A Starred Question is a category of parliamentary question listed for oral answer during Question Hour, distinguished by an asterisk (*). It enables immediate ministerial accountability through verbal responses on the floor of the House and permits supplementary questioning, thereby facilitating deeper scrutiny.
Constitutional and Procedural Basis
- The device of questions arises from the principle of collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha (Article 75).
- Detailed procedures are governed by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in each House:
- Lok Sabha Rules (primarily Rules 32–55)
- Rajya Sabha Rules (primarily Rules 38–54)
- Starred questions form part of the parliamentary control mechanisms over the executive.
Core Features
- Oral Answer Requirement: The concerned minister must respond verbally in the House.
- Marked with Asterisk (*): Indicates eligibility for oral reply and supplementary questions.
- Supplementary Questions Permitted: MPs can ask follow-up questions without prior notice.
- Limited Daily Quota: Typically around 20 starred questions per day are listed (subject to variation).
- Balloting System: Questions are selected through a random ballot, ensuring fairness.
Admissibility Criteria
A Starred Question must satisfy strict conditions:
- It should relate to a matter of public importance.
- It must fall within the jurisdiction of the Government of India.
- It should be precise, factual, and not argumentative.
- It must not seek:
- Opinions or hypothetical scenarios
- Information on matters under adjudication (sub judice)
- Excessively detailed or voluminous data
The Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha) exercises final authority over admissibility.
Procedure in the House
- Questions are submitted with prior notice (usually 15 days).
- Selected questions are listed for a specific day during Question Hour.
- The minister gives an oral reply.
- The member who asked the question is given the first opportunity to ask a supplementary question.
- Other members may also be permitted to ask supplementaries, subject to the Presiding Officer’s discretion.
Functional Significance
Instrument of Real-Time Accountability
- Compels ministers to provide immediate and public explanations of policies and actions.
Dynamic Legislative Oversight
- Supplementary questions allow MPs to probe administrative lapses, policy gaps, and inconsistencies.
Information Generation
- Produces authoritative, on-record statements that contribute to policy transparency and public record.
Political Signalling
- Enables opposition and treasury benches alike to highlight priority issues and governance concerns.
Comparative Perspective
- Unlike written questions, starred questions resemble oral question periods in Westminster systems, reinforcing India’s parliamentary lineage.
- They are closest to Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in the UK in terms of immediacy and interaction, though broader in scope.
Limitations
- Severe Time Constraints: Only a fraction of listed questions are actually answered orally.
- Disruptions in Proceedings: Frequent adjournments reduce effective utilisation.
- Prepared Responses: Ministers may rely on bureaucratically prepared replies, limiting spontaneity.
Conclusion
Starred Questions constitute a central pillar of parliamentary accountability, combining procedural rigour with interactive scrutiny. Their effectiveness lies not merely in eliciting information but in enabling live interrogation of executive action, thereby strengthening democratic oversight within the parliamentary framework.
