Changing contours

The Parliament House, earlier known as the Council House, was built to accommodate the growing participation of Indians in the British Government. The circular structure now houses the largest democracy of the world.

The Parliament House, earlier known as the Council House, was built to accommodate the growing participation of Indians in the British Government. The circular structure now houses the largest democracy of the world.

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As the role and importance of the Parliament House has changed, so have its contours to accommodate growing demand for space. That is why apart from the main Parliament building, the Parliament House Annexe and the Parliament Library Building were later constructed.

Before independence, the strength of membership of all the three Houses of the Council House was about 300 but the strength of the present Parliament is 795. To meet the additional demands, the Parliament House Annexe was constructed in 1976. The Annexe provides accommodation to Parliamentary Parties, Committee Rooms and office for the Chairmen of Parliamentary Committees and for the Secretariats of the two Houses.

“As the role of the Parliament started getting expanded, more space was required for the staff of the Secretariat and the Parliamentary Committees,” said Satya Narayana Sahu, Joint Secretary, Rajya Sabha Secretariat.