New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday (August 27) chaired a meeting with the CPWD and NDMC officials as well as general secretaries of both the houses to review the preparations for the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament. The Speaker directed all the agencies concerned to work diligently for sanitisation and other arrangements.


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Stating that the previous session ended early due to coronavirus pandemic, Om Birla said that there cannot be a gap of more than 6 months between the two sessions, therefore, the session is being convened amid COVID-19 pandemic, taking all the precautions.


He said that extensive arrangements are being made this the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which starts from September 14. Special arrangements are being made after much deliberation and brainstorming to maintain social distancing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.


For the first time in the history of Parliament, MPs will be seated in separate halls to maintain social distancing. Not only this but the meetings of the Lok Sabha, as well as Rajya Sabha, will also be held at different times--a House will meet in the morning and the other in the evening, according to sources.


He said that a separate protocol will be set for MPs coming and going in the Parliament premises, adding that separate guidelines are being framed for the of Parliament staff that they have to follow.


During the 18-day session, adequate care will be taken to ensure that every precaution is taken against the epidemic. The proceedings of Parliament will take place every day without any leave, he said, adding that the galleries and chambers of the Houses will be used in addition to the two Houses to maintain social distancing among the MPs.


Based on the number of MPs of different political parties, they will be allotted a seat within the house and in the gallery.


The Lok Sabha Speaker has asked the Parliament staff to rehearse all the protocols prior to the House session to avoid any disturbance during the session.


In a series of tweets from the Lok Sabha speaker's Twitter handle, Birla said, "Necessary protocols are being prepared for Members and their staff. Guidelines are also being formulated for the Parliament officials. All guidelines pertaining to Social Distancing will be adhered to during Session." 



He also shared a video of the meeting with officials from the secretariats of both houses -- Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.


Lok Sabha Secretary General Snehlata Srivastava and Rajya Sabha Secretary General Desh Deepak Verma briefed the Lok Sabha Speaker about the ongoing preparations. 


Notably, the monsoon session of Parliament is scheduled to commence from September 14 and conclude on October 1.