Members of Lok Sabha attended the first day of the Monsoon session amid the COVID-19 pandemic. To maintain social distance among the Member of Parliaments, polycarbonate shields have been installed in front of their benches, reported PTI.

On the first of the session over 200 members were present in the Lok Sabha chamber and a little over 30 were seated in the visitors’ gallery located above the main chamber.

A giant TV screen in the Lok Sabha chamber showed very few Lok Sabha members were occupying seats in the Rajya Sabha chamber, the other venue where LS MPs have been accommodated  keeping in mind physical distancing norms.

Only three members are allowed on benches, which usually accommodate six members.

Glass-like plastic shields of varied sizes were installed in front of benches to protect members from coronavirus. The shield also covered part of the members’ sides.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sat on a seat marked as number one, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on seat number 2 and Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on seat number  3, in front seats of the Treasury benches on the right of the Speaker’s podium.

The front seats of the Opposition benches were occupied by TR Baalu of the DMK and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress.

National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, who is attending the session first time after the abrogation of Article 370, was seated in the second row of Opposition benches.

As soon as the PM entered the House, he was greeted with claps and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” slogan.

Modi greeted members, including those from the Opposition, with folded hands.

All members were wearing masks. Some were also seen wearing face shields, including Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee.