Zero Hour to be introduced in Vidhan Sabha after framing SOP’s: Speaker

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Wednesday said zero hour will be introduced in the Himachal assembly after framing of SOP’s and other modalities.  

“Zero hour is where MLA’s can raise issues of public concern and of urgent importance, which otherwise cannot be listed. However, the discretion to allow raising of any issue lies with the Speaker,” he said. It is not possible to give a prompt reply and this is not even mandatory.

Pathania clarified that an issue raised in zero hour should be brief for two to three minutes and cannot be raised repeatedly.

“The SOP’s will be same as in the case of Parliament. Ours is the first assembly to start e-Vidhan so we should have taken lead in starting zero hour,” said Pathania.

The Speaker said it has been decided to start zero hour and the modalities will be framed after discussion with the government.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu suggested that zero hour should be introduced only after discussion with the government and framing of SOP’s. “Parliamentary Affairs Minister has in no way challenged the Speaker’s authority. In Parliament, replies to queries raised during zero hour is given after one month,” said CM Sukhu.

He added government has no objection but the modalities and SOP’s must be decided before it is introduced.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister said the government was not taken into confidence while deciding the start of zero hour.

“Opposition says the Speaker acts under pressure from the government. The fact that he did not ask the government proves that he is neutral,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan.

He sought details about the modalities of the zero hour, SOP be framed and what kind of issues can be raised in the interest of the house.  

“I feel the issue should be decided by the business advisory committees so that there is satisfaction of the member. It should not become a mode to settle political issues,” he said. The government is in no way opposed to start of zero hour, said Chauhan.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said issues of public interest can be raised during zero hour.

“Zero hour is there in 10 Vidhan Sabha’s and Parliament and is for half an hour on which only issues will be raised but no reply will be given by the government,” he said.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said Parliamentary Affairs Minister is casting aspersions on the chair of the Speaker by stating that Speaker did not take the government into confidence.

“Opposition is in favour of zero hour and modalities should be framed so that maximum members can raise public issues as it is not possible to give them time otherwise,” said Thakur.

He added it appears that government is not concerned about introduction of zero hour.

Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma said zero hour should be for one hour and not half-an-hour after deciding the modalities.