No. 3 Wednesday, 6 January 2010 Prime Minister inaugurates 20th CSPOC The Prime Minister of , gathering. The Hon’ble Speaker Today’s Weather H.E. Dr. , inaugurated of Canada’s House of Commons, Today’s Weather the 20th Conference of Speakers H.E. Peter Milliken, proposed the Mist/shallow fog in the morning. Mainly and Presiding Officers of the Vote of Thanks. clear sky. The temperature may vary between a minimum of 6°C (43°F) and Commonwealth (CSPOC) at a solemn On the occasion, the Hon’ble 8°C (46°F) and a maximum of 19°C function yesterday at 1000 hrs. in the Prime Minister also released a (66°F) and 21°C (70°F). The relative Plenary Hall of the Vigyan Bhawan. humidity will be in the range of 40%-50% Commemorative Stamp brought out The Hon’ble Speaker of (minimum) and 80%-90% (maximum). by the Department of Posts of the and Chairperson of the CSPOC, . Smt. Meira Kumar, delivered the Welcome Address. The Hon’ble In his Inaugural Address, the Hon’ble mantle of perfection. Consensus Deputy Speaker of the British House Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh building takes time. But in the end, of Commons, H.E. Sylvia Lloyd Heal said that democracy, in precept the decisions that emerge from such also addressed the distinguished and practice, will never wear the processes are durable; they have the

The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurating the 20th CSPOC Issues relating to climate change require a collective and cooperative approach based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibility. In this regard, he called for a greater sense of fairness and justice in global approaches to dealing with the problem of climate change.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the role of Presiding Officers has come into sharp focus as the task of running Parliament smoothly, giving due representation and voice to all sections, has become more complex and challenging. The aspirations of the smaller parties may often be The Prime Minister releasing the Commemorative Stamp anchored in narrower considerations but they carry great weight for their constituents. In the end, democracy support of the majority and they take democratization, howsoever incipient, must respond to these everyday into account the legitimate concerns and encourage it to blossom. There concerns of the common man and of the minority. is great diversity and a wealth of Parliament should be the forum to experience among the Commonwealth articulate and address them. Dr. Manmohan Singh observed that countries. We should pool our each society and each democracy experiences and expertise and extend Dr. Manmohan Singh said that has to come to terms in its own a helping hand, particularly to small throughout the world, there is a way with the competing demands states and countries that are trying to generational shift in politics as there of freedom and development and of consolidate their democracies. India is in business and other fields. In India, respecting diversity while maintaining is making a modest contribution in seventy per cent of the population unity. There is no “one-size-fits-all” this regard and our effort has been to is below the age of 35, and they are democratic system. Democracy cannot offer our experience of running the voting in large numbers. We must act be imposed from outside and it has to organs of democracy. to meet their expectations. It is also evolve from the native genius of each imperative that women are given a society and absorb local political and Making a specific reference to the more meaningful voice in our political cultural traditions. issue of climate change, Dr. Manmohan and development processes. Our Singh said that it is the small states representative bodies should think of The Prime Minister said that under the and indeed the developing world in ways to marshal the energy and the Commonwealth umbrella, our effort general that is bearing the brunt of impatience of the young and the vast should be to recognize each attempt at a problem they did little to create. latent capabilities of our women.

Dignitaries at the Inauguration of the 20th CSPOC The Hon’ble Prime Minister said that the growth of extremist ideologies is threatening civilized existence. The proponents of such ideologies are challenging the tenets of democracy and representational politics by resorting to intimidation, terror and other manifestations of intolerance. We should not and cannot give any quarter to such forces. At the same time we should look at ways and means by which such forces can be eliminated without undermining our democratic foundations. Dr. Manmohan Singh said that this will require sustained international effort and cooperation and expressed confidence that the CSPOC deliberations will give new insights on how we can tackle this grave menace. Dignitaries lighting the lamp at the Inauguration of the Conference Earlier, in her Welcome Address, the Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairperson of the Conference, contradictions and contrasts in imperishable core. The undiminishing Smt. Meira Kumar, said that the cultures, languages, religions, commitment to democracy shown by institution of Commonwealth has communities, and economic groups, the people of India constitutes this played a crucial role in promoting which undoubtedly enrich us. core, she emphasized. mutual cooperation and consultation But India is not a land without its challenges and concerns. In the midst Smt. Meira Kumar said that in a among the member countries in all parliamentary democracy, the Office spheres of human life. The Conference of this, democracy is a unifying and empowering force. We owe it to the of the Speaker occupies the pivotal of Speakers and Presiding Officers place. In fact, the Speaker represents of the Commonwealth has further abiding faith and astonishing resilience of the people that they have been the full authority of the House. It strengthened inter-parliamentary is indeed notable that the CSPOC cooperation in the Commonwealth and able to uphold democratic principles. Today, we are the largest working has emerged as an effective forum has emerged as a unique platform for for understanding parliamentary the Speakers and Presiding Officers of democracy in the world and our Parliament has acquired pre-eminence democracy, for deliberating on the Commonwealth to share and gain the multidimensional role of the from each other’s experiences. in our political system. Our traditions have been shaped by our experiences Speakers and Presiding Officers The Hon’ble Speaker observed that in the Freedom Struggle and therefore and also for instilling people’s faith India is a land of enormous our democracy has a time-tested, in the parliamentary institutions.

Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairperson of the Conference, Smt. Meira Kumar, delivering the Welcome Address Press Conference by the Lok Sabha Speaker The Lok Sabha Speaker and the Chairperson of the The Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, UK, H.E. Sylvia Lloyd Heal, CSPOC, Smt. Meira Kumar, addressing the CSPOC will address the media

The discussions on the Agenda topics gratitude to the Prime Minister, today at 1215 hrs. at Hall of this Conference will be based on Dr. Manmohan Singh, for his inspiring No. 6 at Vigyan Bhawan, the wide knowledge and practical Inaugural Address. Highlighting the . experience of the distinguished contribution of his predecessor Speakers and Presiding Officers, Hon’ble Lucien Lamoureux who was and will contribute to the growth of instrumental in starting the CSPOC healthy practices and procedures in in 1969, he mentioned that the the management of our Parliaments, technology being used today was Delegates Please! the Hon’ble Speaker added. unimaginable in those days. However, the democratic values at the heart Delegates and others will On the occasion of the release of of the CSPOC have not changed so be taken on a guided tour the Commemorative Stamp brought much. The aims enshrined in the out by the Department of Posts of Standing Rules of the CSPOC are still of Parliament House and the Government of India, the Union being pursued in its different forms. Parliament Museum this Minister of Communications and He also pointed out that by hosting afternoon. The exact Information Technology, Hon’ble this Conference, India now shares the timings may please be Shri A. Raja, said that stamp is distinction with Canada of hosting the not mere a piece of paper; it is an CSPOC thrice. Concluding, he said, confirmed from the ambassador of India’s goodwill. the Speakers and Presiding Officers respective Liaison Officers. have a unique role in a parliamentary Addressing the distinguished gathering, democracy. the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, United Kingdom, H.E. Sylvia Lloyd Heal, said that the CSPOC gives us an opportunity to discuss, share ideas and share experiences, perhaps learn from each other, continue to promote learning and rules and ideals, and strengthen the bonds and ties for the future generations. Apart from the Plenary Session and Workshop, which are very important, there are opportunities for all Delegates to discuss issues in informal meetings which are all important for the success of vibrant democratic institutions, she added.

Proposing a Vote of Thanks, the Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, H.E. Peter Milliken thanked the Speaker of Lok Sabha Smt. Meira Kumar for hosting The Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, H.E. Peter Milliken, proposing the the Conference and expressed his Vote of Thanks The Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar, inaugurating the Exhibition on Parliamentary Democracy in India: An Overview

Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurates Exhibition on Parliamentary Democracy in India

Before the formal inauguration of the 20th CSPOC yesterday, the Lok Sabha Speaker and Chairperson of the Conference, Smt. Meira Kumar, inaugurated an Exhibition titled “Parliamentary Democracy in India: An Overview” at the Pre-function area on the First Floor of the Vigyan Bhawan. The Exhibition has been put up by the Parliamentary Museum and Archives of the Lok Sabha Secretariat in collaboration with the Directorate of Advertising & Visual Publicity (DAVP).

The Exhibition focuses on the functioning of parliamentary democracy in India and is divided into two Parts. Part-I depicts various facets of parliamentary democracy in our country, especially the functioning of the Lok Sabha, and has seven sectors. Part-II shows the activities of the CSPOC with briefs on member countries. All these aspects have been presented with the help of write-ups, photographs, pictograms, etc. and also through audio-visuals, computer interactive multi-media, LCDs and DVDs. We are, indeed, delighted that many Distinguished Delegates have appreciated the Exhibition.

The Exhibition will remain open for the Dignitaries from 0900 hrs. to 1300 hrs. today.

The Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar, at the Exhibition The Lok Sabha Speaker and Chairperson of the Conference, Smt. Meira Kumar, at the Opening Plenary

Opening Plenary

Yesterday, the Lok Sabha Speaker and Chairperson of the Conference, Smt. Meira Kumar, chaired the Opening Plenary which adopted the draft agenda of the Conference. The draft agenda was moved by Hon’ble Dr. Louis Galea, Speaker, House of Representatives, Malta, and seconded by Hon’ble Mr. Mninwa Mahlangu, Chairperson, National Council of Provinces, South Africa. The Plenary adopted the agenda by a voice vote.

The Plenary elected two Vice-Chairpersons for the Conference, namely, Hon’ble Shri K. Rahman Khan, Deputy Chairman, , India, and Rt. Hon’ble Baroness Hayman, Lord Speaker, House of Lords, UK. In the same Session, Rwanda was accepted as a member of the CSPOC which was discussed and recommended by the Standing Committee in its meeting held on 4 January.

Hon’ble Chairperson, Smt. Meira Kumar, reported to the Plenary that a proposal was discussed in the Standing Committee Meeting to hold the CSPOC in the later part of January as the present schedule coincides with the New Year festive season. A decision on the proposal, together with the decision on a host for the 2012 meeting and the ratification of the proposed amendments to Rule 5B of the Standing Rules of the CSPOC, moved by India, were deferred till today for further discussion.

A suggestion was made by Hon’ble Elizabeth F.Y. Renner, Speaker, National Assembly of the Gambia, to allow the participants to move from one Workshop to another as she felt that all the topics are equally important. It was accepted by the Chair, and it was further clarified that the debates in the Plenary on the Workshop reports will afford an opportunity to all the Delegates to take part in the discussion on the topics discussed in the Workshops. TODAY’S ENGAGEMENTS

0915 hrs. — Delegates and other participants to assemble in the Foyer of the Hotels for departure to Vigyan Bhawan

0930 hrs. — Closing Plenary Session (Report from the Workshops, Election of Standing Committee and other administrative matters) [Meeting Room No. 5, Vigyan Bhawan]

1300 hrs. — Lunch by Shri Karia Munda, Hon’ble Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha (Including for Spouses and Accompanying Persons) [Front Lawns, Parliament House Annexe]

1500 hrs. — Tour of Parliament Complex/Parliament Museum (Final timings may be confirmed from the Liaison Officer or Accompanying Officer concerned)

Free Evening Spouses and Accompanying Persons

0930 hrs. — Group A – Departure for Akshardham Temple

Group B – Departure for Cottage/State Emporium

1245 hrs. — Departure for Vigyan Bhawan

1300 hrs. — Arrival at Parliament House Annexe for Lunch

1500 hrs. — Tour of Parliament Complex

Free Evening

Dignitaries at the CSPOC Workshop on The Speaker’s Role as a Mediator

The Workshop was chaired by the Hon’ble Hari Narayen Ramkarran, Speaker, National Assembly of Guyana. Leading the discussion on the subject, Hon’ble Dr. Lockwood Smith, Speaker, House of Representatives, New Zealand, observed that for ensuring the smooth functioning of the House, in New Zealand, they have established a Business Committee, which has representation of every party. It discusses several issues, among others, on procedural matters, which helps to arrive at an agreement about how best to deal with the business of the House; this practice avoids wastage of time of the House. Recognizing the importance of interaction between the Legislature and the Executive and the resultant need of the efficient use of Question time, he stated that he has effectively curbed the tendency of Ministers to make long speeches, evading the much sought-after answers. He also observed that he believes in the principle of using a light-handed approach with clear boundaries, as far as the maintenance of the conventions and courtesies to be observed in the House is concerned.

Hon. Dr. Lockwood also referred to the problems of member’s raising ‘spurious’ points of order which he has effectively resolved by letting the members intervene only when they are specific and clear about the intervention, thereby ensuring order in the House. Hon’ble Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker, National Assembly, Pakistan, who was the second presenter at the Workshop, observed that the role of the Speaker as a Mediator has effectively matured over time to become pivotal for the smooth functioning of established parliamentary democracies. This evolving role is even more critical for the survival of nascent democracies where the parliamentary institutions may still be in the formative phase. However, in view of the unwavering impartiality and absolute neutrality expected from the Chair, their role often becomes much more diversified and multi-dimensional than envisioned in the written code. She felt that the office of the Speaker can still play a far more dynamic mediatory role in times of crisis. Such a symbol of a nation’s freedom can surely be an asset in seeking sustainable solutions to the disputes between nations as well. In conclusion, she opined ‘As fellow Speakers, we must all speak the language of our people, which is the same everywhere — the language of peace’.

The presentations were followed by participation by Hon’ble Pono Pearson Patson Moatlhodi, Deputy Speaker, Parliament of Botswana; Hon’ble Mninwa Mahlangu, Chairperson, National Council of Provinces, South Africa, Hon’ble Dr. Theo- Ben Gurirab, Speaker, National Assembly, Namibia; Hon’ble Rajkeswus Purryag, Speaker, National Assembly, Mauritius; Hon’ble Alvin Smith, Speaker, National Assembly, The Bahamas; Hon’ble Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy President, Senate of Nigeria; Hon’ble Mtlhoi Motsamai, Speaker, Senate of Lesotho; Rt. Hon’ble Henry Fostes Chimuntau Banda, Speaker, Parliament of Malawi; Hon’ble Dr. Louis Galea, Speaker, House of Representatives, Malta; and Rt. Hon’ble Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Speaker, Parliament of Uganda.

Group photograph of the 20th CSPOC Workshop A on ‘The Speaker’s Role as a Mediator’ in progress Workshop on “The Use of Technology in the Parliamentary Context”

The Workshop was chaired by Hon’ble Shri Rahman Khan further said that In his presentation, Hon. Michael C. Abdullah Tarmugi, Speaker of the as network communications are Birt, Bailiff of Jersey, highlighted the Parliament of Singapore. global, decentralized and seamless, difficulties and disadvantages involved we must use the advantages of IT in in an indiscriminate use of technology Making the main presentation on the maximizing people’s participation, be in Parliaments. If Members are allowed theme, the Hon. Deputy Chairman of it consultation on draft legislations, Rajya Sabha, Shri K. Rahman Khan, the use of gadgets like Blackberries online petitions, interacting with highlighted the inescapability of the and Laptops, the Chamber would be use of Information and Communication Parliamentary Committees, and more like a call centre than a debating Technology(ICT) in furthering and numerous other such parliamentary forum! Besides, it causes a great deal deepening democracy. In this regard, fora. It is not technology per se of distraction to other Members, he which fosters the relation between he pointed out that information flow emphasized. After this presentation, the communication media and a within the Government, between a lively discussion took place in which citizens and Government, and among participatory democratic culture. We Hon. Stephen Charles Rodan SHK of citizens and civil society is crucial have to take all initiatives to build the Isle of Man; Hon. Sylvia Lloyd for building a successful democratic politically relevant discussion spaces Heal of UK; Hon. Bruce Craig Scott society. Innovation is urgently needed on the Internet sites for community of Australia and Ms. Heather Bradley to find out ways to engage the public conversation and deliberation, of Canada participated in what to interact with multiple agencies, expressly designed for interactive usage departments and representatives. turned out to be a very interesting and not merely for passive browsing. Given the highly demanding job of There is an imperative to program interaction on the advantages and people’s representatives, it becomes democracy into the cyberspace, so as disadvantages of technology in the imperative for them to remain ever parliamentary context based on updated and connected with the to realize the promise and potential practical experiences. Everybody people. Technology should be used of digital network communications, agreed that while there is no escape in the parliamentary sphere so as to because new technologies have to be ensure more transparency, better used as a resource for the benefit of from technology, the sanctity of the effectiveness and more civil society parliamentarians and the people alike Chamber as a debating forum must not engagement in the processes of to strengthen democratic ideals, he be compromised by the indiscriminate governance. said. use of technology. Workshop B on ‘The Use of Technology in the Parliamentary Context’ in progress Workshop on the Role of Speaker in the Administration of Parliament

The Workshop was chaired by innovation and referred to the specific autonomy, she observed, ensured that Hon’ble Falemoe Leiatana initiatives taken to finetune the ‘Zero the Secretariat functions independent Tolofuaivalelei, Speaker of the Hour’ which facilitated 20 matters of the Executive. Legislative Assembly of Samoa. being taken up every day, out of which 5 matters of urgent national The Hon’ble Speaker referred to Making a presentation on the theme, and international importance, as the path-breaking legislations the Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha, decided by the Chair, were taken up enacted by the Parliament, such as Smt. Meira Kumar, said that the immediately after the Question Hour. the Freedom of Information Act in Speaker’s role in the administration The remaining admitted matters were 2002 and subsequently the Right to of the Legislature forms the bedrock taken up after 6 pm or at the end of Information Act in 2005. The Register of parliamentary functioning. The the regular business of the House. administration of Parliament connotes of Declaration of Assets and Liabilities the orderly conduct of the proceedings The Hon’ble Speaker referred to of Elected Members was also now of the House and the measures to several measures taken in the subject to RTI. The 24-hour Lok Sabha facilitate that process so as to make Indian Parliament to keep a close Television Channel, she said, extended it a cost-effective Legislature and an and constant monitoring of the the Visitor’s Gallery to the drawing efficient administrative machinery. expenditure involved in parliamentary rooms of citizens across the country. activities. Clear guidelines have been Highlighting the role of the Business The presentation by the Hon’ble issued as part of austerity measures Advisory Committee (BAC) presided Speaker of Lok Sabha was followed over by the Speaker and with members during official tours and visits within the country and abroad. by interactive discussions in representing major political groupings which the following participated: in Parliament as its constituents, As regards the specific administrative Hon. Amusaa K. Mwanamwambwa, Smt. Meira Kumar pointed out that role of the Speaker, Smt. Meira Kumar the BAC recommends the business to Speaker of the National Assembly of said that the Constitution provided for Zambia; Hon. Elizabeth F.Y. Renner, be transacted by the House during a separate Secretariat for each House Speaker of the National Assembly of the Session. As Chairperson of the with administrative and financial BAC, the Speaker also meets Leaders the Gambia; Rt. Hon. Justice Joyce autonomy. Dwelling on the budget of of Parties and Groups represented in Adeline Bamford-Addo, Speaker of the the Parliament, the Hon’ble Speaker Parliament fairly regularly to evolve a said that the Secretariat of Lok Sabha Parliament of Ghana; Hon. Sylvia Llyod consensus for the orderly conduct of Heal, Deputy Speaker of the House the House. was primarily responsible for the preparation of the budget estimates of of Commons, United Kingdom; and Referring to the ‘Zero Hour’, the the House. Such financial autonomy, Hon. Kenneth Otiato Marende, Speaker Hon’ble Speaker said it was an Indian coupled with other administrative of the National Assembly of Kenya. The Lok Sabha Speaker, Smt. Meira Kumar, making a presentation on the theme ‘The Role of Speaker in the Administration of Parliament’

Dignitaries at the Inauguration of the Conference Post-Conference Tour to Agra

Delegates, their Spouses and accompanying persons will The Special Train will comprise 5 Coaches numbering A 1 be visiting the historical city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh on to A 5 meant for the Delegates. In order to make their a post-Conference tour on Thursday, 7 January 2010, by a journey comfortable and enjoyable, Coach Number has Special Train. The Delegates will be visiting Fatehpur Sikri been allotted to the each Delegation in the Special Train as and the Taj Mahal in Agra as per following programme: well as in the bus coaches in Agra as below:

Thursday, 7 January, 2010 DELEGATIONS FROM FOREIGN AND TRAIN AGRA BUS 0645 Hrs. All Delegates assemble in the Foyer of the Hotels INDIAN STATE LEGISLATURES COACH COACH NO. NO. 0650 Hrs. Delegates leave Hotels for Safdarjung Railway Station Botswana, Gibraltar, Malawi, 0710 Hrs. Delegates arrive at Safdarjung Railway Station Maldives, Malaysia, New Zealand, Seychelles, Sierra Leone 0730 Hrs. Depart Safdarjung Railway Station for Agra Cantt. A-1 1 & 2 by Special Shatabdi Train (Breakfast on board) Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana 1005 Hrs. Arrive Agra Cantt. Railway Station Australia, The Bahamas, Jersey, 1015 Hrs. Leave Agra Cantt. Railway Station for Kenya, Singapore, Sri Lanka, United Fatehpur Sikri Kingdom A-2 3 & 4 1100 Hrs. Arrive Fatehpur Sikri Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu & — Visit Fatehpur Sikri Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra 1215 Hrs. Depart from Fatehpur Sikri Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha 1300 Hrs. Arrive Agra (Hotel Jaypee Palace) Secretary-General, Lok Sabha Secretary-General, CPA 1330 Hrs. Lunch hosted by the Hon. Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, and Canada, Mauritius, Namibia, Pakistan A-3 5 & 6 Hon’ble Speaker of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Assembly at Hotel Jaypee Palace Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal 1430 Hrs Depart Hotel Jaypee Palace for Taj Mahal Guyana, Lesotho, Malta, Samoa, South 1445 Hrs. Arrive Taj Mahal Africa, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia — Visit Taj Mahal A-4 7 & 8 Assam, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab 1645 Hrs. Depart Taj Mahal for Agra Cantt. Railway Station Bangladesh, British Virgin Islands, Ghana, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Kiribati, 1700 Hrs Arrival Agra Cantt. Railway Station Nauru, Nigeria, Saint Vincent and the 1730 Hrs. Depart for Delhi by Special Shatabdi Train Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago A-5 9 & 10 2020 Hrs. Arrive Delhi Andhra Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, 2040 Hrs. Arrive at respective hotels Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttarakhand — Dinner at respective hotels (by coupons) Delegates are requested to kindly take their seats in the The Special Train will leave from New Delhi Safdarjung designated Coach only. Railway Station at 0730 hrs. and is expected to arrive back the same evening at about 2020 hrs. In view of the limited capacity in the Special Train, the tour is restricted to registered Delegates, Clerks/Secretaries All the Delegates/Clerks/Secretaries-General/spouses and their Spouses from foreign countries and Presiding and registered accompanying persons are requested Officers and Secretaries from Indian Legislatures and their to assemble in the Foyer of the respective hotels at 0645 hrs. The coaches from hotels will leave at 0650 hrs. spouses. The Liaison Officers attached with the Delegations have Delegates may kindly note that the venue for the Lunch at also been advised accordingly. Agra has been changed to Hotel Jaypee Palace from Hotel Clarks Shiraz, as intimated earlier. Presiding Officers and Secretaries from Indian State Legislatures and their spouses may kindly reach Safdarjung We wish you a happy, enjoyable and comfortable journey Railway Station directly by 0710 hrs. to the city of the Taj! Parliament House

Parliament House, one of the most magnificent buildings in New Delhi, has one of the brightest clusters of architectural gems possessed by any country in the world. The building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker while the task of designing, planning and construction of New Delhi was undertaken by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Parliament House is a massive circular edifice, 560 feet (170.69 metres) in diameter. Its circumference is one-third of a mile and it covers an area of nearly six acres (24281.16 square metres). The open verandah on the first floor is fringed with a colonnade of 144 creamy sand- stone columns, each 27 feet (8.23 metres) high.

The Central Hall and the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Chambers are the main attractions of this elegant building.

The Lok Sabha Chamber is semi-circular in shape with a floor area of about 4800 sq. feet. The Chair of the Speaker is placed at a higher elevation right at the centre of the diameter connecting the two ends of the semi-circle. The Chamber has a seating capacity of 550 members. The Rajya Sabha Chamber is almost on the same pattern as that of the Lok Sabha Chamber but is smaller in size, with a seating capacity of 250.

As we enter Parliament House, we find a row of beautiful paintings adorning the walls of the outer circular corridor on the ground floor. These paintings are works of eminent artists of India, depicting scenes from the long history of this country right from the Vedic age down to the British period, culminating in the attainment of Independence in 1947. To honour the stalwarts from our history, statues and busts of several leaders are placed in the Parliament Complex and the portraits of several national leaders adorn the Chambers and Inner Lobbies of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha and various Committee Rooms.

There are several passages of noble works inscribed on the domes of Parliament building which serve as the guiding spirit for deliberations in the two Houses. The Central Hall

The Central Hall, located at the centre of the circular Parliament House, is surrounded by three Chambers and three well laid-out courtyards with lush green lawns and fountains. You will find short passages radiating from three equidistant points on the circumference of the Hall connecting it with the Lok Sabha Chamber, the Rajya Sabha Chamber and the Library Hall. The Central Hall, circular in shape, with its dome 29.9 metres (98 ft.) in height, is considered to be one of the most magnificent domes in the world. The Central Hall has been witness to many historic events. It was in this Hall that India began its tryst with destiny on the midnight of 14-15 August 1947. Our Constituent Assembly, which framed the Constitution of free India, met in this very Hall. You will find it adorned with portraits of eminent national leaders whose memories we dearly cherish. The addresses members of both the Houses of Parliament assembled together in this Hall which is also used for other ceremonial occasions. When the Parliament is in Session, the Central Hall is used by members of Parliament as a common Lobby for informal discussions among themselves. Spouses at the Gandhi Smriti

Attention Delegates! Regional Caucus Meetings Delegates may kindly ensure After the Workshops concluded that they are holding confirmed yesterday, various Regional tickets for their return journey Caucus Meetings were held in so that they do not face any Vigyan Bhawan. inconvenience at the time of departure. Please contact our Liaison Officers for assistance. Spouses’ Programme Yesterday, the spouses and accompanying persons visited Lunch by Shri Karia Munda the Gandhi Smriti, Qutub Minar Hon’ble Deputy Speaker of and the Dilli Haat. Today, they Lok Sabha, Shri Karia Munda, will will visit the Akshardham Temple host a Lunch in honour of the Shri Karia Munda and Cottage/State Emporia. Delegates today. Hon’ble Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

Dignitaries at the Dinner (Monday)/Lunch (Tuesday)