Importance of sessions in Parliamentary democracy
- Origins and significance -

Y Devendro Singh *

Sixth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly in August 2024 :: Pix - Lamdamba Oinam

Parliamentary democracy thrives on structured discourse, deliberation, and adherence to the rule of law. Central to this system are “Sessions,” the periods during which a Parliament convenes to conduct its business. Understanding the significance of sessions in Parliamentary democracy, as well as their historical origins, is crucial for appreciating how modem democracies function.

In a Parliamentary context, a session refers to a defined period during which legislative bodies meet to discuss, debate, and enact laws. Sessions can be regular (scheduled) or special (called for specific purposes). Each session typically begins with a formal opening and concludes with prorogation.

Sessions provide the framework for Parliamentary activity, including the introduction of Bills, debates on policy issues, and committee meetings. They ensure that Parliamentarians fulfil their duty to represent their constituents, engage in accountability measures, and play an active role in shaping legislation.

The concept of sessions can be traced back to the early days of Parliamentary systems. The English Parliament, the origin of many modem Parliamentary systems, established regular sessions as part of its evolution in the 13th century. The Magna Carta of 1215, which placed limits on the monarchy, set the stage for more systematic legislative Assemblies.

Over time, the English Parliament developed a more structured approach, transitioning from ad-hoc meetings to scheduled sessions for discussing National affairs. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 further solidified Parliamentary power over the monarchy and formalized the necessity for regular sessions to ensure democratic oversight.

By the 19th and 20th centuries, this concept had been widely adopted globally, with many countries establishing Parliaments and legislative sessions following the British model. Today, Parliaments in countries ranging from Canada and Australia to India and South Africa operate on a session-based timetable.

The significance of sessions in a Parliamentary democracy can be outlined as follows:

1. Facilitation of Governance : Regular sessions are vital for the smooth operation of Govt, providing a platform for the introduction and examination of new laws and policies.

2. Accountability and Oversight : Sessions enhance Governmental accountability. Elected officials can question members of the executive during debates, ensuring transparency.

3. Representation of Constituents : Sessions highlight the importance of elected representatives acting as the voice of their constituents, fostering a connection between the populace and their Government.

4. Deliberative Democracy : Regular sessions promote a culture of debate and discourse, allowing diverse opinions to be heard and encouraging an informed approach to legislation.

5. Stability and Predictability : Structured sessions establish a routine for Parliamentary activity, fostering stability within the political system.

6. Crisis Management and Special Sessions : The ability to convene special sessions enables quick responses to crises, demonstrating the flexibility of parliamentary democ- racy.

Books by notable authorities offer various insights on this topic

MN Kaul and SL Shakdher’s “Practice and Procedure of Parliament” and Dr Subhash Kashyap’s “Our Parliament” provide comprehensive guides on the rules and procedures of the Indian Parliament, emphasizing how sessions ensure orderly legislative business and facilitate accountability.

Sunil Khilnani in “The Idea of India” underscores the Constitutional framework for governance, portraying sessions as essential for maintaining engagement with the electorate. Ramachandra Guha, in his book, “India After Gandhi : The History of the World’s Largest Democracy,” discusses the importance of regular Parliamentary sessions for debate and accountability, especially during crises.

RP Srivastava in “Democracy in India,” and Granville Austin in “The Indian Constitution : Cornerstone of a Nation,” both emphasize the necessity of Parliamentary sessions for legislative activity and democratic governance.

Amartya Sen, in “The Argumentative Indian,” highlights India’s tradition of argument and debate, linking this to the importance of Parliamentary sessions for constructive criticism and discourse. Ramesh Thakur’s analysis in “Politics in India” also discusses the role of sessions in facilitating negotiation among political parties.

Sessions are a critical platform for holding the executive accountable, faci-litting transparent and informed decision-making. They also provide a vital link between the electorate and the Government.

In the context of India, Articles 85 and 174 of the Constitution mandate meetings of Parliament and State Assemblies at least twice a year, with no more than six months between sessions. Traditionally, the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies hold three sessions annually. During its meeting on April 22, 1955, the General Purposes Committee of the Lok Sabha recommended the following timetable for three sessions in a calendar year:

o Session-Date of Commencement-Date of Termination
o Budget Session-1 February-7 May
o Autumn Session-15 July-15 September
o Winter Session-5 November or the fourth day after Diwali, whichever is later-22 December

Although this schedule has not been strictly followed in practice, the convention of holding three sessions- namely the Budget Session, Autumn Session, and Winter Session - has been consistently observed every calendar year.

In the esteemed Manipur Legislative Assembly, a new provision, Rule 17-A, has been introduced in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Manipur Legislative Assembly (Sixth Edition), which was published in 1999.

This rule was adopted following the acceptance of the Report of the Rules Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, which was laid on the table of the House on 18th July 1998, and subsequently adopted. Rule 17-A officially came into effect on July 27, 1998, as detailed in Manipur L.A. Bn. II No. 43 dated 27-07-1998. The text of Rule 17-A is as follows:
“17-A. Subject to Article 174 of the Constitution of India in every year the Assembly shall have not less than three sessions, namely
(i) Budget Session
(ii) Autumn Session and
(iii) Winter Session".

Concerning the importance of regular legislative sittings of the sessions in Parliamentary democracy, various resolutions have been passed at Conferences of Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies in India to ensure minimum sitting days for Parliament and also for big and small State Legislatures. For instance:

- At the Shimla Conference held on October 21-23, 1997, the Presiding Officers resolved that smaller states should have a minimum of 60 sittings and larger states a minimum of 100 sittings annually.

- The Sixty-second Conference held in New Delhi on September 22-23, 1998, reiterated the need for smaller states to have at least 60 sittings and larger states, along with the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, to have at least 100 sittings annually.

- The Chandigarh Conference in June 2001 recommended including Constitutional provisions to mandate a minimum number of sittings for legislatures, with 100 sittings for larger states and 60 sittings for smaller ones.

- The All India Conference in New Delhi on November 25, 2001, resolved to take immediate steps to ensure a minimum of 110 sittings for Parliament and at least 90 and 50 sittings for the legislatures of larger and smaller states, respectively, if necessary, through an appropriate constitutional amendment.

In response to the aforementioned resolutions adopted and measures proposed at various Conferences of Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies in India, which aimed to ensure a minimum number of sitting days for both Parliament and State legislatures, the Rules Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly undertook a review of the existing rules.

The Committee presented its Tenth and Eleventh Reports to the House during the Fifth and Sixth Sessions of the Eighth Manipur Legislative Assembly. The House adopted these reports on August 8, 2003. Consequently, Rule 17-A was replaced with a new Rule 17A in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Manipur Legislative Assembly (Seventh Edition), published in 2003.

The new rule states:
“17A. Subject to Article 174 of the Constitution of India, in every calendar year the Assembly shall have not less than three sessions namely, the Budget Session, the Autumn Session and the Winter Session with minimum 50 sitting days".

This amendment was detailed in Manipur Legislative Assembly Bulletin II No 16, dated August 8, 2003, and the rule was incorporated following the resolution adopted at the All India Conference held in New Delhi on November 25, 2001.

In conclusion, sessions are integral to the functioning of Parliamentary democracies, providing the necessary structure for legislative activity, accountability, and public engagement. Their historical roots not only highlight the evolution of democratic governance but also underscore the importance of continuous adaptation to meet the needs of the populace.

As democratic societies evolve and face new challenges, the concept of Parliamentary sessions will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of robust governance, ensuring that the voices of citizens are heard in the halls of power.