How MPs ask questions in Lok Sabha

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• Questions in Lok Sabha
• What is the procedure for raising the questions?
• What are the conditions for the admissibility of questions?
• What are the different types of questions?
• Importance of raising questions

Why in news?

• Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra said she welcomes answering questions from the CBI and the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee pertaining to cash for query allegations against her.
• Earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker had referred the bribe-for-query complaint against MP Mahua Moitra to the Ethics Committee of the Lower House.
• The BJP MP had accused Mahua Moitra of accepting money from a businessman to ask questions in Parliament.

What is the procedure for raising the questions in Lok Sabha?

• Existing rules
  • The procedure for raising questions is governed by:
    • Rules 32 to 54 of the “Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha” and
    • Directions 10 to 18 of the “Directions by the Speaker, Lok Sabha‟.
• Procedure
  • To ask a question, an MP has to first give a notice addressed to the lower house’s Secretary-General, intimating their intention to ask a question.
  • The notice usually contains:
    • the text of the question,
    • the official designation of the Minister to whom the question is addressed,
    • the date on which the answer is desired, and
    • the order of preference, in case the MP tables more than one notice of questions for the same day.
• Number of questions a member can ask
  • A Member is allowed to give not more than five notices of questions, both for oral and written answers, in all, for any day.
  • Notices received in excess of five from a Member for a day, are considered for the subsequent day(s) concerning that Minister(s) during the period of that session only.
  • Usually, the period of notice of a question is not less than 15 days.
• 2 Ways through which MPs can submit the notices of their questions
  • First, through an online ‘Member’s Portal’, where they have to enter their ID and password to get access.
  • Second, through the printed forms available in the Parliamentary Notice Office.
• Role of Speaker
  • After submission of the notices, the next stage is when the Speaker of Lok Sabha examines the notices of the questions in the light of the laid-out rules.
  • It is the Speaker, who decides if a question, or a part thereof, is or isn’t admissible.

Conditions for the admissibility of questions

• There are numerous rules that govern the admissibility of a question raised by an MP.
  • For example, questions shall not ordinarily contain more than 150 words.
  • They should not contain arguments, defamatory statements, refer to the character or conduct of any person except in their official or public capacity.
  • Queries raising larger issues of policy are not allowed, for it is not possible to enunciate policies within the limited compass of an answer to a question.
  • A question is not admissible if its subject matter is pending judgment before any court of law or any other tribunal or body set up under law or is under consideration before a Parliamentary Committee.
  • A query also canot seek information on matters which may weaken the unity and integrity of the country.

Different types of questions

• Starred questions
  • A starred question is asked by an MP and answered orally by the Minister-in-charge.
  • Each MP is allowed to ask one starred question per day.
  • Starred questions have to be submitted at least 15 days in advance (so that the Minister-in-charge has the time to prepare the answers) and only 20 questions can be listed for oral answers on a day.
  • When a question is answered orally, supplementary questions can be asked thereon.
  • Starred questions are better suited to inquire about the government’s views on issues and its policy inclination.
• Unstarred questions
  • An unstarred question receives a written reply from the Ministry. These also need to be submitted at least 15 days in advance.
  • Only 230 questions can be listed for written answers in a day.
  • Unlike starred questions, unstarred questions do not permit any follow-up questions.
  • Unstarred questions are more conducive for getting answers to queries related to data or information
• Short-notice questions
  • Short notice questions are ones pertaining to a matter of urgent public importance.
  • They can be asked with less than 10 days’ notice, with reasons for the short notice.
  • Like a starred question, they are answered orally, followed by supplementary questions.
• Questions addressed to private Members
  • The question to a private Member is addressed to the MP themselves.
  • It is asked when the subject matter pertains to any Bill, Resolution or any matter relating to the Business of the House for which that MP is responsible.

Importance of raising questions

• Asking questions is an inherent and unfettered parliamentary right of an MP.
• The exercise is meant to act as a parliamentary device to practise legislative control over executive actions.
• It can be used to:
  • get information on aspects of administration and government activity,
  • criticise government policies and schemes,
  • throw light on government lapses, and
  • push ministers to take substantive steps for the common good.

Q1) What are Short-notice questions?

Short notice questions are ones pertaining to a matter of urgent public importance. They can be asked with less than 10 days’ notice, with reasons for the short notice. Like a starred question, they are answered orally, followed by supplementary questions.

Q2) What are unstarred questions?

An unstarred question receives a written reply from the Ministry. These also need to be submitted at least 15 days in advance. Only 230 questions can be listed for written answers in a day. Unlike starred questions, unstarred questions do not permit any follow-up questions.

Source: Mahua Moitra and ‘cash for query’ row: How MPs ask questions in Lok Sabha