Ansari kicks off drive to eliminate paper wastage

The move comes as a follow up on a slew of reforms initiated by him in the functioning of the Rajya Sabha.

Concerned at the huge consumption of paper,  Ansari has approved a  proposal for a comprehensive and scientific study to evolve a suitable mechanism to ensure that the usage of paper is minimised to the possible extent.

He is of the view that in this digital era—with modern technologies being accessible to all stakeholders—Parliament should try to set an example by reducing the stress on limited available natural resources in all possible ways.  

Accordingly, Rajya Sabha secretary-general Vivek Agnihotri has constituted a committee to study the subject in detail and make recommendations.

It was Ansari, during the winter session of 2009, who pushed for a highly useful mega-digitisation project to make all the debates in the Rajya Sabha accessible online. The unique feature of the project is that the highest legislative body in the country began using open-source software for the first time, thereby saving huge money for the exchequer.

Recently, the new-look website of the Rajya Sabha was given the “Gold Icon” award under the category “Comprehensive Web Presence—Ministry / Department” of the Web Ratna Awards 2009. This award, instituted by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to promote noteworthy e-Governance initiatives in India, felicitates the Union ministries and departments which have a comprehensive presence in cyber space.

The “Gold Icon” award was assessed in terms of quantity, quality, spectrum of coverage, innovation, citizen centric and responsiveness in their web-based information and service delivery initiatives.