Question

Within what period is the Government entitled to reply an unstarred question generally?
1. Within a week 
2. Within fifteen days 
3. Within a month
4. Within three months 

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Within fifteen days 

The Correct Answer is  Within fifteen days.

• The Government is entitled to reply an unstarred question generally in 15 days.
• However, the Speaker can relax the minimum notice period of 15 clear days to protect the interest of Members. 
• In recent news:
  • The Central government had decided to suspend the Question Hour for Monsoon Session in 2020.
  • This was done because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Question Hour:
  • The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is devoted to the Question Hour. 
  • During this one hour, MPs ask questions to ministers and hold them accountable for the functioning of their ministries. 
  • The questions can also be asked to the private members (MPs who are not ministers).
  • There is no Question Hour on Saturday if a sitting is fixed for that day.
  • On the day, when the President of India addresses sitting of the two Houses together or during the period when the session is extended beyond the scheduled programme of sittings, there is no Question Hour.
• Types of Questions:
  • Starred question: Requires an oral answer.
    • Supplementary questions can follow.
    • It is distinguished by an asterisk.
  • Unstarred question: Requires a written answer.
    • Supplementary questions cannot follow.
    • Notice of 15 days is required.
  • Short notice question: Asked by giving a notice of fewer than ten days.
    • It is answered orally.
  • Questions to Private Members: A Question may also be addressed to a Private Member (Under Rule 40 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha), provided that the subject matter of the question relates to some bill, resolution, or other matter connected with the business of the House for which that Member is responsible.

• Lok Sabha (the Lower house) of Indian bicameral parliament:
  • 1st Speaker: Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar.
  • 1st Female Speaker: Meira Kumar.
  • Members: 543 (13 seats are represented by UT).
  • Reserved Seats: 84 (SCs) & 47 (STs).
  • Current Lok Sabha: 17th Lok Sabha.
  • Current Speaker:  Om Birla, BJP (MP from Kota-Bundi constituency, Rajasthan).
  • Secretary-General: Utpal Kumar Singh.
  • Leader of the House: Narendra Modi, BJP.