Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania has announced that Zero Hour will soon be introduced in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly. Before this happens, there is a need to create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide how it will work.

What is Zero Hour?

Zero Hour is a time during parliamentary sessions when members can raise urgent public issues that are not part of the scheduled agenda. It gives them the chance to discuss important matters that need immediate attention. This usually happens after Question Hour and lets lawmakers bring up concerns that weren’t planned for discussion.

How Do Members Raise Issues During Zero Hour?

During Zero Hour, members can bring up urgent matters, but they need permission from the Speaker. The Speaker decides which issues will be discussed. It’s important to know that the government is not required to respond immediately to these issues.

• Government’s View: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan raised concerns that Zero Hour was introduced without talking to the government first. However, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu supports the idea but emphasized that clear SOPs should be in place to keep the discussions organized.
• Opposition’s View: Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur also supports Zero Hour but stressed the need for proper rules to ensure all members get a fair chance to raise public issues.

Creating SOPs is crucial to controlling what issues can be brought up during Zero Hour. These rules will help keep discussions focused, efficient, and on track. The SOPs for Himachal’s Zero Hour are expected to be similar to those used in the Indian Parliament to ensure smooth operations.

How Long Should Zero Hour Last?

Some members, like Randhir Sharma, suggested that Zero Hour should last for one hour. This would give lawmakers more time to discuss important public matters effectively.

In conclusion, Zero Hour in the Himachal Assembly will allow members to raise urgent issues, but clear SOPs are being developed to ensure smooth and productive discussions. Both the government and the opposition agree on its importance but emphasize the need for well-defined rules.