Full trial at multiple locations was undertaken by the Rajya Sabha Chairman M.Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday to check if everything is in place for the upcoming Monsoon Session of the House.
Naidu went through the “familiarisation drill” for over 45 minutes on Thursday. He will have to keep a watch on at least six different locations with MPs wanting to raise a matter either by raising hands, Points of Order, participating in Voice Vote and Division is required.
Naidu also examined voice/audio quality required for simultaneous interpretation during proceedings. A couple of days ago, the system was facing some technical issues, which now seems to have been ironed out.
For the first time since 1952, the Parliament would witness massive changes, including MPs sitting in different locations, use of technology to coordinate real-time audio video transmission, among others.
As a backup, a hotline communication facility has also been set up between the chambers of the two Houses for communicating any message regarding participation of members in case of any technical emergency.
Chambers of both the Houses are connected by half a kilometer long optic fiber and audio-video cables for real time transmission of signals to enable members seated in both the Houses to watch theproceedings from both the places. Six counters have been set up for MPs to sign attendance with social distancing.
Trials were also conducted both on Monday and Tuesday to put into place all the arrangements for the session likely to be held from September 14 to October 1.