In a first since 1962, the Question hour has been excluded from the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which is starting on 14 September until 1 October. Zero hour will be restricted and Private members business given a miss as well as per official notifications issued by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretaries.
The opposition has reacted strongly to this move by the Centre, calling it Autocratic in nature. “Parliaments overall working hours remain the same so why cancel Question Hour? Pandemic excuse to murder Democracy.” Tweeted TMC MP Derek O’Brien.
Congress Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted, “This government seeks to reduce Parliament to a notice board.”
However, BJP spokesperson Anil Baluni later added that unstarred questions will be allowed.
Responses are presented in a written format to Unstarred questions and no supplementary question can be asked, whereas starred questions get verbal responses in the House with follow up questions to responses.
The Question Hour happens in the first hour of a Lok Sabha session, during which Members can ask questions on every aspect of administration and Governmental activity. Question hour allows Parliament to be effective in its accountability function.
