Introduction

Usually, the first hour at the Lok Sabha is allotted for a question and answer session which is generally called a question hour. Special importance it has regarding the systematic procedure of the parliament. The members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha convey their queries to the corresponding speakers. The question hour session of Lok Sabha starts from 11 am to 12 pm and the Rajya Sabha session starts from 12 pm to 1 pm. The Lok Sabha question hour session is different from the Rajya Sabha session. The Rajya Sabha session is more formally conducted and a maximum of 160 questions can be answered by the speaker. The Lok Sabha session is referred to as the “pulse of the nation”.

Discussion

Polity

In regards to the Indian Polity, the concept of question hour holds a lot of importance as it helps to solve people’s issues. This concept is nowhere mentioned in the Indian Constitution but mentioned in the Rules of Procedure for both houses. In the year 1991, the parliamentary proceedings began to get broadcasted that making this concept an effective tool for ensuring the government’s accountability towards its states and its people. In the year 2014, the chairman of the Rajya Sabha Mr Hamid Ansari altered the timing from 11 am to 12 pm to 12 pm to 1 pm for smooth functioning. The priority for the questions is decided based on a “draw of lots” system by which the notices are drawn from the ballots received till their opening.

What is the question hour? 

During this hour, the MPs and the ministers ask their questions regarding their issues in operations, maintenance and the budgeting of their respective states. Usually, the issues and facts regarding the policies are asked here by the MPs and the ministers. The session goes for an hour regarding three specific types- the starred questions, unstarred questions and the short notice questions.  The question hour in both of the houses in the Indian parliament can be held on the days of their sessions. Exceptions regarding this rule are being made in two of the days- one, when the MPs are addressed by the honorary President, and the other day is the day of the Budget Session by the finance minister. 

As per Rule32 of the “Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business” in the Lok Sabha, the first hour of each of the houses has been allotted for commencing this question and answer session. Although, in the new Lok Sabha session there is no commencement of the question hour in the holidays, assembly of the MPs from both houses and the General Budget day. The questions can also be asked to the private members or MPs during the session from the other members via the speakers. 

Question hour in parliament

In the Lok Sabha session, only 20 questions can be listed for answering orally that are printed in the official report of the sitting of the Lok Sabha house. As the Lok Sabha is called ‘the house of the people, it signifies massively the concern of the members for the people they are leading. People or mass centric questions might include some heavy situations regarding disagreements, arguments, defaming statements, or some violation of general codes of conduct as well. The members should notify their questions to be asked in writing before 15 days of being asked in a session, not less than that.

The questions must be notified to the Secretary-General specifying the official designation of the ministers to be addressed and the date on which they would like to ask them. A ballot procedure is then conducted in respect of their notices received by the Secretariat and the priority for the questions to be asked is set. Separate ballots are placed for the starred and unstarred questions. Then, they are numbered in a segregated manner making entries in diaries or software applications. The questions, which were answered in the previous sessions or their answers can be easily accessed are not permitted. The questions regarding any matter that is pending or adjourned by the laws and tribunals are also not admitted. The discourteous questions about the friendly countries of India, massive issues regarding the policies, minute details of the daily work procedures of the government are also not allowed.

Conclusion

From the above data and their analysis, the features of question hour and how it is conducted has been discussed. The pattern it works with and the rules and regulations regarding the question hour session have been briefly analysed too. The difference between the Rajya Sabha session and the Lok Sabha session has also been justifiably distinguished to represent entire facts quite adequately.