Lok Sabha MPs Now Required to Mark Attendance From Seats Only

LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha MPs will be able to punch in their attendance only from their designated seats inside the House from the upcoming Budget session of Parliament, Speaker Om Birla said on Tuesday. The earlier practice that allowed members to mark their attendance from lobbies as well is set to be discontinued in a move aimed at encouraging parliamentarians to be a part of the proceedings. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference in Lucknow, Birla emphasised the need for seriousness and discipline in Parliament, which has often seen days-long interruptions by opposition members protesting over different issues. Now, MPs will be able to register their presence only when the House is functioning and will be unable to do so when it is adjourned, even due to disruptions. The Budget session is beginning from Jan 28. Birla said that the decision is aimed at ensuring that MPs’ attendance accurately reflects their active participation in the proceedings rather than their mere presence within the Parliament complex. Designated consoles that allow MPs to register their presence are already installed at every seat inside the Lok Sabha chamber. The reform is part of a broader effort to modernise parliamentary procedures and improve the overall productivity of legislative sessions, he said. In his remarks at the event, Birla said Parliament has formed a committee to look into ways to bring uniformity in rules and traditions applicable in the legislative bodies across India as he highlighted the significance of healthy competition among state legislatures on various parameters. A responsive, inclusive and forward-looking legislature is central to sustaining the vitality of parliamentary democracy, which is a must to enhance public confidence in democratic institutions, he added. End of Article