Opposition parties are outraged over the government’s decision to suspend the Question Hour in the upcoming monsoon session. Rajya Sabha floor leader of Trinamool Congress Derek O’ Brien said it was for the first time since 1950 that it had been suspended, while Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said Parliament would be reduced to a rubber stamp.
On Tuesday evening, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had reached out to Opposition leaders, informing them that the Question Hour would be suspended while the Zero Hour, in which subjects of national importance can be raised, would be curtailed. The 60-minute-long Zero Hour will now be reduced to 30 minutes.
MPs are required to submit the questions for the Question Hour in Parliament 15 days in advance. Since the session starts on September 14, the MPs have not been asked to submit the questions.
He further pointed out that there had been only four special sessions when there was no Question Hour. “During the 33rd (1961), 93rd (1975), 98th (1976) 99th (1977) Sessions, there was no Question Hour as these sessions were summoned for special purposes, Orissa, Proclamation of emergency, 44th Amendment, President’s Rule Tamil Nadu and Nagaland. The upcoming Monsoon Session is a regular session,” he added.
Mr. Tharoor said that the pandemic was being used as an excuse to stifle “democracy and dissent”.
The government has argued that it was not possible for ministries to respond to questions since it was already overstretched because of the pandemic.
As a norm, the Opposition and the government get equal time during a Parliamentary session. The monsoon session will be setting many precedents. It will be the first time the Parliamentarians will be accommodated in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha halls to ensure physical distancing.
You have reached your limit for free articles this month.
To get full access, please subscribe.
Already have an account ? Sign in
Show Less Plan
Subscription Benefits Include
Today's Paper
Find mobile-friendly version of articles from the day's newspaper in one easy-to-read list.
Faster pages
Move smoothly between articles as our pages load instantly.
Unlimited Access
Enjoy reading as many articles as you wish without any limitations.
Dashboard
A one-stop-shop for seeing the latest updates, and managing your preferences.
Personalised recommendations
A select list of articles that match your interests and tastes.
Briefing
We brief you on the latest and most important developments, three times a day.
*Our Digital Subscription plans do not currently include the e-paper ,crossword, iPhone, iPad mobile applications and print. Our plans enhance your reading experience.
A letter from the Editor
Dear reader,
We have been keeping you up-to-date with information on the developments in India and the world that have a bearing on our health and wellbeing, our lives and livelihoods, during these difficult times. To enable wide dissemination of news that is in public interest, we have increased the number of articles that can be read free, and extended free trial periods. However, we have a request for those who can afford to subscribe: please do. As we fight disinformation and misinformation, and keep apace with the happenings, we need to commit greater resources to news gathering operations. We promise to deliver quality journalism that stays away from vested interest and political propaganda.
Support Quality Journalism
A letter from the Editor
Dear subscriber,
Thank you!
Your support for our journalism is invaluable. It’s a support for truth and fairness in journalism. It has helped us keep apace with events and happenings.
The Hindu has always stood for journalism that is in the public interest. At this difficult time, it becomes even more important that we have access to information that has a bearing on our health and well-being, our lives, and livelihoods. As a subscriber, you are not only a beneficiary of our work but also its enabler.
We also reiterate here the promise that our team of reporters, copy editors, fact-checkers, designers, and photographers will deliver quality journalism that stays away from vested interest and political propaganda.
Suresh Nambath
