New Delhi, Jan 28 (Agency) Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday reviewed the preparations made for the ensuing budget session of Rajya Sabha with the Secretary General and senior officials of the Rajya Sabha secretariat. During the meeting, he discussed the seating arrangements made for members of Rajya Sabha in the Lok Sabha chamber, Rajya Sabha chamber and its galleries following the social distancing norms of six feet in view of Covid 19.
Expressing concern about the health of the Members, he also inquired about the other covid-19 protocol measures being taken by the secretariat and asked the officials to strict follow the covid-19 guidelines. He also emphasized that measures should be taken to ensure smooth functioning of the House following the covid-19 guidelines. Mr Naidu also emphasised that apart from the Members and the Parliamentary officers and staffs, the Covid test should be made mandatory for the personal staff of the Ministers, Members and officers of the Ministry who come to Parliament during the session in connection with the official business.
The Rajya Sabha was informed that the necessary arrangements for Covid test of Members and Parliamentary staff have been made in the Parliament House premises and necessary instructions have been issued to various ministries through the Cabinet Secretariat for the Covid test of Ministry officials. The officials present in the meeting also informed him that all the State Chief Secretaries have been asked to give priority for the RT- PCR test for members of Parliament.