MPs will now be required to mark their attendance in the Lok Sabha only while sitting at their seats; remaining in the hall or lobby will be marked absent.

News Topical, Digital Desk : A new attendance system has been introduced for Lok Sabha MPs. Starting with the Budget Session, they will be able to mark their attendance only from their designated seats. The old option of marking attendance from the lobby or outside is being completely eliminated.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla made this significant announcement on Tuesday during the 86th All India Presiding Officers' Conference in Lucknow. He stated clearly that it is necessary to bring seriousness and discipline to Parliament, and this step is in that direction.

It's often seen in Parliament that opposition MPs disrupt proceedings for days by creating a ruckus over a specific issue. Now, even in such a situation, MPs will be unable to mark attendance. Attendance will be marked while sitting in the House while the House is in session. If the House is adjourned, there will be no way to mark attendance. This change will take effect with the budget session, which begins on January 28th.

The actual participation of MPs will now be transparent

Speaker Om Birla emphasizes that attendance shouldn't simply be a testament to MPs' presence in the Parliament complex. It should be a campaign that demonstrates MPs' active participation. Therefore, MPs will now be able to mark their attendance through digital consoles already installed at every seat in the Lok Sabha chamber. The era of standing or sitting outside in the lobby or corridors is now completely over.

Preparations to bring uniformity in parliamentary traditions

Speaker Om Birla also informed the conference that a committee has been formed to harmonize rules and regulations across the country's legislatures and Parliament. This will bring uniformity to the legislatures of different states and allow for healthy competition among them. This competition on various parameters will enhance the quality of legislative bodies.

He said that only an accountable, inclusive, and forward-looking legislature can strengthen the democratic system. Only such Parliaments and Legislative Assemblies can win the public's trust and enhance the credibility of democratic institutions.

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