Question : STANDARD OF REPLIES

(a) whether his Ministry has carried out any study/audit about the quality of answers, both starred and unstarred, provided to MPs, queries by various other Ministries of the Union;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether any comparative study has been undertaken by the Government about the quality of responses given to MPs through starred and unstarred questions juxtaposed against the responses given to citizens under the Right to Information Act;

(d) if so. the details thereof;

(e) the number of complaints the Government has received about tardy responses from the Government in reply to MPs query in the 13t]l 14th and 15th LokSabha; and

(f) the steps taken to improve the quality of responses from the Government to MPs?

MINISTER OF STATE EN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS; AND MINISTER OF STATE TN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (Shri V. Narayanasamy)

(a) to (d): No, Sir. Parliament Questions are governed under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Replies/ responses to the Starred Questions and Unstarred Questions are the sole responsibility of the Ministry/Department concerned. Such replies are directly sent to Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats by the various Ministries/ Departments. As such, any study/audit of the quality of answers to Starred and Unstarred Questions by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs does not arise.

(e) No, Sir.

(f) Does not arise.