PM exhorts NDA to end boycott of Parliament
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 13
Asserting that his government was willing to discuss all issues with the Opposition “with an open mind”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today reiterated his appeal to the National Democratic Alliance to end its boycott of Parliament and participate in the Monsoon session.

Replying to Rajya Sabha Chairperson Bhairon Singh Shekhawat’s concluding remarks on the last day of the Budget session, Mr Singh said he fully shared his feelings and views that the House transacted very important business during the session but lacked its typical “flavour” in the absence of the Opposition.

The Prime Minister said the House was ending the session with a regret that it did not have the opportunity to listen to the views of a number of people’s representatives who were sent to Parliament by voters to give expression to their will.

“It is the obligation of both the government and the Opposition to ensure that the proceedings of the House are carried on in an orderly manner and the time is spent creatively”, said Dr Singh, while appealing to the Opposition not to “forgo its important role” in the next session of Parliament.

Dr Singh said the Budget session had been a very important one, with the House discussing and passing many important bills, including the Right to Information Bill, Patents (Amendment) Bill and Special Economic Zones Bill, besides approving the Railway Budget and the General Budget.

The House also took up for discussion, many urgent issues like those on tsunami disaster, farmers problems and reform of the criminal justice system, he said.