Om Birla on COVID-19 measures in LS: '62% of operations digitalised, all MPs to be tested'

Addressing media on Thursday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla elaborated on measures to combat COVID-19 in monsoon session of Parliament. Ackwledging that it was challenging to conduct session amid vel coronavirus pandemic, he mentioned that all MPs will undergo testing for COVID-19. Pointing out that 62% of Lower House's operations had been digitalized, he affirmed that Lok Sabha will go 100% digital eventually. He also stated that all members had sent ir questions online, a first in history of Parliament.

Stressing that attendance of Parliamentarians shall be recorded through a mobile App, Birla added that 257 members will sit in Lok Sabha, 172 in visitors' gallery and remaining MPs in Rajya Sabha. He assured that sanitization will be carried out on a regular basis. Monsoon session, delayed because of  COVID-19 crisis, will be held from September 14 to October 1 without any weekend break. While Lok Sabha will conduct its proceedings from 9 am to 1 pm on first day of session, members of Lower House shall sit from 3 pm to 7 pm till October 1. 

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Congress demands Deputy Speaker election

A day earlier, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called for election of Deputy Speaker to be held in upcoming Monsoon session. Writing to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Chowdhury reminded him that seat of Deputy Speaker must be filled eir by election or consensus as per constitutional mandate. He ted that this post is offered to opposition party by default.

According to him, this was an opportune moment as Rajya Sabha is also set to elect  Deputy Chairman. AIADMK's M Thambidurai served as Deputy Lok Sabha Speaker during first term of Modi government. However, this position is lying vacant since May 2019, which makes this longest period of a Lok Sabha functioning without a Deputy Speaker. But, proceedings of Lower House are t hampered in absence of Speaker owing to existence of a constitution-mandated panel of 10 MPs. 

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