The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding a joint session of the two houses of the Parliament. Enumerate the occasions when this would normally happen and also the occasions when it cannot, with reasons thereof.
The Indian Constitution provides for joint sessions of Parliament under Article 108 to resolve deadlocks between the two houses, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The President of India summons a joint session, which is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or, in their absence, the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Joint sessions are typically called when:
- A bill is passed by one house but rejected by the other.
- Both houses disagree on amendments made to the bill.
- More than six months have elapsed since the bill was received by the other house without being passed.
However, there are occasions when joint sessions cannot be held:
- Constitutional Amendment Bills: Article 368 of the Indian Constitution requires both houses to pass amendments with a two-thirds majority. In case of disagreement, there is no provision for a joint session.
- Dissolution of the Lok Sabha: If the bill in dispute has already expired due to the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, no joint sitting can be held.
Since 1950, joint sessions have been called only three times for the Dowry Prohibition Bill (1961), the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill (1978), and the Prevention of Terrorism Bill (2002). It is important to note that joint sessions are applicable only to ordinary bills or financial bills and not to money bills or constitutional amendment bills.
