Lok Sabha Speaker Conducts Inspection Of Facilities In Parliament House

New Delhi, 21 January: Before the upcoming budget session, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla inspected various facilities in the Parliament complex. He visited the Lok Sabha Chamber, Central Hall, Corridors, Lobbies, Waiting Rooms and other areas in the Parliament House along with officials of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, CPWD, and other agencies.

Emphasizing the maximum standards of cleanliness and fumigation during the session, Mr. Birla directed that in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic, all agencies should work together to prevent the possibility of infection. He said that it is mandatory to use sanitizers and use of sanitizers at all places during the duration of the session, adequate supply of qualitatively superior masks, sanitizers and other precautionary instruments and materials should be ensured in the Parliament House complex.

Shri Birla also directed towards ensuring health precautions as per COVID-19 protocol and directed that adequate testing center for Members of Parliament is located in Parliament House Complex as well as North and South Block, Pandara Road, B.D. . Marg and other areas which are close to the accommodation of Members of Parliament. He also directed that all officers of the two secretariats and officers of the ministries who are required to visit the campus during the session can also be provided facility of RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests on the premises. Similarly, all the employees and workers involved in the construction of the new parliament building can also be tested.

During the inspection, Mr. Birla was informed that a revised parking plan has been laid for the members of Parliament during the session in view of the construction of the new Parliament building. Mr. Birla directed that the MPs should be informed on WhatsApp as well as in advance about the movement of these parking arrangements and vehicles in and around the Parliament House complex to ensure their smooth movement. He further directed that appropriate maps related to the revised parking system should be shared with all members.

Inspecting the catering facilities operated by the ITDC in the Parliament House, Mr. Birla gave necessary instructions to the concerned agencies for the provision of clean, hygienic and nutritious food to Members of Parliament, Media, two Secretariat Officers and other visitors. He also directed them to ensure that regular hygiene and fumigation of the areas used for catering facilities are given utmost priority.

He further took stock of the security arrangements in the Parliament House complex and directed the officials concerned to ensure uninterrupted access of Members of Parliament.

Mentioning the construction of the new Parliament House, Mr. Birla directed all concerned agencies to strictly follow pollution control and green building norms and ensure that smooth conduct of parliamentary business is not hampered during the construction session. He further directed that smog towers and necessary equipment could be installed at the site to check air and noise pollution.