The Budget Session of the Parliament will commence from January 29 and is likely to end on April 8. Both Houses of Parliament will have a five-hour session each, with both Zero Hour and Question Hour restored.

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The Rajya Sabha will meet from 9 am to 2 pm, while the Lok Sabha will sit from 4 pm to 9 pm.  

There are several parliamentary devices available with the lawmakers to discuss important issues. One of them is Zero Hour.

It is an Indian innovation in the field of parliamentary procedures and has been in existence since 1962.

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What is Zero Hour?

It is where the MPs raise issues of urgent public importance. It’s an informal device not mentioned in the Rules of Procedure and is conducted between the Question Hour and the regular business of the House. 

In the Zero Hour, MPs don’t need to give a notice 10 days in advance. Thus, it’s used to raise such matters that cannot wait for 10 days.

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What is the procedure to raise a matter during Zero Hour?

For raising an issue during the Zero Hour, MPs must give notice before 10:00 am to the Speaker (in case of Lok Sabha) or the Chairman (in case of Rajya Sabha).

The notice must mention the subject they wish to raise. However, the Speaker or the Chairman can choose to either allow or reject it.