Members have a right to ask questions to elicit information on matters of public
importance within the special cognizance of the Ministers concerned. The questions
are of four types:—
(i) Starred Questions- A Starred Question is one to which
a member desires an oral answer from the Minister in the House and is required to
be distinguished by him/her with an asterisk. Answer to such a question may be followed
by supplementary questions by members.
(ii) Unstarred Questions- An Unstarred Question is one to
which written answer is desired by the member and is deemed to be laid on the Table
of the House by Minister. Thus it is not called for oral answer in the House and
no supplementary question can be asked thereon.
(iii) Short Notice Questions- A member may give a notice
of question on a matter of public importance and of urgent character for oral answer
at a notice less than 10 days prescribed as the minimum period of notice for asking
a question in ordinary course. Such a question is known as ‘Short Notice Question’.
(iv) Questions to Private Members- A Question may also be
addressed to a Private Member (Under Rule 40 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct
of Business in Lok Sabha), provided that the subject matter of the question relates
to some Bill, Resolution or other matter connected with the business of the House
for which that Member is responsible. The procedure in regard to such questions
is same as that followed in the case of questions addressed to a Minister with such
variations as the Speaker may consider necessary.