HYDERABAD, NOV 28: Lok Sabha Speaker GMC Balayogi has hinted at initiating steps to regulate the zero hour in the Lower House so that the members can utilise the time for highlighting burning national issues in an effective manner.Speaking to newsmen here on Sunday on the eve of the winter session of Lok Sabha, Balayogi said that presently the zero hour was being devoured by boisterous scenes leading to stalling of proceedings by the recalcitrant members."Currently, the members are using the zero hour even to raise some issues pertaining to their respective constituencies. In fact, for that we have a separate provision under Rule 377. We are contemplating to take the opinion of all political parties on the use of zero hour," he said.Expressing optimism that the winter session of Lok Sabha would be "calmer" and smoother," Balayogi said that political stability at the national level would help ushering in reforms on all fronts including legislatures.However, much depends on the governmentalinitiative, he pointed out.He said that a meeting of the leaders of all political parties would be held in the Lok Sabha on Monday to finalise the business in the House for the next one week. Though the government was planning to introduce several bills in the session, he was not officially informed about it till today.Balayogi said that India would be hosting the eighth meeting of Asia-Pacific parliamentarians in November 2000. The seventh meeting was held in Thailand. Replying to a question, the Speaker said that he would seek the view of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on holding the meeting in Hyderabad.The theme of the parliamentarians meeting was "Educating the people on environment and development". Balayogi expressed happiness that the member nations were evincing interest in not only the agenda but also the decisions taken at the meetings.
