The Parliament plays a pivotal role in a democratic set-up, acting as a platform where the elected representatives of the populace articulate their concerns and question the government’s activities. Essential to this process is parliamentary questioning, a procedure that has recently come under scrutiny due to allegations of misuse by a Member of Parliament (MP). The said MP was questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee for alleged involvement in a ‘cash-for-query’ scandal. This incident highlights the importance of the parliament’s legislative control over executive actions, termed as ‘Questioning in Parliament’.
The Process of Raising Questions in Parliament
The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha govern the procedure for raising queries. An MP who wishes to ask a question must first submit a notice to the Secretary-General of the lower house. This notice should contain the text of the question, the name of the minister it is addressed to, the desired answer date, and preference order if the MP submits multiple questions for the same day.
Regarding the submission limit, an MP can submit up to five notices of questions (both oral and written) per day. If the notices exceed this limit, they are considered for subsequent days within the same session.
Period and Conditions for Question Notice
Typically, the notice period for a question is not less than 15 days. MPs can submit their notices either through an online ‘Member’s Portal’ or by using printed forms from the Parliamentary Notice Office. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha reviews these notices and confirms their admissibility based on established rules.
To be admissible, questions must meet certain conditions. They should not exceed 150 words, and avoid containing defamatory statements or personal conduct references unless related to official or public capacity. Questions seeking information that could undermine national unity and integrity are unacceptable.
Types of Questions
There are primary categories of questions raised in the parliament. These include Starred, Unstarred, Short Notice, and questions to Private Members.
Starred questions are asked by an MP and answered orally by the concerned Minister. Unstarred questions seek written answers, which are placed on the table of the House by the concerned Minister. Short Notice questions concern urgent issues of public importance, for which oral responses are sought. Lastly, questions can be addressed to private members under certain conditions.
The Role and Impact of Questioning in Parliament
Parliamentary questioning is a constitutional right and serves various functions. It allows MPs to gain information on government activities and policies, scrutinize those policies, highlight government shortcomings, and push ministers to act for the common good.
From the government’s perspective, such questions provide insight into public sentiment regarding its policies and administration. They can lead to the formation of parliamentary commissions, inquiries, or even the enactment of new legislation.
Way Forward
Given the essential role it plays in democratic governance, the process of parliamentary questioning must be protected and upheld. Ethical concerns, like the recent scandal, should be thoroughly investigated and if necessary, reforms implemented to ensure the integrity of the process. The officials responsible must provide valid reasons for disallowing a question. However, these reasons cannot be accessed through Right to Information (RTI) due to the privilege of the House — making it challenging to take the matter to court.
Despite these challenges, the questioning in Parliament remains an integral part of our democracy, serving as a reminder to the government that it is answerable to the people who elected their representatives. As such, it will continue to play an essential role in holding the government accountable and ensuring transparency in its functioning.
