Starred Questions In Parliamentary Proceedings

• 28 Nov 2019

Why in News

The ongoing Winter Session of 17^th Lok Sabha has taken all the 20 starred questions for the first time since 1972.

• The previous record was created during the 5^th Lok Sabha (1972) when 14 starred questions were answered.
  
  • In the 5^th Lok Sabha (1972), the number of starred questions was fixed at 20 per Question Hour. Similarly, for the Rajya Sabha, the number is fixed at 15.
• Members of Parliament have a right to ask questions which is one of the devices available to them to seek information on matters of public importance.
• The Question Hour is one such mechanism in which the members ask questions on varied aspects of administration and governmental activity.

Question Hour

• The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is termed as Question hour.
• It is mentioned in the Rules of Procedure of the House.
• During this time, the members ask questions and the ministers usually give answers.
• The questions are of three types, namely,
  
  • Starred questions:
    
    • These are distinguished by an asterisk.
    • It requires an oral answer and hence supplementary questions can follow.
    • The list of these questions is printed in green colour.
  • Unstarred questions:
    
    • It requires a written answer and hence, supplementary questions cannot follow.
    • The list of these questions is printed in white colour.
  • Short notice questions:
    
    • The matters of public importance and of urgent character are considered under this type of questions.
    • It is asked by giving a notice of less than ten days.
    • It is answered orally.
    • The list of these questions is printed in light pink colour.
• In addition to the ministers, the questions can also be asked to the private members.
  
  • Question to private members:
    
    • These questions are mentioned under Rule 40 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.
    • A question may be addressed to a private member if the subject matter of the question relates to some bill, resolution for which that member is responsible.
    • The list of these questions is printed in yellow colour.

Source:IE