QUESTION HOUR TO RESUME DURING BUDGET SESSION

QUESTION HOUR TO RESUME DURING BUDGET SESSION

Context

Question Hour, which had been suspended by the government during the monsoon session, will resume when Parliament meets for the budget session.

Details

Question Hour

• The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is slotted for the Question Hour. However, in 2014, the Question Hour was shifted in the Rajya Sabha from 11 am to 12 noon.
• During this one hour, Members of Parliament (MPs) ask questions to ministers and hold them accountable for the functioning of their ministries.
• The questions can also be asked to the private members (MPs who are not ministers).

Types of Questions:

There are three kinds of questions asked:

• Starred question (distinguished by an asterisk): This requires an oral answer and hence supplementary questions can follow.
• Unstarred question: This requires a written answer and hence, supplementary questions cannot follow.
• Short notice question: It is one that is asked by giving a notice of less than ten days. It is answered orally.