Monsoon Session 2020: Congress MP Anand Sharma Awaits COVID-19 Test Report A Day Ahead of Parliament Meeting

Ahead of the Monsoon Session, Congress MP Anand Sharma has expressed concerns over his COVID-19 test reports which are yet to arrive.

(RSTV/PTI Photo)

Parliament’s monsoon session is set to begin from Monday September 14 following Coronavirus guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. For the same, it is must for all the participating MPs to undergo COVID-19 test and submit reports 72 hours before the session begins. However, a day before the session commences, Congress MP Anand Sharma has expressed concerns over his COVID-19 test reports which are yet to arrive. As quoted by news agency ANI, Sharma said, "It’s been 3 days, we still waiting for our COVID-19 test reports. Some colleagues who got it done from private centres have got their report, but we are chasing for it. Someone should be held accountable."

It is worth mentioning that in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection, it is mandatory to follow the rules set in Parliament. All the concerned officers, members and employees have been asked to strictly follow the guidelines and take necessary measures to ensure health and hygiene. It is mandatory for all MPs to undergo RT-PCR test from any government-authorized hospital or lab 72 hours before the session begins. COVID-19 Negative report is a must for every member to take part in house proceedings. The Parliament monsoon session is set to begin from Monday, September 14 till October 1 following strict precautionary measures amid rising cases of COVID-19. Special attention will be given to social distancing in the session lasting 18 days. For the first time in two decades, the Parliament will not host all-party meeting in the Monsoon session. This time, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will run in two shifts -- the Rajya Sabha session will run from 9 am to 1 pm daily, followed by the Lok Sabha session from 3 pm to 7 pm. In the middle of two hour interval, the process to sanatise the Parliament will be carried. According to reports, the Parliament will function on Saturdays and Sundays as well, meaning the MPs will get no weekend break. While Parliament has earlier seen special sessions on Saturday, this would be the first time that a routine session will see lawmakers working on both Saturdays, and for the first time, on Sundays, as well.