Zero Hour

Current Context : Himachal Pradesh State Legislative Assembly introduced Zero hour during the ongoing Monsoon session.

• This is the first time in the history of the state assembly that the members of the House will get the facility of zero hour.

ABOUT ZERO HOUR

• It refers to the period in both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) that starts immediately after the Question Hour and lasts until the agenda for the day is taken up.
• Zero Hour is an informal device through which members of Parliament (MPs) can raise issues of urgent public importance without prior notice.

PROCEDURE:

• Members of Parliament can raise issues, ask questions, or make statements on matters of urgent public importance during Zero Hour.
• No formal rules or notices are required for raising issues during this period, though it is expected that the issues raised are of significant public interest.