“When half of India is hungry why spent money on new Parliament?”Kamal Hassan asks PM Modi

Dec. 13: Tamil film star-turned-politician Kamal Haasan attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the new parliament project for which he had laid the foundation stone recently. In September, Tata Projects Ltd was awarded the contract for the development of the new Parliament complex with a bid of ₹861.90 crore.

In a tweet on Saturday, the veteran actor and founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), Kamal Hassan wrote, “Why a 1,000-crore new Parliament when half of India is hungry, losing livelihood due to coronavirus. When thousands died as the Great Wall of China was being built, the rulers said it was to protect people. To protect whom are you building the Rs1,000-crore Parliament? Please answer my honourable elected PM.”

“Today is a historic day as the foundation of the New Parliament building has been laid. We the people of India together will construct this new building of the Parliament,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at the foundation stone laying ceremony of new Parliament building on 10 December. The foundation stone laying ceremony was attended by leaders from various political parties, Cabinet ministers and ambassadors of different countries.

To be built on an area of 64,500 square metres, the new Parliament building will have a grand Constitution Hall to showcase India’s democratic heritage, a lounge for members of Parliament, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space. In the new building, the Lok Sabha chamber will have a seating capacity for 888 members, while the Rajya Sabha will have 384 seats for members. The Lok Sabha chamber will have an option to increase its sitting capacity to 1,224 members during joint sessions. At present, Lok Sabha has a sanctioned strength of 543 members and Rajya Sabha 245.