Adjournment motion

About

·       Adjournment motion is aimed to draw the attention of the House to a recent matter of urgent public importance having serious consequences and with regard to which a motion or a resolution with proper notice will be too late.

·       The matter proposed to be raised should be of such a character that something very grave which affects the whole country and its security has happened.

·       The adjournment motion is thus an extraordinary procedure which, if admitted, leads to setting aside the normal business of the House for discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance.

·       The subject matter of the motion must have a direct or indirect relation to the conduct or default on the part of the Union Government and must precisely pinpoint the failure of the Government of India in the performance of its duties in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and Law.

·       It can introduce only in the Lok Sabha. It involves an element of censure against the government, therefore Rajya Sabha is not permitted to make use of this device.

·       The notice of an adjournment motion is required to be given on the prescribed form and needs the support of 50 members to be admitted.

·       A member can give not more than one notice for any one sitting.

·       The refusal to give consent is in the absolute discretion of the Chair and the Chair is not bound to give any reasons therefor.

·       The discussion on an adjournment motion should last for not less than two hours and thirty minutes.

Restrictions to the motion

·       Right to move a motion for an adjournment of the business of the House is subject to the following restrictions-

Ø An adjournment motion is not admissible where the facts are not settled or unless it relates to some precise recent action or omission of the Union Government. The matter raised is urgent. The matter raised is of public importance.

Ø It relates to a specific matter of recent occurrence.

Ø It does not raise a question of privilege.

Ø It does not revive discussion on a matter already discussed in the same session.

Ø It does not anticipate a matter which has been previously appointed for consideration.

Ø It does not relate to a matter which is sub-judice.

Ø It does not raise any question which under the Constitution or Rules can be raised only on a distinct substantive motion.

Ø The matter involves direct or indirect responsibility of the Government of India.