The government is ready for starless questions and has asked the presidents of both houses to facilitate the same, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told PTI.
Questions without an asterisk are those to which ministers give written answers, while ‘questions with an asterisk’ are those to which an answer is desired orally on the floor of the Chamber during question hour.
“We are not running away from any debate and we are ready to discuss any matter or topic that is decided in the Business Advisory Committee,” Joshi said.
Underlining that the monsoon session is taking place in unprecedented circumstances in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Joshi said ministry officials would have to go to Parliament if Question Hour is held and that may make the place crowded.
Therefore, for the safety of the members, there will be no question time during the monsoon session, the minister said.
He also said that the government had reached out to all opposition parties before notice for the session was issued and most of them agreed not to hold Question Time during the session.
There will be a Zero Hour of at least 30 minutes, he said.
Several opposition leaders, including those in Congress, Trinamool Congress and CPI, have criticized the decision not to have Question Time. The leaders accused the government of trying to “assassinate democracy” in the name of the Covid-19 pandemic and of reducing “Parliament to a notice board.”
Lok Sabha Congressional Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Rajya Sabha Deputy Party Leader Anand Sharma said that the proposal to exclude Question Time during this session is arbitrary and undemocratic, as members have the right to ask questions of the government. on key issues.
“The sessions of parliament are not only intended for government business, but also for government scrutiny and accountability.
“The delayed monsoon session of parliament is of particular importance after the gradual closing and unlocking. The proposal to exclude Question Time is arbitrary, shocking and undemocratic. It is a privilege of the members and the very life of a session,” Sharma said.
Criticizing the decision, Congressional leader Shashi Tharoor said that questioning the government is the “oxygen” of parliamentary democracy and argued that Modi’s dispensation seeks to reduce Parliament to a “notice board.”
The Trinamool Congress alleged that the government made the decision to deny members of the opposition the opportunity to ask questions about the economy and the coronavirus pandemic.
“Parliamentarians must submit questions for Question Time in Parliament 15 days in advance. The session begins on September 14. Was Question Time canceled? Opposition MPs lose the right to question the government. A first time since 1950?? A pandemic excuse to assassinate democracy ?, TMC MP Derek O’Brien tweeted.
CPI MP Binoy Viswam wrote a letter to Rajya Sabha President M Venkaiah Nadu, saying that the suspension of Question Time and private members’ affairs is “unfair” and should be reinstated immediately.
Viswam said the suspension of these parliamentary proceedings raises “serious questions” about the government’s “intent” at a time when crucial events continue to occur across the country.
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