Joint Sitting of Parliament and Leader of House | 29 Jun 2024

Source: TOI

Why in News?

The President of India recently addressed the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament. It was the first time he addressed the newly elected 18th Loksabha.

What is the Joint Sitting of Parliament? 

• About:
  • A joint sitting involves both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) meeting together.
• Types of Joint Sittings in the Constitution: 
  • There are two main types of joint sittings in the Indian parliamentary system.
    • First is the presidential address under Article 87 and 
    • Second is the resolution of legislative deadlocks under Article 108.
  • Article 87 of the Indian Constitution outlines when the President addresses both Houses of Parliament.
    • The President addresses the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha at the beginning of the first session after each general election.
    • The President also addresses both Houses at the beginning of the first session of each year.
      • The Constitution (First Amendment) Act of 1951 modified Article 87 as follows: In clause (1), the phrase "every session" was replaced with "the first session after each general election to the House of the People and at the commencement of the first session of each year.
    • Significance of Joint Sitting:

      • They provide an opportunity for the President to outline the government's policy priorities and legislative agenda.

      • The address after general elections is particularly significant as it often reflects the mandate and priorities of the newly elected government.

  • Article 108 of the Constitution can be called in the following scenarios: 
    • when a bill is passed by one house but rejected or not returned by the other.
    • When the President returns a bill for reconsideration.
    • When more than six months have elapsed from the date of the
    • receipt of the bill by the other House without the bill being
    • passed by it.
    • Key provisions for Joint Sittings:
      • Chaired by the Lok Sabha Speaker
      • Follows Lok Sabha rules of procedure.
      • A quorum is one-tenth of the total members from both houses
      • Used as a last resort to resolve legislative deadlocks.
    • Exceptions to Joint Sittings: The two exceptions are:

      • Money Bills (Article 110)  

      • Constitution Amendment Bills (Article 368)

Who is the Leader of the House (LOH)?

• Current LOH in Rajya Sabha:
  • On the opening day of the Rajya Sabha's 264th session, Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda was officially appointed as the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha.
• Legal Backing:
  • The term Leader of the House is officially defined in the Rules of Procedure for both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
• Appointment Process:
  • He is a minister and a member of the Rajya Sabha and is nominated by the prime minister to function as such.
  • Additionally, the Leader of the House has the authority to appoint a Deputy Leader of the House. 
    • In the United States, a comparable position is known as the 'majority leader.'

• Responsibilities:

  • Conducts the overall process, especially debates and discussions
  • Maintains harmony among members
  • Upholds the respect of the Rajya Sabha
  • Maintains standard proceedings during parliamentary debates
• LOH in Lok Sabha:
  • In the Lok Sabha, the Leader of the House is typically the Prime Minister if they are a house member. If not, it's a Minister who is a member and is nominated by the Prime Minister for this role.
  • By convention, the Prime Minister is always the Leader of the Lok Sabha.