M A I N   N E W S

monsoon session
PM to Opposition: Help clear pending agenda, cooperate
Tribune News Service

Having faced turbulence in the previous sessions, the UPA government hopes there would be greater cooperation from the Opposition during the monsoon session of Parliament starting Monday and important legislative business be transacted.

The Bill to replace the Ordinance on Food Security tops the list of a heavy legislative agenda the Government drew for the short session. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today summed up the expectations saying: “I hope it (monsoon session) will be a very constructive and productive session of Parliament. A lot of time was wasted in the previous two to three sessions and there is a lot of legislative agenda pending...I sincerely hope that all sections of the House will cooperate...”

The PM’s comments came after a meeting was convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to ensure smooth functioning of the House. He said the Government is willing to discuss any issue that the Opposition is agitated about while requesting cooperation to pass essential legislative work.

Of the ordinances, which are before Parliament, the PM tagged one on food security as the most important. “I sincerely hope that Parliament in its wisdom find it justified to pass that”. The Bill to replace the Food Security ordinance was promulgated last month.

Working up support and the required numbers, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath exuded confidence that the monsoon session would be smooth.

He said assurances have been received from all political parties to the effect.

Opposition plans to raise Telangana, a move to create the states having stoked similar demands elsewhere in the country like Gorkhaland in West Bengal much to the chagrin of Trinamool Congress which wants the Union Home Minister to announce that no new states will be further carved out.

Communist leader Gurudas Dasgupta said his party would seek discussion on the state of Indian economy, including the fall of the rupee and the Uttarakhand tragedy.

He, along with the Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj, said with just 12 effective sittings till August 30, the session was too short considering the work at hand.

Kamal Nath said, if required, the session could be extended.

The meeting saw some Opposition leaders attack the government on rising prices while some demanded legislation to undo the Supreme Court order on debarring jailed leaders from contesting elections.