Consideration of a 'hybrid' or virtual session that cannot accommodate all MPs in the current Parliament

- It is difficult to maintain physical distance due to Corona epidemic. Only a few members will be able to attend the hybrid session.

(PTI) New Delhi, Ta. 9 June 2020, Tuesday

Given the current state of Covid-12, it was found that a hybrid virtual session was being considered as it was not possible to accommodate all the members in the Parliament House. According to information received from a high level, despite maintaining a social distance of one meter, not all MPs can be seated in the Central Hall of Parliament or even in the Vigyan Bhavan. Presiding officers of both the houses were found to be exploring the possibility of a hybrid session of Parliament or a virtual session.

In the hybrid session, only a few members will be able to be present in the House while the rest of the MPs will be virtually present. According to sources, one of the options under discussion was that members could attend the chambers of both the houses. A list of such members is being prepared. Especially those members who are needed in their daily work will be present. The monsoon session of Parliament is usually held in July.

In a meeting convened by Rajya Sabha Speaker Vakaiya Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the secretaries general of both the houses were told that the presiding officers do not have the capacity to accommodate all members in the Vigyan Bhavan or even in the central hall of Parliament. The meeting was convened in view of the possible onset of the next monsoon session. Informing Naidu and Birla about this, the Secretaries General of both the Houses assessed their ability to sit in both the Houses of Parliament. He also reviewed the Vigyan Bhavan as well as the Central Hall of Parliament.

He said that the Rajya Sabha chamber, which maintains social distance, can accommodate only about 50 members while the Lok Sabha chamber can accommodate more than 100 members, which is insufficient space. Also, even if the members are seated in the gallery, the total capacity will be less than the required number of members. Naidu and Birla told the top members of both the houses that a decision would be taken after giving us all the details about the virtual session.