The lok Sabha Secretariat has started making extensive arrangements to provide facilities to newly-elected MPs. Addressing media here on Thursday, lok Sabha Secretary General P Sreedharan said that elaborate arrangements have been made so that MPs do not face any inconvenience after their arrival in the Capital. Six guide posts have been set up at IGI airport and at New Delhi, Old Delhi and Nizamuddin railway stations to help MPs. Guide posts will be operational from May 16 to 21 and these will also function during the initial three days of the first session of the 16th lok Sabha, Sreedharan said.
As far as accommodation is concerned, arrangements have been made for new members to stay in their respective guest houses and State/UT Bhawan and also at Hotel Ashoka. Directorate of Estate and House Committee after its constitution will take care of MPs’ need for accommodation on permanent basis. Outgoing MPs are expected to vacate their houses and flats for the newly-elected members. Those who do not get re-elected can retain their houses for a month, but after that they will have to vacate, Sreedharan said.
Asked about the tentative date of convening lok Sabha session, Sreedharan said it will be decided by the government. The 16th lok Sabha has to be convened before May 31 because the 15th lok Sabha was convened on June 1, 2009, and its five-year tenure would end on May 31, 2014. The lok Sabha Secretariat is also making preparations for hosting an orientation programme for five-day for the newly-elected members. Arrangements like the allotment of transit arrangement, issue of temporary identity card, choice of language for taking oath are being made.