Suspended Question Hour Resumed During Monsoon Session
- The ‘Question Hour’ was suspended by the government during the last monsoon session, for which it will be reintroduced in the budget session of Parliament starting on 29 January.
- It is known that in the Parliament it was postponed due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
Question Hour:
- Generally, the first hour of the sitting of the Parliament is set for questions, which is called the Question Hour. During this time, questions are asked by the Members of Parliament in relation to the official activities and administration of the Ministers and through this process they are held responsible for the functioning of their Ministries.
- The Question Hour is not mentioned in the Rules of Parliamentary Procedure.
- With the telecast of the Question Hours since 1991, the Question Hour has become the most important tool of parliamentary functioning.
The questions asked in the Question Hours are of the following categories:
Starred Questions:
Such questions are answered orally by the Minister and supplementary questions are allowed on these questions.
Un starred Questions:
Such questions are answered in writing by the Minister and there is no opportunity to ask supplementary questions on these questions.
Short notice question:
Such questions are asked at least 10 days prior notice, and the questions are answered orally by the Minister.
Exceptions of Question Hours:
In both the Houses, ‘Question Hours’ is held on each day of the session. But there are exceptions for two days:
- There is no Question Hours on the day the President addresses the MPs of both the Houses in the Central Hall.
- There is no Question Hours on the day the Finance Minister presents the budget.
Source – PIB
