Have to consider options to save question hour: Ansari

NEW DELHI - Expressing concern over the disruption of question hour in parliament, Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari said Tuesday that there are plans to reschedule the one-hour slot to a later part of the day.

In his valedictory address in the Rajya Sabha, which adjourned sine die Tuesday, Ansari expressed anguish that disruption of question hour was taking place with “disturbing regularity”. “The practice tramples on the rights of individual members, detracts from the dignity of parliament and has invited public criticism,” he added.

He said the current session, which ended Tuesday, had seen eight question hours “lost”, while the house could not conduct business for five days.

“It may be noted that while the other time lost is compensated by sitting beyond the normal hours, it is only the question hour which is irretrievably lost in disruptions,” said Ansari.

He said that he will continue to consult members on the rescheduling of business in order to “strike a balance between expression of perceived concerns and the normal business for the day”.

“One option is to start the proceedings with the zero hour at 11 a.m.and take up the question hour later in the day,” Ansari suggested.

The monsoon session of parliament had started July 26.