Parliament 'monsoon session' to be a virtual affair this year

New Delhi : This year Parliament Monsoon Session may not operate in its traditional form and become a virtual affair to decrease chances of MPs interaction amid coronavirus pandemic, said a report.

The decision comes after an assessment that claimed neither the central hall of Parliament nor the Vigyan Bhawan plenary hall are large enough to accommodate all parliamentarians with social distancing norms in place.

The highly placed sources from the Parliament told news agency Press Trust of India that they are looking at options to conduct a hybrid parliament session this year; under this some will be physically present and others will be connected via virtual platform.

In normal days, the Monsoon Session of Parliament is conducted in the month of July.

At a meeting with Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the secretary-generals of both houses have told them that while the Rajya Sabha Chamber can accommodate about 60 members as per the norms of social distancing, the Lok Sabha Chamber and the central hall are adequate enough for a little over 100 members.

They even said that if galleries are used for seating too then also there will not be adequate seating arrangement for members.

The final and official call on this will be taken soon.