Parliament Live Updates: BJD, YSR Congress to back Harivansh Narayan Singh’s candidature for RS deputy chairman post

The Monsoon Session of Parliament will have 18 sittings. It will culminate on October 1.

The Opposition parties on Monday condemned the government’s decision to remove the Question Hour session. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress MP in Lok Sabha, said that the Question Hour is the golden hour but the government said that it can’t be held due to the circumstances. “You conduct the proceedings but single out Question Hour. You are trying to strangulate the democracy,” he said. Parliamentary Affairs minister Pralhad Joshi defended the removal of the Question Hour, saying that the government is not running away from discussion. “It is extraordinary situation. When Assemblies aren’t ready to meet for a single day, we -with around 800-850 MPs- are meeting here. There are so many ways to question the government. We’re ready for discussion,” he said. Union minister Rajnath Singh said that leader of the most political parties agreed to no Question House session and the Zero Hour for 30 minutes. “We apprised you (Speaker) of it following which decision was taken by you. I appeal to all members of House to co-operate as Session is being held in extraordinary situation,” he said. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Monsoon Session will be held in two shifts – 9 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 7 PM. Except today, Rajya Sabha will sit in the morning shift and Lok Sabha will sit in the evening. The Session will take up 47 items during its 18 sittings till October 1. This will be the first Parliament session being held amid the Covid-19 pandemic.