Shimla, Dec 17,
Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly is set to introduce a new tradition – the Zero Hour – during the Winter Session starting tommorow I.e 18 December. This significant move aims to enhance accountability and provide legislators a platform to raise pressing public issues.
Vidhan Sabha Secretary Yashpal Sharma confirmed that the assembly has established ten detailed rules to regulate Zero Hour, ensuring a structured and efficient process.
The 30-minute Zero Hour will commence immediately after the Question Hour on each working day of the session. Members can utilize this time to raise specific matters that may not have been addressed during the Question Hour, as outlined in Rule 246.
This initiative aligns the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly with the practices followed by the Indian Parliament and several other state assemblies. Members seeking to raise a matter must submit written or online notices at least 90 minutes before the assembly convenes. A ballot system will prioritize these notices, with a maximum of ten subjects allowed per day.
The admissibility of notices will be subject to strict criteria.
Matters must fall within the state government’s jurisdiction, demonstrate urgency, and avoid overlapping with scheduled discussions. Notices must be concise, limited to 50 words. Members will have a brief 2-3 minutes to present their concerns, followed by a potential response or promise of a response from the concerned minister.
Initially proposed during the Monsoon Session under Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania’s leadership, the Zero Hour’s implementation was delayed due to the absence of formal rules.
With the Vidhan Sabha Conduct Committee finalizing the framework, the initiative is now ready to be implemented.
The introduction of Zero Hour signifies the assembly’s commitment to creating a platform for members to effectively voice public concerns and hold the government accountable.
This step aligns Himachal Pradesh with progressive parliamentary practices, promoting greater transparency and responsiveness in governance.
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