NEW DELHI, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Budget session of the Indian parliament will begin on Jan 29, Speaker of the lower house (Lok Sabha) Om Birla said here on Tuesday.
Birla said all the lawmakers would undergo COVID-19 tests ahead of the session.
"The first part of the session will conclude on 15th February, which will have 12 seatings," Birla said while briefing reporters in New Delhi. "The second part of the Budget session will begin on 8th March and will conclude on 8th April and it will have 21 seatings."
According to Birla, the seating arrangements inside the house have been made in view of COVID-19 guidelines.
The Speaker said the upper house (Rajya Sabha) will function from 9:00 a.m. (local time) to 2:00 p.m. (local time) while the lower house will function from 4:00 p.m. (local time) to 9:00 p.m.
The speaker said lawmakers will need to compulsorily wear masks and maintain social distancing norms during the session. Parliament officials will also undertake sanitisation of cars and other vehicles entering the parliament.
The Budget session will commence with President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the joint sitting of both houses.
The Indian government will present the Budget on February 1. Enditem
