Editorial: Misplaced mystery
CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR 16TH SEPTEMBER, 2023
Editorial: Misplaced mystery
The five-day special session of Parliament, set to begin on September 18, will be held in the new Parliament building. The government proposes to hold a debate on 'Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha– Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings'.
The present Parliament building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and Sir Edwin Lutyens. It was inaugurated in January 1927 by Viceroy Lord Irwin as the seat of the Imperial Legislative Council. Irwin had presented the circular building as an emblem of "permanence".
The building will be retiring at 96 years. India's growing population, its Parliament needs to be bigger and consequently, the building too.
The new building, which is triangular shaped, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on May 28 but no session has been held there yet.
'Special session' may refer to sessions the government has convened for specific occasions, like commemorating parliamentary or national milestones.
The Constitution does not define the term.
Article 352 mentions a “special sitting of the House” in the context of a Proclamation of Emergency. The President, who summons a regular Parliamentary session will summon this session also as per provisions of Article 85.