In an effort to reduce the usage of paper in Parliament, the Lok Sabha secretariat requested quarterly reports from its branches last week.
A Lok Sabha circular stated, “It is…brought to the notice of those concerned that the required quarterly reports for the final two quarters of 2021 have yet to be received from a large number of branches, sections, and units, hence hampering follow-up action.”
Authorities said the reports are due by January 21, and the Lok Sabha secretariat’s annual report will include the reduction in paper use.
Electric automobiles, battery-powered golf carts, and LED lighting have been used to make the Parliament complex greener.
Many notices, bulletins, and reports are already issued online, therefore the usage of paper in Parliament is already restricted. Legislators can now file online notifications and upload questions for Question Hour, among other things, through a new app. They had to complete out forms or send in written notices previously.
Last year, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated that attempts will be made to make the House paperless, a move that would save crores of rupees.
Members will be able to pick whether they want their documents in digital or print format as part of the effort, he said.
During the Zero Hour, Birla advised members to use less paper because it would help to save trees.
Inquiring into the members’ thoughts, the Speaker noted that the House cannot go paperless in a single day and that efforts should be made in this respect.
