New technology will give Chair better grip on MPs misbehaving in Parliament

NEW DELHI: Speaking out of turn and beyond the permitted time limit would be almost impossible for MPs in the new Parliament. As per the plan, the digital audio visual system, which will be placed in front of every seat, will have “programmable rules-based microphones”, which will put the Speaker in control of who gets to speak and who doesn’t.

Currently, the microphones are switched on as per the direction of the Chair when he allows someone to speak. Sources said the new features will become far more technology advanced in both the Houses and it will be an improvement over the current system. There will be digital touch screen for each MP where the members will get the details of House proceedings. Currently, there is an analog system.

The modified smart audio visual system will also include features such as biometric-based digital voting mechanism. Sources said no one other than the member assigned for a particular seat will be able to cast vote from there. Currently, the Chair and the secretary generals in both the Houses request each member to go to their assigned seats to cast their votes.


TOI has learnt that the Central Public Works Department made a detailed presentation about the features of the proposed Parliament before an expert appraisal committee of environment and forest ministry which is considering the the application for granting environmental clearance to the project.

As per the plan, the new chamber for the Lok Sabha will have the capacity to accommodate 876 members in normal sittings and in case of a joint sitting, this can work as the current Central Hall and can accommodate as many as 1,224 members.

While making the presentation about the project in housing and urban affairs ministry recently, architect and urban designer Bimal Patel of HCP Design had said in the new seating arrangement each desk will have seats for two MPs during normal proceedings. But during joint session, each of these desks can accommodate three members of Parliament.