“Question hour is golden hour and suspension of it giving an excuse of the extraordinary situation is unacceptable,” Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said.
New Delhi| The fourth session of the 17th Lok Sabha started on a chaotic note amid the Coronavirus pandemic. The opposition parties who had planned to corner the govt over rising Corona numbers, India-China border face-off etc raised questions over govt’s decision to not hold the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that the Question Hour is an important part of the proceedings of the House. “Question hour is golden hour and suspension of it giving an excuse of the extraordinary situation is unacceptable,” Chowdhury said. “You conduct the proceedings but single out Question Hour. You are trying to strangulate the democracy,” he added.
Question Hour is the golden hour but you say that it can't be held due to the circumstances. You conduct the proceedings but single out Question Hour. You are trying to strangulate the democracy: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress MP in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/JQrZuWT6nN
— ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2020
On the other hand, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that the government has taken away the right to ask questions. Other members of the opposition also said that it is necessary to have a question hour. Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee said that the Question Hour is linked to the basic structure of the parliamentary system.
Also Read: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s Journey from a Naxalite to Congress’ face in Parliament
Commenting on the issue, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that Govt is accountable to Parliament. “When have they reported to us on talks b/w Defence & Foreign Ministers (of India & China)? The nation needs to be taken into confidence by govt. Question of support for military beyond debate we’re very strongly with our Army,” Tharoor said.
Govt is accountable to Parliament. When have they reported to us on talks b/w Defence & Foreign Ministers (of India & China)? Nation needs to be taken into confidence by govt. Question of support for military beyond debate we're very strongly with our Army:Shashi Tharoor,Congress https://t.co/o8cdXRKEyQ pic.twitter.com/0yCSH9k0qh
— ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2020
The Lok Sabha proceedings started at 9 am today and will run till 1 am. The session began with paying respects to former President Pranab Mukherjee, One MP and 13 former parliamentarians who passed away. On the other hand, business in the Rajya Sabha will start at three in the afternoon. On the first day, there will be an election for the post of Deputy Chairman in Rajya Sabha.
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