New Delhi: Government has an open mind on
the issue of shifting the Question Hour in Parliament from the
customary 11 a.m. to some other time to enable opposition
members to raise matters of urgent public importance.
"Government has an open mind. If the Lok Sabha Speaker
and Rajya Sabha Chairman decide to shift and opposition
agrees, we have no problem," Parliamentary Affairs Minister P
K Bansal told reporters when asked about moves to shift
Question Hour which often becomes a victim during uproar on
any issue.
He said the contention of the Presiding Officers was that
since disturbance of the House was related to Chair not giving
permission to opposition to raise an issue, why not give an
opportunity to them by shifting the Question Hour.
"We have agreed with the contention of the Speaker and
the Chairman. It is entirely for them as to what would be the
final view," he said adding that some adjustments would have
to made for the non-Parliamentary work.
Question Hour could not be taken up for four days in the
Lok Sabha and seven days in the Rajya Sabha in the second part
of the Budget session as Opposition parties created ruckus and
disrupted proceedings over some issue or the other, often
forcing the presiding officers to adjourn the House without
taking up a single question.
PTI
