During the upcoming Monsoon session, the Lok Sabha will introduce a new attendance system using multimedia devices for its members. MPs will be required to mark their attendance at their assigned seats rather than in the lobby, which can often become crowded. According to official sources cited by PTI, this change aims to save time and address issues where some MPs record their presence but do not actively participate in the proceedings.
Congress whip Manickam Tagore has expressed concerns about the new system, describing it as “flawed.” He questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and certain ministers are exempt from signing in, suggesting that the PM should set an example rather than be above the process. Tagore also pointed out that this exemption makes it difficult to determine how many days the PM actually attends Parliament sessions. Besides Modi and some ministers, the Leader of the Opposition is likewise not required to sign in to confirm their presence.
Tagore emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms beyond mere digitization of attendance. He proposed mandatory attendance for all Members of Parliament, the implementation of transparent participation metrics, and automatic publication of speech records and voting behavior. He remarked that digital tools are effective only when driven by genuine intent, warning that selective accountability can undermine the system’s effectiveness.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is reportedly interested in implementing a new electronic attendance system. Until the new system is fully adopted, the current attendance register in the lobby will continue to be used temporarily to help MPs familiarize themselves with the digital process. This initiative is part of a broader move toward making Parliament more paperless, with members already having the option to mark their attendance using digital pens on electronic tablets in earlier sessions.
As part of the paperless initiative, Birla introduced the option for members to record their attendance using a digital pen on an electronic tablet in the lobby last year. During parliamentary sessions, members must mark their attendance to be eligible for daily allowances. The upcoming Monsoon session is set to begin on July 21 and will run until August 21.
Sources News From Various Digital Platforms, Websites, Journalists, And Agencies.
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