Chowdhury, reportedly confirmed that Rajnath Singh had informed him it would not be possible to schedule the Question Hour because it would require the presence of a large number of officials in Parliament to brief ministers
The government’s decision to not have question hour during the monsoon session of parliament amid the rising cases of coronavirus hasn’t gone well with the opposition.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, defence minister Rajnath Singh had called up opposition leaders, including Congress’s Ghulam Nabi Azad and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and O’Brien.
Chowdhury, reportedly confirmed that Rajnath Singh had informed him it would not be possible to schedule the Question Hour because it would require the presence of a large number of officials in Parliament to brief ministers. The union minister also told Chowdhury that the government would try to accommodate the opposition’s demand for the Zero Hour.
Coming down heavily on the centre, TMC MP Derek O’Brien said, “MPs required to submit Qs for Question Hour in #Parliament 15 days in advance. Session starts 14 Sept. So Q Hour cancelled ? Oppn MPs lose right to Q govt. A first since 1950? Parliament overall working hours remain same so why cancel Q Hour?Pandemic excuse to murder democracy.”
MPs required to submit Qs for Question Hour in #Parliament 15 days in advance. Session starts 14 Sept. So Q Hour cancelled ? Oppn MPs lose right to Q govt. A first since 1950 ? Parliament overall working hours remain same so why cancel Q Hour?Pandemic excuse to murder democracy
— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) September 2, 2020
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also shared the news with caption: “If this is true, it is not just a violation of a member’s right,but it also means that Govt is uncomfortable answering questions on their Governance. Govt is answerable to people & any move to cancel Question Hour reflects the autocratic mindset of Govt.”
If this is true, it is not just a violation of a member’s right,but it also means that Govt is uncomfortable answering questions on their Governance. Govt is answerable to people & any move to cancel Question Hour reflects the autocratic mindset of Govt https://t.co/P6i6TD0hh3
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) September 2, 2020
Congress leader also criticised the Modi government in his “strongman” jibe. Tharoor said, “I said four months ago that strongmen leaders would use the excuse of the pandemic to stifle democracy&dissent. The notification for the delayed Parliament session blandly announces there will be no Question Hour. How can this be justified in the name of keeping us safe?”
“Questioning the government is the oxygen of parliamentary democracy. This Govt seeks to reduce Parliament to a notice-board & uses its crushing majority as a rubber-stamp for whatever it wants to pass. The one mechanism to promote accountability has now been done away with,” Tharoor further added.
2/2 Questioning the government is the oxygen of parliamentary democracy. This Govt seeks to reduce Parliament to a notice-board & uses its crushing majority as a rubber-stamp for whatever it wants to pass. The one mechanism to promote accountability has now been done away with.
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) September 2, 2020
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