NEW DELHI: Ahead of the
budget session, Vice-president
M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday directed the making of Covid-19 test mandatory for the personal staff of the Union ministers and other related people who visit
Parliament for official purposes.
The vice-president, who is the ex-officio chairperson of the
Rajya Sabha, reiterated that apart from the members and the parliamentary officers and staff, the
Covid test should be made mandatory for the personal staff of the ministers, and members and officers of the ministry who come to Parliament during the session in connection with the official business.
Naidu gave these directions while reviewing the preparations being made for the ensuing budget session. During the meeting, he discussed the seating arrangements for the 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.
Rajya Sabha secretary general
Desh Deepak Verma and other senior officers of the secretariat were present in the meeting.
Naidu was informed by the officers that 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 test of ministry officials. He was also informed that all the state chief secretaries have been asked to give priority for the RT-PCR test for the MPs.
He asked the officers to remind the chief secretaries to give priority for early testing of members.
Expressing concern about the health of the members, he also inquired about the other COVID-19 protocol measures being taken by the secretariat. He reiterated that the guidelines should be strictly followed. He also emphasised that measures should be taken to ensure smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha following the guidelines.