New Delhi, Tuesday 1 December 2009: A day after proceedings in the Lok Sabha collapsed due to absence of as many as 34 members who had listed questions, Congress on Tuesday said it has taken serious note of the issue and the Chief Whip of the party will ask members about it.

“We have taken a serious note (of the issue) and we would talk to the MPs,” a party leader said.

“The Chief Whip will ask about it,” AICC Secretary Rajeev Shukla told reporters outside Parliament House.

Asked about the response of the party on party MPs being absent from the Question Hour, he said members who have asked questions should be present.

He parried questions whether party Chief Sonia Gandhi had expressed displeasure over MPs being absent from the Question Hour.

Shukla, however, added that the party had a roster system for the pre and post lunch sessions.

In the Lok Sabha yesterday, 17 questions, including 15 in a row, could not be taken up during Question Hour in which a total of 20 questions are listed for answers from the ministers on the floor of the House. Of the 34 MPs absent, seven were from the Congress.
(Agency)