Lok Sabha Secretariat justifies scrapping Question Hour; promises return in Winter Session

Amid vehement criticism from opposition, Lok Sabha Secretariat on Friday justified scrapping of Question Hour by citing COVID-19 situation. It stated that it was necessary to avoid garing of a large number of officials in galleries of House to ensure social distancing. According to secretariat of Lower House of Parliament, to conduct Question Hour on 18 continuous days was t feasible in present circumstances. 

It clarified that Question Hour will be back in Winter session of Parliament. Moreover, LS Secretariat revealed that Centre will give replies to 160 unstarred questions in Monsoon session on each day. This effectively implies that 1,120 questions shall be answered by government every week. 

Read: Monsoon Session Of Parliament Won't Have Question Hour Due To COVID; Starts September 14

What is Question Hour?

Generally,  first hour of sitting of Lok Sabha is dedicated to members of Parliament asking questions to government. This is kwn as Question Hour. MPs can ask questions on every aspect of administration and governmental activity, which elicits important information. Question Hour t only puts onus of answering for acts of omission and commission on Ministers but also helps Centre to adapt its policies accordingly.

It is perceived that questions by MPs bring to Ministers' tice some loopholes that may have gone unticed. Question Hour is held in  Parliament session daily except for days on which President addresses Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and when Union Finance Minister presents budget. Question Hour was also done away with during Chinese aggression in 1962. 

Read: TMC's Derek O'Brien Slams ' Question Hour' Decision In Parliament Monsoon Session

COVID-19 crisis in India

Currently, re are 39,36,747 confirmed vel coronavirus cases in India out of which 30,37,151 patients have been discharged while 68,472 fatalities have been recorded. At present, re are 8,31,124 active cases. With 66,659 persons recovering from COVID-19 in last 24 hours, country's recovery rate soared to  77.15%%. number of recovered persons outnumber active cases by more than 22 lakh. case fatality rate stands at 1.74%.

In last 24 hours, 11,69,765 samples were tested for COVID-19 across country. So far, India has conducted 4,66,79,145 vel coronavirus tests. number of labs for COVID-19 testing has increased to 1631- 1025 in government sector and 606 in private sector. 

Read: Odisha Assembly Awaits Guidelines From Lok Sabha Before Starting Next Session