 (76 days), 1989 (54 days), 2006 (49 days), 2013 (49 days) and 1963 (41 days).
(PTI News)
