Monsoon session of Parliament likely to commence from July 19

With Covid cases coming down and vaccination programme progressing, the Monsoon session of the Parliament is expected to be on schedule, sources said.

Both Houses of Parliament is likely to meet from July 19 and the session will conclude on August 13, sources said on Tuesday.

The session is likely to have around 20 sittings, they said.

The Monsoon session usually commences in the third week of July and concludes ahead of Independence day.

A recommendation about the duration of the session has been made by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs and a final announcement of the dates will be made soon, sources added.

All Covid-related protocols will be followed within the Parliament complex during the session, the sources said, adding that it is hoped that all those attending the session have taken at least one dose of Covid vaccine.

The Parliament has already set up vaccination facilities for the members and their families in its annexe building.

A Parliament functionary said that till June 19, over 400 Lok Sabha members have been inoculated.

Actual figures may be higher as most MPs have taken vaccine in their respective states, the functionary said.

Journalists covering Lok Sabha are also being offered vaccination facility by the Lok Sabha secretariat.

With Covid protocols in place, Rajya Sabha functioned from 9 am to 1 pm and at times till 2 pm, Lok Sabha proceedings started at 4 pm. This was done to ensure distancing norms as part of Covid appropriate behaviour.

But both Houses started functioning on normal timing during the second period of the budget session in March.— With PTI