Rajasthan Speaker pulls up MLAs for absence in Question Hour

March 6, 2026

Jaipur: The Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Vasudev Devnani, expressed strong displeasure after several Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) were found absent during the Question Hour despite having submitted questions for discussion. The incident occurred during the ongoing budget session of the Assembly, prompting the Speaker to remind legislators of their responsibility to attend proceedings and participate actively in debates.

Question Hour is considered one of the most important parts of legislative proceedings, as it allows elected representatives to seek answers from the government on issues affecting their constituencies and the public at large.

Questions Raised but MLAs Missing

During the session, multiple questions listed in the Assembly agenda were called for discussion. However, the MLAs who had raised those questions were not present in the House when their turn came. This led to an awkward situation where ministers had to respond without the concerned member present to ask supplementary questions or seek clarification.

Speaker Devnani took note of the situation and expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as a lack of seriousness towards legislative duties. He stated that it was unacceptable for MLAs to submit questions and then remain absent when those questions were taken up in the Assembly.

Speaker Reminds Members of Their Responsibility

Addressing the House, the Speaker emphasized that MLAs must remain present when their questions are listed during the Question Hour. He said that raising questions is an important parliamentary tool and members must treat it with responsibility.

Devnani noted that when the concerned legislator is not present, the opportunity for meaningful debate is lost. Without the presence of the member who submitted the question, supplementary queries cannot be asked, and the issue cannot be explored in detail.

The Speaker directed members to ensure their presence in the House whenever their questions are scheduled for discussion.

Importance of Question Hour in Legislative Functioning

The Question Hour allows legislators to hold the government accountable by seeking detailed information on policies, schemes, and administrative decisions. It also provides an opportunity for the opposition and ruling party MLAs to highlight public concerns.

When MLAs remain absent, the effectiveness of this process is reduced. Experts note that active participation from legislators is crucial for a healthy democratic process, as it ensures transparency and accountability in governance.

In the Rajasthan Assembly, which has 200 members, active participation during debates and question sessions plays a vital role in addressing regional issues and monitoring government performance.

Concerns Over Participation in Assembly

The Speaker’s remarks also come amid broader concerns about participation levels in legislative sessions. In recent discussions, he had highlighted that several MLAs had not spoken even once during the budget session, urging both the ruling party and opposition to encourage greater participation.

Political observers say that regular attendance and active involvement are essential responsibilities of elected representatives, especially during key sessions like the budget discussions.

Call for Discipline in the House

Devnani’s intervention is seen as an attempt to ensure discipline and seriousness in Assembly proceedings. By calling out absenteeism during Question Hour, the Speaker has signaled that legislators must adhere to parliamentary norms and maintain decorum inside the House.

The Speaker also urged party leaders and whips to ensure that their members remain present during scheduled debates and question sessions so that discussions can proceed smoothly and effectively.

As the budget session continues, the Assembly leadership hopes that the reminder will lead to improved attendance and more active participation from legislators.