New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has asked his officers to prepare themselves for a paperless Parliament in the coming days. As the new Parliament building is going to be “technology-driven and paperless”, Dhankhar on Monday held an extensive meeting with senior officials of the Rajya Sabha secretariat and asked them to pace themselves in the interim, official sources told The Indian told the Express.
On the second last day of the recently concluded budget session, Dhankhar used an i-pad to conduct proceedings of the Upper House, marking the beginning of a paperless tradition by the Speaker of the House.
In fact, as the Upper House transitions to the new Parliament House — most likely during the upcoming monsoon session — I-Pads and tablets will become a norm rather than an exception.
Official sources said he has asked the officials to send in writing their suggestions regarding any training requirements, technical skills or capacity building within the next three days.
During the hour-long meeting with over 50 officials from different wings of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Dhankhar also asked them to give practical suggestions and advice to make the functioning of the Upper House more efficient.
Notably, Dhankhar had said that the 259th session of the Rajya Sabha was being closed “despite concerns”. The productivity of the first part of the budget session was 56.3 per cent. Dhankhar said it came down to 6.4 per cent in the second half. “Cumulatively, the productivity of the House was only 24.4 per cent,” he said.
However, he has said that the suggestions sent to him should be clear and practical as well as result-oriented. The Chairman said that whatever is found feasible and actionable will be implemented by the Secretary General.
Meanwhile, preparations will also be made to digitize the records of the Rajya Sabha, including proceedings, questions and other business of the House, in line with the eco-friendly and paperless focus of the new Parliament, officials said.
