- Adjournment:
- Definition: Adjournment refers to the temporary suspension or interruption of the proceedings of either House of Parliament. It does not terminate the session; instead, it signifies a pause in the ongoing business.
- Types of Adjournment:
- Daily Adjournment: This occurs at the end of each sitting day. The House adjourns, and the proceedings resume on the next working day.
- Adjournment Sine Die: This form of adjournment signifies the end of a session without specifying a date for the next meeting. “Sine Die” is a Latin term meaning “without a day.” It implies an indefinite adjournment until a new session is convened.
- Purpose of Adjournment:
- Allows time for members to study documents, prepare for discussions, and participate in committee work.
- Permits the government to assess the progress of legislative business and strategize for the next sitting.
- Prorogation:
- Definition: Prorogation signifies the formal end of a session of Parliament. Unlike adjournment, prorogation terminates the ongoing session, and a new session must be convened to resume parliamentary activities.
- Process of Prorogation:
- The President, on the advice of the Cabinet, issues a notification proroguing the session.
- All pending business, including bills and motions, that were not disposed of during the session lapses after prorogation.
- A new session is then summoned by the President for the Parliament to reconvene.
- Purpose of Prorogation:
- Clears the slate for the commencement of a new session with a fresh agenda.
- Allows for the review of the work done during the previous session and sets the stage for a new legislative agenda.
- It marks a formal break in the parliamentary calendar.
Key Differences:
- Duration:
- Adjournment is temporary and can be as short as the end of the day or until the next sitting.
- Prorogation is a permanent termination of the session until a new session is summoned.
- Effect on Pending Business:
- Adjournment does not affect pending business, which can be taken up when the House reconvenes.
- Prorogation leads to the lapse of all pending business, and it must be reintroduced if it is to be considered in the new session.
- Authority:
- The presiding officer of each House (Speaker or Chairman) has the authority to adjourn the House.
- Prorogation is done by the President of India on the advice of the Cabinet.
In summary, while adjournment is a temporary suspension of proceedings within a session, prorogation represents the formal conclusion of a session, paving the way for a new session with a refreshed legislative agenda. Both are essential tools in managing the parliamentary calendar and facilitating the effective functioning of the Indian Parliament.
