A joint sitting of the Indian Parliament occurs when both Houses of Parliament, i.e., the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), meet together to conduct legislative business. The joint sitting is a provision mentioned in Article 108 of the Constitution of India. The President of India has the authority to summon a joint sitting when there is a deadlock between the two houses on a particular bill.
Circumstances Leading to a Joint Sitting:
- Deadlock on a Bill:
- When a bill is passed by one house but is rejected or not acted upon by the other, a deadlock arises.
- Dissolution of Lok Sabha:
- If a bill passed by the Lok Sabha is pending in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the bill lapses. In such cases, a joint sitting can be called to reconsider the bill in the new Lok Sabha.
Procedure for a Joint Sitting:
- Summoning by the President:
- The President of India, on the advice of the Council of Ministers, summons a joint sitting of both houses.
- Presiding Officer:
- The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over the joint sitting. If the Speaker is unavailable, the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, or in the absence of both, the Vice President (who is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha) presides.
- Quorum:
- The quorum for a joint sitting is one-tenth of the total number of members of both houses.
- Voting:
- Members of both houses vote together during a joint sitting. The decision is taken by a simple majority.
- Resolution of Deadlock:
- The purpose of the joint sitting is to resolve the deadlock and decide the fate of the bill. If the majority is in favor, the bill is considered passed.
Criticisms and Limitations:
- Majoritarian Tendency:
- Critics argue that joint sittings tend to favor the majority party, leading to decisions that may not reflect the diversity of opinions in the two houses.
- Bypassing the Rajya Sabha:
- Some view joint sittings as a way to bypass the Rajya Sabha, which represents the states and is considered a revising chamber.
- Lack of Deliberation:
- Joint sittings may not provide the same level of detailed scrutiny and deliberation as in individual houses.
- Temporary Solution:
- Joint sittings provide a temporary solution to a deadlock and may not necessarily address the underlying issues leading to disagreements.
In summary, a joint sitting is a constitutional provision aimed at resolving deadlocks between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on certain bills. It is a mechanism to ensure legislative progress in situations where there is disagreement between the two houses.
