Why in news? The government has announced a ‘Special Session of Parliament’ from Sept 18-22.

Highlights:

• There will be no Question Hour, no Zero Hour and no private member business during the special session
• Recently , special session was held to discuss the GST rollout across the country . It was the last special session of Parliament called by the government.

What is a Special Session of Parliament?

• The Constitution does not mention the term “special session.”
• The phrase is sometimes used to describe to sessions called by the government to commemorate certain events, such as legislative or national milestones.
• The President, summons a regular Parliamentary session will summon this session also as per provisions of Article 85(1) of the Constitution.

What are the constitution backings of special session ?

• Article 352 of the Constitution (Proclamation of Emergency) mentions a “special sitting of the House.”
• This provision was adopted by Government of India Act of 1935

What is Article 85(1) of the Constitution?

• Article 85(1) states that “The President shall from time to time summon each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as he/she thinks fit, but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session.”
• The article has provisions for the President to summon the house as and when required, and does not prohibit the Parliament from meeting frequently.

About  Convening of special Session

• The power to convene a session of Parliament lies with the government through Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs

About Parliamentary Calendar

• Parliamentary calendar is not fixed in India. It meets for three sessions in a year:
• Budget Session (February-May)
• Monsoon Session (July-August)
• Winter Session (November-December)