The Rules Committee of the Rajya Sabha has reached a consensus to save Question Hour from vagaries of the political weather. Acting on the proposal to shift Question Hour from 11 am to 4 pm, the House panel has decided to hold consultations with the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and leaders of all parties to build unanimity.The committee met under Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Thursday. Those present included Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Vayalar Ravi, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Narayanasami, Najma Heptulla and Bal Apte (BJP), Prashanta Chatterjee (CPI-M), K Keshav Rao and E M Sudarsana Natchiappan (Congress), Ram Jethmalani (Independent), D Raja (CPI) and Pyaremohan Mahapatra (BJD).Sources said there was a general agreement that the Question Hour must be saved from disruptions because it is the right of the members to ask questions and the only tool to cross-examine ministers. The members agreed that asking questions in Parliament is integral to good governance.Members, the sources said, made several suggestions. Some felt Question Hour must be retained at the present timing of 11 am, but felt a solution had to be found to sanitise it from disruptions. Other proposals were to shift it to 11.30, 2 pm and 4 pm.
