Lok Sabha adopts motion to do away with Question Hour, private members' business

Moving the motion, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the Lok Sabha session is being held in extraordinary circumstances amid the COVID-19 pandemic and this House resolves that starred questions and private members' business may not be brought before it for transaction during the session. Joshi said before arriving at this decision, deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to almost all leaders of various parties. Source:PTI

"I would like to ask various leaders who questioned the suspension of Question Hour that all state assemblies including Punjab, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have run sessions for a day or two and passed several bills, whereas the government of India decided to run for 18 days and hold discussion on bills," Joshi said. Source:PTI

There are so many ways to question the government and it is not running away from discussion and "we are going to reply to all questions which you are going to raise," he said. The defence minister said he has discussed the matter with several leaders and noted that this session is being held in an extraordinary situation. Source:PTI

"We need support from all" as the House will run only for four hours.If somebody wants to ask a question, they can do during the Zero Hour," he said, adding most of the leaders have agreed on the issue of doing away with the Question Hour. Source:PTI

"I would urge all members to extend their support...You can raise issues through unstarred questions, ministers will reply. If members are not satisfied from that reply, then you can seek clarifications during Zero Hour also," Singh said. The Speaker sought support of all members for smooth functioning of the House. "I will provide sufficient time," he said. Source:PTI