Special Session Of Parliament
The Indian Parliament is set to celebrate its 75th anniversary with a special session from September 18 to 22, 2023. This session will not only commemorate the rich and diverse parliamentary journey of India, but also mark a new chapter in its democratic history.
The session will begin with a discussion on the achievements, experiences, memories and learnings of the Parliament, starting from the Constituent Assembly that first met on December 9, 1946.
The Constituent Assembly was a body of elected representatives that drafted the Constitution of India, which came into force on January 26, 1950. The Constituent Assembly also functioned as the provisional Parliament until the first general elections were held in 1951-52.
Since then, the Parliament has witnessed 17 Lok Sabha (lower house) and 14 Rajya Sabha (upper house) elections, and has passed numerous laws and resolutions on various issues affecting the nation and its people.
New Bills
The special session will also see the introduction of five new Bills that aim to reform and modernize various aspects of governance and public service. The Post Office Bill, 2023 will consolidate and amend the law relating to Post Office in India, which is one of the oldest and largest postal networks in the world. The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 will regulate the appointment, conditions of service and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners, who are responsible for conducting free and fair elections in India. The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023 will repeal certain obsolete enactments and amend an existing enactment. The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023 will amend the Advocates Act, 1961 to regulate the legal profession and ensure its accountability and transparency. The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 will replace the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 to regulate the registration of periodicals and safeguard the freedom of press.
Another significant feature of the special session is that it could be held in the new Parliament building, which was inaugurated on May 28, 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The new building is a part of the Central Vista redevelopment project, which aims to transform the central administrative area of New Delhi. The new building has a triangular shape that symbolizes the three branches of democracy: legislature, executive and judiciary. It has a seating capacity of 888 members in Lok Sabha and 384 members in Rajya Sabha, which can be increased to accommodate joint sessions. It also has four large committee rooms, a library, a lounge for members, a dining area and a grand Constitution Hall that showcases the original Constitution of India.
India’s Glorious parliamentary journey
India’s parliamentary journey began with the Constituent Assembly, which was elected by the provincial assemblies in 1946. The Constituent Assembly drafted the Constitution of India, which came into force on January 26, 1950.
The first Lok Sabha (lower house) had 489 members and the first Rajya Sabha (upper house) had 216 members. The first Prime Minister of India was Jawaharlal Nehru, who led the Indian National Congress party.
Since then, India has witnessed 17 Lok Sabha and 14 Rajya Sabha elections, with various political parties and coalitions coming to power.
The Parliament has played a crucial role in shaping the destiny of the nation, by passing laws and resolutions on various issues such as social justice, economic development, foreign policy, national security, education, health, environment, and more. The Parliament has also seen many historic debates, speeches, motions, and protests that have reflected the diversity and vibrancy of Indian democracy.
Some of the notable achievements of the Indian Parliament include
The abolition of privy purses and titles of former rulers in 1971.
The enactment of the Right to Information Act in 2005, which empowered citizens to access information from public authorities.
The passage of the Goods and Services Tax Act in 2017, which introduced a uniform indirect tax system across the country.
The amendment of the Constitution to provide 10% reservation for economically weaker sections in 2019.
The abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories in 2019.
The Indian Parliament has also faced many challenges and controversies over the years, such as:
The imposition of emergency by Indira Gandhi in 1975-77, which suspended civil liberties and curtailed parliamentary functioning.
The defection of MPs from one party to another for personal or political gains, which undermined the stability and credibility of governments.
The disruption of parliamentary proceedings by unruly behavior, slogan-shouting, walkouts, and adjournments, which affected the productivity and quality of legislation.
The allegations of corruption, criminality, and nepotism against some MPs, which eroded public trust and confidence in the institution.
The special session of Parliament is thus a historic occasion that reflects the past, present and future of Indian democracy.It is an opportunity for the lawmakers to pay tribute to the founding fathers of the nation, who envisioned a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic.
It is also a chance for them to deliberate on the current challenges and opportunities facing the country, and to enact laws that will benefit the people and uphold their rights. Finally, it is a moment for them to embrace the new era of parliamentary functioning, with a state-of-the-art building that represents the aspirations and diversity of India.
