Why are PM, ministers exempt: Congress on new Lok Sabha attendance system

With the Lok Sabha reportedly set to introduce a new multi-media device-based attendance system for members from the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament, Congress' whip in the Lower House, Manickam Tagore, on 15 July, Tuesday, claimed the system is "flawed" and asked why the prime minister and ministers are exempted when the move is aimed at ensuring accountability.

The Leader of the Opposition too is not required to sign in to establish their attendance.

However, the Lok Sabha is set to introduce a new attendance system for its members from the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament that will require them to punch in their presence through a multimedia device at the seat allotted to them, instead of doing so in the lobby.

Official sources said it will help save time as lobbies are at times crowded with MPs. There have been instances when some MPs would mark their presence and leave without participating in the proceedings of the House, they added.

In a post on X, Tagore said the new multi-media device for marking attendance from Lok Sabha seats will be rolled out this Monsoon session but "we already saw it fail during the Waqf vote — where the system didn't function reliably".

Why repeat a "flawed system", he asked.

If attendance marking is about transparency and accountability, why are the prime minister and ministers exempted, Tagore further questioned.

"Shouldn't the PM lead by example instead of being above the process? It would reveal how many days the PM is actually present in the Lok Sabha — typically just 3–4 days out of 18–28 in a session," he said.

"Instead of merely digitising attendance, we need systemic reforms — mandatory attendance for all; transparent participation metrics; auto-publication of speaking records and voting behaviour," he said.

Digital tools are only as good as the intent behind them, Tagore said.

If accountability is selective, the system defeats its purpose, he said.

Speaker Om Birla is reportedly keen to introduce the new practice, sources have said, and added that the attendance register at the lobby will continue for some time, allowing MPs time to familiarise themselves with the electronic system to mark their presence.

Birla had last year given the members the option to mark their attendance in the House using a digital pen on an electronic tablet in the lobby as part of the efforts to make Parliament paperless.

Members of Parliament are, in general, required to mark their attendance to receive their daily allowances during Parliament sessions.

The Monsoon session of Parliament will begin on 21 July and continue till 21 August.