Monsoon session of parliament to be held from Sept 14 to Oct 1 with COVID norms in place

Observing precautions related to COVID-19, monsoon session of Parliament will commence on September 14 and conclude on October 1. According to sources, decision on dates of session was taken in a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. government is of opinion that conducting monsoon session during coronavirus pandemic in itself is a big challenge.

According to rules, House must meet before September 23 as re cant be a gap of more than six months between two sessions. budget session was adjourned prematurely on March 23.

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COVID-19 precautions

Taking in stock COVID situation, government is looking to strictly adhere to all COVID-19 related standard operating procedures (SOPs), including social distancing and sanitization. A proposal for changing rules for entry of journalists in Parliament premises is also being considered owing to COVID-19 pandemic.

It is also looking to change timings of both Houses to prevent any overcrowding in Parliament premises at any point of time.  re are also proposals to install an ultraviolet irradiation system in air-conditioning unit to kill germs and viruses. 

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Hard Copies Of Ordinances Will Be Distributed

Hard copies of ordinances will t be circulated among MPs in upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament to check spread of COVID-19 and y will be given digitised version of documents, Lok Sabha Secretariat said on Monday.

A number of ordinances promulgated by government are expected to be taken up by Parliament in upcoming session.

"Members are informed that in view of prevailing situation of COVID-19 pandemic and in order to check spread of infection which may occur due to handling of physical papers, it has been decided to discontinue circulation of hard copies of ordinances with effect from ensuing 4th Session of 17th Lok Sabha," secretariat said in a tification.

READ:  hard copies of ordinances will be distributed in upcoming Parliament session

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