Vice President shri. Venkaiah Naidu via Facebook post said Parliament is “on course” for holding the Monsoon session. He also pointed out that Budget session had to be cut short due to the ongoing crisis.

Further, assessing on the Covid 19 situation in India, he informed that Parliamentary panels have been scrutinizing the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country for over three months now since the parliament was adjourned.

Some MP’s were insisting to conduct the parliamentary standing committee meetings online, however they met physically. Atleast 4-5 such meetings have been convened in the last few days discussing various aspects of the pandemic.

“This year, we are living in abnormal times due to the pandemic. The central and state governments are engrossed in handling the pandemic for the last over four months on a day-to-day basis,” Naidu informed.

In this regard, the Rajya Sabha chairman also held several rounds of discussion on holding the “Monsoon Session” of the parliament. “We are on course,” he said. Given the covid cases spike the seating of MP’s would require deliberate planning and coordination.

“it is very crucial in these times where media should act as a bridge between parliamentary institutions and people by enabling a two-way communication. This role has assumed even more significance during the time of the pandemic,” the vice president said.

Background

Both Houses were adjourned on March 23. According to the provisions of the Constitution, Parliament has to meet within 6 months of the last sitting. Normally, the Monsoon session starts in July.