Adjournment Motion
The primary object of an adjournment motion is to draw the attention of Lok Sabha to a recent matter of urgent public importance having serious consequences and in regard to which a motion or a resolution with proper notice will be too late.
Houses in which adjournment motion is allowed
Adjournment motion is allowed only in Lok Sabha {or in state legislative assembly} and NOT in Rajya Sabha {or in state legislative council} because it has an element of censure against the government.
Essential Conditions
There are few conditions of adjournment motion in Lok Sabha as follows:
- Such a motion needs support of at least 50 members.
- It should be introduced on a matter of definite and urgent public importance. However, it should not cover more than one matter and be restricted to that matter only. The subject matter should not be the same which is already being discussed in the same session.
- A question of privilege or any other questions which can be raised via other distinct motion cannot be raised in adjournment motion.
Since adjournment motion disrupts the normal business of the house and this is regarded as extraordinary tool in parliament. The discussion on adjournment motion needs to last at least 2.5 hours.
Calling Attention versus Adjournment Motion
Since Rajya Sabha is not permitted to make use of adjournment motion, there is a similar tool in Rajya Sabha which is called “Calling Attention”. The notable difference between the two is that while adjournment motion has an element of censure against the government, Calling attention has no such element.
