NEW DELHI: Barely a few weeks away for the Budget session, Parliament is battling with its own Covid tsunami as over 400 staff have tested positive in the week gone by. According to sources, 69 of Rajya Sabha Secretariat, 200 of Lok Sabha Secretariat and 133 of allied services tested positive in the January
4-8 period.
Sources said random checks in the first week started revealing the extent of the infections, forcing both the secretariat of Lok and Rajya Sabhas to go for restrictive measures, including work from home.
Earlier, the winter session was adjourned sine die a day ahead of its schedule after BSP MP Danish Ali had tested positive.
The secretariats are learnt to have asked 50 per cent of its staff below the ranks of undersecretary to work from home. “The roster duty system is out for work from home. There were apprehensions among the staff that some colleagues despite symptoms were reporting to their offices. Tests were held which revealed the large extent of Covid affecting the staff members,” said a senior official.
“Due to increase in corona cases, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat has re-imposed restrictions on attendance of officials and staff. As per the latest directions, 50 per cent of officials and staff below the rank of Under Secretary/Executive officer are required to work from home till the end of this month. They constitute about 65 per cent of the total employees,” said the official.
“Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has reviewed the situation with the secretary general, the advisor and directed that necessary measures be taken to contain the spread of virus among Secretariat officials and staff ahead of the Budget session.”
Those with disabilities and pregnant women are exempted from attending office. Timings are staggered to avoid crowding, while meetings are being held virtually. Naidu directed that all staff should be tested and recovery of the infected shall be closely monitored and assisted.