Older MPs to skip first COVID-hit Parliament session

New Delhi : At least 200 out of 785 MPs are above the age of 65 and at least seven Union Ministers and two dozen lawmakers recovering from COVID-19, there is an uncertainty over the much awaited monsoon session of Parliament.

As the Parliament reconvenes on September 14 with Covid safety measures, including compulsory face mask and social distancing in place, many senior lawmakers have expressed their concern about the huge gathering at a single place for 17 days. They have said that there could be as many as 2,000 people present in the complex at any given time. 

It has been learned that 97 members are above the age of 65 and 20 MPs, including Dr Manmohan Singh and AK Antony, are above 80 years of age.

The data uploaded on the official website of the Rajya Sabha on September 8 says the average age of the MPs is 63.3 years. In Lok Sabha, 130 MPs are above 65 years including 30 above 75 years; one MP is 90 years old. Interestingly, the average age of the citizens as per the 2011 census is 27.8 years.

With the age number, situation to hold Parliament Session is being considered difficult.

One Lok Sabha MP has even died of Covid, while others have lost their near and dear ones, and are scared to travel.