New Delhi: The Lok Sabha Secretariat has emphasized the confidentiality of responses to MPs’ queries slated for discussion during Parliament’s Question Hour. They’ve stated that these replies remain strictly confidential until the actual questioning and answering occur within the House.
In an order dated November 10, the Secretariat highlighted that if a question isn’t raised or addressed within the allocated time, the response should not be disclosed until the Question Hour concludes.
This clarification follows allegations against Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, who faces accusations of receiving a bribe from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to ask questions targeting the government.
The ruling BJP has strongly criticized Ms. Moitra, alleging corruption and expressing concerns about potential national security risks due to the potential exposure of confidential information.
Regarding Lok Sabha rules, responses to MPs’ Starred Questions—those necessitating an oral response—are uploaded onto their respective accounts by 9 am on the day of Question Hour.
According to the Lok Sabha, ‘this initiative has been taken to (help) Members to frame supplementaries (follow-up questions)’.
Answers to Unstarred Questions, which demand a written response, are likewise published on the concerned MP’s account and, subsequently, on the Lok Sabha website after the conclusion of Question Hour.
The Lok Sabha order also added, ‘It may be noted that since the replies are login- and password-protected on the Members’ portal, they are exclusively for the use of Members only’.
It further said, ‘members are, therefore, requested to maintain confidentiality of replies and not to share content with others till Question Hour is over’.
‘Responses to both oral (starred) and written (unstarred) questions are to be treated as confidential until they are laid on the Table of the House after the Question Hour is over… for a particular date’, it added.