Prime Minister says Budget session of Parliament important as people look at it with lot of hopes
Says it is collective responsibility of all parties to ensure effective functioning of Parliament
PM assures leaders of several parties all their concerns will be discussed
Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu says broad consensus on Ordinances; Land concerns can be discussed
Several parties call for smooth functioning of Parliament at All Party Meet on Budget session
Leaders welcome Prime Minister’s statement on religious freedom
Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi has stressed on the importance of the
Budget sesson of Parliament beginning February 23, 2015 saying that the
people of the country look at the session with lot of hopes and
expectations. He addressed the leaders of various parties in both the
Houses of Parliament at a meeting convened by the Government for mutual
consultations on the Budget session today.
Prime
Minister said that it is the collective responsibility of all parties
and leaders to enable the people fulfill their hopes and aspirations
through proper functioning of both the Houses of Parliament. Shri Modi
assured the leaders that all the issues and concerned raised by them
will be discussed in an appropriate manner keeping in view their
importance and priority. He expressed the hope that there would be a
collective effort during the Budget session in the interest of the
common man.
Prime Minister has attended the leaders’ meeting for over an hour and later had lunch along with all the leades.
In
his opening remarks, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs gave detailes of
the 44-item agenda of the Government for the Budget session including
financial, legislative and non-legislative business. He said that of the
six Ordinances to be converted into Acts of Parliament by April 5,
2015, there has been a broad consensus on five of them relating to
Citizenship for Overseas Indians, Introduction of e-rikshaws, allocation
of coal blocks and non-coal mines through open bidding. On the
Insurance Ordinance, he said that further to the suggestion of
opposition parties, a Select Committee of Rajya Sabha has been set up
and the same had submitted its report which amounts to a broad view of
the House and there is no reason for two views in the matter.
Shri
Venkaiah Naidu said that the Government is willing to address concerns
if any, on the Land Acquistion Ordinance. He noted : “Several state
governments cutting across partyline have expressed difficulties in land
acquisiton for development projects under the Act of 2013 and sought
modifications. Subsequently, the central government sought to facilitate
land acquistion for notified puposes like infrastructure and affordable
housing projects etc., in an easy manner without compromising on the
remuneration to be paid to farmers and rehabilitation measures to be
taken up for displaced persons. The Government is ready to address
apprehensions, if any in this regard’.
Shri
Naidu further said at the all party meet : “I would like to assure you
all that the government is always willing to sit with opposition to
resolve any differences on any issue. I don’t think there is any issue
that can’t be resolved if approached with open mind. What is required is
the spirit of mutual cooperation in the true spirit of Parliamentary
democracy. Let us collectively strive to build a conducive environment
for effective functioning of Parliament during the Budget session’.
Over
thirty leaders from both the Houses of Parliament expressed their views
with most of them highlighting the need for smooth functioning of
Parliament to enable discussion on all issues of concern both for the
Government and the Opposition.
Several
leaders have welcomed Prime Minister’s recent statement on religious
freedom and justify to promote one’s religion and his call for
respecting all religions.
Congress
leader in the Lok Sabha Shri Mallikarjuna Kharge said, “Parliamentary
democracy is all about deciding on issues through discusssion. Different
parties will convey their views on Ordinances and other issues whenever
taken up’.
Leader of
Nationalist Congress Party Shri Sharad Pawar said, “Budget session is
important and we need to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament.”
BJD
leader Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab noted :”There has been undue focus on
the Ordinaces in the media in general while it should have been on the
Budget and economic issues. We need to focus on budget issues. We want
both the Houses to function smoothly and decide on major issues. Efforts
shall be made to move forward on important issues throgh
rapproachment’.
Leaders of
different parties from Tamil Nadu suggested that during the forthcoming
visit of the Prime Minister to Sri Lanka, a conducive atmosphere may be
created for protecting the justifys of Tamil fishermen and Tamils in Sri
Lanka.
People’s
representatives from Andhra Pradesh sought necessary action for
fulfilling the assurances given to the state in the Andhra Pradesh
Reorganisation Act including the Special Status and Special Package for
the state. TRS leaders also spoke of the need for doing the needful for
the state of Telangana.
Leaders
from North-East suggested that they be given sufficient time in both
the Houses putting aside the principle of time allocation based on
numerical strength.
Issues
suggested for discussion during the ensuing Budget session by leaders of
different parties include: agrarian crisis, safety and security of
women, espionage issue, communal harmony, free academic environment,
passing on the benefit of declining international oil prices to public,
Swine flu outbreak, Election reforms, price rise, natual calamities,
development of North-East, reservation for women in legislatures etc.
Parliamentary
Affairs Minister Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu later said that the all pary
meet concluded on a very positive note and thanked the leaders for their
views and suggestions.
Source: PIB News
