LS, RS to hold simultaneous sitting in second half of Budget session

New Delhi, March 8 : Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are likely to hold their sitting simultaneously from 11 a.m, sources said on Tuesday. The timing of sittings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic as both houses held staggered sittings during the first half of the Budget session amid rising Omicron cases. Sources said discussions have been held by Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on the issue. As Covid situation has improved, the sittings will be resumed as per regular schedule. Both the Houses will use the chambers and galleries of respective Houses to ensure social distancing between MPs. However, unlike the first half of the session, the chamber of the other House will not be used for accommodating MPs. In the first half of the Budget session from February 2 to 11, sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were held alternately, and arrangements were made for members to sit in the chamber and galleries of both Houses to maintain social distancing. From February 2 to February 11, the Rajya Sabha’s sittings were held between 10 am to 3 pm, and Lok Sabha sat from 4.00 pm. to 9.00 pm. The second part of the session is scheduled to start from March 14. AO GK