Digital Attendance System for Lok Sabha MPs
Digital Attendance System for Lok Sabha MPs
In a bid to save time and ensure attendance by Parliamentarians from their seats a
Multi-media System is coming into force from this Monsoon Session.
Reportedly, till the last session, the Lok Ssabha members were signing their attendance in a register in the lobby. As per Senior Lok Sabha officials the register will continue to be available for some time, facilitating MPs time to familiarise themselves with the electronic system.
The MPs can register their attendance within the House at their respective division seats by using their
I-card, through biometric (thumb impression) or entering a PIN.
Rajya Sabha is likely to follow the new system soon.
Last year, Speaker Om Birla had given the members the option to mark their attendance in the House using a digital pen on an electronic tablet in the lobby.
According to the officials this has now been upgraded with the introduction of the MMD system installed on the sleek terminals, which were otherwise used to access Parliamentary papers and the day’s agenda, among others, at every MP’s seat.
It is mandatory for MPs to mark their attendance to receive their daily allowances amidst Parliament sessions. The frequency of an MP’s presence in the House during sessions is, at times, part of public debate as well. Ministers and the Leader of Opposition are, however, not required to sign in their attendance.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament begins on July 21.
News Edit KV Raman
