Have you watched a live parliamentary session on Rajya Sabha TV or Lok Sabha TV or even Doordarshan for that matter? Did you know ministers are immune from any charges for having said anything within the walls of the parliament? Basically what happens in a session?

Read the full article to get in-depth knowledge about the same.

The procedure followed is almost the same for all parliamentary democracies in the conduction of proceedings. Indian Constitution is heavily borrowed from other countries and this legislative procedure is adopted from the BRITISH constitution.

The proceedings begin when the President summons the houses. In each session, the speaker or chairman abides by the quorum and begin the 1st sitting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively.

Let us study them one by one:-

• QUESTION HOUR

This is the first procedure adopted when the houses meet. Here questions are raised by members of houses to the ministers, members.

It consists of three types:-

1. Starred questions

These are questions in which the respondent has to answer the questioner orally.

2. Unstarred questions

The respondent has to provide written answers.No supplementaries can be asked.

3. Short notice questions

By giving notice of less than ten days a question can be raised which shall be answered orally.

• ZERO HOUR

Questions can be raised here without notice. Informal discussions which are not governed by

rules of procedure of Lok sabha.

• CALLING ATTENTION MOTION

Calling the attention of a minister on a matter of urgent public importance. This concept is indigenous to India.

• PRIVILEGE MOTION

When a member distorts or withholds facts, steps beyond his jurisdiction then privilege

motion is raised.

• ADJOURNMENT MOTION

For any matter of urgent public importance the speaker only can adjourn the lok sabha .

• CENSURE MOTION

It can be raised against one,many,entire council of ministers.Stating of reason for passing such a motion is needed.The ministers need not resign after the passing of the motion. Available only in lok sabha.

• NO CONFIDENCE MOTION

Passed against the council of ministers only in lok sabha with the support of minimum 50 mop of lok sabha.Passing of this motion shows the party no more enjoys majority in the house.The ministers need to resign after the motion is passed.

• POINT OF ORDER MOTION

When the house do not follow rules under constitution or rules of procedure this motion is Passed. Point of order was raised against Trinimool MP Mahua Moitra for discussing appointment of Former CJI Gogai as rajya sabha member.

• NOTICE UNDER RULE 377 OF LOK SABHA

• SPECIAL MENTION OF RAJYA SABHA

• MOTION OF THANKS

It is delivered by the president on the beginning of first session every year and after every general election.This has to be passed by the houses failing which amounts to defeat of the government.

• HALF AN HOUR DISCUSSION

Adopted for issues that require urgent importance. Discussed 3days a week.

• SHORT DURATION DISCUSSION

Notice has to be served to the secretary for adoption. Discussed for 2.5hrs for twice a week.

• JOINT SITTING

When any bill excluding money bills, constitution amendment bill reaches an impasse a joint sitting can be called by the president. Such a meeting would be chaired by the Speaker of Lok sabha.

• CLOSURE MOTION

Four types of closure by which a discussion of a bill or topic is stopped and it is put to vote.

§ Simple closure

§ Closure by compartment

§ Kangaroo closure

§ Guillotine closure

• DILATORY MOTION

It is a superseding motion adopted for postponing a debate indefinitely or for some time.

INSTRUMENTS OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS IN INDIA