New Delhi: Speaker Om Birla on Friday said the work on the construction of the New Parliament Building has started and that it would be completed within 21 months.On conclusion of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, referring to various historic achievements of the Session at the Parliament House, Mr Birla said, ”Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are the images of our democracy and extensive debates and discussions were held in both the Houses of Parliament during the Session.” He also mentioned that all Members of Parliament, media persons, and officials of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats underwent the COVID-19 test. In all, more than 8,700 COVID-19 tests were administered during the session.On the occasion, Mr Birla emphasised that the dignity of the House and its Chair is an important aspect of the parliamentary system and ”it is the duty of all members to respect the highest values that our democracy represents”. He added that with the help of all political parties and Members, the productivity of Lok Sabha was at a historic 167 per cent. He also informed that despite the threat of COVID-19, the average attendance of Members of Parliament, during this Session was very high, which sends a very positive message and strengthens peoples’ faith in the democratic institutions. Mr Birla also said that the Lok Sabha sat for 60 hours instead of the allotted time of 37 hours. In fact, despite the curtailment of the Session due to COVID-19, the Lok Sabha was able to function optimally with minimal loss of productivity.
Observing that democratic traditions in India are deep-rooted, Mr Birla said that since 1952 when the first Lok Sabha elections were held, the faith of people in the Parliamentary form of Government has increased and continued efforts should be made on how to further strengthen the democratic institutions.Referring to recent reports on Question Hour, Mr Birla said that members were given regular opportunities to raise matters concerning peoples’ welfare.