Adjournment Motion is a significant parliamentary tool that allows members of the legislature to draw the government’s attention to urgent public issues. It is one of the important tools for parliamentary proceedings. It serves as an essential mechanism to ensure government accountability. For aspirants preparing for UPSC and other competitive exams, understanding the concept, criteria, and implications of the Adjournment Motion is crucial.

What is the Adjournment Motion Meaning?

An Adjournment Motion is a procedural device used in the Indian Parliament to interrupt normal business and discuss urgent public matters requiring immediate attention. It is a part of the larger framework of parliamentary motions that facilitate structured debates.

• Definition: Adjournment Motion is a tool to pause the proceedings of the House temporarily and debate a matter of urgent national importance.
• Purpose: It seeks accountability from the government by allowing members to question it on pressing public issues.
• Importance in Parliament: It fosters transparency and allows the opposition to raise concerns.

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Adjournment Motion Criteria

To ensure the effective functioning of the Parliament, specific rules govern the admission of an Adjournment Motion. These rules are designed to keep the discussions focused and relevant.

The Adjournment Motion must meet certain criteria before being allowed for discussion in Parliament. These criteria maintain the decorum and efficiency of the legislative process.

1. Subject of Public Importance: The motion must pertain to a matter of urgent public concern, such as national security, natural calamities, or economic crises.
2. Recent Issue: The issue must be recent, ensuring that the motion addresses current events rather than past occurrences.
3. Responsibility of the Government: The matter must involve the direct responsibility of the central government. Issues outside the jurisdiction of the Parliament cannot be discussed.
4. Written Notice: A written notice of the motion must be submitted before 10 AM on the day of discussion.
5. Approval by the Speaker: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha must admit the motion for debate after assessing its validity.

Adjournment Motion in Indian Parliament Procedure

Adjournment motions in the Indian Parliament must follow a defined procedure to ensure transparency and adherence to parliamentary rules. The steps are as follows:

• A single member can present only one notice for one sitting.
• The notice must be in written form, adhering to the official format.
• The presenter is required to submit all necessary copies to the Parliament Notice Office.
• The adjournment motion requires the support of 50 members to be considered.
• If two members sign the same notice, only the first signatory will be valid.
• In case multiple notices are submitted on a similar subject, a ballot is conducted to determine priority.
• Notices received on Day 1 are discussed in the next sitting, as per parliamentary rules.
• Once selected, the notice is presented to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• The Speaker evaluates the motion, consults with concerned members or ministers, and provides final consent.
• The Speaker’s consent is essential for the motion to proceed further.

Restrictions on Adjournment Motions in Indian Parliament

To maintain decorum and relevance, there are specific restrictions on the use of adjournment motions in the Indian Parliament:

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• The motion must pertain to only one specific subject to avoid confusion and dilution of the matter.
• Adjournment motions cannot address questions related to the privilege of members or the House.
• The issue raised must be fresh and should not have been previously discussed in the Parliament.
• General or vague matters that are not directly related to public welfare or urgency will be dismissed by the Speaker.
• The subject matter must be urgent, precise, and directly connected to public welfare to qualify for discussion.

By adhering to these procedures and restrictions, the Indian Parliament ensures that adjournment motions serve their intended purpose of addressing urgent national concerns efficiently and effectively.

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