Guess what the officialdom is planning when a new Lok Sabha is set to be in place? A new look for the House of People as well as the Central Hall of Parliament. “We have decided to do away with the green carpets, curtains and the present upholstery of the seats in the Lok Sabha chamber and the Central Hall,” Lok Sabha secretary-general P D T Achary told The Indian Express here on Wednesday evening.

“The process for the selection of the new décor is underway,” Achary added.

He explained that the idea of refurbishing struck him when he visited Bulgaria as a member of a parliamentary delegation. The colour scheme of carpets, curtains and upholstery in the Bulgarian Parliament was a visual delight. “It was simply elegant,” Achary said recalling that parliaments of most countries, including Germany, Greece and China, “had been done up very well”.

“Our carpets,” according to him, “are frayed and have spots and patches all over.” “On the whole, the interiors provide a very dull ambience,” he said underlining that “it is time we give them the kind of look which matches the profile of the largest democracy of the world.”

Achary had mooted a proposal for redoing the interiors soon after his return from Bulgaria. A discussion with engineers of the CPWD followed. He had requested them to rope in private interior designers. He said, “I will take the proposal to the general purposes committee of the new House as soon as possible.”

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