Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 21: In a move aimed at improving discipline and transparency in Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday announced that Members of Parliament will be required to record their attendance only from their designated seats inside the House, beginning with the Budget session starting January 28.
The decision marks a significant departure from the existing practice, under which MPs could mark attendance from the lobbies or other areas within the Parliament complex. Birla said the change is intended to ensure that attendance records genuinely reflect an MP’s participation in legislative proceedings.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference in Lucknow, the Speaker noted that under the current system, some members mark their presence and leave without taking part in debates. “Attendance should indicate actual presence in the House and involvement in the day’s business,” he said.
Under the new arrangement, MPs will have to record their attendance using the multimedia consoles installed at their allotted seats in the new Parliament building. These consoles are equipped with biometric facilities, including thumb impression scanners, smart card readers and PIN-based authentication, allowing verification of both identity and location.
Birla clarified that attendance can be marked only while the House is in session. Once proceedings are adjourned, members will not be able to record their presence, even if the adjournment is due to disruptions.
The reform is part of the broader ‘Digital Parliament’ initiative aimed at modernising parliamentary functioning. Birla said steps are also being taken to introduce artificial intelligence-based real-time translation of speeches into 22 Indian languages and provide round-the-clock digital research support to legislators.
The Speaker added that stricter attendance norms would help ensure accountability, particularly as MPs’ daily allowances are linked to their recorded presence in the House.