24 Lok Sabha MPs test COVID-19 positive on first day of Parliament's monsoon session

Guwahati: In a worrying development, as many as twenty-four members of the Lok Sabha tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on the first day of Parliament's monsoon session on Monday, September 14.

According to news reports, MPs Meenakshi Lekhi, Anant Kumar Hegde, and Parvesh Sahib Singh were among the 24 who have tested positive for the virus.

On the first day of the monsoon session, nearly 200 members were present in the Lok Sabha chamber. A little over 30 were seated in the visitors' gallery located above the main chamber.

As a precautionary measure against the COVID-19, plastic shields were installed in front of the members' benches.

Benches that usually accommodate six members had a numbered seating plan for only three.

Amid the ongoing pandemic, the Monsoon Session of Parliament is scheduled to be held between September 14, 2020, and October 1, 2020.

The opposition parties, including Congress, have drawn up their strategies on how to approach Ordinances brought by the Center during the pandemic.

At present 46 Bills are pending in Parliament of which, 17 Bills are listed for consideration. At the same time, six Bills are listed for withdrawal and 23 Bills are listed for introduction, consideration, and passing.

As per the reports, Congress will seek amendments to seven other bills on Ordinances brought by the Narendra Modi government.

On the subject, the Congress chief whip in the Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh said, "We have discussed with different political parties what our common stand should be, and generally speaking, in the stand we have outlined opposition parties, like-minded parties are opposed to the three Agriculture Ordinances and to the Banking Regulation Act Ordinance."

Apparently, the Congress will support bills concerning Ayurveda and Homeopathy Council. It will also support two other bills related to wage cuts of MPs and Ministers but with riders.