House all set to go hi-tech

The first session of the 14th Lok Sabha, which is likely to be held towards the end of this month, will, if plans go according to schedule, ...

The first session of the 14th Lok Sabha, which is likely to be held towards the end of this month, will, if plans go according to schedule, have the new/ re-elected members flashing radio frequency identity tags by the Monsoon session.

An indication to this effect was provided by secretary general G.C. Malhotra on Wednesday, while briefing reporters on the various steps taken by his secretariat to receive the newly-elected members of the Lower House. Malhotra indicated that in the event of the new Lok Sabha getting constituted and the new Government taking charge by May 17, the Union Cabinet will decide on the session which could be convened in 10 days time. Noting that the first session could be of a duration of eight to 10 days, Malhotra said besides the affirmation of members, other business on the agenda could be the President’s address to a joint sitting of both Houses and the passage of a vote on account.

Responding to a question, Malhotra said the possibility of a vote of confidence in the Union Council of Ministers during the session depended upon the nature of the next government. If the past was any indication, Malhotra said 270 members are likely to be re-elected.

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As for steps to initiate the new members, guide-posts have been readied at the domestic airport and the three railway stations — Delhi, New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin. Besides this, temporary accommodation at Hotel Janpath and assistance boots at Parliament House will also be set-up to sort out problems, if any.

The new identity tags, assembled by the Electronic Corporation of India Limited, will be able to not only check the identity of people entering Parliament, but will also prevent a repeat of December 13, 2001, by blocking intruders. The radio frequency tags provide for complete information and picture identification of members seeking entry into Parliament.

At the cost of nearly Rs 108 crore, a state-of-the-art security apparatus has also been put in place in Parliament House. Besides the identity tags, flap barriers installed at the entrance, road blockers (imported from Germany) and boom barriers (from the US) will ensure controlled access. A close-circuit television system, boom barriers, tyre shredders and road blockers for vehicles have also been installed.

“When he was given the topic of the Opposition, he spoke. There is no prohibition in that, but I will definitely make some corrections in his topics…,” Yadav said.

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