New Delhi, Aug 14 (DHNS): Armed with the latest gadgets, politicos in the country seem to be determined to make the long-debated idea of paperless office a reality.

The tech-savvy members of the Rajya Sabha were in the forefront to grab tablets like Apple iPad2 and Samsung GalaxyTab distributed by the Secretariat during the current monsoon session to reduce their dependency on paper copies of parliamentary documents.

The computer and accessories allowance for MPs have been increased from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per term to those who have opted for digital supply of documents.

Sharada Subramaniam, joint secretary of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, told Deccan Herald that around 60 MPs, including the vice-president, have started using the tablets.

The members are keen to use such gadgets as it helps them avoid carrying loads of papers. A training session is also planned for the MPs, she said. To enhance the tablet experience of the MPs and to reduce their dependency on paper, the National Informatics Centre has developed applications compatible with Samsung and Apple tablets keeping in mind the information requirements of Parliament.

“For instance, just by a touch, members will be able to see what the starred questions listed for the day are or members’ birthdays,” she added.

There are plans to add a Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV feed in the tablets to help the members view the proceedings in both Houses live. The Secretariat is also contemplating launching a tablet scheme for the members. Parliament’s central hall and lobby are wi-fi enabled to encourage the use of computer.

Earlier, a high-powered committee set up by Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari had sought the co-operation of the members to achieve the objective of paperless office.

The committee, comprising senior secretaries of various ministries and departments, had also recommended incentives in the form of financial entitlement for MPs who prefer digital supply of documents.