New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha & Lok Sabha will resume normal sittings for the second part of the Budget Sessions from March 14, 11 am onwards in view of the declining Covid-19 cases, according to an ANI report.
The two houses will continue to follow the Covid protocols, as they did in earlier Parliament sessions including social distancing by using both chambers and visiting galleries as seating arrangements.
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As per the seating arrangement, Rajya Sabha, having a total strength presently of 237 members with eight vacancies out of a total of 245 MPs. will have 139 (+3) MPs sitting in the chamber while 98 others will be accommodated in the gallery at a given time. Similarly, Lok Sabha has a total accommodation of 538 members, out of which 282, including the Prime Minister, can sit in the chamber while the rest 258 can sit in the galleries at a given time, the ANI report stated.
During the second Budget session, which will begin on March 14 and conclude on April 8, the press seating will be limited. It will remain suspended for visitors to witness the proceedings. Limited entry for the staff of the ministers & MPs will continue in line with the previous sessions since the Covid-19 outbreak.
According to the official guidelines, only sitting members of the two Houses of Parliament can visit the Central Hall which will be out of bounds for the former MPs and visitors, the ANI report stated.
Arrangements have also been made for the Covid-19 vaccinations, including the precaution doses in the Parliament annexe building.