Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Quorum
Mains level: Features of parliamentary democracy
The Lok Sabha began a discussion on the general Budget but the House had to be adjourned before the scheduled time due to lack of quorum.
What is Quorum?
- Quorum is the minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly necessary to conduct the business of that assembly.
- Article 100 of the Indian Constitution states that the quorum to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament shall be one-tenth of the total number of members of that House.
- This means that the quorum of Lok Sabha (Lower House) is 55 and that of Rajya Sabha (Upper House) is 25.
Who decides the Quorum?
- The quorum is usually decided at the beginning of the session and if it is not present when a vote is taken, the vote is invalid.
- In the event of inadequate quorum, the Speaker or the Chairman can adjourn the House or suspend the sitting till the quorum is present.
Challenging a Quorum
- Furthermore, the quorum can be challenged by any member of the House.
- In the event that the quorum is challenged, the Speaker or the Chairman can direct that a count of the members present be taken.
- If the quorum is not present, the House is adjourned. However, if the quorum is present, the business of the House is resumed.
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