Against the backdrop of Opposition MPs holding protests at the entry gate of Parliament House, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday urged MPs not to create hindrances as it obstructs those entering the building, especially women members. His appeal came a day after the Lok Sabha secretariat urged MPs not to hold protests in front of the gates of Parliament House, contending that such obstruction of movement could affect their safety and security.

"I request all political parties not to obstruct the entry gate when others are entering the building to attend proceedings. Women MPs have personally flagged their difficulty. I have already given directions and I request once again that if there is an issue, meet me but there should be no obstruction at the entry gate," Birla said ahead of Zero Hour.

The secretariat's advisory on Tuesday came on a day parliamentarians held protests on the steps of Makar Dwar of Parliament, a gate reserved exclusively for their use and that of the officials. "Members are requested not to hold protests or demonstrations in front of gates of Parliament House as such actions cause serious hindrance to the movement of members to the Parliament Chambers during sittings of the Houses," the advisory said.

Earlier, the Speaker said Ministers should give up the habit of responding to members during the Question Hour till permitted by the Chair. This came after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav made a comment while Union Minister Pralhad Joshi was replying to a question on solar energy and Union Minister Piyush Goyal responded to the Kannauj MP. Goyal earlier served as Power Minister. Joshi, who holds the New and Renewable Energy portfolio, was responding to supplementaries related to Pradhan Mantri-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PM-SGMBY).

Birla said Ministers should not reply to members till they are allowed by the Chair. Later, the Speaker also asked members to keep their questions and answers short. He made the comments when Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia was responding to questions about BSNL.

Scindia was also asked to keep his reply short.

Members and Ministers should keep their questions and answers crisp and to the point so that more members can get the opportunity to ask questions during the Question Hour, Birla said. He was of the view that all the 20 questions selected for oral reply through a lottery system should be taken up during the Question Hour.