The change in timing of the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha failed to yield results on the first working day of the Winter Session of Parliament as no question could be taken up during the hour slotted for 12 noon instead of 11 am as per the traditional practice.
The entire Question Hour was washed out as Congress MPs raised loud protests on removing late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s name from the domestic airport in Hyderabad, accusing the Government of carrying out “arbitrary” changes.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari has changed the timing with effect from this session as Question Hour often went waste as members had a tendency of raising issues as soon as the House met for the day at 11 am. He had earlier too changed the timings a few years ago only to change it back after objections by members.
Naresh Agarwal (SP) raised the issue seeking reconsideration, saying it would have been better had the Chairman discussed it in the House before initiating changes in Question Hour.
Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien responded by saying the matter was deliberated upon by the Rules Committee and a report is being submitted in this regard with the recommendation.
Raising the issue of removal of late Rajiv Gandhi’s name at Hyderabad air port, Deputy leader of Congress in the Upper House Anand Sharma said it was “unacceptable” and they will not allow the House to function.