Why government was unable to push through the insurance bill in Rajya Sabha

Earlier in the week the government was unable to push through the insurance bill in the Rajya Sabha. Here’s why:

War of the Houses

In case of a deadlock in non-money bills, a joint session of the two houses can be called. However, there is no provision of a joint session in case of a deadlock for a constitutional amendment.

A joint sitting can be summoned by the President of India and is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

60 bills are pending in the Rajya Sabha

68 bills introduced in the last Lok Sabha have lapsed

There have been three joint sessions in the past to resolve deadlocks between the two houses of parliament:

May 6 and 9, 1961, on the Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1959

May 17, 1978, on the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1977

March 26, 2002, on the Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002

(Source: rajyasabha.nic.in)